GFSI INC
S-4, 1997-03-28
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<PAGE>
 
      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on      , 1997
                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                               ----------------
 
                                   FORM S-4
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                               ----------------
 
                                  GFSI, INC.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
                               ----------------
 
        DELAWARE                     2396                    74-2810748
     (State or other    (Primary Standard Industrial     (I.R.S. Employer   
     jurisdiction of       Classification Number)     Identification Number) 
    incorporation or
      organization)
                                     
                                                     
                                  GFSI, INC.
                             9700 COMMERCE PARKWAY
                             LENEXA, KANSAS 66219
                                 913-888-0445
         (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
            area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                               ----------------
 
                               JOHN L. MENGHINI
                                  GFSI, INC.
                             9700 COMMERCE PARKWAY
                             LENEXA, KANSAS 66219
                                 913-888-0445
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                  including area code, of agent for service)
 
                               ----------------
 
                                With a copy to:
                            JAMES B. CARLSON, ESQ.
                             MAYER, BROWN & PLATT
                                 1675 BROADWAY
                           NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
                                (212) 506-2515
 
                               ----------------
 
  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. [_]
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            PROPOSED
                                            MAXIMUM    PROPOSED
                                            OFFERING   MAXIMUM
    TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF        AMOUNT     PRICE    AGGREGATE    AMOUNT OF
          SECURITIES              TO BE        PER     OFFERING   REGISTRATION
       TO BE REGISTERED         REGISTERED   UNIT(1)   PRICE(1)       FEE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>          <C>      <C>          <C>
9 5/8% Series B Senior Subor-
 dinated Notes Due 2007......  $125,000,000   100%   $125,000,000  $37,878.79
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee.
 
  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 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE    +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY SUCH STATE.                                                               +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 28, 1997
 
PROSPECTUS
                                   GFSI, INC.
OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS 9 5/8% SERIES B SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007, WHICH
      HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS
        OUTSTANDING 9 5/8% SERIES A SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007.

  GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("GFSI" or the "Company") and a direct,
wholly-owned subsidiary of GFSI Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Holdings" or "Parent"), hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Prospectus and in the accompanying Letter of
Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal") (which together constitute the
"Exchange Offer"), to exchange up to $125 million aggregate principal amount of
9 5/8% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "New Notes"), of the
Company for a like principal amount of the Company's issued and outstanding 9
5/8% Series A Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Old Notes" and
collectively with the New Notes, the "Notes"), with the holders (each holder of
Old Notes, a "Holder") thereof. The terms of the New Notes are substantially
identical to the terms of the Old Notes that are to be exchanged therefor. See
"Description of the Notes." The Company will receive no proceeds in connection
with the Exchange Offer.
 
  THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK
CITY TIME, ON         , 1997, UNLESS EXTENDED.
 
  The Notes will be general unsecured obligations of the Company, subordinated
in right of payment to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, including indebtedness under the New Credit Agreement, and pari passu
or senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of the
Company. As of December 31, 1996, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to
the Transactions, the aggregate principal amount of Senior Indebtedness of the
Company to which the Notes would have been subordinated would have been
approximately $67.7 million. The Indenture will permit the Company and its
subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including Senior Indebtedness,
subject to certain limitations. See "Description of Notes."
 
  The Company will accept for exchange any and all Old Notes that are validly
tendered and not withdrawn on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
         , 1997, unless the Exchange Offer is extended (the "Expiration Date").
Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the Expiration Date. The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon
any minimum principal amount of Old Notes being tendered for exchange. However,
the Exchange Offer is subject to certain customary conditions which may be
waived by the Company. The Company has agreed to pay the expenses of the
Exchange Offer. There will be no cash proceeds to the Company from the Exchange
Offer. See "Use of Proceeds."
                                             (Cover continued on following page)
 
                                  -----------
 
  FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY HOLDERS OF
OLD NOTES WHO TENDER THEIR OLD NOTES IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER, SEE "RISK FACTORS"
ON PAGE 13 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                                  -----------
 
                  The date of this Prospectus is       , 1997
<PAGE>
 
  The Old Notes were issued and sold on February 27, 1997 (the "Old Note
Offering"), in a transaction not registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"), in reliance upon the exemption provided in
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. Accordingly , the Old Notes may not be
reoffered, resold or otherwise pledged, hypothecated or transferred in the
United States unless so registered or unless an applicable exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. The New Notes
are being offered for exchange in order to satisfy certain obligations of the
Company under a Registration Rights Agreement (as defined) between the Company
and the Initial Purchasers (as defined). The New Notes will be obligations of
the Company evidencing the same indebtedness as the Old Notes and will be
entitled to the benefits of the same Indenture (as defined), which governs
both the Old Notes and the New Notes. The form and terms (including principal
amount, interest rate, maturity and ranking) of the New Notes are the same as
the form and terms of the Old Notes, except that the New Notes (i) will be
registered under the Securities Act and therefore will not be subject to
certain restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Notes, (ii) will not be
entitled to registration rights and (iii) will not provide for any Liquidated
Damages (as defined). See "The Exchange Offer--Registration Rights; Liquidated
Damages."
 
  Prior to the Exchange Offer, there has been no established trading market
for the Old Notes or the New Notes. The Company does not intend to apply for
listing or quotation of the New Notes on any securities exchange or stock
market. Therefore, there can be no assurance as to the liquidity of any
trading market for the New Notes or that an active public market for the New
Notes will develop. Any Old Notes not tendered and accepted in the Exchange
Offer will remain outstanding. To the extent that Old Notes are tendered and
accepted in the Exchange Offer, a holder's ability to sell untendered, or
tendered but unaccepted, Old Notes could be adversely affected. Following the
consummation of the Exchange Offer, the holders of Old Notes will continue to
be subject to the existing restrictions on transfer thereof and the Company
will have no further obligations to such holders to provide for the
registration of the Old Notes under the Securities Act. See "The Exchange
Offer--Consequences of Not Exchanging Old Notes."
 
  The Company is making the Exchange Offer pursuant to the registration
statement of which this Prospectus is a part in reliance upon the position of
the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") set
forth in certain no-action letters addressed to other parties in other
transactions. However, the Company has not sought its own no-action letter and
there can be no assurance that the staff of the Commission would make a
similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer. Based on these
interpretations by the staff of the Commission, the Company believes that the
New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale,
resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than (i) any such
holder that is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act, (ii) an Initial Purchaser who acquired the Old Notes
directly from the Company solely in order to resell pursuant to Rule 144A of
the Securities Act or any other available exemption under the Securities Act,
or (iii) a broker-dealer who acquired the Old Notes as a result of market
making or other trading activities) without further compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act,
provided that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such
holder's business and such holder is not participating and has no arrangement
or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution (within the
meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Notes. Each broker-dealer that
receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such New Notes. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and
by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that
it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. This
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be
used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of New Notes received in
exchange for Old Notes where such Old Notes are acquired by such broker-dealer
as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The
Company has agreed that, for a period of 120 days after the Expiration Date
(as defined), it will make this Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for
use in connection with any such resale. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
                                       i
<PAGE>
 
                                    SUMMARY
 
  The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to and should
be read in conjunction with the more detailed information and financial
statements, including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated, all references in this Prospectus to
the Company's business and pro forma data give effect to the Transactions (as
defined). Unless the context indicates or otherwise requires, references in
this Prospectus to the "Company" are to GFSI, Inc. and its predecessor, Winning
Ways, Inc., and references to a fiscal year are to the twelve months ended June
30 of such year.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  The Company, which operates primarily under the brand name GEAR For Sports(R)
("GEAR"), is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of high quality,
custom designed sportswear and activewear bearing names, logos and insignia of
resorts, corporations, colleges and professional sports. The Company, which was
founded in 1974, custom designs and decorates an extensive line of high-end
outerwear, fleecewear, polo shirts, T-shirts, woven shirts, sweaters, shorts,
headwear and sports luggage. The Company markets its products to over 13,000
active customer accounts through its well-established and diversified
distribution channels, rather than through the price sensitive mass
merchandise, discount and department store distribution channels. The Company
believes that it has been able to compete successfully because of its ability
to create diverse and innovative designs, provide excellent customer service,
leverage its GEAR brand name and differentiate its products on the basis of
quality. For the twelve months ended December 31, 1996, the Company generated
net sales and Adjusted EBITDA (as defined) of $177.1 million and $39.6 million,
respectively.
 
  From fiscal 1991 to fiscal 1996, the Company's net sales increased from $94.7
million to $169.3 million from internal growth, representing a compound annual
growth rate ("CAGR") of 12.3%. During the same period, the Company's EBITDA (as
defined) grew from $17.9 million to $36.0 million, representing a CAGR of
15.0%, and its EBITDA margin increased from 18.9% to 21.3%. The Company has
achieved a record of strong sales and EBITDA growth and stable operating
margins primarily due to its: (i) leading positions in niche markets;
(ii) diversified and stable customer base; (iii) superior product quality and
customer service; (iv) broad product portfolio; (v) value-added design and
manufacturing capabilities; and (vi) innovative management. The Company expects
to continue to grow by leveraging the strength of the GEAR brand name to expand
its product lines and access underpenetrated segments of its markets. The
Company believes that it is less vulnerable to earnings fluctuations than
typical apparel manufacturers and marketers because: (i) the Company designs
and custom manufactures basic, classic products with low fashion risk; (ii)
consumer demand for sportswear and activewear continues to increase; and (iii)
the Company's products are customized based on firm customer orders, minimizing
its risk of excess inventory.
 
  The Company markets its products primarily through four separate divisions,
each of which serves distinct distribution channels and utilizes a salesforce
with a specialized knowledge of its particular markets and customers. The
Company's network of approximately 140 independent sales representatives and
over 70 in-house artists and graphic designers work directly with the Company's
customers to create innovative sportswear and activewear products to meet
customer specifications. The Company's four divisions include:
 
  ^ The Resort Division (40.0% of fiscal 1996 net sales) is a leading
    marketer of custom logoed sportswear and activewear to over 6,100 active
    customer accounts, including destination resorts, family entertainment
    companies, hotel chains, golf clubs, cruise lines, casinos and United
    States military bases. The division's customers include widely recognized
    names such as The Walt Disney Company, Universal Studios, The Ritz
    Carlton, Pebble Beach, Princess Cruise Lines and The Mirage. The Company
    believes that the breadth of its coordinated product line and its
    national scope provide it with a distinct competitive advantage in the
    resort market.
 
<PAGE>
 
  ^ The Corporate Division (27.9% of fiscal 1996 net sales) is a leading
    marketer of corporate identity sportswear and activewear for use by a
    diverse group of corporations in incentive and promotional programs as
    well as for office casual wear and uniforms. The division services over
    3,500 active customer accounts, including Toyota, Hershey, Dr Pepper/7Up,
    Anheuser-Busch, MCI and Exxon. The Company believes that it has an
    advantage over its competitors because it is one of the few national
    brand name suppliers of sportswear and activewear focused on the
    corporate market. In addition, the Company recently formed Tandem
    Marketing to leverage its existing corporate customer base by developing
    and administering corporate fulfillment programs. The Company typically
    implements corporate fulfillment programs in conjunction with a catalogue
    featuring a full line of both apparel and non-apparel merchandise
    customized with the corporate customer's name, logo or message.
 
  ^ The College Bookstore Division (22.3% of fiscal 1996 net sales) is a
    leading marketer of custom designed, embroidered and silk-screened
    sportswear and activewear products to over 2,300 active customer
    accounts, including nearly every major college and university in the
    United States. The division's largest accounts include each of the major
    college bookstore lease operators, such as Barnes & Noble College
    Bookstores, as well as high volume, university managed bookstores, such
    as the University of Notre Dame, the University of Southern California,
    Yale University, the University of Michigan and the United States Air
    Force and Naval academies. The National Association of College Stores has
    selected the Company as "Vendor of the Year" three times, an honor no
    other supplier has won more than once.
 
  ^ The Sports Specialty Division (3.7% of fiscal 1996 net sales),
    established in 1994, has entered into licensing agreements to design,
    manufacture and market sportswear and activewear bearing the names, logos
    and insignia of professional sports leagues and teams as well as major
    sporting events. The Company's licensors include, among others, Major
    League Baseball ("MLB"), the National Basketball Association ("NBA"), the
    National Hockey League ("NHL"), NASCAR and The Breeder's Cup. The
    division targets the upscale adult sports enthusiast through the
    Company's existing distribution channels as well as through new channels
    such as stadium stores and team retail outlets. The division markets its
    products to over 600 active customer accounts, including the Indianapolis
    Motor Speedway, the Chicago Bulls, the Cleveland Indians, the Boston
    Bruins and Madison Square Garden.
 
  FINANCIAL CHARACTERISTICS. The Company's business has the following financial
characteristics:
 
  ^ Diverse and Stable Customer Base. The Company sells to its niche markets
    through a diverse base of over 13,000 active customer accounts. In fiscal
    1996, no single account represented more than 2.5% of net sales, and the
    Company's top ten customers accounted for less than 13% of net sales. The
    number of active customer accounts increased from approximately 5,600 in
    fiscal 1991 to over 13,000 in fiscal 1996. New potential end-users of the
    Company's products are added each year as new customers visit resorts and
    participate in other leisure activities, corporations continue to expand
    their identity and promotional programs and new students enroll at
    colleges and universities.
 
  ^ Strong Sales and EBITDA Growth. From fiscal 1991 to fiscal 1996, the
    Company's net sales increased from $94.7 million to $169.3 million from
    internal growth, representing a CAGR of 12.3%. During the same period,
    the Company's EBITDA grew from $17.9 million to $36.0 million,
    representing a CAGR of 15.0%, and its EBITDA margin increased from 18.9%
    to 21.3%. The Company believes that this growth can be attributed to: (i)
    its focus on niche markets where competition is generally based on
    product and service quality rather than price; (ii) operating leverage
    resulting from the introduction of new products in established
    distribution channels; and (iii) its focus on manufacturing efficiencies.
 
  ^ Low Capital Expenditures. The Company concentrates on the high value-
    added production processes of custom design, embroidery, silk-screening
    and other finishing elements at its state-of-the-art manufacturing
    facilities. The capital intensive process of manufacturing unfinished
    garments ("blanks") and other items is outsourced to a network of foreign
    and domestic independent manufacturers who
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
    comply with the Company's stringent specifications. As a result, the
    Company maintains low fixed costs and requires limited annual capital
    expenditures. From fiscal 1992 to fiscal 1996, total annual capital
    expenditures averaged approximately $3 million, or an average of 2.2% of
    net sales and 10.5% of EBITDA for such years.
 
  ^ Historically Non-Cyclical Business. The Company has not experienced a
    reduction of its business as a result of past general economic downturns.
    The Company believes that its record of consistent growth is a result of
    the relatively non-cyclical nature of its primary market segments as well
    as its competitive position as a supplier of high quality, customized
    products that are less susceptible to consumer price sensitivity. The
    Company believes that the diversity of its products, distribution
    channels and markets also minimizes its exposure to particular customers,
    economic cycles and geographic concentration.
 
  BUSINESS STRATEGY. The Company's objective is to continue to increase sales,
EBITDA and operating margins, and is based upon the following strategic
elements:
 
  ^ Superior Product Quality and Customer Service. Each of the Company's
    divisions focuses on high-end, customized sportswear, activewear and
    related products. The Company's products uniquely address each account's
    specific requirements, while providing the end-user with a high quality
    product. The Company's ability to maintain consistency in product quality
    and customer service, regardless of order size, enables it to effectively
    service a broad range of customers. With over 70 in-house artists and
    graphic designers and state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution
    facilities, the Company believes that it provides products and service
    that are superior to those of its competitors in each of its markets.
 
  ^ Leading Position in Multiple Niche Markets. The Company has a leading
    position in the resort, corporate and college bookstore markets. The
    Company's superior service and product customization enable it to more
    effectively serve the particular needs of these customers. As a result,
    the Company believes that: (i) it is one of the few national competitors
    in the highly fragmented resort and leisure market; (ii) it has a leading
    share of the corporate identity market, where it competes primarily with
    smaller local and regional companies as well as a few national
    competitors; and (iii) it has the second largest share of the college
    bookstore market.
 
  ^ Leveraging the GEAR For Sports(R) Brand Name. The Company leverages its
    GEAR brand name by introducing new products through its established
    distribution channels. For example, the Company recently introduced new
    headwear, sports luggage and Baby GEAR product lines. The Company
    believes that the GEAR brand name is widely recognized by customers and
    end-users in each of its markets and enjoys a reputation for high quality
    products. The Company intends to continue to leverage this brand name
    recognition through its existing distribution channels as well as through
    alternative distribution channels and markets.
 
  ^ Efficient Operations. The Company uses its state-of-the-art facilities to
    design, embroider and screenprint a significant portion of its products.
    In addition, the Company uses independent contractors to manufacture its
    blanks and, where appropriate, to provide other value-added manufacturing
    services in order to maximize sourcing flexibility while minimizing
    overhead costs and fixed charges. The Company minimizes the risk of
    excess inventory by designing and manufacturing its products against firm
    customers orders.
 
  ^ Experienced Management Team with Significant Equity Ownership. The
    Company's management team has extensive experience in the sportswear and
    activewear business. The top five senior executives have each been with
    the Company for at least 13 years and have combined industry experience
    of over 115 years. Approximately 20 members of the management team
    contributed an aggregate of $13.6 million in exchange for 50% of the
    capital stock of the Company's parent, GFSI Holdings, Inc. ("Holdings").
    The management team will have significant incentive to continue to
    increase the Company's sales and EBITDA as a result of their substantial
    equity ownership and performance based incentive compensation programs
    that the Company intends to implement.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
 
                                ----------------
 
  The Company was incorporated in the state of Delaware on January 15, 1996. On
February 27, 1997, the Company effected a merger with Winning Ways, Inc.
"Winning Ways", a Missouri corporation, in which Winning Ways merged with and
into the Company. The Company's principal executive offices are located at 9700
Commerce Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas 66219 and its telephone number is (913) 888-
0445.
 
                                THE TRANSACTIONS
 
  Holdings and GFSI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings, were organized by
affiliates of The Jordan Company and management to effect the acquisition of
Winning Ways. Pursuant to an agreement for the purchase and sale of stock,
dated as of January 24, 1997 (the "Acquisition Agreement"), Holdings and GFSI
acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Winning Ways on
February 27, 1997, and Winning Ways immediately thereafter merged with and into
GFSI.
 
  The aggregate purchase price for Winning Ways was $232.9 million, subject to
adjustment following the closing (the "Closing") of the Transactions (as
defined), consisting of $203.5 million in cash and the repayment of $29.4 of
the Winning Ways' Existing Indebtedness (as defined). To finance the
Acquisition, including approximately $11.1 million of related fees and
expenses: (i) TJC, its affiliates and MCIT PLC (collectively, the "Jordan
Investors") and certain members of management (the "Management Investors")
invested $52.2 million in Holdings and Holdings contributed $51.3 million of
this amount in cash to the Company (the "Equity Contribution"); (ii) the
Company consummated the offering of Old Notes in the aggregate principal amount
of $125.0 million (the "Offering"); and (iii) the Company entered into a credit
agreement (the "New Credit Agreement"), providing for borrowings of up to
$115.0 million, of which approximately $67.7 million was outstanding and $22.9
million was utilized to cover outstanding letters of credit at Closing. The
Equity Contribution is comprised of: (i) a contribution of $13.6 million from
the Jordan Investors to Holdings in exchange for cumulative preferred stock of
Holdings due 2009 ("Holdings Preferred Stock") and approximately 50% of the
common stock of Holdings; (ii) a contribution of $13.6 million from the
Management Investors to Holdings in exchange for Holdings Preferred Stock and
approximately 50% of the common stock of Holdings; and (iii) a contribution of
$25.0 million from a Jordan Investor to Holdings in exchange for subordinated
notes of Holdings (the "Holdings Subordinated Notes"). Approximately $0.8
million of the contribution from the Management Investors was financed by loans
from Holdings. Consummation of the Offering was conditioned upon the concurrent
consummation of the Acquisition, the Equity Contribution and the initial
borrowings under the New Credit Agreement. For additional information, see "The
Transactions" and "Use of Proceeds."
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
 
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
Securities Offered..........  $125,000,000 principal amount of 9 5/8% Series B
                              Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007. The terms of
                              the New Notes and the Old Notes are identical in
                              all material respects, except for certain
                              transfer restrictions and registration rights
                              relating to the Old Notes and except for certain
                              Liquidated Damages provisions relating to the Old
                              Notes described below under "--Summary
                              Description of the New Notes."
 
Issuance of Old Notes;
 Registration Rights........  The Old Notes were issued on February 27, 1997 to
                              Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
                              Corporation and Jefferies & Company, Inc.
                              (collectively, the "Initial Purchasers"), which
                              placed the Old Notes with "qualified
                              institutional buyers" (as such term is defined in
                              Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act).
                              In connection therewith, the Company executed and
                              delivered for the benefit of the holders of Old
                              Notes a certain registration rights agreement
                              (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), pursuant
                              to which the Company agreed (i) to file a
                              registration statement (the "Registration
                              Statement") on or prior to 90 days after February
                              27, 1997 with respect to the Exchange Offer and
                              (ii) to use their best efforts to cause the
                              Registration Statement to be declared effective
                              by the Commission on or prior to 150 days after
                              February 27, 1997. In certain circumstances, the
                              Company will be required to provide a shelf
                              registration statement (the "Shelf Registration
                              Statement") to cover resales of the Old Notes by
                              the holders thereof. If the Company does not
                              comply with its obligations under the
                              Registration Rights Agreement, it will be
                              required to pay Liquidated Damages to holders of
                              the Old Notes under certain circumstances. See
                              "The Exchange Offer--Registration Rights;
                              Liquidated Damages." Holders of Old Notes do not
                              have any appraisal rights in connection with the
                              Exchange Offer.
 
The Exchange Offer..........  The New Notes are being offered in exchange for a
                              like principal amount of Old Notes. The issuance
                              of the New Notes is intended to satisfy the
                              obligations of the Company contained in the
                              Registration Rights Agreement. Based upon the
                              position of the staff of the Commission set forth
                              in no-action letters issued to third parties in
                              other transactions substantially similar to the
                              Exchange Offer, the Company believes that the New
                              Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may
                              be offered for resale, resold and otherwise
                              transferred by holders thereof (other than (i)
                              any such holder that is an "affiliate" of the
                              Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
                              Securities Act, (ii) an Initial Purchaser who
                              acquired the Old Notes directly from the Company
                              solely in order to resell pursuant to Rule 144A
                              of the Securities Act or any other available
                              exemption under the Securities Act, or (iii) a
                              broker-dealer who acquired the Old Notes as a
                              result of market making or other trading
                              activities) without further compliance with the
                              registration and
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                              prospectus delivery requirements of the
                              Securities Act, provided that such New Notes are
                              acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's
                              business and such holder is not participating and
                              has no arrangement with any person to participate
                              in a distribution (within the meaning of the
                              Securities Act) of such New Notes. Each broker-
                              dealer that receives New Notes for its own
                              account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must
                              acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
                              connection with any resale for such New Notes.
                              Although there has been no indication of any
                              change in the staff's position, there can be no
                              assurance that the staff of the Commission would
                              make a similar determination with respect to the
                              resale of the New Notes. See "Risk Factors."
 
Procedures for Tendering....  Tendering holders of Old Notes must complete and
                              sign the Letter of Transmittal in accordance with
                              the instructions contained therein and forward
                              the same by mail, facsimile or hand delivery,
                              together with any other required documents, to
                              the Exchange Agent, either with the Old Notes to
                              be tendered or in compliance with the specified
                              procedures for guaranteed delivery of Old Notes.
                              Holders of the Old Notes desiring to tender such
                              Old Notes in exchange for New Notes should allow
                              sufficient time to ensure timely delivery.
                              Certain brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust
                              companies and other nominees may also effect
                              tenders by book-entry transfer. Holders of Old
                              Notes registered in the name of a broker, dealer,
                              commercial bank, trust company or other nominee
                              are urged to contact such person promptly if they
                              wish to tender Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange
                              Offer. Letters of Transmittal and certificates
                              representing Old Notes should not be sent to the
                              Company. Such documents should only be sent to
                              the Exchange Agent. Questions regarding how to
                              tender and requests for information should be
                              directed to the Exchange Agent. See "The Exchange
                              Offer--Procedures for Tendering Old Notes."
 
Tenders, Expiration Date;
 Withdrawal.................  The Exchange Offer will expire the earlier of (i)
                              5:00 p.m., New York City time, on             ,
                              1997 or (ii) the date when all Old Notes have
                              been tendered, or such later date and time to
                              which it is extended, provided it may not be
                              extended beyond             , 1997. The tender of
                              Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be
                              withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration
                              Date. Any Old Note 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. See "The Exchange Offer--
                              Terms of the Exchange Offer; Period for Tendering
                              Old Notes" and""--Withdrawal Rights."
 
Certain Conditions to the
 Exchange Offer.............  The Exchange Offer is subject to certain
                              customary conditions, all of which may be waived
                              by the Company, including the absence of
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                              (i) threatened or pending proceedings seeking to
                              restrain the Exchange Offer or resulting in a
                              material delay to the Exchange Offer; (ii) a
                              general suspension of trading on any national
                              securities exchange or in the over-the-counter
                              market; (iii) a banking moratorium; (iv) a
                              commencement of war, armed hostilities or other
                              similar international calamity directly or
                              indirectly involving the United States; and (v)
                              change or threatened change in the business,
                              properties, assets, liabilities, financial
                              condition, operations, results of operations or
                              prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries
                              taken as a whole that, in the sole judgment of
                              the Company, is or may be adverse to the Company.
                              The Company shall not be required to accept for
                              exchange, or to issue New Notes in exchange for,
                              any Old Notes, if at any time before the
                              acceptance of such Old Notes for exchange or the
                              exchange of New Notes for such Old Notes, any of
                              the foregoing events occurs which, in the sole
                              judgment of the Company, make it inadvisable to
                              proceed with the Exchange Offer and/or with such
                              acceptance for exchange or with such exchange. If
                              the Company fails to consummate the Exchange
                              Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted
                              by applicable law or Commission policy, it will
                              file with the Commission a Shelf Registration
                              Statement to cover resales of the Transfer
                              Restricted Securities (as defined) by the holders
                              thereof who satisfy certain conditions. If the
                              Company fails to consummate the Exchange Offer or
                              file a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance
                              with the Registration Rights Agreement, the
                              Company will pay Liquidated Damages to each
                              holder of Transfer Restricted Securities until
                              the cure of all defaults. The Exchange Offer is
                              not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate
                              principal amount of Old Notes being tendered for
                              exchange. See "The Exchange Offer--Registration
                              Rights; Liquidated Damages" and "--Certain
                              Conditions to the Exchange Offer."
 
Federal Income Tax
 Consequences...............  For Federal income tax purposes, the exchange
                              pursuant to the Exchange Offer will not result in
                              any income, gain or loss to the Holders or the
                              Company. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
                              Considerations."
 
Use of Proceeds.............  There will be no proceeds to the Company from the
                              exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
 
Appraisal Rights............
                              Holders of Old Notes will not have dissenters'
                              rights or appraisal rights in connection with the
                              Exchange Offer.
 
Exchange Agent..............  Fleet National Bank is serving as Exchange Agent
                              in connection with the Exchange Offer.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
 
                  CONSEQUENCES OF NOT EXCHANGING THE OLD NOTES
 
  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 as a
consequence of the issuance of the Old Notes pursuant to exemptions from, or in
transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities
Act and applicable state securities laws. In general, the Old Notes may not be
offered or sold, unless registered under the Securities Act, except pursuant to
an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws. The Company does not currently anticipate
that it will register the Old Notes under the Securities Act. See "Risk
Factors--Consequences of Exchange and Failure to Exchange" and "The Exchange
Offer--Consequences of Exchanging Old Notes."
 
                      SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW NOTES
 
  The terms of the New Notes and the Old Notes are identical in all material
respects, except for certain transfer restrictions and registration rights
relating to the Old Notes and except that, if the Exchange Offer is not
consummated by        1997, subject to certain exceptions, with respect to the
first 90-day period immediately following thereafter, the Company will be
obligated to pay Liquidated Damages to each Holder of Old Notes in an amount
equal to $.05 per week for each $1,000 principal amount of Old Notes, as
applicable, held by such Holder. The amount of the Liquidated Damages will
increase by an additional $.05 per week with respect to each subsequent 90-day
period until the Exchange Offer is consummated, or any other Registration
Default (as defined) is cured, up to a maximum of $.40 per week for each $1,000
principal amount of Old Securities, as applicable.
 
  The New Notes will bear interest from the most recent date to which interest
has been paid on the Old Notes or, if no interest has been paid on the Old
Notes, from February 27, 1997. Accordingly, registered Holders of New Notes on
the relevant record date for the first interest payment date following the
consummation of the Exchange Offer will receive interest accruing from the most
recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid,
from February 27, 1997. Old Notes accepted for exchange will cease to accrue
interest from and after the date of consummation of the Exchange Offer. Holders
of Old Notes whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange will not receive any
payment in respect of interest on such Old Notes otherwise payable on any
interest payment date which occurs on or after consummation of the Exchange
Offer.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
 
                                 THE NEW NOTES
 
Issuer......................  GFSI, Inc.
 
Securities Offered..........  $125 million aggregate principal amount of 9 5/8%
                              Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007.
 
Maturity....................  March 1, 2007.
 
Interest....................  The Old Notes bear interest and the New Notes
                              will bear interest at a rate of 9 5/8% per annum,
                              payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on each
                              March 1 and September 1, commencing on the first
                              such date to occur after the Expiration Date.
 
Optional Redemption.........  On or after March 1, 2002, the Notes will be
                              redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole
                              or in part, at any time at the redemption prices
                              set forth herein, plus accrued and unpaid
                              interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the
                              date of redemption. Notwithstanding the
                              foregoing, at any time prior to March 1, 2000,
                              the Company may redeem up to 40% of the original
                              aggregate principal amount of the Notes with the
                              net proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (as
                              defined) at a redemption price equal to 110% of
                              the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and
                              unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any,
                              to the date of redemption. See "Description of
                              Notes--Redemption of Notes."
 
Mandatory Redemption........  Except after the passage of certain events, the
                              Company is not required to make any mandatory
                              redemption, purchase or sinking fund payments
                              with respect to the Notes. See "Description of
                              Notes--Mandatory Offers to Purchase Notes."
 
Change of Control...........  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as
                              defined), each holder of Notes will have the
                              right to require the Company to purchase such
                              holder's Notes pursuant to an Offer (as defined)
                              at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the
                              aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued
                              and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if
                              any, to the date of purchase. Certain
                              transactions with affiliates of the Company may
                              not be deemed to be a Change of Control.
                              Transactions constituting a Change of Control are
                              not limited to hostile takeover transactions not
                              approved by the current management of the
                              Company. Except as described under "Description
                              of Notes--Mandatory Offers to Purchase Notes,"
                              the Indenture does not contain provisions that
                              permit the holders of Notes to require the
                              Company to purchase or redeem the Notes in the
                              event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar
                              restructuring, including an issuer
                              recapitalization or similar transaction with
                              management.
 
Ranking.....................  The Notes will be general unsecured obligations
                              of the Company, subordinated in right of payment
                              to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness
                              (as defined) of the Company, including
                              Indebtedness
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                              (as defined) under the New Credit Agreement, and
                              pari passu or senior in right of payment to any
                              future subordinated Indebtedness of the Company.
                              As of December 31, 1996, on a pro forma basis
                              after giving effect to the Transactions, the
                              aggregate principal amount of Senior Indebtedness
                              of the Company to which the Notes would have been
                              subordinated would have been approximately $67.7
                              million. The indenture pursuant to which the
                              Notes will be issued (the "Indenture") will
                              permit the Company and its subsidiaries to incur
                              additional Indebtedness, including Senior
                              Indebtedness, subject to certain limitations. See
                              "Description of Notes--Certain Covenants" and
                              "Description of Certain Indebtedness."
 
                              The Company believes that prepayment of the Notes
                              pursuant to a Change of Control would constitute
                              a default under the New Credit Agreement. In the
                              event a Change of Control occurs, the Company
                              will likely be required to refinance the
                              Indebtedness outstanding under the New Credit
                              Agreement and the Notes. If there is a Change of
                              Control, any Indebtedness under the New Credit
                              Agreement could be accelerated, which
                              Indebtedness is secured and effectively ranks
                              senior to the Notes. Moreover, there can be no
                              assurance that sufficient funds will be available
                              at the time of any Change of Control to make any
                              required repurchases of the Notes given the
                              Company's high leverage. See "Risk Factors--
                              Leverage and Debt Service."
 
Certain Covenants...........  The Indenture contains certain covenants that,
                              among other things, limit the ability of the
                              Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to: (i)
                              pay dividends or make certain other Restricted
                              Payments (as defined); (ii) incur additional
                              Indebtedness; (iii) encumber or sell assets; (iv)
                              enter into certain guarantees of Indebtedness;
                              (v) enter into transactions with affiliates; and
                              (vi) merge or consolidate with any other entity
                              and to transfer or lease all or substantially all
                              of their assets. In addition, under certain
                              circumstances, the Company is required to offer
                              to purchase Notes at a price equal to 100% of the
                              principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
                              interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the
                              date of purchase with the proceeds of certain
                              Asset Sales (as defined). See "Description of
                              Notes--Certain Covenants" and "--Mandatory Offers
                              to Purchase Notes--Asset Sales."
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
  Holders of Old Notes should consider carefully all of the information set
forth in this Prospectus and, in particular, should evaluate the specific
factors set forth under "Risk Factors." Risk factors which Holders of Old Notes
should evaluate include the consequences of exchanging and not exchanging Old
Notes for New Notes, the Company's leverage and coverage, the ranking of the
Notes among other indebtedness of the Company, the Company's dependence on
intercompany transfers to meet its debt service and other obligations, the
Company's limited operating history and the limited relevance of its historical
financial information, the restrictive covenants contained in the Indenture and
the New Credit Agreement, the absence of a market for the New Notes, the
ability of the Company to purchase the Notes upon a Change of Control, the
influence of the Company's principal stockholders and fraudulent transfer
considerations.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
 
                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
  The following table presents summary: (i) historical operating and other data
of the Company for fiscal 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996, the six months ended
December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the twelve months ended December 31, 1996; (ii)
pro forma data for fiscal 1996, the six months ended December 31, 1995 and 1996
and the twelve months ended December 31, 1996; and (iii) historical and pro
forma balance sheet data of the Company as of December 31, 1996. The historical
financial statements of the Company for fiscal 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 have
been audited by Donnelly Meiners Jordan Kline, and the historical financial
statements for fiscal 1996 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP. The
historical data of the Company at and for the six months ended December 31,
1995 and 1996 and for the twelve months ended December 31, 1996 have been
derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited financial
statements of the Company and the related notes thereto, which are included
elsewhere in this Prospectus. In the opinion of management, such interim
financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal
recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly present the information presented
for such periods. The results of operations for the six months ended December
31, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be
expected for the full year. The pro forma income statement data of the Company
for the six months ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and for the twelve months
ended December 31, 1996 have been prepared as if the Transactions had occurred
on the first day of such period. The pro forma balance sheet data have been
prepared as if the Transactions had occurred on December 31, 1996. The summary
pro forma data does not purport to represent what the Company's results of
operations or financial position would have been if the Transactions had been
completed as of the date or for the periods presented, nor does such data
purport to represent the results of operations for any future period. The
summary financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with "The
Transactions," "Selected Historical Financial Data," "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition," the unaudited
pro forma financial statements and the historical financial statements of the
Company and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   TWELVE
                                                                            SIX MONTHS ENDED       MONTHS
                                   FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,                 DECEMBER 31,         ENDED
                          ------------------------------------------------  ------------------  DECEMBER 31,
                            1992      1993      1994      1995      1996      1995      1996        1996
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ------------
<S>                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 DATA:
Net sales...............  $118,187  $121,131  $128,171  $148,196  $169,321  $ 97,008  $104,811    $177,124
Gross profit............    47,079    50,936    53,724    63,327    72,013    41,811    45,353      75,555
Operating expenses......    25,949    28,201    29,151    34,428    39,179    21,079    23,234      41,334
Operating income........    21,130    22,735    24,573    28,899    32,834    20,732    22,119      34,221
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA(1)...............  $ 22,960  $ 24,733  $ 26,876  $ 31,759  $ 36,035  $ 22,306  $ 23,791    $ 37,520
Depreciation and
 amortization...........     1,830     1,998     2,303     2,860     3,201     1,574     1,672       3,299
Capital expenditures....     2,149     2,304     2,856     4,989     2,611       678     2,133       4,066
EBITDA margin(2)........      19.4%     20.4%     21.0%     21.4%     21.3%     23.0%     22.7%       21.2%
PRO FORMA DATA:
Adjusted EBITDA(3)......                                          $ 37,527  $ 23,216  $ 25,285    $ 39,596
Cash interest
 expense(4).............                                                                            18,082
Ratio of Adjusted EBITDA
 to cash interest
 expense................                                                                               2.2x
Ratio of net debt to
 Adjusted EBITDA(5).....                                                                               4.8x
</TABLE>
 
(footnotes on the following page)
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                        -----------------------
                                                                       PRO
                                                          ACTUAL      FORMA
                                                        -----------------------
<S>                                                     <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents.............................. $      727 $        749
Total assets...........................................     84,417       94,143
Long-term debt, including current portion..............     23,378      192,700
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)(6)................     38,747     (116,530)
</TABLE>
- --------------------
(1) EBITDA represents operating income plus depreciation and amortization.
    While EBITDA should not be construed as a substitute for operating income
    or a better indicator of liquidity than cash flow from operating
    activities, which are determined in accordance with generally accepted
    accounting principles ("GAAP"), it is included herein to provide additional
    information with respect to the ability of the Company to meet its future
    debt service, capital expenditure and working capital requirements. In
    addition, the Company believes that certain investors find EBITDA to be a
    useful tool for measuring the ability of the Company to service its debt.
    EBITDA is not necessarily a measure of the Company's ability to fund its
    cash needs.
 
(2) EBITDA margin represents EBITDA as a percentage of net sales.
 
(3) Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA less the Wolff noncompetition payments,
    plus certain costs that are expected to be eliminated as a result of the
    Transactions and certain non-recurring charges. Adjusted EBITDA has not
    been reduced by management fees payable by Holdings to TJC pursuant to the
    TJC Agreement (as defined) and directors fees, both of which are
    subordinated to the Company's obligations under the Notes.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 SIX MONTHS ENDED    TWELVE MONTHS
                               FISCAL YEAR ENDED   DECEMBER 31,          ENDED
                                   JUNE 30,      ------------------  DECEMBER 31,
                                     1996          1995      1996        1996
                               ----------------- --------  --------  -------------
     <S>                       <C>               <C>       <C>       <C>
     EBITDA..................       $36,035      $ 22,306  $ 23,791     $37,520
     Less Wolff
      noncompetition
      payments...............          (250)         (125)     (125)       (250)
     Plus Cost Savings
     Corporate jet expenses..           195            78        91         208
     Change in officers' life
      insurance..............           718           574       477         621
     Plus Non-Recurring
      Charges
     MIS consulting fees.....           625           250     1,051       1,426
     Legal expenses..........           204           133       --           71
                                    -------      --------  --------     -------
       Adjusted EBITDA.......       $37,527      $ 23,216  $ 25,285     $39,596
                                    =======      ========  ========     =======
</TABLE>
 
(4) Cash interest expense represents total interest expense less amortization
    of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest charges.
 
(5) Net debt represents total debt less cash and cash equivalents. The ratio of
    net debt to Adjusted EBITDA was calculated based on pro forma net debt as
    of December 31, 1996 of $192.0 million. See "Capitalization."
 
(6) The pro forma net capital deficiency of $116.5 million reflects adjustments
    to total stockholders' equity for the difference between the book value of
    the net assets of the Company and the $232.9 million purchase price paid
    for the Company. See "The Transactions" and the unaudited pro forma
    financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in
    this Prospectus.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  Holders of the Old Notes should carefully consider the following risk
factors, as well as other information set forth in this Prospectus, before
tendering their Old Notes in the Exchange Offer. The risk factors set forth
below (other than "Consequences of Exchange and Failure to Exchange") are
generally applicable to the Old Notes as well as the New Notes.
 
CONSEQUENCES OF EXCHANGE AND FAILURE TO EXCHANGE
 
  Issuance of the New Notes in exchange for the Old Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of
such Old Notes, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal
and all other required documents. Therefore, holders of the Old Notes desiring
to tender such Old Notes in exchange for New Notes should allow sufficient
time to ensure timely delivery. The Company is under no duty to give
notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Old Notes
for 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, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction
not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The
Company does not currently anticipate that it will register the Old Notes
under the Securities Act. In addition, upon the consummation of the Exchange
Offer holders of Old Notes which remain outstanding will not be entitled to
any rights to have such Old Notes registered under the Securities Act or to
any rights under the Registration Rights Agreement. To the extent that Old
Notes are tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer, a holder's ability to
sell untendered, or tendered but unaccepted, Old Notes could be adversely
affected. See "The Exchange Offer--Consequences of Not Exchanging Old Notes."
 
  Based on interpretations by the staff of the Commission, the Company
believes that the New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange
for Old Notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by a
holder thereof (other than (i) an "affiliate" of the Company within the
meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act, (ii) an Initial Purchaser who
acquired the Old Notes directly from the Company solely in order to resell
pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act or any other available exemption
under the Securities Act, or (iii) a broker-dealer who acquired the Old Notes
as a result of market making or other trading activities) without further
compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act, provided that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary
course of such holder's business and that such holder is not participating and
has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in a
distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Notes. The
Company has not, however, sought its own no-action letter from the staff of
the Commission. Although there has been no indication of any change in the
staff's position, there can be no assurance that the staff of the Commission
would make a similar determination with respect to the resale of the New
Notes. Any holder that cannot rely upon such prior staff interpretations must
comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction, unless such
sale is made pursuant to an exemption from such requirements. See "The
Exchange Offer--Purpose of the Exchange Offer."
 
LEVERAGE AND DEBT SERVICE
 
  Upon consummation of the Transactions, the Company has substantial
indebtedness and debt service obligations. At December 31, 1996, the Company's
total indebtedness, including current portion, would have been approximately
$192.7 million and its net capital deficiency would have been $116.5 million,
in each case on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Transactions. In
addition, subject to the restrictions under the New Credit Agreement and the
Indenture, the Company may incur additional indebtedness, including Senior
Indebtedness, from time to time. As a result of accounting for the
Transactions as a recapitalization under GAAP, total stockholders' equity of
the Company will change from $38.7 million to a deficit of approximately
$116.5 million as of December 31, 1996. See "The Transactions,"
"Capitalization" and "Description of Notes--Limitation on Incurrence of
Indebtedness."
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
  The level of the Company's indebtedness could have important consequences to
holders of the Notes, including: (i) a substantial portion of the Company's
cash flow from operations must be dedicated to debt service and will not be
available for other purposes; (ii) the Company's ability to obtain additional
debt financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures,
acquisitions or general corporate purposes may be limited; and (iii) the
Company's level of indebtedness could limit its flexibility to react to
changes in its operating environment and economic conditions generally.
 
  The Company's ability to pay principal of and interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the Notes and to satisfy its other debt obligations will
depend upon its future operating performance, which will be affected by
prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors,
certain of which are beyond its control, as well as the availability of
revolving credit borrowings under the New Credit Agreement or a successor
facility. The Company anticipates that its operating cash flow, together with
borrowings under the New Credit Agreement, will be sufficient to meet its
operating expenses and to service its debt requirements as they become due.
However, if the Company is unable to service its indebtedness, it will be
forced to take actions such as reducing or delaying capital expenditures,
selling assets, restructuring or refinancing its indebtedness, or seeking
additional equity capital. There can be no assurance that any of these
remedies can be effected on satisfactory terms, if at all.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
  The Notes will be subordinated in right of payment to all existing and
future Senior Indebtedness of the Company, including all obligations under the
New Credit Agreement. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or
reorganization of the Company or in the event of acceleration of any
indebtedness of the Company upon the occurrence of an event of default, the
assets of the Company would be available to pay obligations on the Notes only
after the Senior Indebtedness of the Company has been paid in full. The
Indenture will limit, but not prohibit, the incurrence by the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Senior Indebtedness. At December 31,
1996, after giving pro forma effect to the Transactions, the Company would
have had approximately $67.7 million in principal amount of Senior
Indebtedness outstanding and would have had additional availability under the
New Credit Agreement of approximately $47.3 million, subject to the
achievement of certain financial ratios and compliance with certain other
conditions. See "Description of Notes--Subordination."
 
CONTROL BY PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
  After the consummation of the Transactions, the Company's executive officers
and directors (and their respective affiliates, including TJC) (collectively,
the "Principal Stockholders") will own a majority of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of Holdings. See "Principal Stockholders." The
Principal Stockholders, if voting together, will have sufficient voting power
to elect the entire Board of Directors of each of Holdings and the Company,
exercise control over the business, policies and affairs of Holdings and the
Company, and, in general, determine the outcome of any corporate transaction
or other matters submitted to the stockholders for approval such as any
amendment to the certificate of incorporation of the Company (the "Certificate
of Incorporation"), the authorization of additional shares of capital stock,
and any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company and could prevent or cause a change of control of the Company,
all of which may adversely affect the Company and holders of the Notes.
Messrs. Caputo, Jordan and Zalaznick, all directors of Holdings and the
Company, are partners of TJC. In addition, the Company will maintain affiliate
transactions with certain members of senior management and, upon the
consummation of the Offering, the Company and Holdings will enter into certain
affiliate transactions with TJC. See "Certain Transactions."
 
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
 
  The Indenture will restrict, among other things, the Company's ability to
pay dividends or make certain other Restricted Payments, to incur additional
Indebtedness, to encumber or sell assets, to enter into transactions
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
with affiliates, to enter into certain guarantees of Indebtedness, to merge or
consolidate with any other entity and to transfer or lease all or
substantially all of its assets. See "Description of Notes--Certain
Covenants." In addition, the New Credit Agreement will contain other and more
restrictive covenants and will prohibit the Company from prepaying other
indebtedness, including the Notes.
 
  The indebtedness outstanding under the New Credit Agreement will be secured
by liens on substantially all of the personal property and certain real
property of the Company. The New Credit Agreement includes certain covenants
that, among other things, restrict: (i) the making of investments, loans and
advances and the paying of dividends and other restricted payments; (ii) the
incurrence of additional indebtedness; (iii) the granting of liens, other than
liens created pursuant to the New Credit Agreement and certain permitted
liens; (iv) mergers, consolidations, and sales of all or a substantial part of
the Company's business or property; (v) the sale of assets; (vi) the making of
capital expenditures; and (vii) operating lease rentals. The New Credit
Agreement also requires the Company to comply with certain financial ratios,
including minimum interest coverage, minimum fixed charge coverage and maximum
leverage ratios. The ability of the Company to comply with these and other
provisions of the New Credit Agreement may be affected by events beyond the
Company's control. The breach of any of these covenants could result in a
default under the New Credit Agreement, in which case, depending on the
actions taken by the lenders thereunder or their successors or assignees, such
lenders could elect to declare all amounts borrowed under the New Credit
Agreement, together with accrued interest, to be due and payable and the
Company could be prohibited from making payments of interest and principal on
the Notes until the default is cured or all Senior Indebtedness is paid or
satisfied in full. If the Company were unable to repay such borrowings, such
lenders could proceed against their collateral. If the indebtedness under the
New Credit Agreement were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that
the assets of the Company would be sufficient to repay in full such
indebtedness and the other indebtedness of the Company, including the Notes.
See "Description of Notes" and "Description of Certain Indebtedness--New
Credit Agreement."
 
CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
  In the event of a Change of Control, each holder of Notes will be entitled
to require the Company to purchase any or all of the Notes held by such holder
at the price stated herein. See "Description of Notes--Mandatory Offers to
Purchase Notes--Change of Control" and "--Certain Definitions--Change of
Control." The Company expects that prepayment of the Notes following a Change
of Control would constitute a default under the New Credit Agreement. In the
event that a Change of Control occurs, the Company would likely be required to
refinance the indebtedness outstanding under the New Credit Agreement and the
Notes. There can be no assurance that the Company would be able to refinance
such indebtedness or, if such refinancing were to occur, that such refinancing
would be on terms favorable to the Company.
 
  The holders of Notes have limited rights to require the Company to purchase
or redeem the Notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar
restructuring, including an issuer recapitalization or similar transaction
with management. Consequently, the Change of Control provisions will not
afford any protection in a highly leveraged transaction, including such a
transaction initiated by the Company, management of the Company or an
affiliate of the Company, if such transaction does not result in a Change of
Control. In addition, because the obligations of the Company with respect to
the Notes are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Company, existing or
future Senior Indebtedness of the Company may prohibit the Company from
repurchasing or redeeming any of the Notes upon a Change of Control. Moreover,
the ability of the Company to repurchase or redeem the Notes following a
Change of Control will be limited by the Company's then-available resources.
Accordingly, the Change of Control provision is likely to be of limited
usefulness in such situations. The Change of Control provisions may not be
waived by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Trustee without the
consent of holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes.
See "Description of Notes--Mandatory Offers to Purchase Notes--Change of
Control." As a result, 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 and, thus, the removal of incumbent management.
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE NOTES; RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERS
 
  The New Notes are being offered to Holders of the Old Notes. The Old Notes
were issued on February 27, 1997 to a small number of institutional investors
and are eligible for trading in the Private Offering, Resale and Trading
through Automated Linkages (PORTAL) Market, the National Association of
Securities Dealers' screenbased, automated market for trading of securities
eligible for resale under Rule 144A. The New Notes are new securities for
which there currently is no market. Although the Initial Purchasers have
advised the Company that they currently intend to make a market in the New
Notes, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue such market making
at any time without notice. The Company does not intend to list the Notes on
any national securities exchange or to seek the admission thereof to trading
in the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System.
Accordingly, no assurance can be given that an active market will develop for
any of the Notes or as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the
Notes. If a trading market does not develop or is not maintained, holders of
the Notes may experience difficulty in reselling such Notes or may be unable
to sell them at all. If a market for the Notes develops, any such market may
be discontinued at any time. If a trading market develops for the Notes,
future trading prices of such Notes will depend on many factors, including,
among other things, prevailing interest rates, the Company's results of
operations and the market for similar securities. Depending on prevailing
interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors, including
the financial condition of the Company, the Notes may trade at a discount from
their principal amount.
 
FRAUDULENT TRANSFER CONSIDERATIONS
 
  Under fraudulent transfer law, if a court were to find, in a lawsuit by an
unpaid creditor or representative of creditors of the Company, that the
Company received less than fair consideration or reasonable equivalent value
for incurring the indebtedness represented by the Notes, and, at the time of
such incurrence, the Company (i) was insolvent or was rendered insolvent by
reason of such incurrence, (ii) was engaged or about to engage in a business
or transaction for which its remaining property constituted unreasonably small
capital or (iii) intended to incur, or believed it would incur, debts beyond
its ability to pay as such debts mature, such court could, among other things,
(a) void all or a portion of the Company's obligations to the holders of the
Notes and/or (b) subordinate the Company's obligations to the holders of the
Notes to other existing and future indebtedness of the Company, the effect of
which would be to entitle such other creditors to be paid in full before any
payment could be made on the Notes. The measure of insolvency for purposes of
determining whether a transfer is avoidable as a fraudulent transfer varies
depending upon the law of the jurisdiction which is being applied. Generally,
however, a debtor would be considered insolvent if the sum of all of its
liabilities were greater than the value of all of its property at a fair
valuation, or if the present fair salable value of the debtor's assets were
less than the amount required to repay its probable liability on its debts as
they become absolute and mature. There can be no assurance as to what standard
a court would apply in order to determine solvency. To the extent that
proceeds from the sale of the Notes are used to repay Existing Indebtedness, a
court may find that the Company did not receive fair consideration or
reasonably equivalent value for the incurrence of the Indebtedness represented
thereby.
 
  On the basis of its historical financial information, its recent operating
history as discussed in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of
Operations and Financial Condition" and other factors, the Company believes
that, after giving effect to the Transactions, the Company was and will be
solvent, did and will have sufficient capital for the business in which it is
engaged and did not and will not have incurred debts beyond its ability to pay
such debts as they mature. There can be no assurance, however, that a court
would necessarily agree with these conclusions.
 
ENFORCEABILITY OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
 
  The Company's obligations under the Notes will be guaranteed, jointly and
severally, on a senior subordinated basis, by all of the Company's future
Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company believes that the Note Guarantees, when
incurred, will be incurred for proper purposes and in good faith.
Notwithstanding the Company's belief however, if a court of competent
jurisdiction in a suit by an unpaid creditor or representative of creditors
(such as a trustee in bankruptcy or debtor-in-possession) were to find that,
at the time of the
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
incurrence of a Note Guarantee, a Guarantor (i) was insolvent or was rendered
insolvent by reason of such issuance, (ii) was engaged in a business or
transaction for which its remaining assets constituted unreasonably small
capital, (iii) intended to incur, or believe that it would incur, debts beyond
its ability to pay such debts as they matured, or (iv) intended to hinder,
delay or defraud its creditors, and that the indebtedness was incurred for
less than reasonably equivalent value, then such court could among other
things: (a) void all or a portion of such Guarantor's obligations to the
holders of the Notes, the effect of which would be that the holders of the
Notes may not be repaid in full or at all and/or (b) subordinate such
Guarantor's obligations to the holders of the Notes to other existing and
future indebtedness of such Guarantor, the effect of which would be to entitle
such other creditors to be paid in full before any payment could be made on
the Notes. Among other things, a legal challenge of a Note Guarantee on
fraudulent conveyance grounds may focus on the benefits, if any, realized by
the Guarantor as a result of the issuance by the Company of the Notes.
 
DEPENDENCE UPON LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS
 
  The Company's business is dependent, in part, upon licensing agreements
pursuant to which the Company is granted the right to use certain names,
logos, emblems and other proprietary marks of licensors on the Company's
products. In fiscal 1996, the Company had 262 active licensing agreements with
licensors. Products manufactured and sold under the Company's licensing
agreements represented approximately 14% of the Company's total net sales in
fiscal 1996.
 
  The length of the Company's license agreements vary, but typically are one
to three years. In addition, under the licensing agreements with certain
licensors such as MLB, the NBA and the NHL, the licensor may terminate the
agreement in the event of a change in control of the Company. To the extent
that the Company is unable to renew licenses scheduled to expire or to obtain
the consent of certain licensors to the change of control in connection with
the Acquisition, the loss of such licenses could have a material adverse
effect on the business, operating results, cash flows and financial condition
of the Company. See "Business--Licenses."
 
COMPETITION
 
  The sportswear and activewear industry is highly competitive with respect to
price, product quality and speed and convenience of service. The Company's
ability to compete in each of its market depends, in part, on its ability to
source quality blanks from suppliers and to recruit and maintain a high
quality sales force. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to maintain its current network of suppliers or its sales force or continue to
compete successfully with other competitors, some of which may have greater
resources, including financial resources, than the Company. To the extent that
any of the Company's competitors offer higher quality products, better service
or more attractive pricing, it could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, results of operations and financial condition. See
"Business--Sales Divisions" and "--Design, Manufacturing and Materials
Sourcing."
 
SEASONALITY
 
  Historically, Company sales have been seasonal with higher sales during the
first half of its fiscal year (July to December) primarily due to increased
sales in the Company's College Bookstore division during this period. In
fiscal 1996, net sales of the Company during the first and second half of the
fiscal year were approximately 57% and 43%, respectively. As a result, the
Company is required to predict appropriate inventory levels for the upcoming
seasonal demand. To the extent that the Company under-orders inventories,
sales and profits could be lost. To the extent that the Company over-orders
inventories, the Company may be forced to sell the inventory at reduced prices
or to write off the excess inventory as obsolete. See "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Results of Operation and Financial Condition--Seasonality and
Inflation" and "Description of Certain Indebtedness--New Credit Agreement."
 
FOREIGN SOURCING
 
  The Company currently sources approximately 84% of its blanks through its
foreign suppliers. As a result, the Company may be adversely affected by
political instability resulting in (i) the disruption of trade from foreign
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
countries in which the Company's suppliers are located, (ii) the imposition of
additional regulations relating to imports, duties, taxes and other charges on
imports, (iii) decreases in the value of the dollar against foreign currencies
or (iv) restrictions on the transfer of funds. These and other factors could
result in the interruption of production by the Company's foreign suppliers or
a delay in the receipt of the products by the Company in the United States.
The Company's future performance may be subject to such factors, which are
beyond the Company's control, and there can be no assurance that such factors
would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations. See "Business--Design, Manufacturing and
Materials Sourcing."
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
  The Company believes that its success is largely dependent on the abilities
and experience of its senior management team. The loss of services of one or
more of these senior executives could adversely affect the Company's ability
to retain quality suppliers of blanks, maintain tight inventory controls and
effectively manage the overall operations of the Company, any of which could
adversely affect the financial performance of the Company. In addition, the
Company believes that its continued success depends upon its ongoing ability
to attract and retain qualified management and employees, particularly in its
sales and customer service areas. The loss of a key manager could also
adversely affect the financial performance of the Company. See "Management"
and "Business--Employees."
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
  The Company's facilities are subject to a broad range of federal, state and
local environmental laws and requirements, including those governing
discharges to the air and water, the handling of disposal of solid and
hazardous substances and wastes and remediation of contamination associated
with the release of hazardous substances at the Company's facilities and
offsite disposal locations. The Company has made, and will continue to make,
expenditures to comply with such laws and requirements. The Company believes,
based upon information currently available to management, that it is currently
in compliance with all applicable environmental laws and requirements and that
the Company will not require material capital expenditures to maintain its
environmental compliance during fiscal 1997 or in the foreseeable future.
However, future events, such as changes in existing laws and regulations or
the discovery of contamination at the Company's facilities, may give rise to
additional compliance or remediation costs which could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
Moreover, the nature of the Company's business exposes it to some risk of
claims with respect to environmental matters, and there can be no assurance
that material costs or liabilities will not be incurred in connection with any
such claims.
 
FACTORS AFFECTING OPERATIONS
 
  The financial performance of the Company is dependent, in part, on the
overall health of the markets it serves. A future downturn in any one market
could reduce demand for, and prices of, customized sportswear and activewear
products, including those manufactured by the Company. As a result, a
significant downturn in any one market could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, results of operations and financial conditions.
 
  The Company's College Bookstore division sells sportswear and activewear
primarily through on-campus bookstores, most of which also offer sportswear
and activewear products distributed by one or more of the Company's major
competitors. Historically, on-campus bookstores have been owned and operated
by the colleges and universities. During the last several years, however, an
increasing number of campus bookstores have been leased to companies engaged
in retail bookstore operations, primarily Barnes & Noble College Bookstores
Inc., Follett Corporation and Nebraska Book Co. If any of these operators of
campus bookstores were to grant exclusive rights to one of the Company's
competitors, or if for any other reason the Company were unable to continue
selling its products through these college bookstore operators, the Company
would be forced to establish alternative distribution channels such as direct
marketing and off-campus bookstores, which could have a material adverse
effect on the operating results of the Company.
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
NEW MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
 
  The Company is currently upgrading its existing management information
system ("MIS") with a new system designed to improve the overall efficiency of
the Company's operations and to enable management to more closely track the
financial performance of each of its sales and operating areas. Any difficulty
with the installation or initial operation of the new MIS could interfere with
the Company's inventory purchasing and control, sales or customer service,
which could adversely affect the Company's business, results of operations and
financial condition.
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
                               THE TRANSACTIONS
 
  Holdings and GFSI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings, were organized by
affiliates of The Jordan Company and management to effect the acquisition of
Winning Ways. Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, Holdings and GFSI
acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Winning Ways, and
Winning Ways immediately thereafter merged with and into GFSI.
 
  The aggregate purchase price for Winning Ways was $232.9 million, subject to
adjustment following the Closing, consisting of $203.5 million in cash and the
repayment of $29.4 of the Company's Existing Indebtedness. To finance the
Acquisition, including approximately $11.1 million of related fees and
expenses: (i) the Jordan Investors and Management Investors invested $52.2
million in Holdings and Holdings contributed $51.3 million of this amount in
cash to the Company; (ii) the Company consummated the Offering; and (iii) the
Company entered into the New Credit Agreement providing for borrowings of up
to $115.0 million, of which $67.7 million was outstanding and $22.9 million
was utilized to cover outstanding letters of credit at Closing. The Equity
Contribution is comprised of: (i) a contribution of $13.6 million from the
Jordan Investors to Holdings in exchange for Holdings Preferred Stock and
approximately 50% of the common stock of Holdings; (ii) a contribution of
$13.6 million from the Management Investors to Holdings in exchange for
Holdings Preferred Stock and approximately 50% of the common stock of
Holdings; and (iii) a contribution of $25.0 million from a Jordan Investor to
Holdings in exchange for Holdings Subordinated Notes. Approximately $0.8
million of the contribution from the Management Investors was financed by
loans from Holdings. Consummation of the Offering was conditioned upon the
concurrent consummation of the Acquisition, the Equity Contribution and the
initial borrowings under the New Credit Agreement.
 
  Consummation of the Acquisition was subject to the satisfaction or waiver of
certain conditions set forth in the Acquisition Agreement, including: (i)
obtaining financing for the Acquisition; (ii) the absence of any material
adverse change in the business of the Company; (iii) the receipt of certain
third party consents and approvals; and (iv) other customary conditions.
 
  The Equity Contribution, the consummation of the Offering, the execution of
the New Credit Agreement, the consummation of the Acquisition and the
repayment of the Company's Existing Indebtedness are collectively referred to
herein as the "Transactions."
 
  The following chart depicts the organizational structure and common equity
interest in Holdings and the Company following consummation of the
Transactions.
 
 
 
                                     LOGO
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The Company will not receive any proceeds in connection with the Exchange
Offer. The gross proceeds from the Old Notes Offering of approximately $125.0
million, together with the Equity Contribution of approximately $51.3 million
and borrowings by the Company of approximately $67.7 million under the New
Credit Agreement, were used by the Company to: (i) fund the cash portion of
the purchase price payable in connection with the Acquisition; (ii) repay in
full certain Existing Indebtedness; and (iii) pay fees and expenses in
connection with the Transactions.
 
  The following table sets forth the estimated sources and uses of funds in
connection with the Transactions, assuming that the Transactions had occurred
on December 31, 1996 (in millions).
 
<TABLE>
      <S>                                                                <C>
      SOURCES OF FUNDS:
        New Credit Agreement(1)......................................... $ 67.7
        Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007..............................  125.0
        Equity Contribution(2)..........................................   51.3
                                                                         ------
          Total sources................................................. $244.0
                                                                         ======
      USES OF FUNDS:
        Cash purchase price of the Acquisition.......................... $203.5
        Repayment of Existing Indebtedness(3)...........................   29.4
        Fees and expenses(4)............................................   11.1
                                                                         ------
          Total uses.................................................... $244.0
                                                                         ======
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(1) At Closing, the Company entered into the New Credit Agreement which
    provides for a Term Loan A (as defined) in the principal amount of $40.0
    million, a Term Loan B (as defined) in the principal amount of $25.0
    million and a Revolver (as defined) in the principal amount of $50.0
    million. At Closing, the Company borrowed approximately $67.7 million,
    consisting of $65.0 million under the term loans and $2.7 million under
    the Revolver. The undrawn amount of $47.3 million under the Revolver is
    available for working capital and general corporate purposes, including
    the issuance of approximately $22.9 million of letters of credit at
    Closing, subject to the achievement of certain financial ratios and
    compliance with certain conditions. See "Description of Certain
    Indebtedness--New Credit Agreement."
 
(2) The Equity Contribution is comprised of: (i) a contribution of $13.6
    million from the Jordan Investors to Holdings in exchange for Holdings
    Preferred Stock and approximately 50% of the Common Stock of Holdings;
    (ii) a contribution of $13.6 million from the Management Investors to
    Holdings in exchange for Holdings Preferred Stock and approximately 50% of
    the Common Stock of Holdings; and (iii) a contribution of $25.0 million
    from a Jordan Investor to Holdings in exchange for the Holdings
    Subordinated Notes. Approximately $0.8 million of the contribution from
    the Management Investors will be financed by loans from Holdings.
 
(3) The average interest rate on borrowings under Existing Indebtedness for
    the twelve months ended December 31, 1996 was 7.86%. See "Description of
    Certain Indebtedness--Existing Indebtedness."
 
(4) Includes estimated discounts, commissions and fees and expenses to be
    incurred in connection with the Transactions, including fees payable to
    TJC. See "Certain Transactions--The Jordan Company."
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
                                CAPITALIZATION
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
  The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company as of
December 31, 1996 and the pro forma capitalization of the Company as of
December 31, 1996, as adjusted to reflect the Transactions. The table should
be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Company and
related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus. See "The
Transactions," "Selected Historical Financial Data," the unaudited pro forma
financial statements of the Company and the historical financial statements of
the Company and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                      -------------------------
                                                        ACTUAL     PRO FORMA
                                                      ----------  -------------
<S>                                                   <C>         <C>
Cash and cash equivalents............................ $      727  $        749
                                                      ==========  ============
Short-term debt...................................... $    6,000  $        --
Long-term debt (including current portion):
  Existing Indebtedness(1)...........................     23,378           --
  New Credit Agreement(2)............................        --         67,700
  Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007.................        --        125,000
                                                      ----------  ------------
    Total long-term debt.............................     23,378       192,700
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock.......................................        149           --
  Additional paid in capital.........................      2,720        51,300
  Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)(3).........     37,911      (167,830)
  Treasury stock.....................................     (2,033)          --
                                                      ----------  ------------
    Total stockholders' equity (net capital
     deficiency)(3)..................................     38,747      (116,530)
                                                      ----------  ------------
    Total capitalization............................. $   68,125  $     76,170
                                                      ==========  ============
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(1) For additional information, see "Description of Certain Indebtedness--
    Existing Indebtedness."
 
(2) At Closing, the Company entered into the New Credit Agreement which
    provides for a Term Loan A in the principal amount of $40.0 million, a
    Term Loan B in the principal amount of $25.0 million and a Revolver in the
    principal amount of $50.0 million. At Closing, the Company borrowed
    approximately $67.7 million, consisting of $65.0 million under the term
    loans and $2.7 million under the Revolver, and utilized $22.9 million of
    the Revolver to cover outstanding letters of credit. Term Loan A matures
    in 2002, Term Loan B matures in 2004 and the Revolver matures in 2002. For
    additional information, see "Description of Certain Indebtedness--New
    Credit Agreement."
 
(3) The pro forma net capital deficiency of $116.5 million reflects
    adjustments to stockholders' equity for the difference between the book
    value of the net assets of the Company and the $232.9 million purchase
    price paid for the Company. For additional information, see "The
    Transactions" and the unaudited pro forma financial statements and related
    notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
                      SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
  The following table presents selected: (i) historical operating and other
data of the Company for fiscal 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996, the six months
ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the twelve months ended December 31,
1996; and (ii) historical balance sheet data of the Company as of December 31,
1996. The historical financial statements for the Company for fiscal 1992,
1993, 1994 and 1995 have been audited by Donnelly Meiners Jordan Kline, and
the historical financial statements for fiscal 1996 have been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP. The historical data of the Company at and for the six
months ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and for the twelve months ended
December 31, 1996 have been derived from, and should be read in conjunction
with, the unaudited financial statements of the Company and the related notes
thereto, which are included elsewhere in this Prospectus. In the opinion of
management, such interim financial statements reflect all adjustments
(consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly present
the information presented for such periods. The results of operations for the
six months ended December 31, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of the
results of operations to be expected for the full year. The selected financial
data set forth below should be read in conjunction with "The Transactions,"
"Summary Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of
Operations and Financial Condition," the unaudited pro forma financial
statements and the historical financial statements of the Company and the
related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   TWELVE
                                                                            SIX MONTHS ENDED       MONTHS
                                  FISCAL YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,                 DECEMBER 31,         ENDED
                          ------------------------------------------------  ------------------  DECEMBER 31,
                            1992      1993      1994      1995      1996      1995      1996        1996
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ------------
<S>                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
STATEMENTS OF INCOME DA-
 TA:
 Net sales..............  $118,187  $121,131  $128,171  $148,196  $169,321  $ 97,008  $104,811    $177,124
 Gross profit...........    47,079    50,936    53,724    63,327    72,013    41,811    45,353      75,555
 Operating expenses.....    25,949    28,201    29,151    34,428    39,179    21,079    23,234      41,334
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------    --------
 Operating income.......    21,130    22,735    24,573    28,899    32,834    20,732    22,119      34,221
 Other income (ex-
  pense)................    (3,053)   (2,680)   (2,468)   (2,679)   (2,608)   (1,529)   (1,422)     (2,501)
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------    --------
 Income before income
  taxes.................    18,077    20,055    22,105    26,220    30,226    19,203    20,697      31,720
 Income tax expense(1)..     7,412     8,223     9,063    10,750    12,393     7,873     8,486      13,005
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------    --------
 Net income(1)..........  $ 10,665  $ 11,832  $ 13,042  $ 15,470  $ 17,833  $ 11,330  $ 12,211    $ 18,715
                          ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========    ========
OTHER DATA:
 EBITDA(2)..............  $ 22,960  $ 24,733  $ 26,876  $ 31,759  $ 36,035  $ 22,306  $ 23,791    $ 37,520
 Depreciation and amor-
  tization..............     1,830     1,998     2,303     2,860     3,201     1,574     1,672       3,299
 Capital expenditures...     2,149     2,304     2,856     4,989     2,611       678     2,133       4,066
 EBITDA margin(3).......      19.4%     20.4%     21.0%     21.4%     21.3%     23.0%     22.7%       21.2%
 Ratio of earnings to
  fixed charges(4)......       7.6x      9.1x     10.0x     11.4x     12.6x     14.0x     15.1x       13.2x
 Dividends per
  share(5)..............  $  10.10  $  16.91  $  16.70  $  19.82  $  23.37  $  14.96  $  14.28    $  22.69
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              AS OF
                                                                                        DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                                                      ----------------------
<S>                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Cash and cash equiva-
  lents ................  $    527  $    219  $    132  $    112  $    140                   $   727
 Total assets...........    64,520    67,510    70,176    76,938    78,711                    84,417
 Long-term debt, includ-
  ing current portion...    22,760    19,157    27,242    24,915    22,276                    23,378
 Total stockholders' eq-
  uity..................    27,489    27,502    29,429    32,106    34,479                    38,747
</TABLE>
 
(footnotes on the following page)
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
- ---------------------
(1) Prior to the Acquisition, the Company was an S corporation and therefore
    was not subject to federal and certain state income taxes. The statements
    of income data presented includes an unaudited adjustment for income taxes
    which represents the approximate income tax expense that would have been
    recorded if the Company had been a C corporation, assuming a combined
    federal and state income tax rate of 41%.
 
(2) EBITDA represents operating income plus depreciation and amortization.
    While EBITDA should not be construed as a substitute for operating income
    or a better indicator of liquidity than cash flow from operating
    activities, which are determined in accordance with GAAP, it is included
    herein to provide additional information with respect to the ability of
    the Company to meet its future debt service, capital expenditure and
    working capital requirements. In addition, the Company believes that
    certain investors find EBITDA to be a useful tool for measuring the
    ability of the Company to service its debt. EBITDA is not necessarily a
    measure of the Company's ability to fund its cash needs.
 
(3) EBITDA margin represents EBITDA as a percentage of net sales.
 
(4) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges computed on a pro forma basis would
    have been 1.8x, 2.4x and 1.8x for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, the
    six months ended December 31, 1996 and the twelve months ended December
    31, 1996, respectively.
 
(5) On July 10, 1992, the Company declared a 5-for-1 stock split. All dividend
    per share information has been restated to reflect this stock split.
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
OVERVIEW
 
  The Company is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of high
quality, custom designed sportswear and activewear bearing names, logos and
insignia of resorts, corporations, colleges and professional sports. The
Company, which was founded in 1974, custom designs and decorates an extensive
line of high-end outerwear, fleecewear, polo shirts, T-shirts, woven shirts,
sweaters, shorts, headwear and sports luggage. The Company markets its
products to over 13,000 active customer accounts through its well-established
and diversified distribution channels, rather than through the price sensitive
mass merchandise, discount and department store distribution channels.
 
  The Company markets its products primarily through four separate divisions,
each of which serves distinct distribution channels and utilizes a salesforce
with a specialized knowledge of its particular markets and customers. The
Company's four divisions include: (i) the Resort division (40.0% of fiscal
1996 net sales); (ii) the Corporate division (27.9% of fiscal 1996 net sales);
(iii) the College Bookstore division (22.3% of fiscal 1996 net sales); and
(iv) the Sport Specialty division (3.7% of fiscal 1996 net sales).
 
  The Company believes that it has been able to compete successfully because
of its ability to create diverse and innovative designs, provide excellent
customer service, leverage its GEAR brand name and differentiate its products
on the basis of quality. From fiscal 1991 to fiscal 1996, the Company's net
sales increased from $94.7 million to $169.3 million from internal growth,
representing a CAGR of 12.3%. During the same period, the Company's EBITDA
grew from $17.9 million to $36.0 million, representing a CAGR of 15.0%, and
its EBITDA margin increased from 18.9% to 21.3%.
 
  EBITDA represents operating income plus depreciation and amortization. While
EBITDA should not be construed as a substitute for operating income or a
better indicator of liquidity than cash flow from operating activities, which
are determined in accordance with GAAP, it is included herein to provide
additional information with respect to the ability of the Company to meet its
future debt service, capital expenditure and working capital requirements. In
addition, the Company believes that certain investors find EBITDA to be a
useful tool for measuring the ability of the Company to service its debt.
EBITDA is not necessarily a measure of the Company's ability to fund its cash
needs.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following table sets forth certain historical financial information of
the Company, expressed as a percentage of net sales, for fiscal 1994, 1995 and
1996 and the six months ended December 31, 1995 and 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             SIX MONTHS ENDED
                               FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,      DECEMBER 31,
                               ----------------------------  ------------------
                                 1994      1995      1996      1995      1996
                               --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
<S>                            <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net sales.....................    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%
Gross profit..................     41.9      42.7      42.5      43.1      43.3
EBITDA........................     21.0      21.4      21.3      23.0      22.7
Operating income..............     19.2      19.5      19.4      21.4      21.1
</TABLE>
 
 SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1995
 
  Net Sales. Net sales for the six months ended December 31, 1996 increased
8.0% to $104.8 million from $97.0 million in the six months ended December 31,
1995. The increase in net sales primarily reflects increases in net sales at
each of the Company's Resort, Corporate and Sport Specialty divisions of 0.8%,
15.2% and 68.6%, respectively, and was offset in part by a slight decrease in
the net sales at the College Bookstore division. These increases were driven
primarily by volume increases due to continued account expansion and the
introduction of new product lines through each distribution channel.
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
  Gross Profit. Gross profit for the six months ended December 31, 1996
increased 8.5% to $45.4 million from $41.8 million in the six months ended
December 31, 1995, primarily as a result of the net sales increase described
above. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 43.3% in the six
months ended December 31, 1996, from 43.1% in the six months ended December
31, 1995. This slight increase in margin reflects a decrease in the cost of
materials sold, as a percentage of net sales, from 50.1% in the six months
ended December 31, 1995 to 49.5% in the six months ended December 31, 1996.
This decrease was offset by an increase in the cost of production, as a
percentage of net sales, from 6.8% in the six months ended December 31, 1995
to 7.3% in the six months ended December 31, 1996. These changes were driven
primarily by growth in the Resort and Corporate divisions, which focus on
higher margin, production intensive embroidered products.
 
  EBITDA. EBITDA for the six months ended December 31, 1996 increased 6.7% to
$23.8 million from $22.3 million in the six months ended December 31, 1995,
primarily as a result of the net sales increase described above. EBITDA as a
percentage of net sales decreased slightly to 22.7% in the six months ended
December 31, 1996 from 23.0% in the six months ended December 31, 1995. This
decrease in margin reflects the change in gross profit described above offset
by an increase in operating expenses primarily as a result of an increase in
non-recurring MIS consulting charges associated with the installation of the
Company's new MIS system from $250,000 in the six months ended December 31,
1995 to $1.1 million in the six months ended December 31, 1996.
 
  Operating Income. Operating income for the six months ended December 31,
1996 increased 6.8% to $22.1 million from $20.7 million in the six months
ended December 31, 1995, primarily as a result of the net sales increase
described above. Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased to
21.1% in the six months ended December 31, 1996, from 21.4% in the six months
ended December 31, 1995. This decrease in margin reflects the change in EBITDA
described above.
 
 FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1995
 
  Net Sales. Net sales for fiscal 1996 increased 14.3% to $169.3 million from
$148.2 million in fiscal 1995. The increase in net sales primarily reflects
sales increases in the Resort, Corporate and Sport Specialty divisions of
12.8%, 23.1% and 101.1%, respectively, and was offset in part by a slight
decrease in net sales in the College Bookstore division. These increases were
primarily driven by unit volume increases resulting from account expansion,
further penetration of existing accounts and certain new product
introductions.
 
  Gross Profit. Gross profit for fiscal 1996 increased 13.7% to $72.0 million
from $63.3 million in fiscal 1995 primarily as a result of the net sales
increase described above. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased
slightly to 42.5% in fiscal 1996 from 42.7% in fiscal 1995. This moderate
decline in margin reflects slight increases in the cost of materials sold, as
a percentage of net sales, from 49.9% in fiscal 1995 to 50.0% in fiscal 1996
and the cost of production, as a percentage of net sales, from 7.4% in fiscal
1995 to 7.5% in fiscal 1996. These slight changes reflect a relatively
consistent product mix from fiscal 1995 to fiscal 1996.
 
  EBITDA. EBITDA for fiscal 1996 increased 13.5% to $36.0 million from $31.8
million in fiscal 1995 primarily as a result of the net sales increase
described above. EBITDA as a percentage of net sales decreased slightly to
21.3% in fiscal 1996 from 21.4% in fiscal 1995. This moderate decline in
margin reflects the change in gross profit described above and increased
operating expenses, which included $625,000 of non-recurring MIS consulting
charges associated with the installation of the Company's new MIS system.
 
  Operating Income. Operating income for fiscal 1996 increased 13.6% to $32.8
million from $28.9 million in fiscal 1995 primarily as a result of the net
sales increase described above. Operating income as a percentage of net sales
decreased slightly to 19.4% in fiscal 1996 from 19.5% in fiscal 1995. This
moderate decline in margin reflects the change in EBITDA described above.
 
 FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1994
 
  Net Sales. Net sales for fiscal 1995 increased 15.6% to $148.2 million from
$128.2 million in fiscal 1994. The increase in net sales reflects sales
increases at the Company's College Bookstore, Resort, Corporate and
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
Sport Specialty divisions of 5.5%, 19.7%, 27.0% and 91.3%, respectively. These
increases were primarily driven by unit volume increases at each of the
Company's three existing sales divisions resulting from account expansion,
further penetration of existing accounts and certain new product
introductions. In addition, net sales increased as a result of the completion
of the first full fiscal year of the Sports Specialty division.
 
  Gross Profit. Gross profit for fiscal 1995 increased 17.9% to $63.3 million
from $53.7 million in fiscal 1994 primarily as a result of the net sales
increase described above. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased
to 42.7% in fiscal 1995 from 41.9% in fiscal 1994. This increase in profit
reflects a decrease in the cost of materials sold, as a percentage of net
sales, to 49.9% in fiscal 1995 from 51.6% in fiscal 1994. This decrease was
offset by an increase in the cost of production, as a percentage of net sales,
to 7.4% in fiscal 1995 from 6.5% in fiscal 1994. These changes were driven
primarily by growth in the Resort and Corporate divisions, which focus on
higher margin, production intensive embroidered products.
 
  EBITDA. EBITDA for fiscal 1995 increased 18.2% to $31.8 million from $26.9
million in fiscal 1994 primarily as a result of the net sales increase
described above. EBITDA as a percentage of net sales increased to 21.4% in
fiscal 1995 from 21.0% in fiscal 1994. This increase in margin reflects the
changes in gross profit described above, offset by a slight increase in
operating expenses as a percent of net sales. The increase in operating
expenses reflects an increase in selling expenses due to the Company's
continued focus on the Corporate division, offset by a decrease in general and
administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales.
 
  Operating Income. Operating income for fiscal 1995 increased 17.6% to $28.9
million from $24.6 million in fiscal 1994 primarily as a result of the net
sales increase described above. Operating income as a percentage of net sales
increased to 19.5% in fiscal 1995 from 19.2% in fiscal 1994. This increase in
margin reflects the change in EBITDA described above.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
  Cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994 was
$34.0 million, $23.9 million and $24.4 million, respectively. Changes in
working capital resulted in cash sources (uses) of $0.9 million,
$(4.8) million and $0.7 million in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
  The Company typically makes capital expenditures related to the maintenance
and improvement of manufacturing facilities and processing equipment. Capital
expenditures in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $2.6 million, $5.0 million and
$2.9 million, respectively. Capital expenditures in fiscal 1995 include the
$1.6 million purchase of a corporate aircraft and were therefore in excess of
the Company's normal capital expenditure requirements.
 
  Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994 was
$31.5 million, $19.7 million and $21.9 million, respectively. The cash was
used primarily to make Subchapter S distributions to the Company's
stockholders.
 
  Following the Transactions, the Company expects that its primary capital
requirements will be for debt service, working capital and capital
expenditures. The Company believes that cash flow from operating activities
and borrowings under the New Credit Agreement will be adequate to meet the
Company's short-term and long-term liquidity requirements prior to the
maturity of its credit facilities, although no assurance can be given in this
regard. Under the New Credit Agreement, the Revolver provides $50.0 million of
revolving credit availability (of which $2.7 million was borrowed at the
Closing and approximately $22.9 million was utilized for outstanding letters
of credit).
 
  Pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, the purchase price paid
for the Company will be subject to a closing date balance sheet adjustment.
The Company anticipates that as a result of this closing date balance sheet
adjustment, it will pay the former owners, including certain members of
current management, a net amount of approximately $1 to $2 million.
 
                                      27
<PAGE>
 
  Following the Closing, the Company anticipates paying dividends to Holdings
to enable Holdings to pay corporate income taxes, interest on Holdings
Subordinated Notes, fees payable under the TJC Agreement and certain other
ordinary course expenses incurred on behalf of the Company.
 
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of,"
was implemented on July 1, 1996. The adoption of this statement did not have a
material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
 
SEASONALITY AND INFLATION
 
  The Company experiences seasonal fluctuations in its sales and
profitability, with generally higher sales and gross profit in the first and
second quarters of its fiscal year. In fiscal 1996, net sales of the Company
during the first half and second half of the fiscal year were approximately
57% and 43%, respectively. The seasonality of sales and profitability is
primarily due to higher volume at the College Bookstore division during the
first two fiscal quarters. Sales and profitability at the Company's Resorts,
Corporate and Sports Specialty divisions typically show no significant
seasonal variations. As the Company continues to expand into other markets in
its Resorts, Corporate and Sports Specialty divisions, seasonal fluctuations
in sales and profitability are expected to decline.
 
  The impact of inflation on the Company's operations has not been significant
to date. However, there can be no assurance that a high rate of inflation in
the future would not have an adverse effect on the Company's operating
results.
 
                                      28
<PAGE>
 
                                   BUSINESS
 
  The Company, which operates primarily under the brand name GEAR For
Sports(R), is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of high quality,
custom designed sportswear and activewear bearing names, logos and insignia of
resorts, corporations, colleges and professional sports. The Company, which
was founded in 1974, custom designs and decorates an extensive line of high-
end outerwear, fleecewear, polo shirts, T-shirts, woven shirts, sweaters,
shorts, headwear and sports luggage. The Company markets its products to over
13,000 active customer accounts through its well-established and diversified
distribution channels, rather than through the price sensitive mass
merchandise, discount and department store distribution channels. The Company
believes that it has been able to compete successfully because of its ability
to create diverse and innovative designs, provide excellent customer service,
leverage its GEAR brand name and differentiate its products on the basis of
quality. For the twelve months ended December 31, 1996, the Company generated
net sales and Adjusted EBITDA of $177.1 million and $39.6 million,
respectively.
 
  From fiscal 1991 to fiscal 1996, the Company's net sales increased from
$94.7 million to $169.3 million from internal growth, representing a CAGR of
12.3%. During the same period, the Company's EBITDA grew from $17.9 million to
$36.0 million, representing a CAGR of 15.0%, and its EBITDA margin increased
from 18.9% to 21.3%. The Company has achieved a record of strong sales and
EBITDA growth and stable operating margins primarily due to its: (i) leading
positions in niche markets; (ii) diversified and stable customer base;
(iii) superior product quality and customer service; (iv) broad product
portfolio; (v) value-added design and manufacturing capabilities; and (vi)
innovative management. The Company expects to continue to grow by leveraging
the strength of the GEAR brand name to expand its product lines and access
underpenetrated segments of its markets. The Company believes that it is less
vulnerable to earnings fluctuations than typical apparel manufacturers and
marketers because: (i) the Company designs and custom manufactures basic,
classic products with low fashion risk; (ii) consumer demand for sportswear
and activewear continues to increase; and (iii) the Company's products are
customized based on firm customer orders, minimizing its risk of excess
inventory.
 
  The Company markets its products primarily through four separate divisions,
each of which serves distinct distribution channels and utilizes a salesforce
with a specialized knowledge of its particular markets and customers. The
Company's network of approximately 140 independent sales representatives and
over 70 in-house artists and graphic designers work directly with the
Company's customers to create innovative sportswear and activewear products to
meet customer specifications.
 
FINANCIAL CHARACTERISTICS
 
  The Company's business has the following financial characteristics:
 
  ^  Diverse and Stable Customer Base. The Company sells to its niche markets
     through a diverse base of over 13,000 active customer accounts. In
     fiscal 1996, no single account represented more than 2.5% of net sales,
     and the Company's top ten customers accounted for less than 13% of net
     sales. The number of active customer accounts increased from
     approximately 5,600 in fiscal 1991 to over 13,000 in fiscal 1996. New
     potential end-users of the Company's products are added each year as new
     customers visit resorts and participate in other leisure activities,
     corporations continue to expand their identity and promotional programs
     and new students enroll at colleges and universities.
 
  ^  Strong Sales and EBITDA Growth. From fiscal 1991 to fiscal 1996, the
     Company's net sales increased from $94.7 million to $169.3 million from
     internal growth, representing a CAGR of 12.3%. During the same period,
     the Company's EBITDA grew from $17.9 million to $36.0 million,
     representing a CAGR of 15.0%, and its EBITDA margin increased from 18.9%
     to 21.3%. The Company believes that this growth can be attributed to:
     (i) its focus on niche markets where competition is generally based on
     product and service quality rather than price; (ii) operating leverage
     resulting from the introduction of new products in established
     distribution channels; and (iii) its focus on manufacturing
     efficiencies.
 
  ^  Low Capital Expenditures. The Company concentrates on the high value-
     added production processes of custom design, embroidery, silk-screening
     and other finishing elements at its state-of-the-art
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
     manufacturing facilities. The capital intensive process of manufacturing
     unfinished garments ("blanks") and other items is outsourced to a
     network of foreign and domestic independent manufacturers who comply
     with the Company's stringent specifications. As a result, the Company
     maintains low fixed costs and requires limited annual capital
     expenditures. From fiscal 1992 to fiscal 1996, total annual capital
     expenditures averaged approximately $3 million, or an average of 2.2% of
     net sales and 10.5% of EBITDA for such years.
 
  ^  Historically Non-Cyclical Business. The Company has not experienced a
     reduction of its business as a result of past general economic
     downturns. The Company believes that its record of consistent growth is
     a result of the relatively non-cyclical nature of its primary market
     segments as well as its competitive position as a supplier of high
     quality, customized products that are less susceptible to consumer price
     sensitivity. The Company believes that the diversity of its products,
     distribution channels and markets also minimizes its exposure to
     particular customers, economic cycles and geographic concentration.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
  The Company's objective is to continue to increase sales, EBITDA and
operating margins, and is based upon the following strategic elements:
 
  ^  Superior Product Quality and Customer Service. Each of the Company's
     divisions focuses on high-end, customized sportswear, activewear and
     related products. The Company's products uniquely address each account's
     specific requirements, while providing the end-user with a high quality
     product. The Company's ability to maintain consistency in product
     quality and customer service, regardless of order size, enables it to
     effectively service a broad range of customers. With over 70 in-house
     artists and graphic designers and state-of-the-art manufacturing and
     distribution facilities, the Company believes that it provides products
     and service that are superior to those of its competitors in each of its
     markets.
 
  ^  Leading Position in Multiple Niche Markets. The Company has a leading
     position in the resort, corporate and college bookstore markets. The
     Company's superior service and product customization enable it to more
     effectively serve the particular needs of these customers. As a result,
     the Company believes that: (i) it is one of the few national competitors
     in the highly fragmented resort and leisure market; (ii) it has a
     leading share of the corporate identity market, where it competes
     primarily with smaller local and regional companies as well as a few
     national competitors; and (iii) it has the second largest share of the
     college bookstore market.
 
  ^  Leveraging the GEAR For Sports(R) Brand Name. The Company leverages its
     GEAR brand name by introducing new products through its established
     distribution channels. For example, the Company recently introduced new
     headwear, sports luggage and Baby GEAR product lines. The Company
     believes that the GEAR brand name is widely recognized by customers and
     end-users in each of its markets and enjoys a reputation for high
     quality products. The Company intends to continue to leverage this brand
     name recognition through its existing distribution channels as well as
     through alternative distribution channels and markets.
 
  ^  Efficient Operations. The Company uses its state-of-the-art facilities
     to design, embroider and screenprint a significant portion of its
     products. In addition, the Company uses independent contractors to
     manufacture its blanks and, where appropriate, to provide other value-
     added manufacturing services in order to maximize sourcing flexibility
     while minimizing overhead costs and fixed charges. The Company minimizes
     the risk of excess inventory by designing and manufacturing its products
     against firm customers orders.
 
  ^  Experienced Management Team with Significant Equity Ownership. The
     Company's management team has extensive experience in the sportswear and
     activewear business. The top five senior executives have each been with
     the Company for at least 13 years and have combined industry experience
     of over 115 years. Approximately 20 members of the senior management
     team contributed an aggregate of $13.6 million in exchange for 50% of
     the capital stock of the Company's parent, Holdings. The management team
     will have significant incentive to continue to increase the Company's
     sales and EBITDA as a result of their substantial equity ownership and
     performance based incentive compensation programs that the Company
     intends to implement.
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
SALES DIVISIONS
 
  The Company markets its products, which include custom designed fleecewear,
jackets, polo shirts, T-shirts, woven shirts, sweaters, shorts, headwear and
sports luggage, through four sales divisions (dollars in millions):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        FISCAL 1996 NET SALES
                                                        ----------------------
                                                                       % OF
     DIVISION                   CUSTOMERS                  SALES      TOTAL
 ----------------- ----------------------------------   ----------- ----------
 <C>               <S>                                  <C>         <C>
 Resort            Destination resorts, family          $      67.7       40.0%
                   entertainment companies, hotel
                   chains, golf clubs, cruise lines,
                   and casinos
 Corporate         Large and small companies serving           47.2       27.9
                   a variety of industries
 College Bookstore Major colleges and universities as          37.7       22.3
                   well as college bookstore lease
                   operators
 Sports Specialty  Sports specialty stores and                  6.3        3.7
                   catalogues, stadium stores, and
                   professional sports teams and
                   their staffs
 Other             Various institutions,                       10.3        6.1
                   organizations and individuals
                                                        ----------- ----------
                                                        $     169.3      100.0%
                                                        =========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
  The Company believes that it enjoys distinct competitive advantages in each
of its sales divisions because of its ability to quickly deliver high quality,
customized products and provide excellent customer service. The Company
operates state-of-the-art design, embroidery and screenprint manufacturing and
distribution facilities which management believes have set the standard in the
sportswear and activewear industry for product quality and response time to
orders and re-orders. Most orders for new product designs can be filled in
four weeks and re-orders rarely take longer than two weeks. This allows the
Company's retail customers to carry less inventory, increase merchandise
turnover and reduce the risk of obsolete merchandise.
 
  Resort Division. The Resort division is a leading marketer of custom logoed
sportswear and activewear to over 6,100 active customer accounts, including
destination resorts, family entertainment companies, hotel chains, golf clubs,
cruise lines, casinos and United States military bases. The division's
customers include widely recognized names such as The Walt Disney Company,
Universal Studios, The Ritz Carlton, Pebble Beach, Princess Cruise Lines and
The Mirage.
 
  The Resort division, with fiscal 1996 net sales of $67.7 million, accounted
for 40.0% of total net sales. The Resort division's net sales have grown from
$50.2 million in fiscal 1994 to $67.7 million in fiscal 1996, representing a
CAGR of 16.1%. The division's net sales have remained relatively constant as a
percentage of total net sales, increasing slightly from 38.9% in fiscal 1994
to 40.0% in fiscal 1996. In fiscal 1996, the top ten accounts of the Resort
division combined for approximately 22% of the division's net sales.
 
  The Company distributes its Resort division products through its national
sales force of approximately 70 independent sales agents. The Company believes
that it is well known and respected in the resort and leisure industry because
of its quick turnaround for new orders and re-orders along with its product
innovation and quality and high level of service.
 
  The Company believes that future growth in its Resort division will come
from increased penetration of the golf, military, hotel and gaming segments of
the industry, and through new product introductions such as headwear, sports
luggage and Baby GEAR products for infants and toddlers.
 
  Corporate Division. The Corporate division is a leading marketer of
corporate identity sportswear and activewear for use by a diverse group of
corporations in incentive and promotional programs as well as for office
casual wear and uniforms. The division services over 3,500 active customer
accounts, including Toyota, Hershey,
 
                                      31
<PAGE>
 
Dr Pepper/7Up, Anheuser-Busch, MCI and Exxon. In addition, the Company
recently formed Tandem Marketing, which develops and administers corporate
fulfillment programs on behalf of its major corporate customers.
 
  The Corporate division, with fiscal 1996 net sales of $47.2 million,
accounted for 27.9% of total net sales. The Corporate division's net sales
have grown from $30.2 million in fiscal 1994 to $47.2 million in fiscal 1996,
representing a CAGR of 25.0%. The division's net sales as a percentage of
total net sales have increased from 23.4% in fiscal 1994 to 27.9% in fiscal
1996, primarily as a result of the increased penetration of the underserved
corporate identity market and increased sales by Tandem Marketing.
 
  The Company believes that it has an advantage over its competitors because
it is one of the few brand name suppliers of sportswear and activewear focused
on the corporate market. The Corporate division markets its products to
various segments within the corporate market. Products are sold by the
Company's national sales force of over 50 independent sales agents directly to
corporate customers in connection with corporate incentive programs, employee
pride and recognition initiatives, corporate meetings and outings, company
retail stores and catalogue programs and dealer incentive programs. In fiscal
1996, approximately 85% of the division's sales were directly to corporations
and the remaining 15% were to jobbers, who then resold the Company's products
to corporations.
 
  The Company, through Tandem Marketing, leverages its existing corporate
customer base to market a full line of products, including articles of
merchandise imprinted or otherwise customized with the corporation's name,
logo or message. These products include sportswear and activewear designed and
manufactured by the Company, as well as other premium merchandise such as
glassware and stationary items. Currently, Tandem Marketing has active
catalogue programs with Lexus, Visa, Pirelli Tire, State Farm, Principal
Financial and Shelter Insurance. In fiscal 1996, Tandem Marketing accounted
for approximately $3.0 million, or 6.4%, of the Corporate division's net
sales, of which approximately 65% were derived from products designed and
manufactured by the Company.
 
  The Company believes that significant opportunity for future growth exists
within the Corporate division through: (i) further penetration of its existing
corporate customers; (ii) targeting the thousands of unserved corporations
located in the division's key markets; and (iii) growth in the sales of Tandem
Marketing. In addition, the Company believes a specific opportunity exists
within the uniform market, as corporations switch from traditional uniforms to
more casual, higher quality sportswear and activewear.
 
  College Bookstore Division. The College Bookstore division is a leading
marketer of custom designed, embroidered and silk-screened sportswear and
activewear products to over 2,300 active customer accounts, including nearly
every major college and university in the United States. The division's
largest accounts include each of the major college bookstore lease operators,
such as Barnes & Noble College Bookstores, Inc., as well as high volume,
university managed bookstores, such as the University of Notre Dame, the
University of Southern California, Yale University, the University of Michigan
and the United States Air Force and Naval academies. The National Association
of College Stores has selected the Company as "Vendor of the Year" three
times, an honor no other supplier has won more than once.
 
  The College Bookstore division, with fiscal 1996 net sales of $37.7 million,
accounted for 22.3% of total net sales. The College Bookstore division's net
sales have grown from $35.9 million in fiscal 1994 to $37.7 million in fiscal
1996, representing a CAGR of 2.5%. As the Company has expanded into other
markets, the College Bookstore division's net sales as a percent of total net
sales has decreased from 28.0% in fiscal 1994 to 22.3% in fiscal 1996.
 
  The Company believes that future growth in its College Bookstore division
will come primarily from new product introductions such as headwear, sports
luggage and Baby GEAR products as well as from general demographic trends. The
U.S. Department of Education projects significant growth in the number of
college and university students through 2006, following a modest decline in
enrollment from 1992 to 1996. However, there can be no assurance that any such
projected growth will occur, and, if so, at such rates.
 
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
  Sports Specialty Division. The Sports Specialty division, with fiscal 1996
net sales of $6.3 million, accounted for 3.7% of total net sales. Established
in 1994, the division has entered into licensing agreements to design,
manufacture and market sportswear and activewear bearing the names, logos and
insignia of professional sports leagues and teams as well as major sporting
events. The Company's licensors include, among others, MLB, the NBA, the NHL,
NASCAR and the Breeder's Cup. The division targets the upscale adult sports
enthusiast through the Company's existing distribution channels as well as
through new channels such as stadium stores and team retail outlets. The
division markets its products to over 600 active customer accounts, including
the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Chicago Bulls, the Cleveland Indians, the
Boston Bruins and Madison Square Garden.
 
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
 
  The sportswear industry in which the Company participates encompasses a
broad assortment of merchandise, including activewear and outerwear products
such as sweatshirts and jackets. While activewear products have traditionally
been associated with athletic-related activities, over the past two decades
such products have been increasingly accepted by consumers for a variety of
leisure and work-related activities. Activewear products have experienced
significant sales growth over this time period due to both this increased
acceptance and consumers' increased pursuit of physical fitness and active
lifestyles. Moreover, activewear products have registered a number of
significant improvements in product characteristics that have contributed to
enhanced consumer appeal, including improvements in fabric weight, blends,
quality of construction, size, style and color availability. According to
industry sources, from 1985 to 1995, total activewear sales at the wholesale
level increased from $8.2 billion to $16.5 billion, representing a CAGR of
7.2%. In addition, for the same period total imprinted activewear sales at the
wholesale level increased from $1.7 billion to $6.7 billion, representing a
CAGR of 14.7%.
 
  The sportswear and activewear market is characterized by a low fashion risk
as compared to other apparel markets. While substantial opportunity exists for
product innovation and differentiation, basic garment styles are not driven by
trends or fads. In those market segments where products have a lower relative
labor cost content, such as fleecewear and outerwear, the industry is also
characterized by barriers to entry as larger capital requirements, sourcing
relationships, brand-name recognition and established customer relationships
limit the entry of new competitors. Foreign competition is limited due to the
short delivery times required for inventory control by retail customers.
 
  Sportswear and activewear is distributed through a wide variety of channels,
including department stores, chain stores, mass merchandisers, discount
retailers and specialty retailers. The Company, however, has avoided many of
these larger mass distribution channels and has instead focused on the
following niche markets, where the competition has been highly fragmented and
generally based more on quality of service and product rather than on price.
 
  Resort Market. The Company has defined the resort market to include products
sold through niche market retailers at destination resorts, family
entertainment companies, hotel chains, cruise lines, casinos and United States
military bases. Products sold in this market are typically adorned with the
name of the resort and include a full range of activewear and related items.
The Company believes that this market is highly fragmented and served
primarily by local and regional competitors. In addition, the Company has
found that national competitors in this market generally focus on specific
market segments, offering a limited range of products.
 
  Corporate Market. The corporate identity market is represented by companies
or large organizations which purchase articles of merchandise imprinted or
otherwise customized with the organization's name, logo or message. These
products are used for building corporate identity, marketing, employee
incentives or development of goodwill for a targeted audience. According to
industry sources, from 1986 to 1995, the total value of sales at the wholesale
level in the corporate premium segment of the imprinted apparel market
increased from $155 million to $800 million, representing a CAGR of 20.0%. The
Company believes that future growth in
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
this market will be fueled, in part, by the continued acceptance of activewear
products in the workplace. The Company believes that it is one of the few
brand name suppliers of sportswear and activewear focused on the corporate
market.
 
  College Bookstore Market. The Company estimates, based on industry data
prepared by the National Association of College Stores, that wholesale
revenues for insignia apparel sold in college bookstores were approximately
$280 million in fiscal 1995. The Company believes that approximately 20% of
these college bookstores are managed by outside lease operators, such as
Barnes & Noble College Bookstores, Inc., and believes that the number of
schools who outsource bookstore operations to such lease operators will
continue to grow.
 
  The Company believes that the college bookstore apparel market is relatively
mature and stable. The Company estimates that the top five suppliers to this
market have an aggregate market share of approximately 50%, with the share of
each such competitor remaining relatively constant over the last five years.
Demand in this market is driven primarily by demographic trends such as the
number of entering college and university students. As the following table
illustrates, the U.S. Department of Education projects significant growth in
the numbers of college and university students through 2006, following a
modest decline in enrollment from 1992 to 1996. However, there can be no
assurance that any such projected growth will occur, and, if so, at such
rates.
 
          HISTORICAL AND PROJECTED COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT
 
 
 
     LOGO

 (STUDENTS IN MILLIONS)

 Source: U.S. Department of
      Education, National Center for
      Education Statistics, Fall
      Enrollment in Colleges and
      Universities surveys and
      Integrated Postsecondary
      Education Data System surveys.
      (November, 1995)
 
  Professional Sports Licensed Apparel Market. Most of the North American
professional sports leagues, including MLB, the NBA, the NFL and the NHL, as
well as other sports organizations and events, license the right to sell
products adorned with the insignia of its leagues, teams or events. These
licensed product sales have grown significantly since the mid-1980's through
aggressive management of the licensing programs and increased marketing
efforts. According to industry sources, total sales at the wholesale level of
licensed sports products exceeded $10.0 billion in 1995. Much of the growth in
demand for licensed sports apparel has been 
 
                                      34
<PAGE>
 
advanced by increased television programming and sporting event attendance, as
well as introduction of a wide variety of products and styles. Although demand
has been impacted in recent years by labor disputes in the professional sports
leagues, the Company expects this growth to continue with the resolution of
the labor disputes and continued expansion of the professional sports leagues
to new geographic markets.
 
  The number of competitors in the licensed apparel market has expanded with
an increase in the number of licenses granted by the professional sports
leagues in recent years. These licenses represent significant barriers to
entry as the professional leagues appear less likely to enter into licensing
agreements with new entrants. The industry has also been experiencing
consolidation in recent years as larger companies have been acquiring smaller
competitors.
 
PRODUCTS
 
  The Company's extensive product offerings include: (i) fleecewear; (ii)
outerwear; (iii) polo shirts, woven shirts and sweaters; (iv) T-shirts and
shorts; and (v) other apparel items and accessories. These products are sold
in each of the Company's four markets and are currently offered in over 400
combinations of style and color. While its products are generally
characterized by a low fashion risk, the Company attempts to incorporate the
latest trends in style, color and fabrics with a heavy emphasis on innovative
graphics to create leading-edge fashion looks.
 
  The Company believes that the quality and breadth of its product lines and
its innovative logo designs represent significant competitive advantages in
its markets. In order to further capitalize on these advantages, the Company
intends to continue to expand both the depth and breadth of its product lines.
Currently, the Company has major product introductions in headwear, sports
luggage and Baby GEAR products for infants and toddlers.
 
  The following illustrates the attributes of the Company's current product
lines:
 
  Fleecewear. The Company's fleecewear products represented approximately 34%
of net sales for fiscal 1996. Current styles offered by the Company include
classic crew sweatshirts, cowl neck tops, half-zip pullovers, hooded tops,
vests, henleys and bottoms. Products are constructed of a wide range of
quality fabrics including combed cotton, textured fleece, ribbed knit cotton
and inside out fleece. The resulting product line offers customers a variety
of styles ranging from relaxed, functional looks to more sophisticated, casual
looks.
 
  Outerwear. The Company's outerwear products represented approximately 27% of
net sales for fiscal 1996. These products are designed to offer consumers
contemporary styling, functional features and quality apparel. Products
offerings include a variety of weights and styles, including heavy nylon
parkas, denim jackets, corduroy hooded pullovers, nylon windshirts and water-
resistant poplin jackets. The Company also provides a number of functional
features such as adjustable cuffs, windflaps, vented backs, drawstring bottoms
and heavyweight fleece lining.
 
  Polo Shirts, Woven Shirts and Sweaters. The Company's polo shirt, woven
shirt and sweater products represented approximately 22% of net sales for
fiscal 1996. The Company's products in this category are designed to be
suitable for both leisure and work-related activities with full range of
materials and styles.
 
  T-Shirts and Shorts. The Company's T-shirt and shorts products represented
approximately 15% of net sales for fiscal 1996. The Company's products are
designed to address consumer needs for comfort, fit and function while
providing innovative logo designs. The Company offers a full line of T-shirts
and shorts in a variety of styles, fabrics and colors.
 
  Other. The Company also sells headwear, sports luggage, a line of children's
products and a number of other miscellaneous apparel items. In addition,
through its Tandem Marketing division, the Company distributes a full line of
corporate fulfillment products. Sales of "Other" items represented
approximately 2% of net sales for fiscal 1996.
 
                                      35
<PAGE>
 
DESIGN, MANUFACTURING AND MATERIALS SOURCING
 
  The Company operates state-of-the-art design, embroidery and screenprint
manufacturing and distribution facilities in Lenexa, Kansas.
 
  The Company's design group consists of more than 70 in-house artists and
graphic designers who work closely with each customer to create the product
offering and customization that fulfills the account's needs. The design group
is responsible for presenting new ideas to each account in order to
continually generate new products. This design function is a key element in
the Company's ability to provide value-added services and maintain superior
relations with its customers. Once the design and logo specifications have
been determined, the Company's in-plant manufacturing process begins. This
manufacturing process consists of embroidery and/or screenprinting
applications to Company-designed blanks. Substantially all of the
screenprinting and a significant portion of the embroidery operations are
performed by the Company in its Lenexa, Kansas facilities. In addition, the
Company outsources embroidery work to two affiliates as well as to independent
contractors, when necessary. See "Certain Transactions." The Company maintains
the most updated machinery and equipment available in order to ensure superior
product quality and consistency.
 
  All of the Company's blanks are sourced and manufactured to the Company's
specifications by third party vendors. The Company closely monitors each of
its vendors in order to ensure that its specifications and quality standards
are met. A significant portion of the Company's blanks are contract
manufactured in various off-shore plants. The Company's imported items are
currently manufactured in China, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong,
Singapore, Indonesia, Pakistan, Honduras, Israel, Fiji and Mexico. No foreign
country has a manufacturing concentration above 20%. Approximately 16% of its
blanks are contract manufactured in the United States. The Company has long-
standing contractual relationships with most of its eight independent buying
agents who assist the Company in its efforts to control garment quality and
delivery. The Company has independent buying agents in each foreign country
where it purchases blanks. See "Risk Factors--Foreign Sourcing."
 
COMPETITION
 
  The Company's primary competitors vary within each of its four distinct
markets. In the resort and leisure market, there are few national competitors
and even fewer that operate in all of the varied segments in which the Company
operates. In the corporate identity market, there are several large
manufacturers of corporate identity products. The Company believes it is one
of the few manufacturers and marketers of corporate identity products that
specializes in the activewear product segment. In the college bookstore
market, the top five competitors hold an aggregate market share of
approximately 50%, and the Company believes the market share of each such
competitor has remained relatively constant over the last five years. In the
sports specialty market, the Company competes with a large number of
manufacturers of licensed sportswear. The Company believes, however, that it
is one of the few manufacturers of sports specialty products with a primary
focus on the adult sports enthusiast.
 
  The following table sets forth the Company's primary competitors in each of
its markets:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        MARKET                         PRIMARY COMPETITORS
   ----------------- -------------------------------------------------------
   <C>               <S>
   Resort            Highly fragmented--primarily local and regional
                     competitors
   Corporate         HA-LO Marketing, Hermann Marketing, Swingster (American
                     Marketing Industries)
   College Bookstore Champion Products, Jansport (VF Corp.), M.V. Sports
   Sports Specialty  Champion Products, Russell Corporation, Starter
</TABLE>
 
  Competition in each of the Company's markets generally is based on product
design and decoration, customer service and overall product quality. The
Company believes that it has been able to compete successfully because of its
ability to create diverse and innovative designs, provide excellent customer
service, leverage its GEAR brand name and differentiate its products on the
basis of quality.
 
                                      36
<PAGE>
 
EMPLOYEES
 
  The Company employs over 640 people at its two facilities in Lenexa, Kansas,
of which approximately 30 are members of management, 280 are involved in
either product design, customer service, sales support or administration and
330 are involved in manufacturing. In an effort to adjust employment levels in
accordance with its production schedule and reduce its operating costs, the
Company has instituted a voluntary time off program under which management
occasionally grants a limited number of employees extended time off (typically
four to six weeks). During extended time off periods, employees remain on call
and continue to receive employee benefits such as health insurance, but do not
receive hourly wages. None of the Company's employees is covered by a
collective bargaining agreement. The Company believes that the dedication of
its employees is critical to its success, and that its relations with its
employees are excellent.
 
TRADEMARKS
 
  The Company markets its products primarily under the GEAR For Sports(R)
trademarked brand name. In addition, the Company markets its products under,
among others, the Pro GEAR(R), Tandem Marketing(R), Big Cotton(R) and Winning
Ways(R) trademarks. The Company is currently applying for a trademark for its
Baby GEAR brand name. However, there can be no assurance that the Company's
application will be approved. Generally, the Company's trademarks will remain
in effect as long as the trademark is used by the Company and the required
renewals are obtained. The Company licenses its GEAR For Sports(R) trademark
to a third-party manufacturer to produce and distribute GEAR For Sports(R)
adult sportswear and activewear, headwear and sports luggage products in
Canada. The Company expects to renew the license, which is scheduled to expire
in fiscal 1998, on terms comparable to those under the existing license
agreement.
 
LICENSES
 
  The Company markets its products, in part, under licensing agreements,
primarily in its College Bookstore and Sports Specialty divisions. In fiscal
1996, net sales under the Company's 262 active licensing agreements totalled
$23.8 million, or approximately 14% of the Company's net sales. In fiscal
1996, $20.4 million of College Bookstore division net sales, representing
approximately 54% of the division's net sales and 12% of total net sales, were
recorded under this division's 214 licensing agreements. In addition, in
fiscal 1996, $1.6 million of Sports Specialty division net sales, representing
approximately 25% of the division's net sales and 1% of total net sales, were
recorded under licensing agreements. The Company's licensing agreements are
mostly with (i) high volume, university managed bookstores such as the
University of Notre Dame, the University of Southern California and the
University of Michigan, (ii) professional sports leagues such as MLB, the NBA
and the NHL and (iii) major sporting events such as the Ryder Cup and the
Indianapolis 500. Such licensing agreements are generally renewable every one
to three years with the consent of the licensor.
 
PROPERTIES
 
  The Company owns each of its two properties: its 250,000 square foot
headquarters and manufacturing facility in Lenexa, Kansas and its 100,000
square foot manufacturing and distribution facility located approximately two
miles from its headquarters. Approximately 200,000 square feet and 100,000
square feet of the headquarter/manufacturing facility and
manufacturing/distribution facility, respectively, are devoted to the design
and manufacture of the Company's products and to customer service. The Company
believes that the two facilities (along with the embroidery facilities used by
the two affiliate companies) provide the Company with sufficient space to
support its expected expansion over the next several years.
 
LITIGATION
 
  From time to time, the Company is involved in routine litigation incidental
to its business. The Company is not a party to any pending or threatened legal
proceeding which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's results
of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
 
                                      37
<PAGE>
 
                                  MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
  The following sets forth the names and ages of the Company's directors and
executive officers and the positions they hold as of the date of this Offering
Memorandum:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      NAME                AGE                      POSITION WITH COMPANY
      ----                ---                      ---------------------
<S>                       <C> <C>
Robert M. Wolff.........   62 Chairman
John L. Menghini........   47 President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
Robert G. Shaw..........   46 Senior Vice President, Finance and Human Resources and Director
Larry D. Graveel........   48 Senior Vice President, Merchandising and Director
Michael H. Gary.........   44 Senior Vice President, Sales Administration
A. Richard Caputo, Jr...   31 Director
John W. Jordan II.......   49 Director
David W. Zalaznick......   43 Director
</TABLE>
 
  Set forth below is a brief description of the business experience of each
director and executive officer of the Company.
 
  Robert M. Wolff has served as Chairman of the Company since its inception.
 
  John L. Menghini has served as President, Chief Operating Officer and a
director of the Company since 1984. Prior to that, Mr. Menghini served as a
merchandise manager of the Company since 1977.
 
  Robert G. Shaw has served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Human
Resources and a director of the Company since 1993. Prior to that, Mr. Shaw
held several management positions with the Company since 1976, including Vice
President of Finance.
 
  Larry D. Graveel has served as a director of the Company since February 1997
and as Senior Vice President, Merchandising of the Company since 1993. Prior
to that, Mr. Graveel served as a merchandising manager of the Company since
1984.
 
  Michael H. Gary has served as Senior Vice President, Sales Administration of
the Company since 1993. Prior to that, Mr. Gary held several management
positions in sales administration with the Company since 1982.
 
  A. Richard Caputo, Jr. has served as a director of the Company since
February 1997. Mr. Caputo is a managing partner of TJC, a private merchant
banking firm, with which he has been associated since 1990. Mr. Caputo is also
a director of AmeriKing, Inc. as well as other privately held companies.
 
  John W. Jordan II has served as a director of the Company since February
1997. Mr. Jordan is a managing partner of TJC, which he founded in 1982. Mr.
Jordan is also a director of Jordan Industries, Inc., Carmike Cinemas, Inc.,
American Safety Razor Company, Apparel Ventures, Inc., AmeriKing, Inc., Motors
and Gears, Inc. and Rockshox, Inc. as well as other privately held companies.
 
  David W. Zalaznick has served as a director of the Company since February
1997. Mr. Zalaznick has been a managing partner of TJC since 1982. Mr.
Zalaznick is also a director of Jordan Industries, Inc., Carmike Cinemas,
Inc., American Safety Razor Company, Apparel Ventures, Inc., Marisa Christina,
Inc., AmeriKing, Inc., Motors and Gears, Inc. and The Great American Cookie
Company as well as other privately held companies.
 
 
                                      38
<PAGE>
 
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
 
  In connection with the Acquisition, Holdings, the Management Investors and
the Jordan Investors entered into a subscription and stockholders agreement
(the "Stockholders Agreement") which sets forth certain rights and
restrictions relating to the ownership of Holdings stock and agreements among
the parties thereto as to the governance of Holdings and, indirectly, GFSI.
 
  The Stockholders Agreement contains provisions which, among other things and
subject to certain exceptions, (i) restrict the ability of all Stockholders
(as defined therein) to transfer their respective ownership interests,
including rights of first refusal and tag along rights held by each of the
remaining stockholders, (ii) grant drag along rights to Selling Stockholders
(as defined therein) in which the holders of 75% or more of the common stock
of Holdings who agree to transfer their stock in an arms-length transaction to
a nonaffiliated party may require the remaining stockholders to sell their
stock on the same terms and conditions and (iii) grant each Stockholder
piggyback registration rights to participate in certain registrations
initiated by Holdings.
 
  The Stockholders Agreement also contains certain governance provisions
which, among other things, (i) provide for the election of three directors
(the "Management Directors") nominated by the Management Investors, three
directors (the "Jordan Directors") nominated by the Jordan Investors and one
director nominated by the Stockholders, (ii) prohibit the removal of the
Management Directors other than by the Management Investors or the Jordan
Directors other than by the Jordan Investors and (iii) require the approval of
at least five directors of certain fundamental transactions affecting Holdings
or GFSI.
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  Liability Limitation. The Certificate of Incorporation provides that a
director of the Company shall not be personally liable to it or its
stockholders for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by the
Delaware General Corporation Law. In accordance with the Delaware General
Corporation Law, the Certificate of Incorporation does not eliminate or limit
the liability of a director for acts or omissions that involve intentional
misconduct by a director or a knowing violation of law by a director for
voting or assenting to an unlawful distribution, or for any transaction from
which the director will personally receive a benefit in money, property, or
services to which the director is not legally entitled. The Delaware General
Corporation Law does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as
an injunction or rescission based upon a director's breach of his duty of
care. Any amendment to these provisions of the Delaware General Corporation
Law will automatically be incorporated by reference into the Certificate of
Incorporation and the Bylaws, without any vote on the part of its
stockholders, unless otherwise required.
 
  Indemnification Agreements. Simultaneously with the consummation of the
Offering, the Company and each of its directors entered into indemnification
agreements. The indemnification agreements provide that the Company will
indemnify the directors against certain liabilities (including settlements)
and expenses actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any
threatened or pending legal action, proceeding or investigation (other than
actions brought by or in the right of the Company) to which any of them is, or
is threatened to be, made a party by reason of their status as a director,
officer or agent of the Company, or serving at the request of the Company in
any other capacity for or on behalf of the Company; provided that (i) such
director acted in good faith and in a manner not opposed to the best interest
of the Company, (ii) with respect to any criminal proceedings had no
reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful, (iii) such
director is not finally adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in
the performance of his or her duty to the Company, unless the court views in
light of the circumstances the director is nevertheless entitled to
indemnification, and (iv) the indemnification does not relate to any liability
arising under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, or the rules or regulations
promulgated thereunder. With respect to any action brought by or in the right
of the Company, directors may also be indemnified to the extent not prohibited
by applicable laws or as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction
against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with
such action if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company.
 
 
                                      39
<PAGE>
 
  Director Compensation. After the consummation of the Offering, each director
of the Company will receive $20,000 per year for serving as a director of the
Company. In addition, the Company reimburses directors for their travel and
other expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings of the Board of
Directors.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
  The following table sets forth information concerning the aggregate
compensation paid and accrued to the Company's top five executive officers for
services rendered to the Company during each of the three most recent fiscal
years. The executive officers include Robert M. Wolff, Chairman, John L.
Menghini, President and Chief Operating Officer, Robert G. Shaw, Senior Vice
President, Finance and Human Resources, Larry D. Graveel, Senior Vice
President, Merchandising and Michael H. Gary, Senior Vice President, Sales
Administration.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        FISCAL                    OTHER ANNUAL
POSITION                                 YEAR   SALARY   BONUS   COMPENSATION(1)
- --------                                ------ -------- -------- ---------------
<S>                                     <C>    <C>      <C>      <C>
Robert M. Wolff........................  1996  $240,000              $40,019
 Chairman                                1995   240,000 $288,000      41,518
                                         1994   240,000  600,000      49,337
John L. Menghini.......................  1996   225,000  300,000      31,136
 President and Chief                     1995   225,000  300,000      32,502
 Operating Officer                       1994   200,000  300,000      41,244
Robert G. Shaw.........................  1996   150,000  120,000      31,353
 Senior Vice President and               1995   125,000  100,000      32,558
 Chief Financial Officer                 1994   108,000  100,000      37,723
Larry D. Graveel.......................  1996   170,000  120,000      27,416
 Senior Vice President                   1995   145,000  120,000      28,915
                                         1994   120,000  120,000      37,734
Michael H. Gary........................  1996   150,000  120,000      28,579
 Senior Vice President                   1995   125,000  100,000      30,078
                                         1994   100,000  100,000      34,526
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Other annual compensation consists of car allowances, profit sharing,
    group medical benefits and individual beneficiary life insurance premiums
    paid by the Company.
 
EMPLOYMENT/NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENTS
 
  Wolff Employment Agreement. Effective upon the consummation of the
Transactions, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Robert M.
Wolff (the "Wolff Employment Agreement"). Pursuant to the Wolff Employment
Agreement, Mr. Wolff will serve as Chairman of the Company for a ten-year
period ending on the tenth anniversary of the Acquisition. In exchange for his
services, the Company will compensate Mr. Wolff with a base salary of $140,000
per annum, subject to annual increases set forth in the Wolff Employment
Agreement, to provide him with certain employee benefits comparable to that
received by other Company senior executives, including the use of Company
cars, and to reimburse him for expenses incurred in connection with the
performance of his duties as Chairman. In the event that Mr. Wolff no longer
provides services to the Company due to his dismissal for Cause (as defined in
the Wolff Employment Agreement), he will no longer be entitled to any
compensation from the Company as of the date of his dismissal, subject to
certain rights of appeal.
 
  Wolff Noncompetition Agreement. Effective upon the consummation of the
Transactions, Holdings entered into a Noncompetition Agreement with Robert M.
Wolff (the "Wolff Noncompetition Agreement"). Pursuant to the Wolff
Noncompetition Agreement, Mr. Wolff will not, directly or indirectly, (i) (a)
engage in or have any active interest in any sportswear or activewear business
comparable to that of the Company or (b) sell to, supply, provide goods or
services to, purchase from or conduct business in any form with the Company or
Holdings for a ten-year period ending on the tenth anniversary of the
Acquisition, (ii) disclose at any time other than to the
Company or Holdings any Confidential Information (as defined in the Wolff
Noncompetition Agreement) and (iii) engage in any business with the Company or
Holdings through an affiliate for as long as Mr. Wolff or any
 
                                      40
<PAGE>
 
member of his family is the beneficial owner of Holdings' capital stock. In
exchange for his covenant not to compete, Holdings will pay Mr. Wolff $250,000
per annum for a period of ten years. In the event that the Wolff
Noncompetition Agreement is terminated for Cause (as defined in the Wolff
Noncompetition Agreement), Holdings will no longer be obligated to make any
payment to Mr. Wolff, but Mr. Wolff will remain obligated to comply with the
covenants set forth in the Wolff Noncompetition Agreement until its expiration
on the tenth anniversary of the Acquisition.
 
INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
 
  Following the consummation of the Transactions, the Company will adopt an
incentive compensation plan (the "Incentive Plan"), which will provide for
annual cash bonuses payable based on a percentage of EBITA (as defined in the
Incentive Plan), if certain EBITA targets are met.
 
                            PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
  All of the outstanding common stock of the Company is owned by Parent. The
table below sets forth as of February 27, 1997 certain information regarding
beneficial ownership of the common stock of Parent held by (i) each of its
directors and executive officers who own shares of common stock of Parent,
(ii) all directors and executive officers of Parent as a group and (iii) each
person known by Parent to own beneficially more than 5% of its common stock.
The Company believes that each individual or entity named has sole investment
and voting power with respect to shares of common stock of Parent indicated as
beneficially owned by them, except as otherwise noted.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          AMOUNT OF BENEFICIAL
                                                              OWNERSHIP(1)
                                                          --------------------
                                                          NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE
                                                           SHARES     OWNED
                                                          --------- ----------
<S>                                                       <C>       <C>
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS:
Robert M. Wolff(2)(3)....................................     60.0      3.0%
John L. Menghini(2)(4)...................................    257.0     12.9
Robert G. Shaw(2)(5).....................................    235.0     11.8
Larry D. Graveel(2)(6)...................................    110.0      5.5
Michael H. Gary(2)(7)....................................    110.0      5.5
A. Richard Caputo, Jr.(8)................................     50.0      2.5
John W. Jordan II(8)(9)..................................  78.3125      3.9
David W. Zalaznick(8)....................................  78.3125      3.9
All directors and executive officers as a group (8
 persons)................................................  978.625     48.9%
OTHER PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS:
MCIT PLC(10).............................................    500.0     25.0%
Leucadia Investors, Inc.(11).............................    125.0      6.3%
</TABLE>
- --------
 (1) Calculated pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d) under the Exchange Act. Under Rule    
     13d-3(d), shares not outstanding which are subject to options, warrants,   
     rights or conversion privileges exercisable within 60 days are deemed      
     outstanding for the purpose of calculating the number and percentage owned 
     by such person, but not deemed outstanding for the purpose of calculating  
     the percentage owned by each other person listed. As of February 27, 1997, 
     there were 2,000 shares of common stock of Parent issued and outstanding.  
 (2) The address of each of Messrs. Wolff, Menghini, Shaw, Graveel and Gary is  
     c/o GFSI, Inc., 9700 Commerce Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas 66219.               
 (3) All shares are held by the Robert M. Wolff Trust, of which Mr. Wolff is a  
     trustee.                                                                   
 (4) 197 shares are held by the John Leo Menghini Revocable Trust, of which Mr. 
     Menghini is a trustee. The remaining 60 shares are held in trust for       
     family members of Mr. Menghini.                                            
 (5) 175 shares are held by the Robert Shaw Living Trust, of which Mr. Shaw is  
     a trustee. The remaining 60 shares are held by Robert Shaw as custodian of 
     family members.                                                            
 (6) All shares are held by the Larry D. Graveel Revocable Trust, of which Mr.  
     Graveel is a trustee.                                                      
 (7) 90 shares are held by Michael H. Gary Revocable Trust, of which Mr. Gary   
     is a trustee. The remaining 20 shares are held in trust for family members 
     of Mr. Gary.                                                               
 (8) The address of each of Messrs. Caputo, Jordan and Zalaznick is c/o The     
     Jordan Company, 9 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019.                    
 (9) All shares are held by the John W. Jordan II Revocable Trust, of which Mr. 
     Jordan is trustee.
(10) The principal address of MCIT PLC is c/o The Jordan Company, 9 West 57th
     Street, New York, NY 10019.
(11) The principal address of Leucadia Investors, Inc. is 315 Park Avenue
     South, New York, NY 10010.
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
                              THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
  The Exchange Offer is being made by the Company to satisfy its obligations
pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, which requires the Company to
use its best efforts to effect the Exchange Offer. See "--Registration
Rights."
 
  The Company is making the Exchange Offer in reliance upon the position of
the staff of the Commission set forth in certain no-action letters addressed
to other parties in other transactions. However, the Company has not sought
its own no-action letter and there can be no assurance that the staff of the
Commission would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange
Offer as in such other circumstances. Based on these interpretations by the
staff of the Commission, the New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer
may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof
(other than (i) any such holder that is an "affiliate" of the Company within
the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act, (ii) an Initial Purchaser
who acquired the Old Notes directly from the Company solely in order to resell
pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act or any other available exemption
under the Securities Act, or (iii) a broker-dealer who acquired the Old Notes
as a result of market making or other trading activities) without compliance
with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act, provided that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such
holder's business and such holder is not participating and has no arrangement
or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution (within the
meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Notes. Any Holder who tenders Old
Notes in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution
of the New Notes could not rely on such interpretations by the staff of the
Commission and must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale
transaction, unless such sale is made pursuant to an exemption from such
requirements.
 
  Holders of Old Notes not tendered will not have any further registration
rights and the Old Notes not exchanged will continue to be subject to certain
restrictions on transfer. Accordingly, the liquidity of the markets for the
Old Notes could be adversely affected.
 
  NEITHER THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY NOR THE COMPANY MAKES ANY
RECOMMENDATION TO HOLDERS OF OLD NOTES AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM
TENDERING ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THEIR OLD NOTES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE
OFFER. IN ADDITION, NO ONE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY SUCH
RECOMMENDATION. HOLDERS OF OLD NOTES MUST MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION WHETHER TO
TENDER PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND, IF SO, THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF OLD
NOTES TO TENDER AFTER READING THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
AND CONSULTING THEIR ADVISERS, IF ANY, BASED ON THEIR OWN FINANCIAL POSITION
AND REQUIREMENTS.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS; LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
 
  In connection with the issuance of the Old Notes, the Company entered into
the Registration Rights Agreement with the Initial Purchasers of the Old
Notes.
 
  Holders of New Notes (other than as set forth below) are not entitled to any
registration rights with respect to the New Notes. Pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement, Holders of Old Notes are entitled to certain
registration rights. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has
agreed, for the benefit of the Holders of the Old Notes, that it will, at its
cost, (i) within 90 days after the date of the original issue of the Old
Notes, file the Registration Statement with the Commission and (ii) within 150
days after the date of original issuance of the Old Notes, use its best
efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective under
the Securities Act. The Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a
part constitutes the Registration Statement. If (i) the Company is not
permitted to consummate the Exchange Offer because the Exchange Offer is not
permitted by applicable law or Commission policy or (ii) any Holder of
Transfer Restricted Securities (as
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
defined) notifies the Company within the specified time period that (A) due to
a change in law or policy it is not entitled to participate in the Exchange
Offer, (B) due to a change in law or policy it may not resell the New Notes
acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a
prospectus and the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement is not
appropriate or available for such resales by such holder or (C) it is a
broker-dealer and acquired the Notes directly from the Company or an affiliate
of the Company, the Company will file with the Commission a Shelf Registration
Statement to cover resales of the Transfer Restricted Securities by the
Holders thereof who satisfy certain conditions relating to the provision of
information in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement. The Company
will use its best efforts to cause the applicable registration statement to be
declared effective as promptly as possible by the Commission. For purposes of
the foregoing, "Transfer Restricted Securities" means each Note, until (i) the
date of which such Transfer Restricted Security has been exchanged in the
Exchange Offer, (ii) following the exchange by a broker-dealer in the Exchange
Offer of a Transfer Restricted Security for a New Note, the date on which such
New Note is sold to a purchaser who receives from such broker-dealer on or
prior to the date of such sale a copy of the Prospectus contained in the
Registration Statement, (iii) the date on which such security has been
effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance
with the Shelf Registration Statement or (iv) the date on which such security
is distributed pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act.
 
  The Registration Rights Agreement also provides that, (i) unless the
Exchange Offer would not be permitted by applicable law or Commission policy,
the Company will commence the Exchange Offer and use its best efforts to issue
on or prior to 30 business days after the date on which the Registration
Statement was declared effective by the Commission, New Securities in exchange
for all Transfer Restricted Securities tendered prior thereto in the Exchange
Offer and (ii) if obligated to file the Shelf Registration Statement, the
Company will file the Shelf Registration Statement with the Commission on or
prior to 60 days after such filing obligation arises and use its best efforts
to cause the Shelf Registration to be declared effective by the Commission on
or prior to 120 days after such obligation arises. The Company shall use its
best efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective,
supplemented and amended until the third anniversary of the Closing Date or
such shorter period that will terminate when all the Senior Notes covered by
the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement. If (a) the Company fails to file any of the
registration statements required by the Registration Rights Agreement on or
before the date specified for such filing, (b) any of such registration
statements are not declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the
date specified for such effectiveness (the "Effectiveness Target Date"), (c)
the Company fails to consummate the Exchange Offer within 30 business days of
the Effectiveness Target Date with respect to the Registration Statement, or
(d) the Shelf Registration Statement or the Registration Statement is declared
effective but thereafter, subject to certain exceptions, ceases to be
effective or usable in connection with resales of Transfer Restricted
Securities during the periods specified in the Registration Rights Agreement
(each such event referred to in clauses (a) through (d) above a "Registration
Default"), then the Company will pay Liquidated Damages to each Holder of
Transfer Restricted Securities, with respect to the first 90-day period
immediately following the occurrence of such Registration Default in an amount
equal to $.05 per week for each $1,000 principal amount of Senior Notes held
by such Holder. The amount of the Liquidated Damages will increase by an
additional $.05 per week with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until
all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount of
Liquidated Damages of $.40 per week for each $1,000 principal amount of Senior
Notes, as applicable. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the
accrual of Liquidated Damages will cease.
 
  Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities will be required to deliver
information to be used in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement and
to provide comments on the Shelf Registration Statement within the time
periods set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement in order to have their
Transfer Restricted Securities included in the Shelf Registration Statement
and benefit from the provisions regarding Liquidated Damages set forth above.
 
  The summary herein of certain provisions of the Registration Rights
Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Registration
 
                                      43
<PAGE>
 
Rights Agreement, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus constitutes a part.
 
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER; PERIOD FOR TENDERING OLD NOTES
 
  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus
and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the
Exchange Offer), the Company will accept for exchange Old Notes which are
properly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date and not withdrawn as
permitted below. As used herein, the term "Expiration Date" means the earlier
of (i) 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on      , 1997 or (ii) the date when all
Old Notes have been tendered; provided, however, that if the Company, in its
sole discretion, has extended the period of time for which the Exchange Offer
is open, the term "Expiration Date" means the latest time and date to which
the Exchange Offer is extended; provided further that in no event will the
Exchange Offer be extended beyond      , 1997. The Company may extend the
Exchange Offer at any time and from time to time by giving oral or written
notice to the Exchange Agent and by timely public announcement. Without
limiting the manner in which the Company may choose to make any public
announcement and subject to applicable law, the Company shall have no
obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such public
announcement other than by issuing a release to an appropriate news agency.
During any extension of the Exchange Offer, all Old Notes previously tendered
pursuant to the Exchange Offer will remain subject to 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
thereunder.
 
  As of the date of this Prospectus, $125,000,000 aggregate principal amount
of the Old Notes is outstanding. This Prospectus, together with the Letter of
Transmittal, is first being sent on or about      , 1997, to all Holders of
Old Notes known to the Company. The Company's obligation to accept Old Notes
for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions
as set forth under "--Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer" below.
 
  The terms of the New Notes and the Old Notes are identical in all material
respects, except for certain transfer restrictions and registration rights
relating to the Old Notes and rights to receive Liquidated Damages. See "--
Registration Rights; Liquidated Damages." The Old Notes were, and the New
Notes will be, issued under the Indenture and all such Notes are entitled to
the benefits of the Indenture.
 
  Old Notes tendered in the Exchange Offer must be in denominations of
principal amount of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. 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.
 
  The Company expressly reserves the right to amend or terminate the Exchange
Offer, and not to accept for exchange any Old Notes not theretofore accepted
for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions of the Exchange
Offer specified below under "--Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer". The
Company will give oral or written notice of any amendment, nonacceptance or
termination to the Holders of the Old Notes as promptly as practicable. Any
amendment to the Exchange Offer will not limit the right of Holders to
withdraw tendered Old Notes prior to the Expiration Date. See "--Withdrawal
Rights."
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING OLD NOTES
 
  The tender to the Company of Old Notes by a Holder thereof as set forth
below and the acceptance thereof by the Company will constitute a binding
agreement between the tendering Holder and the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus and in the accompanying
Letter of Transmittal. Except as set forth below, a Holder who wishes to
tender Old Notes for exchange pursuant to the Exchange
 
                                      44
<PAGE>
 
Offer must transmit a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal, including all other documents required by such Letter of
Transmittal, to Fleet National Bank (the "Exchange Agent") at one of the
addresses set forth below under "Exchange Agent" on or 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, or (ii) a timely
confirmation of a book-entry transfer (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of such
Old Notes, if such procedure is available, into the Exchange Agent's account
at The Depository Trust Company (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. THE METHOD OF
DELIVERY OF OLD NOTES, LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE HOLDERS. IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS
RECOMMENDED THAT REGISTERED MAIL, PROPERLY INSURED, WITH RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED, BE USED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ASSURE
TIMELY DELIVERY. NO LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL OR OLD NOTES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE
COMPANY.
 
  Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case
may be, must be guaranteed unless the Old Notes surrendered for exchange
pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a registered Holder of the Old Notes who
has not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or "Special
Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the account of
an Eligible Institution (as defined below). In the event that signatures on a
Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, are
required to be guaranteed, such guarantees must be by a firm which is a member
of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or by a commercial bank or trust
company having an office or correspondent in the United States (collectively,
"Eligible Institutions"). If Old Notes are registered in the name of a person
other than the signer of the Letter of Transmittal, the Old Notes surrendered
for exchange must be endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or
instruments of transfer or exchange, in satisfactory form as determined by the
Company in its sole discretion, duly executed by the registered Holder with
the signature thereon guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
  All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance of Old Notes tendered for exchange will be determined
by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination shall be final and
binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all tenders
of any particular Old Notes not properly tendered or to not accept any
particular Old Notes which acceptance might, in the judgment of the Company or
its counsel, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute right to
waive any defects or irregularities or conditions of the Exchange Offer as to
any particular Old Notes either before or after the Expiration Date (including
the right to waive the ineligibility of any Holder who seeks to tender Old
Notes in the Exchange Offer). The interpretation of the terms and conditions
of the Exchange Offer as to any particular Old Notes either before or after
the Expiration Date (including the Letter of Transmittal and the instructions
thereto) by the Company shall be final and binding on all parties. Unless
waived, all defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Old Notes
for exchange must be cured within such reasonable period of time as the
Company shall determine. Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other
person shall be under any duty to give notification of any defect or
irregularity with respect to any tender of Old Notes for exchange, nor shall
any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification. The
Exchange Agent intends to use reasonable efforts to give notification of such
defects and irregularities.
 
  If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person or persons other than the
registered Holder or Holders of Old Notes, such Old Notes must be endorsed or
accompanied by appropriate powers of attorney, in either case signed exactly
as the name or names of the registered Holder or Holders that appear on the
Old Notes.
 
  If the Letter of Transmittal or any Old Notes or powers of attorney are
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of a corporation or others acting in a fiduciary or representatives
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.
 
                                      45
<PAGE>
 
  By tendering, each Holder will represent to the Company that, among other
things, the New Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being
obtained in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving such New
Notes, whether or not such person is the Holder and such person has no
arrangement with any person
to participate in the distribution of the New Notes. If any Holder or any such
other person is an "affiliate," as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities
Act, of the Company, is engaged in or intends to engage in or has an
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution
of such New Notes to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer, or acquired
the Old Notes as a result of market making or other trading activities, such
Holder or any such other person (i) could not rely on the applicable
interpretations of the staff of the Commission and (ii) must comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale transaction. Each broker-dealer that receives New
Notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that
it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Notes.
The Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a
prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
ACCEPTANCE OF OLD NOTES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF NEW NOTES
 
  Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the Exchange Offer,
the Company will accept, promptly after the Expiration Date, all Old Notes
properly tendered and will issue the New Notes promptly after acceptance of
the Old Notes. See "--Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer." For purposes
of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be deemed to have accepted properly
tendered Old Notes for exchange when, as and if the Company has given oral or
written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent, with written confirmation of any
oral notice to be given promptly thereafter.
 
  For each Old Note accepted for exchange, the Holder of such Old Note will
receive a New Note having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered
Old Note. Accordingly, registered Holders of New Notes on the relevant record
date for the first interest payment date following the consummation of the
Exchange Offer will receive interest accruing from the most recent date to
which interest has been paid on the Old Notes, or, if no interest has been
paid on the Old Notes, from February 27, 1997. Old Notes accepted for exchange
will cease to accrue interest from and after the date of consummation of the
Exchange Offer. Holders of Old Notes whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange
will not receive any payment in respect of accrued interest on such Old Notes
otherwise payable on any interest payment date the record date for which
occurs on or after consummation of the Exchange Offer.
 
  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 (i) 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, (ii) a properly completed and duly executed
Letter of Transmittal and (iii) all other required documents. If any tendered
Old Notes are not accepted for any reason set forth in the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer, or if Old Notes are submitted for a greater
amount than the Holder desires to exchange, such unaccepted or nonexchanged
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 procedures described below, such nonexchanged Old Notes will be
credited to an account maintained with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility)
designated by the tendering Holder 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's systems may make book-entry delivery of Old Notes 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 facsimile thereof, with
any
 
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
required signature guarantees and any other required documents, must, in any
case, be transmitted to and received by the Exchange Agent at one of the
addresses set forth below under "--Exchange Agent" on or prior to the
Expiration Date or the guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be
complied with.
 
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 has 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 of the corresponding exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus constitutes a part (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 three
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 the Expiration
Date.
 
  For a withdrawal to be effective, a written notice of withdrawal must be
received by the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set forth below under
"Exchange Agent." Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the
person having tendered the Old Notes to be withdrawn, identify the Old Notes
to be withdrawn (including the amount of such Old Notes), and (where
certificates for Old Notes have been transmitted) specify the name in which
such Old Notes are registered, if different from that of the withdrawing
Holder. If certificates for Old Notes have been delivered or otherwise
identified to the Exchange Agent, then, prior to the release of such
certificates the withdrawing Holder must also submit the serial numbers of the
particular certificates to be withdrawn and a signed notice of withdrawal with
signatures guaranteed by an Eligible Institution unless such Holder is an
Eligible Institution. If Old Notes have been tendered pursuant to the
procedure for book-entry transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal
must specify the name and number of the account at the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility to be credited with the withdrawn Old Notes and otherwise comply with
the procedures of such facility. All questions as to the validity, form and
eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices will be determined by
the Company, 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 (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 with
such Book-Entry Transfer Facility specified by the 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 "--Procedures for Tendering Old Notes"
above at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.
 
CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall
not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue New Notes in exchange for,
any Old Notes and may terminate or amend the Exchange
 
                                      47
<PAGE>
 
Offer, if at any time before the acceptance of such Old Notes for exchange or
the exchange of the New Notes for such Old Notes, any of the following events
shall occur:
 
    (a) there shall be threatened, instituted or pending any action or
  proceeding before, or any injunction, order or decree shall have been
  issued by, any court or governmental agency or other governmental
  regulatory or administrative agency or commission, (i) seeking to restrain
  or prohibit the making or consummation of the Exchange Offer or any other
  transaction contemplated by the Exchange Offer, or assessing or seeking any
  damages as a result thereof, or (ii) resulting in a material delay in the
  ability of the Company to accept for exchange or exchange some or all of
  the Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer; or any statute, rule,
  regulation, order or injunction shall be sought, proposed, introduced,
  enacted, promulgated or deemed applicable to the Exchange Offer or any of
  the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Offer by any government or
  governmental authority, domestic or foreign, or any action shall have been
  taken, proposed or threatened, by any government, governmental authority,
  agency or court, domestic or foreign, that in the sole judgment of the
  Company might directly or indirectly result in any of the consequences
  referred to in clauses (i) or (ii) above or, in the sole judgment of the
  Company, might result in the holders of New Notes having obligations with
  respect to resales and transfers of New Notes which are greater than those
  described in the interpretation of the Commission referred to on the cover
  page of this Prospectus, or would otherwise make it inadvisable to proceed
  with the Exchange Offer; or
 
    (b) there shall have occurred (i) any general suspension of or general
  limitation on prices for, or trading in, securities on any national
  securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market, (ii) any limitation
  by any governmental agency or authority which may adversely affect the
  ability of the Company to complete the transactions contemplated by the
  Exchange Offer, (iii) a declaration of a banking moratorium or any
  suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States or any
  limitation by any governmental agency or authority which adversely affects
  the extension of credit or (iv) a commencement of a war, armed hostilities
  or other similar international calamity directly or indirectly involving
  the United States, or, in the case of any of the foregoing existing at the
  time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer, a material acceleration or
  worsening thereof; or
 
    (c) any change (or any development involving a prospective change) shall
  have occurred or be threatened in the business, properties, assets,
  liabilities, financial condition, operations, results of operations or
  prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole that, in the
  sole judgment of the Company, is or may be adverse to the Company, or the
  Company shall have become aware of facts that, in the sole judgment of the
  Company, have or may have an adverse effect on the value of the Old Notes
  or the New Notes.
 
Holders of Old Notes will have registration rights and the right to Liquidated
Damages as described under "--Registration Rights; Liquidated Damages" if the
Company fails to consummate the Exchange Offer.
 
  To the Company's knowledge as of the date of this Prospectus, none of the
above events has occurred.
 
  The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be
asserted by the Company regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any
such condition or may be waived by the Company in whole or in part at any time
and from time to time in its sole discretion. The failure by the Company at
any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver
of any such right and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which
may be asserted at any time and from time to time.
 
  In addition, the Company will not accept for exchange any Old Notes
tendered, and no New Notes will be issued in exchange for any such Old Notes,
if at such time any stop order shall be threatened or in effect with respect
to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus constitutes a part or
the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
 
EXCHANGE AGENT
 
  Fleet National Bank has been appointed as the Exchange Agent for the
Exchange Offer. All executed Letters of Transmittal and Notices of Guaranteed
Delivery should be directed to the Exchange Agent at the addresses
 
                                      48
<PAGE>
 
set forth below. Questions and requests for assistance, requests for
additional copies of this Prospectus or of the Letter of Transmittal and
requests for Notices of Guaranteed Delivery should be directed to the Exchange
Agent addressed as follows:
 
               Deliver to: Fleet National Bank, Exchange Agent:
 
BY MAIL:                     By Overnight Courier:         By Hand:
 
 
 
Fleet National Bank          Fleet National Bank           Fleet National Bank
Mail Code: CTOPT06D          Mail Code: CTOPT06D           Corporate Trust
Corporate Trust              Corporate Trust Operations     Operations
 Operations                    Department                   Department
 Department                  1 Talcott Plaza, 6th Floor    Customer Service
P.O. Box 1440                Hartford, Connecticut 06120   Window
Hartford,                                                  1 Talcott Plaza,
Connecticut 06143                                          5th Floor
                                                           Hartford,
                                                           Connecticut 06120
                             By Facsimile:
                             (860) 986-7908
 
 
  DELIVERY OF A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY OF SUCH LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
  The Company will not make any payment to brokers, dealers or others
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer.
 
  The Company will, however, pay the Exchange Agent reasonable and customary
fees for its services and will reimburse it for reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses in connection therewith. The Company will also pay brokerage houses
and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries the reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by them in forwarding copies of this Prospectus and related
documents to the beneficial owners of Old Notes, and in handling tenders for
their customers. The expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange
Offer, including the fees and expenses of the Exchange Agent and printing,
accounting, registration, and legal fees, will be paid by the Company and are
estimated to be approximately $60,000.
 
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.
 
APPRAISAL RIGHTS
 
  HOLDERS OF OLD NOTES WILL NOT HAVE DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OR APPRAISAL RIGHTS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
 
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT EXCHANGING OLD NOTES
 
  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 as a
consequence of the issuance of the Old Notes pursuant to exemptions from, or
in transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. In general, the Old Notes
may
 
                                      49
<PAGE>
 
not be offered or sold, unless registered under the Securities Act, except
pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The Company does not
currently anticipate that it will register the Old Notes under the Securities
Act. Based upon no-action letters issued by the staff of the Commission to
third parties, the Company believes the New Notes issued pursuant to the
Exchange Offer in exchange for the Old Notes may be offered for resale, resold
or otherwise transferred by a Holder thereof (other than any (i) Holder which
is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act), (ii) an Initial Purchaser who acquired the Old Notes directly
from the Company solely in order to resell pursuant to Rule 144A of the
Securities Act or any other available exemption under the Securities Act, or
(iii) a broker-dealer who acquired the Old Notes as a result of market making
or other trading activities) without compliance with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, provided that such New
Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's business and such
holder is not participating and has no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities
Act) of such New Notes. However, the Company has not sought its own no-action
letter and there can be no assurance that the staff of the Commission would
make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as in such
other circumstances. Each Holder, other than a broker-dealer, must acknowledge
that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of
New Notes, and has no arrangement or understanding to participate in a
distribution of New Notes. If any Holder is an affiliate of the Company, is
engaged in or intends to engage in or has any arrangement or understanding
with respect to the distribution of the New Notes to be acquired pursuant to
the Exchange Offer, or required the Old Notes as a result of market making or
other trading activities, such Holder (i) could not rely on the relevant
determinations of the staff of the Commission and (ii) must comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any secondary resale transaction. Each broker-dealer that
receives New Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes must
acknowledge that such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities and that it
will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Notes. See
"Plan of Distribution." In addition, to comply with the securities laws of
certain jurisdictions, if applicable, the New Notes may not be offered or sold
unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in such jurisdiction or
an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied
with. The Company has agreed to register or qualify the sale of the New Notes
in such jurisdictions only in limited circumstances and subject to certain
conditions.
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
  The exchange of the New Notes for the Old Notes will have no impact on the
Company's accounting records on the date of the exchange. Accordingly, no gain
or loss for accounting purposes will be recognized. Expenses of the Exchange
Offer and expenses related to the Old Notes will be amortized, pro rata, over
the term of the New Notes.
 
                                      50
<PAGE>
 
                             DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
 
GENERAL
 
  The Notes will be issued pursuant to the Indenture between the Company and
Fleet National Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee"), in a private transaction that
is not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act. See
"Notice to Investors." The terms of the Notes include those stated in the
Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), as in effect on
the date of original issuance of the Notes. The Notes are subject to all such
terms, and holders of the Notes are referred to the Indenture and the Trust
Indenture Act for a statement thereof. The following summary of the material
provisions of the Indenture does not purport to be complete and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the Indenture, including the definitions
therein of certain terms used below. Copies of the proposed form of Indenture
and Registration Rights Agreement are available as set forth below under "--
Additional Information." The definitions of certain terms used in the
following summary are set forth below under "--Certain Definitions."
 
  The Company's obligations under the Indenture and the Notes will be
guaranteed (the "Note Guarantees") on a senior subordinated basis by any
future Restricted Subsidiaries (the "Guarantors"). See "--Note Guarantees." As
of the date of the Indenture, the Company will not have any Subsidiaries.
Under certain circumstances, the Company will be able to designate any
Subsidiaries formed by the Company or acquired by the Company after the
original issuance of the Notes as Non-Restricted Subsidiaries. Non-Restricted
Subsidiaries will not be Guarantors and will not be subject to many of the
restrictive covenants set forth in the Indenture.
 
  The Notes will be limited to $125,000,000 in aggregate principal amount and
will mature on March 1, 2007. The Notes will bear interest at the rate set
forth on the front cover of this Offering Memorandum. Interest on the Notes is
payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on March 1 and September 1 in each
year, commencing September 1, 1997, to holders of record of Notes at the close
of business on February 15 or August 15 immediately preceding such interest
payment date. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to
which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date
of original issuance. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
of twelve 30-day months. The Notes will be issued in denominations of $1,000
and integral multiples thereof.
 
  Principal of and premium, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the
Notes will be payable, and the Notes may be presented for registration of
transfer or exchange, at the office of the Paying Agent and Registrar. Holders
of Notes must surrender their Notes to the Paying Agent to collect principal
payments, and the Company may pay principal and interest by check and may mail
checks to a holder's registered address; provided that all payments with
respect to Global Notes and with respect to Certificated Notes, the holders of
which have given wire transfer instructions to the Company, will be required
to be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts
specified by the holders thereof. The Registrar may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in
connection with certain transfers or exchanges. See "--Transfer and Exchange."
The Trustee will initially act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may
change the Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to holders of Notes,
and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or
Registrar.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
  The payment of principal of and premium, interest and Liquidated Damages, if
any, on the Notes will be subordinated in right of payment, as set forth in
the Indenture, to the prior payment in full in cash or Marketable Securities
of all Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of the Indenture
or thereafter incurred. The Indenture will permit the incurrence of additional
Senior Indebtedness in the future.
 
  Upon any distribution to creditors of the Company in a liquidation or
dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency,
receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its
 
                                      51
<PAGE>
 
property, an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any marshaling of the
Company's assets and liabilities, the holders of Senior Indebtedness will be
entitled to receive payment in full in cash or Marketable Securities of all
Obligations due in respect of such Senior Indebtedness (including interest
after the commencement of any such proceeding at the rate specified in the
applicable Senior Indebtedness) before the Holders of Notes will be entitled
to receive any payment with respect to the Notes, and until all Obligations
with respect to Senior Indebtedness are paid in full in cash or Marketable
Securities, any distribution to which the Holders of Notes would be entitled
shall be made to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (except that Holders of
Notes may receive Permitted Junior Securities and payments made from the trust
described under "--Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance").
 
  The Company also may not make any payment upon or in respect of the Notes
(except in Permitted Junior Securities or from the trust described under "--
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance") if (i) a default in the payment of
the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on Designated Senior
Indebtedness occurs and is continuing beyond any applicable period of grace or
(ii) any other default occurs and is continuing with respect to Designated
Senior Indebtedness that permits holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness
as to which such default relates to accelerate its maturity and the Trustee
receives a written notice (with a copy to the Company) of such other default
(a "Payment Blockage Notice") from the Company or the holders of any
Designated Senior Indebtedness. Payments on the Notes may and shall be resumed
(a) in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is
cured or waived and (b) in case of a nonpayment default, the earlier of the
date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived or 179 days after the
date on which the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received by the
Trustee, unless the maturity of any Designated Senior Indebtedness has been
accelerated. No new period of payment blockage may be commenced unless and
until 360 days have elapsed since the date of receipt by the Trustee of the
immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice. No nonpayment default that existed
or was continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to
the Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage
Notice (it being understood that any subsequent action, or any breach of any
covenant for a period commencing after the date of receipt by the Trustee of
such Payment Blockage Notice, that, in either case, would give rise to such a
default pursuant to any provisions under which a default previously existed or
was continuing shall constitute a new default for this purpose).
 
  The Indenture will further require that the Company promptly notify holders
of Senior Indebtedness if payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an
Event of Default.
 
  As a result of the subordination provisions described above, in the event of
a liquidation or insolvency, Holders of Notes may recover less ratably than
creditors of the Company who are holders of Senior Indebtedness. On a pro
forma basis, after giving effect to the Transactions, the aggregate principal
amount of Senior Indebtedness outstanding at December 31, 1996 would have been
approximately $67.7 million. The Indenture will limit, subject to certain
financial tests, the amount of additional Indebtedness, including Senior
Indebtedness, that the Company and its subsidiaries can incur. See "--Certain
Covenants--Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness."
 
NOTE GUARANTEES
 
  The Company's payment obligations under the Notes will be jointly and
severally guaranteed by the Company's future Restricted Subsidiaries (the
"Note Guarantees"). The Note Guarantees will be subordinated to the prior
payment in full in cash or Marketable Securities of all Senior Indebtedness of
each Guarantor (including such Guarantor's guarantee of the New Credit
Agreement) to the same extent that the Notes are subordinated to Senior
Indebtedness of the Company. The obligations of any Guarantor under its Note
Guarantee will be limited so as not to constitute a fraudulent conveyance
under applicable law.
 
  The Indenture will provide that no Guarantor may consolidate with or merge
with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another
corporation, Person or entity whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor
unless (i) subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the Person
formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such
Guarantor) assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor pursuant to a
supplemental indenture in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Trustee, under the Notes and the Indenture; (ii) immediately after giving
effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default
 
                                      52
<PAGE>
 
exists; (iii) such Guarantor, or any Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger, would have Consolidated Net Worth (immediately after
giving effect to such transaction), equal to or greater than the Consolidated
Net Worth of such Guarantor immediately preceding the transaction; and (iv)
the Company would be permitted by virtue of the Company's pro forma Cash Flow
Coverage Ratio, immediately after giving effect to such transaction, to incur
at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Cash Flow Coverage
test set forth in the covenant described below under the caption "Limitation
on Incurrence of Indebtedness." The requirements of clauses (iii) and (iv) of
this paragraph will not apply in the case of a consolidation with or merger
with or into the Company or another Guarantor.
 
  The Indenture will provide that (a) in the event of a sale or other
disposition of all of the assets of any Guarantor, by way of merger,
consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all of the
capital stock of any Guarantor, or (b) in the event that the Company
designates a Guarantor to be a Non-Restricted Subsidiary, then such Guarantor
(in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of such a merger,
consolidation or otherwise, of all of the capital stock of such Guarantor or
any such designation) or the corporation acquiring the property (in the event
of a sale or other disposition of all of the assets of such Guarantor) will be
released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee; provided
that the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in
accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture. See "Mandatory
Offers to Purchase Notes."
 
REDEMPTION OF NOTES
 
  Optional Redemption. Except as set forth below, the Notes may not be
redeemed at the option of the Company prior to March 1, 2002. During the 12-
month period beginning on March 1 of the years indicated below, the Notes will
be redeemable, at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, on at least
30 but not more than 60 days' notice to each holder of Notes to be redeemed,
at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount)
set forth below, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages,
if any, to the redemption date:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        YEAR                                                          PERCENTAGE
        ----                                                          ----------
        <S>                                                           <C>
        2002.........................................................  104.813%
        2003.........................................................  103.208%
        2004.........................................................  101.604%
        2005 and thereafter..........................................  100.000%
</TABLE>
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to March 1, 2000, the Company may (but
shall not have the obligation to) redeem up to 40% of the original aggregate
principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price of 110% of the principal
amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if
any, to the redemption date, with the net proceeds of one or more Equity
Offerings of the Company or Holdings (to the extent contributed to the
Company); provided that at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of
Notes originally issued remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of
any such redemption; and provided, further, that any such redemption shall
occur within 60 days of the date of the closing of any such Equity Offering.
The restrictions on optional redemptions contained in the Indenture do not
limit the Company's right to separately make open market, privately negotiated
or other purchases of Notes from time to time.
 
  Mandatory Redemption. Except as set forth below under "--Mandatory Offers to
Purchase Notes--Change of Control" and "--Asset Sales," the Company is not
required to make any mandatory redemption, purchase or sinking fund payments
with respect to the Notes.
 
MANDATORY OFFERS TO PURCHASE NOTES
 
  Change of Control. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (such date
being the "Change of Control Trigger Date"), each holder of Notes shall have
the right to require the Company to purchase all or any part (equal to $1,000
or an integral multiple thereof) of such holder's Notes pursuant to an Offer
(as defined) at a
 
                                      53
<PAGE>
 
purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount
thereof, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any,
to the date of purchase. The Company shall furnish to the Trustee, at least
two Business Days before notice of an Offer is mailed to all holders of Notes
pursuant to the procedures described below under "--Procedures for Offers,"
notice that the Offer is being made. Transactions constituting a Change of
Control are not limited to hostile takeover transactions not approved by the
current management of the Company. Except as described under "--Change of
Control," the Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the holders of
Notes to require the Company to purchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a
takeover, recapitalization or similar restructuring, including an issuer
recapitalization or similar transaction with management. Consequently, the
Change of Control provisions will not afford any protection in a highly
leveraged transaction, including such a transaction initiated by the Company,
management of the Company or an affiliate of the Company, if such transaction
does not result in a Change of Control. In addition, because the obligations
of the Company with respect to the Notes are subordinated to all Senior
Indebtedness of the Company, existing or future Senior Indebtedness of the
Company may prohibit the Company from repurchasing the Notes upon a Change of
Control. Moreover, the ability of the Company to repurchase Notes following a
Change of Control will be limited by the Company's then-available resources.
The Change of Control provisions may not be waived by the Board of Directors
of the Company or the Trustee without the consent of holders of at least a
majority in principal amount of the Notes. See "--Amendment, Supplement and
Waiver."
 
  The Company expects that prepayment of the Notes following a Change of
Control would, and the exercise by holders of Notes of the right to require
the Company to purchase Notes may, constitute a default under the New Credit
Agreement or other indebtedness of the Company. The Indenture will provide
that, prior to the mailing of the notice referred to below, but in any event
within 30 days following any Change of Control Trigger Date, the Company is
required to (i) repay in full and terminate all commitments under Indebtedness
under the New Credit Agreement and all other Senior Indebtedness the terms of
which require repayment upon a Change of Control or offer to repay in full and
terminate all commitments under all Indebtedness under the New Credit
Agreement and all other such Senior Indebtedness and to repay the Indebtedness
owed to each lender which has accepted such offer or (ii) obtain the requisite
consents under the New Credit Agreement and all such other Senior Indebtedness
to permit the repurchase of the Notes as provided below. The Company shall
first comply with the covenant in the immediately preceding sentence before it
shall be required to repurchase Notes pursuant to the provisions described
below. The Company's failure to comply with this covenant shall constitute an
Event of Default described in clause (c) and not in clause (b) under "--Events
of Default and Remedies" below. In the event a Change of Control occurs, the
Company will likely be required to refinance the Indebtedness outstanding
under the New Credit Agreement and the Notes. If there is a Change of Control,
any Indebtedness under the New Credit Agreement could be accelerated. There is
no limitation in the Indenture which prohibits the Company from using the
proceeds from the offering of the Notes to finance mandatory purchases of
Notes upon a Change of Control. Moreover, there can be no assurance that
sufficient funds will be available at the time of any Change of Control to
repay Senior Indebtedness and make any required repurchases of the Notes given
the Company's high leverage. The financing of the purchases of Notes could
additionally result in a default under the New Credit Agreement or other
indebtedness of the Company. The occurrence of a Change of Control may also
have an adverse impact on the ability of the Company to obtain additional
financing in the future. The ability of holders of Notes to require that the
Company purchase Notes upon a Change of Control may deter persons from
effecting a takeover of the Company. Except as described above with respect to
a Change of Control, the Indenture will not contain provisions that permit the
holders of Notes to require that the Company purchase or redeem the Notes in
the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar restructuring. See "Risk
Factors--Leverage and Debt Service. "
 
  Asset Sales. The Indenture provides that the Company may not, and may not
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate an
Asset Sale (including the sale of any of the Capital Stock of any Restricted
Subsidiary) providing for Net Proceeds in excess of $2.5 million unless at
least 75% of the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale are applied (in any manner
otherwise permitted by the Indenture) to one or more of the following purposes
in such combination as the Company shall elect: (a) an investment in another
asset or business in the same line of business as, or a line of business
similar to that of, the line of business of the
 
                                      54
<PAGE>
 
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of the Asset Sale or the
making of a capital expenditure otherwise permitted by the Indenture; provided
that such investment occurs within 365 days of the date of such Asset Sale
(the "Asset Sale Disposition Date"), (b) to reimburse the Company or its
Restricted Subsidiaries for expenditures made, and costs incurred, to repair,
rebuild, replace or restore property subject to loss, damage or taking to the
extent that the Net Proceeds consist of insurance proceeds received on account
of such loss, damage or taking, (c) to cash collateralize letters of credit;
provided any such cash collateral released to the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries upon the expiration of such letters of credit shall again be
deemed to be Net Proceeds received on the date of such release, (d) the
permanent purchase, redemption or other prepayment or repayment of outstanding
Senior Indebtedness of the Company or Indebtedness of the Company's Restricted
Subsidiaries (with a corresponding reduction in any commitment relating
thereto) on or prior to the 365th day following the Asset Sale Disposition
Date or (e) an Offer expiring on or prior to the Purchase Date (as defined
herein). The Indenture also provides that the Company may not, and may not
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate an
Asset Sale unless at least 75% of the consideration thereof received by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Marketable
Securities; provided that, solely for purposes of calculating such 75% of the
consideration, the amount of (x) any liabilities (as shown on the Company's or
such Restricted Subsidiary's most recent balance sheet or in the notes
thereto, excluding contingent liabilities and trade payables) of the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than liabilities that are by their terms
subordinated to the Notes) that are assumed by the transferee of any such
assets and (y) any notes or other obligations received by the Company or any
such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are promptly, but in no
event more than 90 days after receipt, converted by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received), shall be
deemed to be cash and cash equivalents for purposes of this provision. Any Net
Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not applied or invested as provided in
the first sentence of this paragraph shall constitute "Excess Proceeds."
 
  When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $10.0 million (such
date being an "Asset Sale Trigger Date"), the Company shall make an Offer to
all holders of Notes to purchase the maximum principal amount of the Notes
then outstanding that may be purchased out of Excess Proceeds, at an offer
price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of principal amount thereof plus any
accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the Purchase
Date in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any or all of the Net
Proceeds of an Asset Sale is prohibited or delayed by applicable local law
from being repatriated to the United States, the portion of such Net Proceeds
so affected will not be required to be applied as described in this or the
preceding paragraph, but may be retained for so long, but only for so long, as
the applicable local law prohibits repatriation to the United States.
 
  To the extent that any Excess Proceeds remain after completion of an Offer,
the Company may use such remaining amount for general corporate purposes. If
the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by holders thereof exceeds
the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be
purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of an Asset Sale Offer, the
amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
 
  Procedures for Offers. Within 30 days following any Change of Control
Trigger Date or Asset Sale Trigger Date, subject to the provisions of the
Indenture, the Company shall mail a notice to each holder of Notes at such
holder's registered address a notice stating: (a) that an offer (an "Offer")
is being made pursuant to a Change of Control or an Asset Sale Trigger Date,
as the case may be, the length of time the Offer shall remain open and the
maximum principal amount of Notes that will be accepted for payment pursuant
to such Offer, (b) the purchase price, the amount of accrued and unpaid
interest as of the purchase date, and the purchase date (which shall be no
earlier than 30 days and no later than 40 days from the date such notice is
mailed (the "Purchase Date")), and (c) such other information required by the
Indenture and applicable law and regulations.
 
  On the Purchase Date for any Offer, the Company will, to the extent required
by the Indenture and such Offer, (1) in the case of an Offer resulting from a
Change of Control, accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof tendered
pursuant to such Offer and, in the case of an Offer resulting from an Asset
Sale Trigger Date,
 
                                      55
<PAGE>
 
accept for payment the maximum principal amount of Notes or portions thereof
tendered pursuant to such Offer that can be purchased out of Excess Proceeds,
(2) deposit with the Paying Agent the aggregate purchase price of all Notes or
portions thereof accepted for payment and any accrued and unpaid interest on
such Notes as of the Purchase Date, and (3) deliver or cause to be delivered
to the Trustee all Notes tendered pursuant to the Offer. The Paying Agent
shall promptly mail to each holder of Notes or portions thereof accepted for
payment an amount equal to the purchase price for such Notes plus any accrued
and unpaid interest thereon, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and
mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to such holder of Notes
accepted for payment in part a new Note equal in principal amount to any
unpurchased portion of the Notes and any Note not accepted for payment in
whole or in part shall be promptly returned to the holder thereof. The Company
will publicly announce the results of the Offer on or as soon as practicable
after the Purchase Date.
 
  The Company will comply with any tender offer rules under the Exchange Act
which may then be applicable, including Rule 14e-1, in connection with an
offer required to be made by the Company to repurchase the Notes as a result
of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale Trigger Date. To the extent that the
provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of
the Indenture, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws
and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under
the Indenture by virtue thereof.
 
  Selection and Notice. In the event of a redemption or purchase of less than
all of the Notes, the Notes to be redeemed or purchased will be chosen by the
Trustee pro rata, by lot or by any other method that the Trustee considers
fair and appropriate and, if the Notes are listed on any securities exchange,
by a method that complies with the requirements of such exchange; provided
that, if less than all of a holder's Notes are to be redeemed or accepted for
payment, only principal amounts of $1,000 or multiples thereof may be selected
for redemption or accepted for payment. On and after any redemption or
purchase date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof
called for redemption or accepted for payment. Notice of any redemption or
offer to purchase will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days
before the redemption or purchase date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed
or purchased at such holder's registered address.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
  The Indenture contains, among other things, the following covenants:
 
  Limitation on Restricted Payments. The Indenture provides that the Company
will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or
indirectly, (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on
account of the Company's or any Restricted Subsidiary's Equity Interests
(other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company and dividends or distributions payable by a
Restricted Subsidiary pro rata to its shareholders; (ii) purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than any such Equity Interests
purchased from the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for fair market value
determined by the Board of Directors in good faith; (iii) make any payment on
or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or
retire for value any Subordinated Indebtedness, except a payment of interest
or principal at Stated Maturity; or (iv) make any Restricted Investment (all
such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above
being collectively referred to as "Restricted Payments"), if, at the time of
such Restricted Payment:
 
    (a) a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
  or shall occur as a consequence thereof; or
 
    (b) immediately after such Restricted Payment and after giving effect
  thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, the Company shall not be able to issue $1.00
  of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the first sentence of the
  "Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness" covenant; or
 
    (c) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate of all other
  Restricted Payments made after the date of original issuance of the Notes,
  without duplication, exceeds the sum of: (1) 50% of the aggregate
 
                                      56
<PAGE>
 
  Consolidated Net Income (including, for this purpose, gains from Asset
  Sales and, to the extent not included in Consolidated Net Income, any gain
  from a sale or disposition of a Restricted Investment) of the Company (or,
  in case such aggregate is a loss, 100% of such loss) for the period (taken
  as one accounting period) from the beginning of the first fiscal quarter
  commencing immediately after the date of original issuance of the Notes and
  ended as of the Company's most recently ended fiscal quarter at the time of
  such Restricted Payment; plus (2) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds
  and the fair market value of any property or securities, as determined by
  the Board of Directors in good faith, received by the Company from the
  issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company or Holdings (to the extent
  contributed to the Company) subsequent to the date of original issuance of
  the Notes (other than (x) Equity Interests issued or sold to a Restricted
  Subsidiary and (y) Disqualified Stock); plus (3) $5.0 million; plus (4) the
  amount by which the principal amount of and any accrued interest on either
  Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is reduced
  on the Company's consolidated balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange
  (other than by a Restricted Subsidiary) subsequent to the date of original
  issuance of the Notes of any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
  Subsidiary (not held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) for
  Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (less the
  amount of any cash, or the fair market value of any other property or
  securities (as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith),
  distributed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (to persons other
  than the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary) upon such conversion
  or exchange); plus (5) if any Non-Restricted Subsidiary is redesignated as
  a Restricted Subsidiary, the value of the Restricted Payment that would
  result if such Subsidiary were redesignated as a Non-Restricted Subsidiary
  at such time, as determined in accordance with the second sentence of the
  "Designation of Restricted and Non-Restricted Subsidiaries" covenant;
  provided, however, that for purposes of this clause (5), the value of any
  redesignated Non-Restricted Subsidiary shall be reduced by the amount that
  any such redesignation replenishes or increases the amount of Restricted
  Investments permitted to be made pursuant to clause (ii) of the next
  sentence.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indenture shall not prohibit as
Restricted Payments:
 
  (i) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration
thereof, if at said date of declaration, such payment would comply with all
covenants of such Indenture (including, but not limited to, the "Limitation on
Restricted Payments" covenant);
 
  (ii) making Restricted Investments at any time, and from time to time, in an
aggregate outstanding amount of $10.0 million after the date of original
issuance of the Notes (it being understood that if any Restricted Investment
after the date of original issuance of the Notes pursuant to this clause (ii)
is sold, transferred or otherwise conveyed to any person other than the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, the portion of the net cash proceeds or
fair market value of securities or properties paid or transferred to the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such sale, transfer
or conveyance that relates or corresponds to the repayment or return of the
original cost of such a Restricted Investment will replenish or increase the
amount of Restricted Investments permitted to be made pursuant to this clause
(ii), so that up to $10.0 million of Restricted Investments may be outstanding
under this clause (ii) at any given time); provided that, without otherwise
limiting this clause (ii), any Restricted Investment in a Subsidiary made
pursuant to this clause (ii) is made for fair market value (as determined by
the Board of Directors in good faith);
 
  (iii) the repurchase, redemption, retirement or acquisition of Equity
Interests of the Company or Holdings from the executives, management,
employees or consultants of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $7.5 million;
 
  (iv) any loans, advances, distributions or payments from the Company to its
Restricted Subsidiaries, or any loans, advances, distributions or payments by
a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary, in
each case pursuant to intercompany Indebtedness, intercompany management
agreements and other intercompany agreements and obligations;
 
  (v) the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of the Notes
pursuant to the "--Change of Control" or "--Asset Sales" provisions of the
Indenture;
 
                                      57
<PAGE>
 
  (vi) the payment of (a) consulting, financial and investment banking fees
under the TJC Agreement, provided, that no Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing or shall occur as a consequence thereof, and
the Company's Obligations to pay such fees under the TJC Agreement shall be
subordinated expressly to the Company's Obligations in respect of the Notes,
and (b) indemnities, expenses and other amounts under the TJC Agreement;
 
  (vii) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any
Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for,
or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a
Subsidiary of the Company) of other Equity Interests of the Company (other
than any Disqualified Stock) or the redemption, repurchase, retirement or
other acquisition of any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary in
exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale
(other than to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) of other Equity
Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, in each case, any net
cash proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase,
retirement or other acquisition, and any Net Income resulting therefrom, shall
be excluded from clauses (c)(1) and (c)(2) of the preceding paragraph;
 
  (viii) the defeasance, redemption or repurchase of Subordinated Indebtedness
of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with the net cash proceeds from an
issuance of permitted Refinancing Indebtedness or the substantially concurrent
sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of Equity Interests of the
Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or the defeasance, redemption or
repurchase of Subordinated Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary with the
net cash proceeds from the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a
Subsidiary of the Company) of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary
(other than Disqualified Stock); provided that, in each case, any net cash
proceeds that are utilized for any such defeasance, redemption or repurchase,
and any Net Income resulting therefrom, shall be excluded from clauses (c)(1)
and (c)(2) of the preceding paragraph;
 
  (ix) Restricted Investments made or received in connection with the sale,
transfer or disposition of any business, properties or assets of the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary, provided, that if such sale, transfer or
disposition constitutes an Asset Sale, the Company complies with the "Asset
Sale" provisions of the Indenture;
 
  (x) any Restricted Investment constituting securities or instruments of a
person issued in exchange for trade or other claims against such person in
connection with a financial reorganization or restructuring of such person;
 
  (xi) payments to Holdings in an amount sufficient to permit Holdings to make
required payments on the Holdings Subordinated Notes;
 
  (xii) payments in connection with the Transactions as described under "The
Transactions" and "Use of Proceeds";
 
  (xiii) payments of fees, expenses and indemnities to the directors of
Holdings, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
  (xiv) payments to Holdings in respect of accounting, legal or other
professional or administrative expenses or reimbursements or franchise or
similar taxes and governmental charges incurred by it relating to the
business, operations or finances of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries and in respect of fees and related expenses associated with any
registration statements relating to the Notes filed with the Commission and
subsequent ongoing public reporting requirements with respect to the Notes;
 
  (xv) so long as Holdings files consolidated income tax returns that include
the Company, payments to Holdings pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement;
 
  (xvi) payments, if any, relating to any purchase price adjustment pursuant
to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement;
 
  (xvii) payments in respect of the Wolff Noncompetition Agreement; and
 
  (xviii) shareholder loans in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
$1.0 million.
 
 
                                      58
<PAGE>
 
  In addition, Holdings has agreed, for the benefit of the holders of the
Senior Indebtedness under the New Credit Agreement and the holders of the
Notes, under certain circumstances to repay to the Company amounts received
from the Company in violation of the restricted payments covenants set forth
in the New Credit Agreement and the Indenture.
 
  Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness. The Indenture provides that the
Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, issue any
Indebtedness (other than the Indebtedness represented by the Notes) unless the
Company's Cash Flow Coverage Ratio for its four full fiscal quarters next
preceding the date such additional Indebtedness is issued would have been at
least 2.0 to 1 determined on a Pro Forma Basis (including, for this purpose,
any other Indebtedness incurred since the end of the applicable four quarter
period) as if such additional Indebtedness and any other Indebtedness issued
since the end of such four quarter period had been issued at the beginning of
such four quarter period.
 
  The foregoing limitations will not apply to the issuance of:
 
    (i) Indebtedness of the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries under
  the New Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount outstanding on
  such date of issuance not to exceed the greater of (A) $115.0 million and
  (B) the sum of: (1) 85% of the book value of accounts receivable of the
  Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and (2) 65%
  of the book value of the inventories of the Company and its Restricted
  Subsidiaries; provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness
  outstanding under this clause (i) together with the aggregate principal
  amount of Indebtedness outstanding under clause (iii) below shall not
  exceed $140.0 million at any one time outstanding (less the amount of any
  permanent reductions as set forth under "Asset Sales");
 
    (ii) Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in
  connection with capital leases, sale and leaseback transactions, purchase
  money obligations, capital expenditures or similar financing transactions
  relating to: (A) their properties, assets and rights as of the date of
  original issuance of the Notes not to exceed $7.5 million in aggregate
  principal amount at any one time outstanding, or (B) their properties,
  assets and rights acquired after the date of original issuance of the
  Notes, provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness
  under this clause (ii)(B) does not exceed 100% of the cost of such
  properties, assets and rights;
 
    (iii) additional Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted
  Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount up to $25.0 million (all or
  any portion of which may be issued as additional Indebtedness under the New
  Credit Agreement) provided that the aggregate principal amount of
  Indebtedness outstanding under this clause (iii) together with the
  aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under clause
  (i) above shall not exceed $140.0 million at any one time outstanding (less
  the amount of any permanent reductions as set forth under "Asset Sales");
  and
 
    (iv) Other Permitted Indebtedness.
 
  No Senior Subordinated Debt. The Indenture will provide that (i) the Company
will not incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable
for any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any
Senior Indebtedness and senior in any respect in right of payment to the
Notes, and (ii) no Guarantor will incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or
otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in
right of payment to any Senior Indebtedness and senior in any respect in right
of payment to the Note Guarantees.
 
  Limitation on Liens. The Indenture will provide that the Company shall not,
and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien, other than
Permitted Liens, upon any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by
them, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to
receive income therefrom unless all payments due under the Indenture and the
Notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the obligations so
secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.
 
 
                                      59
<PAGE>
 
  Limitation on Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted
Subsidiaries. The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will
not permit any of its Restricted 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 Restricted Subsidiary to: (a)
pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock or any
other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, owned by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or pay any Indebtedness owed to, the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (b) make loans or advances to the
Company, or (c) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company,
except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
 
    (i) applicable law,
 
    (ii) Indebtedness permitted (A) under the first sentence of the first
  paragraph of the "Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness" covenant and
  (B) under clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of the second paragraph of the
  "Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness" covenant and clauses (iv), (vii)
  and (x) of the definition of "Other Permitted Indebtedness," provided that
  such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases,
  supplements, refundings, replacement or refinancings are no more
  restrictive with respect to the items set forth in clauses (a), (b) and (c)
  of the first paragraph of this covenant than those contained in the New
  Credit Agreement as in effect on the date of the Indenture,
 
    (iii) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any
  lease or license of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary,
 
    (iv) customary provisions of any franchise, distribution or similar
  agreement,
 
    (v) any instrument governing Indebtedness or preferred stock or any other
  encumbrance or restriction of a person acquired by the Company or any
  Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such acquisition, which encumbrance or
  restriction is not applicable to any person, or the properties or assets of
  any person, other than the person, or the property or assets of the person,
  so acquired,
 
    (vi) Indebtedness or other agreements existing on the date of original
  issuance of the Notes,
 
    (vii) any Refinancing Indebtedness permitted under the "Limitation on
  Incurrence of Indebtedness" covenant, provided that the restrictions
  contained in the agreements governing such Refinancing Indebtedness are no
  more restrictive in any material respect with regard to the interests of
  the holders of the Notes than those contained in the agreements governing
  the Indebtedness being refinanced,
 
    (viii) any restrictions, with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary, imposed
  pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or
  disposition of the stock, business, assets or properties of such Restricted
  Subsidiary,
 
    (ix) the terms of purchase money or capital lease obligations, but only
  to the extent such purchase money obligations restrict or prohibit the
  transfer of the property so acquired, or
 
    (x) any instrument governing the sale of assets of the Company or any
  Restricted Subsidiary, which encumbrance or restriction applies solely to
  the assets of the Company or such Restricted subsidiary being sold in such
  transaction.
 
  Nothing contained in this covenant shall prevent the Company from entering
into any agreement or instrument providing for the incurrence of Permitted
Liens or restricting the sale or other disposition of property or assets of
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are subject to
Permitted Liens.
 
  Limitation on Transactions With Affiliates. The Indenture will provide that
neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may make any loan,
advance, guarantee or capital contribution to, or for the benefit of, or sell,
lease, transfer or dispose of any properties or assets to, or for the benefit
of, or purchase or lease any
 
                                      60
<PAGE>
 
property or assets from, or enter into any or amend any contract, agreement or
understanding with, or for the benefit of, an Affiliate (each such transaction
or series of related transactions that are part of a common plan are referred
to as an "Affiliate Transaction"), except in good faith and on terms that are
no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than
those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction on an arm's
length basis from an unrelated person.
 
  The Indenture will further provide that the Company will not, and will not
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any Affiliate Transaction
involving aggregate payments or other transfers by the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries in excess of $5.0 million (including cash and non-cash
payments and benefits valued at their fair market value by the Board of
Directors of the Company in good faith) unless the Company delivers to the
Trustee:
 
    (i) a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company stating that
  the Board of Directors (including a majority of the disinterested
  directors, if any) has, in good faith, determined that such Affiliate
  Transaction complies with the provisions of the Indenture, and
 
    (ii) (A) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction involving the
  incurrence of Indebtedness, a written opinion of a nationally recognized
  investment banking or accounting firm experienced in the review of similar
  types of transactions, (B) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction
  involving the transfer of real property, fixed assets or equipment, either
  directly or by a transfer of 50% or more of the Capital Stock of a
  Restricted Subsidiary which holds any such real property, fixed assets or
  equipment, a written appraisal from a nationally recognized appraiser,
  experienced in the review of similar types of transactions or (C) with
  respect to any Affiliate Transaction not otherwise described in (A) and (B)
  above, a written certification from a nationally recognized professional or
  firm experienced in evaluating similar types of transactions, in each case,
  stating that the terms of such transaction are fair to the Company or such
  Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from a financial point of view.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Affiliate Transactions covenant will not
apply to:
 
    (1) transactions between the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary or
  between Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
    (2) payments under the TJC Agreement;
 
    (3) any other payments or transactions permitted pursuant to the
  "Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant;
 
    (4) (A) payments and transactions under Incentive Arrangements and (B)
  reasonable compensation paid to officers, employees or consultants of the
  Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as determined in good faith by the
  Company's Board of Directors or executives;
 
    (5) payments and transactions in connection with the Transactions and the
  application of the net proceeds therefrom as described under "The
  Transactions" and "Use of Proceeds;"
 
    (6) the sale of the corporate aircraft owned by the Company on the date
  of issuance of the Notes to Robert M. Wolff or his designee; or
 
    (7) the sale, transfer and/or termination of the officers' life insurance
  policies in effect on the date of issuance of the Notes.
 
  In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, any Affiliate Transaction
between the Company and Affiliated Embroiderers relating to the provision of
embroidery services in the ordinary course of business shall not be subject to
the provisions of clause (ii) above.
 
  Subsidiary Guarantees. The Indenture will provide that if the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall acquire or create another Restricted
Subsidiary after the date of the Indenture, then such newly
 
                                      61
<PAGE>
 
acquired or created Subsidiary shall execute a Subsidiary Guarantee and
deliver an opinion of counsel in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
 
  Designation of Restricted and Non-Restricted Subsidiaries. The Indenture
will provide that, subject to the exceptions described below, from and after
the date of original issuance of the Notes, the Company may designate any
existing or newly formed or acquired Subsidiary as a Non-Restricted
Subsidiary; provided that (i) either (A) the Subsidiary to be so designated
has total assets of $1.0 million or less or (B) immediately before and after
giving effect to such designation on a Pro Forma Basis: (1) the Company could
incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the first sentence of the
"Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness" covenant determined on a Pro Forma
Basis; and (2) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, and (ii) all transactions between the Subsidiary to be so
designated and its Affiliates remaining in effect are permitted pursuant to
the "Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates" covenant. Any Investment made
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary which is redesignated from a
Restricted Subsidiary to a Non-Restricted Subsidiary shall be considered a
Restricted Payment (to the extent not previously included as a Restricted
Payment) made on the day such Subsidiary is designated a Non-Restricted
Subsidiary in the amount of the greater of (i) the fair market value (as
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith) of the
Equity Interests of such Subsidiary held by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries on such date, and (ii) the amount of the Investments determined
in accordance with GAAP made by the Company and any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in such Subsidiary.
 
  A Non-Restricted Subsidiary may be redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary.
The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, take any
action or enter into any transaction or series of transactions that would
result in a Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary (whether through an
acquisition, the redesignation of a Non-Restricted Subsidiary or otherwise,
but not including through the creation of a new Restricted Subsidiary) unless,
immediately before and after giving effect to such action, transaction or
series of transactions on a Pro Forma Basis, (a) the Company could incur at
least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the first sentence of
"Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness" and (b) no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
 
  The designation of a Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or the removal of
such designation is required to be made by a resolution adopted by a majority
of the Board of Directors of the Company stating that the Board of Directors
has made such designation in accordance with the Indenture, and the Company is
required to deliver to the Trustee such resolution together with an Officers'
Certificate certifying that the designation complies with the Indenture. Such
designation will be effective as of the date specified in the applicable
resolution, which may not be before the date the applicable Officers'
Certificate is delivered to the Trustee.
 
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION
 
  The Indenture will provide that the Company shall not consolidate or merge
with or into, or sell, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its assets to, any person (any such consolidation, merger
or sale being a "Disposition") unless: (a) the successor corporation of such
Disposition or the corporation to which such Disposition shall have been made
is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States,
any state thereof or the District of Columbia; (b) the successor corporation
of such Disposition or the corporation to which such Disposition shall have
been made expressly assumes the Obligations of the Company, pursuant to a
supplemental indenture in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, under
the Indenture and the Notes; (c) immediately after such Disposition, no
Default or Event of Default shall exist; and (d) the corporation formed by or
surviving any such Disposition, or the corporation to which such Disposition
shall have been made, shall (i) have Consolidated Net Worth (immediately after
the Disposition but prior to giving any pro forma effect to purchase
accounting adjustments or Restructuring Charges resulting from the
Disposition) equal to or greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of the
Company immediately preceding the Disposition, (ii) be permitted immediately
after the Disposition by the terms of the Indenture to issue at least $1.00 of
additional Indebtedness determined on a Pro Forma Basis, and (iii) have a Cash
Flow Coverage Ratio for the four fiscal quarters immediately preceding the
applicable Disposition, determined on a Pro Forma Basis, equal to or greater
 
                                      62
<PAGE>
 
than the actual Cash Flow Coverage Ratio of the Company for such four quarter
period. The limitations in the Indenture on the Company's ability to make a
Disposition described in this paragraph do not restrict the Company's ability
to sell less than all or substantially all of its assets, such sales being
governed by the "Asset Sales" provisions of the Indenture as described herein.
 
  Prior to the consummation of any proposed Disposition, the Company shall
deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate to the foregoing effect and an
opinion of counsel stating that the proposed Disposition and such supplemental
indenture comply with the Indenture.
 
PROVISION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO HOLDERS OF NOTES
 
  So long as the Notes are outstanding, whether or not the Company is subject
to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the
Company and the Guarantors shall file with the Commission (unless the
Commission will not accept such filing) the annual reports, quarterly reports
and other documents relating to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
that the Company would have been required to file with the Commission pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) if the Company were subject to such reporting
requirements. The Company and the Guarantors will also provide to all holders
of Notes and file with the Trustee copies of such annual reports, quarterly
reports and other documents required to be furnished to stockholders generally
under the Exchange Act. In addition, the Company and the Guarantors have
agreed that, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, they will furnish to
the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their
request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4)
under the Securities Act.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
 
  The Indenture will provide that an Event of Default is: (a) a default for 30
days in payment of interest on or Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to
the Notes (whether or not prohibited by the subordination provisions of the
Indenture); (b) a default in payment when due of principal or premium, if any,
with respect to the Notes (whether or not prohibited by the subordination
provisions of the Indenture); (c) the failure of the Company to comply with
any of its other agreements or covenants in, or provisions of, such Indenture
or the Notes outstanding under such Indenture and the Default continues for
the period, if applicable, and after the notice specified in the next
paragraph; (d) a default by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary under any
mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which
there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (or the payment of which is guaranteed by
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary), whether such Indebtedness or
guarantee now exists or shall be created hereafter, if (1) either (A) such
default results from the failure to pay principal of or interest on any such
Indebtedness (after giving effect to any extensions thereof) or (B) as a
result of such default the maturity of such Indebtedness has been accelerated
prior to its expressed maturity, and (2) the principal amount of such
Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such
Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal or interest thereon, or,
because of the acceleration of the maturity thereof, aggregates in excess of
$10.0 million; (e) a failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to
pay final judgments (not covered by insurance) aggregating in excess of $5.0
million which judgments a court of competent jurisdiction does not rescind,
annul or stay within 45 days after their entry; (f) certain events of
bankruptcy or insolvency involving the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
and (g) except as permitted by the Indenture, any Note Guarantee shall be held
in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for
any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person
acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations
under its Note Guarantee. In the case of any Event of Default pursuant to
clause (a) or (b) above occurring by reason of any willful action (or
inactions) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the
intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have to
pay pursuant to a redemption of Notes as described under "--Redemption of
Notes--Optional Redemption," an equivalent premium shall also become and be
immediately, due and payable to the extent permitted by law.
 
  A Default or Event of Default under clause (c) (other than an Event of
Default arising under the "Merger or Consolidation" covenant which shall be an
Event of Default with the notice but without the passage of time
 
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<PAGE>
 
specified in this paragraph) is not an Event of Default under the Indenture
until the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
Notes then outstanding notify the Company of the Default and the Company does
not cure the Default within 30 days after receipt of the notice. A Default or
Event of Default under clause (f) of the preceding paragraph will result in
the Notes automatically becoming due and payable without further action or
notice.
 
  Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Trustee or the holders of at
least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all
Notes to be due and payable by notice in writing to the Company and the
Trustee specifying the respective Event of Default and that it is a "notice of
acceleration" (the "Acceleration Notice") and the same shall become
immediately due and payable or, if there are any amounts outstanding under the
New Credit Agreement, shall become immediately due and payable upon the first
to occur of acceleration of the New Credit Agreement or five business days
after receipt by the Company of such Acceleration Notice, but only if such
Event of Default is then continuing. The holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Notes then outstanding under the Indenture, by notice to the
Trustee, may rescind any declaration of acceleration of such Notes and its
consequences (if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or
decree) if all existing Events of Default (other than the nonpayment of
principal of or interest on such Notes that shall have become due by such
declaration) shall have been cured or waived. Subject to certain limitations,
holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding under
the Indenture may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.
Holders of the Notes may not enforce the Indenture, except as provided
therein. The Trustee may withhold from holders of Notes notice of any
continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or an Event of
Default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if the Trustee
determines that withholding notice is in their interest.
 
  The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding may on behalf of all holders of such Notes waive any existing
Default or Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences, except a
continuing Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any,
interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on, such Notes, which may only be
waived with the consent of each holder of the Notes affected.
 
  Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company and its
subsidiaries in a total or partial liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or
similar proceeding, including a Default under clause (f) above involving
certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company or a Significant
Subsidiary, there may not be sufficient assets remaining to satisfy the claims
of any Holders of Notes given the subordination of the Notes to the
obligations of the Company under Senior Indebtedness and to the obligations of
the Subsidiaries of the Company.
 
  The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement
regarding compliance with the Indenture, and upon an officer of the Company
becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, a statement specifying such
Default or Event of Default.
 
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, STOCKHOLDERS AND
SUBSIDIARIES
 
  No officer, employee, director, stockholder or Subsidiary of the Company
shall have any liability for any Obligations of the Company under the Notes or
the Indenture, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such
Obligations or the creation of any such Obligation, except, in the case of a
Subsidiary, for an express guarantee or an express creation of any Lien by
such Subsidiary of the Company's Obligations under the Notes issued in
accordance with the Indenture. Each holder of the Notes by accepting a Note
waives and releases all such liability, and such waiver and release is part of
the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The foregoing waiver may not be
effective to waive liabilities under the Federal securities laws and the
Commission is of the view that such a waiver is against public policy.
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF THE INDENTURE
 
  The Company at any time may terminate all of its and the Guarantors'
obligations under the Notes, the Note Guarantees and the Indenture ("legal
defeasance option"), except for certain obligations (including those with
respect to the defeasance trust (as defined herein) and obligations to
register the transfer or exchange of the
 
                                      64
<PAGE>
 
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 (1) its obligations under the "Change of Control" and "Asset
Sales" provisions described herein and the covenants described under "Certain
Covenants" and certain other covenants in the Indenture, (2) the operation of
clauses (c), (d) and (e) contained in the first paragraph of the "Events of
Default and Remedies" provisions described herein and (3) the limitations
contained in clauses (c) and (d) under the "Merger or Consolidation"
provisions described herein (collectively, a "covenant defeasance option").
 
  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 shall not be accelerated
because of an Event of Default specified in clauses (c), (d) or (e) in the
first paragraph under the "Events of Default and Remedies" provisions
described herein or because of the Company's failure to comply with clauses
(c) and (d) under the "Merger or Consolidation" provisions described herein.
 
  To exercise either defeasance option with respect to the Notes outstanding,
the Company must irrevocably deposit in trust (the "defeasance trust") with
the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined in the Indenture)
for the payment of principal of and premium and unpaid interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the Notes then outstanding to redemption or maturity, as
the case may be, and must comply with certain other conditions, including the
passage of 91 days and the delivery to the Trustee of an opinion of counsel to
the effect that holders of such 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).
 
TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
 
  Holders of Notes may transfer or exchange their Notes in accordance with the
Indenture, but the Registrar may require a holder, among other things, to
furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and to pay any taxes
and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture, in connection with any
such transfer or exchange. Neither the Company nor the Registrar is required
to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange (i) any Note selected for
redemption or tendered pursuant to an Offer, or (ii) any Note during the
period between (a) the date the Trustee receives notice of a redemption from
the Company and the date the Notes to be redeemed are selected by the Trustee
or (b) a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date. The
registered holder of a Note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.
 
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
 
  Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture may be amended or supplemented
with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of
the Notes then outstanding under the Indenture, and any existing Default or
Event of Default (other than a payment default) or compliance with any
provision may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Notes then outstanding under the Indenture. Without
the consent of any holder of Notes, the Company and the Trustee may amend or
supplement the Indenture or the Notes to cure any ambiguity, defect or
inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place
of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption by a successor
corporation of the Company's obligations to the holders of Notes in the case
of a Disposition, to comply with the Trust Indenture Act, or to make any
change that does not adversely affect the legal rights of any holder of Notes.
 
  Without the consent of each holder of Notes affected, the Company may not
(i) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose holders must consent to an
amendment to the Indenture or a waiver under the Indenture; (ii) reduce the
rate of or change the interest payment time of the Notes, or alter the
redemption provisions
 
                                      65
<PAGE>
 
with respect thereto (other than the provisions relating to the covenants
described above under the caption "--Mandatory Offers to Purchase Notes--
Change of Control" and "--Asset Sales") or the price at which the Company is
required to offer to purchase the Notes; (iii) reduce the principal of or
change the fixed maturity of the Notes; (iv) make the Notes payable in money
other than stated in the Notes; (v) make any change in the provisions
concerning waiver of Defaults or Events of Default by holders of the Notes, or
rights of holders of the Notes to receive payment of principal or interest; or
(vi) waive any default in the payment of principal of or premium, or unpaid
interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes. In addition, any
amendment to the provisions of Article 10 of the Indenture (which relate to
subordination) will require the consent of the Holders of at least 75% in
aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding if such amendment
would adversely affect the rights of Holders of Notes.
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
  The Indenture will contain certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee,
if it becomes 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 as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage
in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (as
defined in the Trust Indenture Act) it must eliminate such conflict or resign.
 
  The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding
will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to
certain exceptions. The Indenture provides that if an Event of Default occurs
(and has not been cured), the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its
power, to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in similar
circumstances in the conduct of its own affairs. Subject to the provisions of
the Indenture, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its
rights or powers under its Indenture at the request of any of the holders of
the Notes, unless such holders shall have offered to the Trustee security and
indemnity satisfactory to it.
 
BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
 
  Except as set forth in the next paragraph, the New Notes to be exchanged as
set forth herein will initially be issued in the form of one Global New Note
(the "Global New Note"). The Global New Note will be deposited on the
Expiration Date with, or on behalf of, the Depositary and registered in the
name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the Depositary (such nominee being referred
to herein as the "Global New Note Holder").
 
  New Notes that are issued as described below under "--Certificated New
Notes" will be issued in the form of registered definitive certificates (the
"Certificated New Notes"). Such Certificated New Notes may, unless the Global
New Note has previously been exchanged for Certificated New Notes, be
exchanged for an interest in the Global New Note representing the principal
amount of New Notes being transferred.
 
  The Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company that was created to hold
securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the
"Participants" or the "Depositary's Participants") and to facilitate the
clearance and settlement of transactions in such securities between
Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its
Participants. The Depositary's Participants include securities brokers and
dealers (including the Initial Purchasers), banks and trust companies,
clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to the
Depositary's system is also available to other entities such as banks,
brokers, dealers and trust companies (collectively, the "Indirect
Participants" or the "Depositary's Indirect Participants") that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or
indirectly. Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities
held by or on behalf of the Depositary only through the Depositary's
Participants or the Depositary's Indirect Participants.
 
  So long as the Global New Note Holder is the registered owner of any New
Notes, the Global New Note Holder will be considered the sole holder under the
Indenture of any New Notes evidenced by the Global New
 
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<PAGE>
 
Note. Beneficial owners of New Notes evidenced by the Global New Note will not
be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture for any
purpose, including with respect to the giving of any directions, instructions
or approvals to the Trustee thereunder. Neither the Company nor the Trustee
will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records of the
Depositary or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the
Depositary relating to the New Notes.
 
  Payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on
New Notes registered in the name of the Global New Note Holder on the
applicable record date will be payable by the Trustee to or at the direction
of the Global New Note Holder in its capacity as the registered holder under
the Indenture. Under the terms of the Indenture, the Company and the Trustee
may treat the persons in whose names New Notes, including the Global New Note,
are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such
payments. 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. The Company believes, however, that it is currently the
policy of the Depositary to immediately credit the accounts of the relevant
Participants with such payments, in amounts proportionate to their respective
holdings of beneficial interests in the relevant security as shown on the
records of the Depositary. Payments by the Depositary's Participants and the
Depositary's 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 Depositary's Participants or the Depositary's Indirect
Participants.
 
CERTIFICATED NEW NOTES
 
  Subject to certain conditions, any person having a beneficial interest in
the Global New Note may, upon request to the Trustee, exchange such beneficial
interest for New Notes in the form of Certificated New Notes. Upon any such
issuance, the Trustee is required to register such Certificated New Notes in
the name of, and cause the same to be delivered to, such person or persons (or
the nominee of any thereof). In addition, if (i) the Company notifies the
Trustee in writing that the Depositary is no longer willing or able to act as
a depositary and the Company is unable to locate a qualified successor within
90 days or (ii) the Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing
that it elects to cause the issuance of New Notes in the form of Certificated
New Notes under the Indenture, then, upon surrender by the Global New Note
Holder of its Global New Note, New Note in such form will be issued to each
person that the Global New Note Holder and the Depositary identify as being
the beneficial owner of the related New Notes.
 
  Neither the Company nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by the
Global New Note Holder or the Depositary in identifying the beneficial owners
of New Notes and the Company and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and
will protected in relying on, instructions from the Global New Note Holder or
the Depositary for all purposes.
 
SAME-DAY SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT
 
  The Indenture requires that payments in respect of the New Notes represented
by the Global New Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) be
made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified
by the Global New Note Holder. With respect to Certificated New Notes, the
Company will make all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest by
wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the
holders thereof or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to
each such holder's registered address. Secondary trading in long-term notes
and debentures of corporate issuers is generally settled in clearinghouse or
next-day funds. In contrast, New Notes represented by the Global New Note are
expected to be eligible to trade in the PORTAL market and to trade in the
Depositary's Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and any permitted secondary
market trading activity in such New Notes will, therefore, be required by the
Depositary to be settled in immediately available funds. The Company expects
that secondary trading in the Certificated New Notes will also be settled in
immediately available funds.
 
 
                                      67
<PAGE>
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
  Set forth below are certain of the defined terms used in the Indenture.
Reference is made to the Indenture for the definition of all other terms used
in the Indenture.
 
  "Acquisition Agreement" means the agreement, dated as of January 24, 1997,
among Holdings, GFSI, Inc. and the shareholders party thereto, relating to the
purchase and sale of the stock of Winning Ways, Inc.
 
  "Affiliate" means any of the following: (i) any person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with the Company, (ii) any spouse, immediate family member or other
relative who has the same principal residence as any person described in
clause (i) above, (iii) any trust in which any such persons described in
clause (i) or (ii) above has a beneficial interest and (iv) any corporation or
other organization of which any such persons described above collectively own
50% or more of the equity of such entity.
 
  "Affiliated Embroiderers" means the affiliated entities that provide
embroidery services for the Company on the date of issuance of the Notes.
 
  "Asset Sale" means the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of assets or property whether owned on the
date of original issuance of the Notes or thereafter acquired, in a single
transaction or in a series of related transactions; provided that Asset Sales
will not include such sales, leases, conveyances or dispositions in connection
with (i) the sale or disposition of any Restricted Investment, (ii) any Equity
Offering by the Company, (iii) the surrender or waiver of contract rights or
the settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any
kind, (iv) the sale or lease of inventory equipment, accounts receivable or
other assets in the ordinary course of business, (v) a sale-leaseback of
assets within one year following the acquisition of such assets, (vi) the
grant of any license of patents, trademarks, registration therefor and other
similar intellectual property, (vii) a transfer of assets by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, (viii) the
designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as a Non-Restricted Subsidiary pursuant
to the "--Designation of Restricted and Non-Restricted Subsidiaries" covenant,
(ix) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company as permitted under "--Merger or
Consolidation," (x) the sale or disposition of obsolete equipment or other
obsolete assets, (xi) Restricted Payments permitted by the "Limitations on
Restricted Payments" covenant, (xii) the exchange of assets for other non-cash
assets that (a) are useful in the business of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries and (b) have a fair market value at least equal to the fair
market value of the assets being exchanged (as determined by the Board of
Directors in good faith), (xiii) the sale of the corporate aircraft owned by
the Company on the date of issuance of the Notes to Robert M. Wolff or his
designees or (xiv) the sale, transfer and/or termination of the officers' life
insurance policies in effect on the date of issuance of the Notes.
 
  "Board of Directors" means the Company's board of directors or any
authorized committee of such board of directors.
 
  "Capital Stock" means any and all shares, interests, participations or other
equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock, including any preferred
stock.
 
  "Cash Flow" means, for any given period and person, the sum of, without
duplication, Consolidated Net Income, plus (a) any provision for taxes based
on income or profits to the extent such income or profits were included in
computing Consolidated Net Income, plus (b) Consolidated Interest Expense, to
the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus (c) the
amortization of all intangible assets, to the extent such amortization was
deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income (including, but not limited to,
inventory write-ups, goodwill, debt and financing costs, and Incentive
Arrangements), plus (d) any non-capitalized transaction costs incurred in
connection with actual or proposed financings, acquisitions or divestitures
(including, but not limited to, financing and refinancing fees, including
those in connection with the Transactions), to the extent deducted in
computing Consolidated Net Income, plus (e) all depreciation and all other
non-cash charges (including, without limitation, those charges relating to
purchase accounting adjustments and LIFO adjustments),
 
                                      68
<PAGE>
 
to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus (f) any
interest income, to the extent such income was not included in computing
Consolidated Net Income, plus (g) all dividend payments on preferred stock
(whether or not paid in cash) to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated
Net Income, plus (h) any extraordinary or nonrecurring charge or expense
arising out of the implementation of SFAS 106 or SFAS 109 to the extent
deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus (i) to the extent not
covered in clause (d) above, fees paid or payable in respect of the TJC
Agreement to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus
(j) the net loss of any person, other than those of a Restricted Subsidiary,
to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus (k) net
losses in respect of any discontinued operations as determined in accordance
with GAAP, to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, minus
(l) the portion of Consolidated Net Income attributable to the minority
interests in other persons, except the amount of such portion received in cash
by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that if any
such calculation includes any period during which an acquisition or sale of a
person or the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness occurred, then such
calculation for such period shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis.
 
  "Cash Flow Coverage Ratio" means, for any given period and person, the ratio
of: (i) Cash Flow to (ii) the sum of Consolidated Interest Expense and all
dividend payments on any series of preferred stock of such person (except
dividends paid or payable in additional shares of Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) and except for accrued and unpaid dividends with respect
to the Holdings Preferred Stock outstanding on the date of original issuance
of the Notes), in each case, without duplication; provided, however, that if
any such calculation includes any period during which an acquisition or sale
of a person or the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness occurred, then such
calculation for such period shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis.
 
  "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the
sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of
merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken
as a whole to any "person" (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the
Exchange Act) other than the Principals or their Related Parties , (ii) the
adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company,
(iii) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any
merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any "person" (as defined
above), other than the Principals and their Related Parties, becomes the
"beneficial owner" (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under
the Exchange Act, except that a person shall be deemed to have "beneficial
ownership" of all securities that such person has the right to acquire,
whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the
occurrence of a subsequent condition), directly or indirectly, of more than
50% of the Voting Stock of the Company (measured by voting power rather than
number of shares), (iv) the consummation of the first transaction (including,
without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that
any "person" (as defined above) becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined
above), directly or indirectly, of more of the Voting Stock of the Company
(measured by voting power rather than number of shares) than is at the time
"beneficially owned" (as defined above) by the Principals and their Related
Parties in the aggregate or (v) the first day on which a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors.
For purposes of this definition, any transfer of an equity interest of an
entity that was formed following the date of issuance of the Notes for the
purpose of acquiring Voting Stock of the Company will be deemed to be a
transfer of such portion of such Voting Stock as corresponds to the portion of
the equity of such entity that has been so transferred.
 
  The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the sale,
lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of "all or substantially all"
of the Company's assets. Although there is a developing body of case law
interpreting the phrase "substantially all," there is no precise established
definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a
holder of Notes to require the Company to repurchase such Notes as a result of
a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of
the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to another person may be
uncertain.
 
  "Commission" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
                                      69
<PAGE>
 
  "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any given period and person, the
aggregate of the interest expense in respect of all Indebtedness of such
person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated
basis, determined in accordance with GAAP (including amortization of original
issue discount on any such Indebtedness, all non-cash interest payments, the
interest portion of any deferred payment obligation and the interest component
of capital lease obligations, but excluding amortization of deferred financing
fees if such amortization would otherwise be included in interest expense);
provided, however, that for the purpose of the Cash Flow Coverage Ratio,
Consolidated Interest Expense shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis;
provided further that any premiums, fees and expenses (including the
amortization thereof) payable in connection with the Offering and the
Transactions or any other refinancing of Indebtedness will be excluded. For
purposes of this definition, the Consolidated Interest Expense of the Company
shall include the cash interest expense of Holdings paid in respect of the
Holdings Subordinated Notes.
 
  "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any given period and person, the
aggregate of the Net Income of such person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for
such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP;
provided, however, that: (i) the Net Income of any person acquired in a
pooling of interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such
acquisition shall be excluded and (ii) Consolidated Net Income of any person
will not include, without duplication, any deduction for: (A) any increased
amortization or depreciation resulting from the write-up of assets pursuant to
Accounting Principles Board Opinion Nos. 16 and 17, as amended or supplemented
from time to time, (B) the amortization of all intangible assets (including
amortization attributable to inventory write-ups, goodwill, debt and financing
costs, and Incentive Arrangements), (C) any non-capitalized transaction costs
incurred in connection with actual or proposed financings, acquisitions or
divestitures (including, but not limited to, financing and refinancing fees),
(D) any extraordinary or nonrecurring charges relating to any premium or
penalty paid, write-off or deferred financing costs or other financial
recapitalization charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any
Indebtedness prior to its stated maturity and (E) any Restructuring Charges;
provided, however, that for purposes of determining the Cash Flow Coverage
Ratio, Consolidated Net Income shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.
 
  "Consolidated Net Worth" with respect to any person means, as of any date,
the consolidated equity of the common stockholders of such person (excluding
the cumulated foreign currency translation adjustment), all determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, but without any reduction in
respect of the payment of dividends on any series of such person's preferred
stock if such dividends are paid in additional shares of Capital Stock (other
than Disqualified Stock); provided, however, that Consolidated Net Worth shall
also include, without duplication: (a) the amortization of all write-ups of
inventory, (b) the amortization of all intangible assets (including
amortization of goodwill, debt and financing costs, and Incentive
Arrangements), (c) any non-capitalized transaction costs incurred in
connection with actual or proposed financings, acquisitions or divestitures
(including, but not limited to, financing and refinancing fees), (d) any
increased amortization or depreciation resulting from the write-up of assets
pursuant to Accounting Principles Board Opinion Nos. 16 and 17, as amended and
supplemented from time to time, (e) any extraordinary or nonrecurring charges
or expenses relating to any premium or penalty paid, write-off or deferred
financing costs or other financial recapitalization charges incurred in
connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness prior to its stated
maturity, (f) any Restructuring Charges and (g) any extraordinary or non-
recurring charge arising out of the implementation of SFAS 106 or SFAS 109;
provided, however, that Consolidated Net Worth shall be calculated on a Pro
Forma Basis.
 
  Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, any member of
the Board of Directors of the Company who (i) was a member of such Board of
Directors on the date of the Indenture or (ii) was nominated for election or
elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the
Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such
nomination or election.
 
  "Default" means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or
both would be, an Event of Default.
 
  "Designated Senior Indebtedness" means (i) any Indebtedness outstanding
under the New Credit Agreement and (ii) any other Senior Indebtedness
permitted under the Indenture the principal amount of which is $10.0 million
or more and that has been designated by the Company as "Designated Senior
Indebtedness."
 
                                      70
<PAGE>
 
  "Disqualified Stock" means any Capital Stock that 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, matures 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 maturity date of the Notes.
 
  "Eligible Institution" means a commercial banking institution that has
combined capital and surplus of not less than $500 million or its equivalent
in foreign currency, whose debt is rated "A" (or higher) according to S&P or
Moody's at the time as of which any investment or rollover therein is made.
 
  "Equity Interests" means Capital Stock or partnership interests or warrants,
options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock or partnership interests (but
excluding (i) any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for,
Capital Stock or partnership interests and (ii) any other Indebtedness or
Obligation); provided, however, that Equity Interests will not include any
Incentive Arrangements or obligations or payments thereunder.
 
  "Equity Offering" means a public or private offering by the Company for cash
of Equity Interests and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire
Capital Stock, other than (i) an offering of Disqualified Stock or (ii)
Incentive Arrangements or obligations or payments thereunder.
 
  "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied,
as of the date of original issuance of the Notes. All financial and accounting
determinations and calculations under the Indenture will be made in accordance
with GAAP.
 
  "Government Securities" means direct obligations of, or obligations
guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee
or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged.
 
  "Guarantors" means each Restricted Subsidiary that executes a Note Guarantee
in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, and their respective
successors and assigns.
 
  "Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any person, the Obligations of
such persons under (i) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap
agreements and interest rate collar agreements, (ii) foreign exchange
contracts, currency swap agreements or similar agreements and (iii) other
agreements or arrangements designed to protect such person against
fluctuations, or otherwise to establish financial hedges in respect of,
exchange rates, currency rates or interest rates.
 
  "Holdings" means GFSI Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
 
  "Holdings Preferred Stock" means the 12% cumulative preferred stock due 2009
of Holdings, as in effect on the date of issuance of the Notes.
 
  "Holdings Subordinated Notes" means $25.0 million in aggregate principal
amount of Holdings 12% subordinated notes due 2008 as in effect on the date of
the issuance of the Notes or any Indebtedness of Holdings issued or given in
exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to, extend, refinance, renew,
replace, substitute or refund such Holdings Subordinated Notes; provided that
any such Indebtedness (i) is issued in a principal amount not exceeding the
then outstanding principal amount of the Holdings Subordinated Notes, (ii) has
an interest rate not exceeding 12%, (iii) is subordinated to other
Indebtedness of Holdings to the same extent as the Holdings Subordinated Notes
and (iv) has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity no greater than the Holdings
Subordinated Notes.
 
  "Incentive Arrangements" means any earn-out agreements, stock appreciation
rights, "phantom" stock plans, employment agreements, non-competition
agreements, subscription and stockholders agreements and other incentive and
bonus plans, including the Incentive Compensation Plan, and similar
arrangements made in connection with acquisitions of persons or businesses by
the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries or the retention of consultants,
executives, officers or employees by Holdings, the Company or the Restricted
Subsidiaries.
 
                                      71
<PAGE>
 
  "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any person, any indebtedness, whether
or not contingent, in respect of borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, notes,
debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement
agreements in respect thereof) or representing the deferred and unpaid balance
of the purchase price of any property (including pursuant to capital leases),
except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or a trade
payable, and any Hedging Obligations, if and to the extent such indebtedness
(other than a Hedging Obligation) would appear as a liability upon a balance
sheet of such person prepared on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP
and also includes, to the extent not otherwise included, the guarantee of
items that would be included within this definition; provided, however, that
"Indebtedness" will not include any Incentive Arrangements or obligations or
payments thereunder.
 
  "Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding" means (i) any insolvency or
bankruptcy or similar case or proceeding, or any reorganization, receivership,
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or
involuntary, or (ii) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other
marshaling of assets and liabilities of the Company.
 
  "Investment" means any capital contribution to, or other debt or equity
investment in, any Person.
 
  "issue" means create, issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become
directly or indirectly liable for any Indebtedness or Capital Stock, as
applicable; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a
person existing at the time such person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary
(whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition, redesignation of a Non-
Restricted Subsidiary or otherwise) shall be deemed to be issued by such
Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary. For this
definition, the terms "issuing," "issuer," "issuance" and "issued" have
meanings correlative to the foregoing.
 
  "Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge,
security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether
or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the
nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell and any filing of or
agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code
(or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction).
 
  "Marketable Securities" means (a) Government Securities, (b) any certificate
of deposit maturing not more than 270 days after the date of acquisition
issued by, or time deposit of, an Eligible Institution, (c) commercial paper
maturing not more than 270 days after the date of acquisition of an issuer
(other than an Affiliate of the Company) with a rating, at the time as of
which any investment therein is made, of "A-2" (or higher) according to S&P or
"P-2" (or higher) according to Moody's or carrying an equivalent rating by a
nationally recognized rating agency if both of the two named rating agencies
cease publishing ratings of investments, (d) any bankers acceptances or money
market deposit accounts issued by an Eligible Institution and (e) any fund
investing exclusively in investments of the types described in clauses (a)
through (d) above.
 
  "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
 
  "Net Income" means, with respect to any person, the net income (loss) of
such person, determined in accordance with GAAP excluding, however, any gain
or loss, together with any related provision for taxes, realized in connection
with any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, dispositions pursuant to
sale and leaseback transactions).
 
  "Net Proceeds" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, the aggregate amount
of cash proceeds (including any cash received by way of deferred payment
pursuant to a note receivable issued in connection with such Asset Sale, other
than the portion of such deferred payment constituting interest, and including
any amounts received as disbursements or withdrawals from any escrow or
similar account established in connection with any such Asset Sale, but, in
either such case, only as and when so received) received by the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such Asset Sale, net of: (i) the
cash expenses of such Asset Sale (including, without limitation, the payment
of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Indebtedness required
to be paid as a result of such Asset Sale (other than the Notes) and legal,
accounting, management and advisory and
 
                                      72
<PAGE>
 
investment banking fees and sales commissions), (ii) taxes paid or payable as
a result thereof, (iii) any portion of cash proceeds that the Company
determines in good faith should be reserved for post-closing adjustments, it
being understood and agreed that on the day that all such post-closing
adjustments have been determined, the amount (if any) by which the reserved
amount in respect of such Asset Sale exceeds the actual post-closing
adjustments payable by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall
constitute Net Proceeds on such date, (iv) any relocation expenses and
pension, severance and shutdown costs incurred as a result thereof, and (v)
any deduction or appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any
liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and
retained by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary after such sale or other
disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other post-
employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental
matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such
transaction.
 
  "New Credit Agreement" means that certain credit facility, dated as of
February 27, 1997, among the Company, as borrower, The First National Bank of
Chicago, as contractual representative, and the lenders party thereto,
together with all loan documents and instruments thereunder (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, without limitation, increasing the amount
of available borrowings, letters of credit or other financial accommodations
thereunder, all or any portion of the Obligations under any such agreement or
any successor or replacement agreement and whether by the same or any other
agent, lender or group of lenders).
 
  "Non-Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company other than a
Restricted Subsidiary.
 
  "Obligations" means, with respect to any Indebtedness, all principal,
interest, premiums, penalties, fees, indemnities, expenses (including legal
fees and expenses), reimbursement obligations and other liabilities payable to
the holder of such Indebtedness under the documentation governing such
Indebtedness, and any other claims of such holder arising in respect of such
Indebtedness.
 
  "Other Permitted Indebtedness" means:
 
    (i) Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries existing
  as of the date of original issuance of the Notes and all related
  Obligations as in effect on such date;
 
    (ii) Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in
  respect of bankers acceptances and letters of credit (including, without
  limitation, letters of credit in respect of workers' compensation claims)
  issued in the ordinary course of business, or other Indebtedness in respect
  of reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers' compensation claims;
 
    (iii) Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that: (A) the principal amount
  of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not exceed the outstanding principal
  amount of Indebtedness (including unused commitments) extended, refinanced,
  renewed, replaced, substituted or refunded plus any amounts incurred to pay
  premiums, fees and expenses in connection therewith, (B) the Refinancing
  Indebtedness shall have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or
  greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness
  being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, substituted or refunded;
  provided, however, that this limitation in this clause (B) does not apply
  to Refinancing Indebtedness of Senior Indebtedness, and (C) in the case of
  Refinancing Indebtedness of Subordinated Indebtedness, such Refinancing
  Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Notes at least to the same extent
  as the Subordinated Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed,
  replaced, substituted or refunded;
 
    (iv) intercompany Indebtedness of and among the Company and its
  Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
    (v) Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred
  in connection with making permitted Restricted Payments under clauses
  (iii), (iv) (but only to the extent that such Indebtedness is provided by
  the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) or (x) of the second sentence of
  the "Limitation on
 
                                      73
<PAGE>
 
  Restricted Payments" covenant; provided that any Indebtedness incurred
  pursuant to this clause (v) is expressly subordinate in right of payment to
  the Notes;
 
    (vi) Indebtedness of any Non-Restricted Subsidiary created after the date
  of original issuance of the Notes, provided that such Indebtedness is
  nonrecourse to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and the Company
  and its Restricted Subsidiaries have no Obligations with respect to such
  Indebtedness;
 
    (vii) Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries under
  Hedging Obligations;
 
    (viii) Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
  arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a
  check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of
  daylight overdrafts, which will not be, and will not be deemed to be,
  inadvertent) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of
  business;
 
    (ix) Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in
  connection with performance, surety, statutory, appeal or similar bonds in
  the ordinary course of business;
 
    (x) Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in
  connection with agreements providing for indemnification, purchase price
  adjustments and similar obligations in connection with the sale or
  disposition of any of their business, properties or assets;
 
    (xi) The guarantee by the Company or any of the Guarantors of
  Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that
  was permitted to be incurred by another provision of the covenant entitled
  "Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness"; and
 
    (xii) Indebtedness of any person at the time it is acquired as a
  Restricted Subsidiary, provided that such Indebtedness was not issued by
  such person in connection with or in anticipation of such acquisition.
 
  "Permitted Junior Securities" means Equity Interests in the Company or
subordinated debt securities of the Company that (i) are subordinated to all
Senior Indebtedness (and any debt securities issued in exchange for Senior
Indebtedness) to at least the same extent as the Notes are subordinated to
Senior Indebtedness pursuant to Article 10 of the Indenture, (ii) have a
Weighted Average Life to Maturity no shorter than the Weighted Average Life to
Maturity of the Notes and (iii) if there are any amounts outstanding under the
New Credit Agreement, have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at least as
long as the sum of (a) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the New Credit
Agreement or any debt securities issued in exchange therefor (whichever is
longer) plus (b) the positive difference, if any, between the Weighted Average
Life to Maturity of the Notes and the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the
New Credit Agreement, in each case measured immediately prior to the issuance
of such Permitted Junior Securities.
 
  "Permitted Liens" means:
 
    (i) Liens securing Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor
  that was permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be incurred;
 
    (ii) Liens for taxes, assessments, governmental charges or claims which
  are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly
  instituted and diligently conducted and if a reserve or other appropriate
  provision, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have
  been made therefor;
 
    (iii) statutory Liens of landlords and carriers', warehousemen's,
  mechanics', suppliers', materialmen's, repairmen's or other like Liens
  arising in the ordinary course of business and with respect to amounts not
  yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings,
  if a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required
  in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;
 
    (iv) Liens incurred on deposits made in the ordinary course of business
  in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other
  types of social security;
 
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<PAGE>
 
    (v) Liens incurred on deposits made to secure the performance of tenders,
  bids, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, government
  contracts, performance and return of money bonds and other obligations of a
  like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (exclusive of
  obligations for the payment of borrowed money);
 
    (vi) easements, rights-of-way, zoning or other restrictions, minor
  defects or irregularities in title and other similar charges or
  encumbrances not interfering in any material respect with the business of
  the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary
  course of business;
 
    (vii) Liens (including extensions, renewals and replacements thereof)
  upon property acquired (the "Acquired Property") after the date of original
  issuance of the Notes, provided that: (A) any such Lien is created solely
  for the purpose of securing Indebtedness representing, or issued to
  finance, refinance or refund, the cost (including the cost of construction)
  of the Acquired Property, (B) the principal amount of the Indebtedness
  secured by such Lien does not exceed 100% of the cost of the Acquired
  Property, (C) such Lien does not extend to or cover any property other than
  the Acquired Property and any improvements on such Acquired Property, and
  (D) the issuance of the Indebtedness to purchase the Acquired Property is
  permitted by the "Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness" covenant;
 
    (viii) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a
  matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the
  importation of goods;
 
    (ix) judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of
  Default;
 
    (x) leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in any material
  respect with the business of the Company or any of its Restricted
  Subsidiaries;
 
    (xi) Liens securing Indebtedness under Hedging Obligations;
 
    (xii) Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising from
  statutory, regulatory, contractual or warranty requirements;
 
    (xiii) Liens arising out of consignment or similar arrangements for the
  sale of goods entered into by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries in
  the ordinary course of business;
 
    (xiv) any interest or title of a lessor in property subject to any
  capital lease obligation or operating lease;
 
    (xv) Liens arising from filing Uniform Commercial Code financing
  statements regarding leases;
 
    (xvi) Liens existing on the date of original issuance of the Notes and
  any extensions, refinancings, renewals, replacements, substitutions or
  refundings thereof;
 
    (xvii) any Lien granted to the Trustee and any substantially equivalent
  Lien granted to any trustee or similar institution under any indenture for
  Senior Indebtedness permitted by the terms of the Indenture;
 
    (xviii) Liens in favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
 
    (xix) additional Liens at any one time outstanding in respect of
  properties or assets where aggregate fair market value does not exceed $2.0
  million (the fair market value to be determined on the date such Lien is
  granted on such properties or assets); and
 
    (xx) Liens securing intercompany Indebtedness issued by any Restricted
  Subsidiary to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary.
 
  "Principals" means (a) The Jordan Company, Jordan/Zalaznick Capital
Corporation and MCIT PLC, and their respective Affiliates, principals,
partners and employees, family members of any of the foregoing and trusts for
the benefit of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, Leucadia
National Corporation and Jordan Industries, Inc., and their respective
Subsidiaries, (b) the officers, directors and employees of the Company on
 
                                      75
<PAGE>
 
the date of issuance of the Notes and their respective Affiliates and family
members and trusts for the benefit of any of the foregoing. For the purpose of
the definition of "Principals," The Jordan Company, Jordan/Zalaznick Capital
Corporation and MCIT PLC shall be deemed to be Affiliates.
 
  "Pro Forma Basis" means, for purposes of determining Consolidated Net Income
in connection with the Cash Flow Coverage Ratio (including in connection with
the "Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant, the "Designation of
Restricted and Non-Restricted Subsidiaries" covenant, the "Merger or
Consolidation" covenant, the incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to the first
sentence of the "Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness" covenant and
Consolidated Net Worth for purposes of the "Merger or Consolidation" covenant)
giving pro forma effect to (x) any acquisition or sale of a person, business
or asset, related incurrence, repayment or refinancing of Indebtedness or
other related transactions, including any Restructuring Charges which would
otherwise be accounted for as an adjustment permitted by Regulation S-X under
the Securities Act or on a pro forma basis under GAAP, or (y) any incurrence,
repayment or refinancing of any Indebtedness and the application of the
proceeds therefrom, in each case, as if such acquisition or sale and related
transactions, restructurings, consolidations, cost savings, reductions,
incurrence, repayment or refinancing were realized on the first day of the
relevant period permitted by Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or on a
pro forma basis under GAAP. Furthermore, in calculating the Cash Flow Coverage
Ratio, (1) interest on outstanding Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating
basis as of the determination date 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 in effect on the determination date;
(2) if interest on any Indebtedness actually incurred on the determination
date may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a
prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rates,
then the interest rate in effect on the determination date will be deemed to
have been in effect during the relevant period; and (3) notwithstanding clause
(1) above, interest on Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis, to the
extent such interest is covered by agreements relating to interest rate swaps
or similar interest rate protection Hedging Obligations, shall be deemed to
accrue at the rate per annum resulting after giving effect to the operation of
such agreements.
 
  "Redeemable Preferred Stock" means preferred stock that by its terms or
otherwise is required to be redeemed or is redeemable at the option of the
holder thereof on, or prior to, the maturity date of the Notes.
 
  "Refinancing Indebtedness" means (i) Indebtedness of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries issued or given in exchange for, or the proceeds of
which are used to, extend, refinance, renew, replace, substitute or refund any
Indebtedness permitted under this Indenture or any Indebtedness issued to so
extend, refinance, renew, replace, substitute or refund such Indebtedness,
(ii) any refinancings of Indebtedness issued under the New Credit Agreement,
and (iii) any additional Indebtedness issued to pay premiums and fees in
connection with clauses (i) and (ii).
 
  "Related Party" with respect to any Principal means (A) any controlling
stockholder, 80% (or more) owned Subsidiary, or spouse or immediate family
member (in the case of an individual) of such Principal or (B) or trust,
corporation, partnership or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders,
partners, owners or Persons beneficially holding an 80% or more controlling
interest of which consist of such Principal and/or such other Persons referred
to in the immediately preceding clause (A).
 
  "Restricted Investment" means any Investment in any person; provided that
Restricted Investments will not include: (i) Investments in Marketable
Securities and other negotiable instruments permitted by the Indenture; (ii)
any Incentive Arrangements; (iii) Investments in the Company; or (iv)
Investments in any Restricted Subsidiary (provided that any Investment in a
Restricted Subsidiary was made for fair market value (as determined by the
Board of Directors in good faith)). The amount of any Restricted Investment
shall be the amount of cash and the fair market value at the time of transfer
of all other property (as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith)
initially invested or paid for such Restricted Investment, plus all additions
thereto, without any adjustments for increases or decreases in value of or
write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to, such Restricted
Investment.
 
 
                                      76
<PAGE>
 
  "Restricted Subsidiary" means: (i) any Subsidiary of the Company existing on
the date of original issuance of the Notes, and (ii) any other Subsidiary of
the Company formed, acquired or existing after the date of original issuance
of the Notes that is designated as a "Restricted Subsidiary" by the Company
pursuant to a resolution approved a majority of the Board of Directors,
provided, however, that the term Restricted Subsidiary shall not include any
Subsidiary of the Company that has been redesignated by the Company pursuant
to a resolution approved by a majority of the Board of Directors as a Non-
Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the "Designation of Restricted and
Non-Restricted Subsidiaries" covenant unless such Subsidiary shall have
subsequently been redesignated a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with
clause (ii) of this definition.
 
  "Restructuring Charges" means any charges or expenses in respect of
restructuring or consolidating any business, operations or facilities, any
compensation or headcount reduction, or any other cost savings, of any persons
or businesses either alone or together with the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, as permitted by GAAP or Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.
 
  "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Corporation.
 
  "Senior Indebtedness" means, with respect to any person, (i) all
Indebtedness of such person outstanding under the New Credit Agreement and all
Hedging Obligations with respect thereto, (ii) any other Indebtedness of such
person permitted to be incurred under the terms of the Indenture, provided,
however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not include any Indebtedness which by
the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing the same is subordinated or
junior in right of payment to any other Senior Indebtedness in any respect,
and (iii) all Obligations (including any interest accruing subsequent to the
filing of a petition of bankruptcy at the rate provided for in the
documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed
claim under applicable law) with respect to the foregoing, in each case
whether outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter incurred.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Senior Indebtedness
will not include (w) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes
owed or owing by the Company, (x) any Indebtedness of such person to any of
its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates (other than Indebtedness arising under
the New Credit Agreement), (y) any trade payables or other liability to trade
creditors arising in the ordinary course of business (including guarantees
thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities) or (z) any Indebtedness
that is incurred in violation of the Indenture.
 
  "SFAS 106" means Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106.
 
  "SFAS 109" means Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109.
 
  "Significant Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that
would be a "significant subsidiary" as defined in clause (2) of the definition
of such term in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act.
 
  "Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any installment of interest or
principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of
interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation
governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations
to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the
date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
 
  "Subordinated Indebtedness" means all Obligations with respect to
Indebtedness if the instrument creating or evidencing the same, or pursuant to
which the same is outstanding, designates such Obligations as subordinated or
junior in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness.
 
  "Subsidiary" of any person means any entity of which the Equity Interests
entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes that may be cast by all
Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or
other governing body of such entity are owned by such person (regardless of
whether such Equity Interests are owned directly by such person or through one
or more Subsidiaries).
 
  "Tax Sharing Agreement" means the tax sharing agreement between the Company
and Holdings, as in effect on the date of issuance of the Notes.
 
                                      77
<PAGE>
 
  "TJC Agreement" means the Management Consulting Agreement, dated the Closing
Date, between the Company and TJC Management Corporation, as in effect on the
date of original issuance of the Notes.
 
  "Voting Stock" means any class or classes of Capital Stock pursuant to which
the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances
to elect the board of directors.
 
  "Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, 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 sum of the product(s)
obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment,
sinking fund, serial maturity or other requirement payment of principal,
including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the number of
years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) which will elapse between such
date and the making of such payment.
 
  "Wolff Noncompetition Agreement" means the agreement, dated the Closing
Date, between Holdings and Robert M. Wolff, relating to certain covenants not
to compete with the business of the Company, as in effect on the date of
issuance of the Notes.
 
                                      78
<PAGE>
 
                      DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS
 
  The following is a summary of important terms of certain indebtedness of the
Company:
 
EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS
 
  The Company's indebtedness at December 31, 1996 (the "Existing
Indebtedness") included: (i) a $40.0 million line of credit from Boatmen's
First National Bank ("Boatmen's"); (ii) a $10.0 million line of credit from
The First National Bank of Chicago; (iii) a $10.0 million credit agreement
from Boatmen's; (iv) a $9.5 million mortgage loan from Prudential Insurance
Company of America; and (v) $300,000 of industrial revenue bonds from the City
of Lexena, Kansas. The Company used the net proceeds from the Offering and the
New Credit Agreement to repay the Existing Indebtedness. See "The
Transactions" and "Use of Proceeds."
 
NEW CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
  Concurrently with the completion of the Offering, the Company entered into
the New Credit Agreement with The First National Bank of Chicago ("FNBC"), as
contractual representative, and other lenders thereunder. The New Credit
Agreement provides for borrowings of up to $115.0 million under three credit
facilities: a term loan ("Term Loan A") in the principal amount of $40.0
million which matures in 2002, a term loan ("Term Loan B") in the principal
amount of $25.0 million which matures in 2004 and a revolving credit facility
("Revolver") in the principal amount of up to $50.0 million (based upon
availability) which matures in 2002. At the completion of the Transactions,
$40.0 million, $25.0 million and approximately $2.7 million was outstanding
under Term Loan A, Term Loan B and the Revolver, respectively, leaving
approximately $47.3 million available under the Revolver for future borrowings
and letter of credit issuances. Approximately $22.9 million of letters of
credit were issued at Closing. See "The Transactions."
 
  The Company will pay interest (i) under each of Term Loan A and the Revolver
based on, at the Company's option, either of FNBC's base rate plus 1.25% or
the Eurodollar Rate (as defined in the New Credit Agreement) plus 2.25% and
(ii) under Term Loan B based on, at the Company's option, either of FNBC's
base rate plus 1.75% or the Eurodollar Rate plus 2.75%. The interest rate
under each of Term Loan A, Term Loan B and the Revolver is subject to
reduction based upon the Company's Leverage Ratio (as defined in the New
Credit Agreement). A commitment fee of 0.50% will be paid by the Company for
unutilized commitments under the Revolver, subject to reduction based upon the
Company's Leverage Ratio. The Company's obligations under the New Credit
Agreement are secured by a security interest in all of the Company's assets.
In addition, the Company's obligations under the New Credit Agreement are
guaranteed by substantially all of the Company's future subsidiaries.
 
  The New Credit Agreement contains customary covenants, including among other
things covenants relating to minimum interest expense coverage ratio, minimum
fixed charge coverage ratio, maximum leverage ratio and maximum rentals and
restrictions on, among other things, granting of liens, asset sales, mergers
and consolidations, investments and acquisitions, prepayments or redemptions
of the Notes and incurring additional indebtedness. The New Credit Agreement
also contains customary events of default, including, without limitation,
change of control.
 
                                      79
<PAGE>
 
                             CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
  The Jordan Company. In connection with the Acquisition, Holdings entered
into an agreement (the "TJC Agreement") with TJC Management Corporation
("JMC"), an affiliate of TJC. Under the TJC Agreement, Holdings retained JMC
to render services to the Company, its financial and business affairs, its
relationships with its lenders and stockholders, and the operation and
expansion of its business. The TJC Agreement expires in 2007, but is
automatically renewed for successive one-year terms, unless either party
provides written notice of termination 60 days prior to the scheduled renewal
date. For the first two years, the TJC Agreement provides for an annual
consulting fee of $500,000 payable on a quarterly basis. For the remaining
term of the TJC Agreement, Holdings will pay JMC an annual consulting fee
payable on a quarterly basis equal to the higher of (a) $500,000 or (b) 1.5%
of EBITA (as defined in the TJC Agreement), provided that in years three
through five of the Agreement, the annual fee does not exceed $750,000 and
thereafter the annual fee does not exceed $1.0 million. In addition, the TJC
Agreement provides for payment to JMC of (i) an investment banking and
sponsorship fee of up to 2.0% of the purchase price of certain acquisitions or
sales involving Holdings or the Company and (ii) a financial consulting fee of
up to 1.0% of any debt, equity or other financing arranged by Holdings or the
Company with the assistance of JMC. Both such fees are subject to Board of
Directors approval. In connection with the Transactions, the Company paid JMC
consulting and investment banking fees of $3.25 million pursuant to the terms
of the TJC Agreement. The Company believes that the terms of the TJC Agreement
are comparable to the terms that it would obtain from disinterested third
parties for comparable services. See "Risk Factors--Control by Principal
Stockholders."
 
  Tax Sharing Agreement. In connection with the Transactions, the Company and
Holdings entered into a tax sharing agreement (the "Tax Sharing Agreement")
for purposes of filing a consolidated federal income tax return and paying
federal income taxes on a consolidated basis. Pursuant to the Tax Sharing
Agreement, the Company and each of its consolidated subsidiaries will pay to
Holdings on an annual basis an amount determined by reference to the separate
tax liability of the Company as calculated pursuant to Section 1552(a)(1) of
the Code and applicable regulations thereunder.
 
  Embroidery Service. The Company has entered into supply agreements with two
affiliated companies (the "Affiliates") controlled by certain members of
Company management. The supply agreements allow the Company to outsource
embroidery work to the Affiliates in the event that demand for such work
exceeds the Company's manufacturing capacity. Over the past three fiscal
years, the Company has purchased $5.3 million of embroidered products under
the Affiliate supply agreements. Embroidery work is outsourced only in
response to firm customer orders. Under each of the supply agreements, the
Affiliate embroiders blanks according to designs provided by the Company and
under terms established by the Company. The Company believes that the terms of
each of the supply agreements are comparable to the terms it would obtain from
disinterested third parties for comparable services.
 
  Affiliate Loans. In March, 1996, the Company sold a portion of its
embroidery equipment to one of the Affiliates for $181,000. To finance the
acquisition of embroidery equipment by the Affiliate and to provide for
working capital for both of the Affiliates, the Company loaned $150,000 and
$700,000 under separate promissory notes. Each of the promissory notes is
unsecured, has an interest rate of 6.8% per annum and matures July 1, 2000.
 
  Wolff Employment Agreement. Effective upon the consummation of the
Transactions, the Company entered into the Wolff Employment Agreement. See
"Management." Pursuant to the Wolff Employment Agreement, Mr. Wolff will serve
as Chairman of the Company for a ten-year period ending on the tenth
anniversary of the Acquisition. In exchange for his services, the Company will
compensate Mr. Wolff with a base salary of $140,000 per annum, subject to
annual increases set forth in the Wolff Employment Agreement, to provide him
with certain employee benefits comparable to that received by other Company
senior executives, including the use of Company cars, and to reimburse him for
expenses incurred in connection with the performance of his duties as
Chairman. In the event that Mr. Wolff no longer provides services to the
Company
 
                                      80
<PAGE>
 
due to his dismissal for Cause (as defined in the Wolff Employment Agreement),
he will no longer be entitled to any compensation from the Company as of the
date of his dismissal, subject to certain rights of appeal.
 
  Wolff Noncompetition Agreement. Effective upon the consummation of the
Transactions, Holdings entered into the Wolff Noncompetition Agreement. See
"Management." Pursuant to the Wolff Noncompetition Agreement, Mr. Wolff will
not, directly or indirectly, (i) (a) engage in or have any active interest in
any sportswear or activewear business comparable to that of the Company or (b)
sell to, supply, provide goods or services to, purchase from or conduct
business in any form with the Company or Holdings for a ten-year period ending
on the tenth anniversary of the Acquisition, (ii) disclose at any time other
than to the Company or Holdings any Confidential Information (as defined in
the Wolff Noncompetition Agreement) and (iii) engage in any business with the
Company or Holdings through an affiliate for as long as Mr. Wolff or any
member of his family is the beneficial owner of Holdings' capital stock. In
exchange for his covenant not to compete, Holdings will pay Mr. Wolff $250,000
per annum for a period of ten years. In the event that the Wolff
Noncompetition Agreement is terminated for Cause, (as defined in the Wolff
Noncompetition Agreement), Holdings will no longer be obligated to make any
payment to Mr. Wolff, but Mr. Wolff will remain obligated to comply with the
covenants set forth in the Wolff Noncompetition Agreement until its expiration
on the tenth anniversary of the Acquisition.
 
  Management Investors Loans. In connection with the consummation of the
Transactions, Holdings loaned approximately $0.8 million to certain Management
Investors to finance a portion of their purchase of capital stock of Holdings.
 
  Management Stock Purchases. In fiscal 1996, two members of the Company's
senior management purchased 6,000 and 7,000 shares of the Company's common
stock, respectively, for an aggregate purchase price of $420,000 and $490,000,
respectively.
 
  Incentive Compensation Plan. Following the consummation of the Transactions,
the Company will adopt an incentive compensation plan (the "Incentive Plan"),
which will provide for annual cash bonuses payable based on a percentage of
EBITA (as defined in the Incentive Plan), if certain EBITA targets are met.
 
  Directors and Officers Indemnification. Upon the consummation of the
Offering, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with each member
of the Board of Directors whereby the Company agreed, subject to certain
exceptions, to indemnify and hold harmless each director from liabilities
incurred as a result of such person's status as a director of the Company. See
"Management--Board of Directors."
 
  Future Transactions. The Company has adopted a policy, effective
simultaneously with the consummation of the Offering, to provide that future
transactions between the Company and its officers, directors and other
affiliates must (i) be approved by a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors and by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of
Directors and (ii) be on terms no less favorable to the Company than could be
obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
 
                                      81
<PAGE>
 
                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account as a result
of market-making activities or other trading activities in connection with the
Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes. This Prospectus, as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in
connection with resales of New Notes received in exchange for Old Notes where
such Old Notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities. The Company has agreed that for a period of 120 days after
the Expiration Date, it will make available a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act to any broker-dealer for use in connection
with any such resale. In addition, until     , 1997, all dealers effecting
transactions in the New Notes may be required to deliver a prospectus.
 
  The Company will receive no proceeds in connection with the Exchange Offer.
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.
 
                        FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
TO EXCHANGING AND NONEXCHANGING HOLDERS
 
  The exchange of an Old Note for a New Note pursuant to the Exchange Offer
will not be taxable to the exchanging Holders for Federal income tax purposes.
As a result (i) an exchanging Holder will not recognize any gain or loss on
the exchange, (ii) the holding period for the New Note will include the
holding period for the Old Note and (iii) the basis of the New Note will be
the same as the basis of the Old Note.
 
  The Exchange Offer will result in no Federal income tax consequences to a
nonexchanging Holder.
 
  The preceding discussion reflects the opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt,
counsel to the Company, as to the material Federal income tax consequences
expected to result from the Exchange Offer. The discussion is for general
information only and does not constitute tax advice. Each Holder should
consult its own tax adviser as to these and any other Federal income tax
consequences of the Exchange Offer as well as any tax consequences to it under
state, local or other law. This summary is based on the current provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and applicable Treasury
regulations, judicial authority and administrative rulings and practice. Those
consequences could be modified by future changes in the relevant law (which
changes could be applied retroactively).
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  The validity of the Notes will be passed upon for the Company by Mayer,
Brown & Platt, New York, New York. Certain legal matters relating to the Notes
offered hereby will be passed upon for the Initial Purchasers by Latham &
Watkins, New York, New York.
 
 
                                      82
<PAGE>
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The financial statements of Winning Ways, Inc. as of June 30, 1996 and for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996 included in this Prospectus have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their
report appearing herein, and are included in reliance upon the report of such
firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
  The balance sheet of GFSI Holdings, Inc. as of January 23, 1997 included in
this Prospectus has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, as stated in their
report appearing herein, and are included in reliance upon the report of such
firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
  The balance sheet of GFSI, Inc. as of January 23, 1997 included in this
Prospectus has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, as stated in their
report appearing herein, and are included in reliance upon the report of such
firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
  The financial statements of Winning Ways, Inc. as of June 30, 1995 and for
each of the two fiscal years preceding the period ended June 30, 1995 included
in this Prospectus have been audited by Donnelly Meiners Jordan Kline,
independent auditors, as stated in their report appearing herein, and are
included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority
as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
  On January 2, 1997, the Company, by resolution of the Board of Directors,
appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP as one of its independent auditors, effective
January 6, 1997.
 
  In connection with its audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995 and
through December 31, 1996, the Company has had no disagreements with Donnelly
Meiners Jordan Kline on any matter of accounting principles or practices,
financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which
disagreements if not resolved to the satisfaction of Donnelly Meiners Jordan
Kline would have caused them to make reference thereto in their report on the
financial statements for such periods. Donnelly Meiners Jordan Kline has
furnished a letter addressed to the Commission stating that it agrees with the
above statements.
 
  The Company currently engages Deloitte & Touche LLP as its independent
auditors. During the most recent fiscal year and through the date of this
Offering Memorandum, the Company has not consulted with Deloitte & Touche LLP
on items which concerned the subject matter of a disagreement or reportable
event with the former auditor.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  The Company has filed with the Commission the Registration Statement
pursuant to the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, covering the New Notes being offered hereby. This Prospectus does
not contain all the information set forth in the Registration Statement,
certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Commission. For further information with respect to the
Company and the New Notes, reference is hereby made to the Registration
Statement. Statements made in this Prospectus as to the contents of any
contract, agreement or other document referred to in the Registration
Statement are not necessarily complete. With respect to each such contract,
agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement,
reference is made to the exhibit for a more complete description of the matter
involved, and each such statement shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by
such reference. Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Company will
become subject to the periodic and other informational requirements of the
Exchange Act. Periodic reports and other information filed by the Company with
the Commission may be inspected at the public reference facilities maintained
by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20540, or at its regional offices located at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison
Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and 7 World Trade Center, New
York, New York 10048 at prescribed rates. Such materials may also be accessed
electronically by means of the Commission's home page on the Internet at
http://www.sec.gov.
 
                                      83
<PAGE>
 
                                  GFSI, INC.
 
                   UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
  The following sets forth the Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheet and the
Unaudited Pro Forma Statements of Income of GFSI, Inc. ("GFSI") in each case
giving effect to the transactions described in Note 1 of the Notes to the
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Statements as if such transactions had been
consummated on December 31, 1996 (in the case of the Unaudited Pro Forma
Balance Sheet) and at the beginning of the earliest period presented (in the
case of the Unaudited Pro Forma Statements of Income). The Unaudited Pro Forma
Financial Statements of GFSI do not purport to present the financial position
or results of operations of GFSI had the transactions assumed herein occurred
on the dates indicated, nor are they necessarily indicative of the results of
operations which may be expected to occur in the future.
 
  The proposed acquisition of the Company will be accounted for as a leveraged
recapitalization, and accordingly, the accompanying Unaudited Pro Forma
Financial Statements reflect no change in the accounting basis of GFSI's
assets and liabilities for financial accounting purposes.
 
                                      P-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   GFSI, INC.
 
                       UNAUDITED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  PRO FORMA
                                    WINNING      ADJUSTMENT
                                   WAYS, INC. --------------------    GFSI, INC.
                                   HISTORICAL    DR          CR       PRO FORMA
                                   ---------- --------    --------    ----------
<S>                                <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
             ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents......   $   727   $     22(2) $           $     749
  Accounts receivable............    26,152                              26,152
  Inventories....................    28,074                              28,074
  Prepaid expenses and other cur-
   rent assets...................       909      4,986(3)
                                                   943(4)                 6,838
  Deferred income taxes..........                  563(7)                   563
                                    -------   --------    --------    ---------
    Total current assets.........    55,862      6,514                   62,376
Property, plant and equipment,
 net.............................    23,480                    943(4)    22,537
Other assets:
  Cash value of life insurance...     4,986                  4,986(3)
  Deferred financing costs.......        84      9,225(5)       84(5)     9,225
  Other..........................         5                                   5
                                    -------   --------    --------    ---------
      Total......................   $84,417   $ 15,739    $  6,013    $  94,143
                                    =======   ========    ========    =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQ-
               UITY
Current liabilities:
  Short-term borrowings..........   $ 6,000   $  6,000(6) $           $
  Accounts payable...............    10,708                              10,708
  Accrued expenses...............     5,584                               5,584
  Current portion of long-term
   debt .........................    13,819     13,819(6)    2,250(6)     2,250
                                    -------   --------    --------    ---------
    Total current liabilities....    36,111     19,819       2,250       18,542
Deferred income taxes............                            1,681(7)     1,681
Long-term debt...................     9,559      9,559(6)  190,450(6)   190,450
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock...................       149        149(8)
  Additional paid-in capital.....     2,720      2,720(8)   51,300(8)    51,300
  Retained earnings..............    37,911    203,500(8)
                                                 1,118(7)
                                                    84(5)
                                                 1,875(5)
                                                               836(8)  (167,830)
                                    -------   --------    --------    ---------
                                     40,780    209,446      52,136     (116,530)
  Less treasury stock............     2,033                  2,033(8)       --
                                    -------   --------    --------    ---------
    Total stockholders' equity
     (deficit)...................    38,747    209,446      54,169     (116,530)
                                    -------   --------    --------    ---------
      Total......................   $84,417   $238,824    $248,550    $  94,143
                                    =======   ========    ========    =========
</TABLE>
 
                                      P-2
<PAGE>
 
                                   GFSI, INC.
 
                    UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                     TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            WINNING   PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS
                           WAYS, INC. --------------------------     GFSI, INC.
                           HISTORICAL     DR              CR         PRO FORMA
                           ---------- -----------     ----------     ----------
<S>                        <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Net sales.................  $177,124  $       --      $      --       $177,124
Costs of sales............   101,569          --             --        101,569
                            --------  -----------     ----------      --------
    Gross profit..........    75,555          --             --         75,555
Operating expenses:
  Selling.................    17,625          --             --         17,625
  General and
   administrative.........    23,709          890(11)      1,205(11)    23,394
                            --------  -----------     ----------      --------
                              41,334          890          1,205        41,019
                            --------  -----------     ----------      --------
    Operating income......    34,221          890          1,205        34,536
Other income/(expense):
  Interest expense........    (2,597)      19,040(10)      2,597(10)   (19,040)
  Other...................        96          --             --             96
                            --------  -----------     ----------      --------
                              (2,501)      19,040          2,597       (18,944)
                            --------  -----------     ----------      --------
Income before income
 taxes....................    31,720       19,930          3,802        15,592
  Income tax expense......       --         6,237(9)         --          6,237
                            --------  -----------     ----------      --------
Net income................  $ 31,720  $    26,167     $    3,802      $  9,355
                            ========  ===========     ==========      ========
Other data:
  EBITDA (as
   defined)(12)...........  $ 37,520  $       890     $      829      $ 37,459
  Depreciation and
   amortization(12).......     3,299          --             376         2,923
  Cash interest
   expense(13)............     2,597       18,082          2,597        18,082
</TABLE>
 
                                      P-3
<PAGE>
 
                                   GFSI, INC.
 
                    UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                       SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               WINNING   PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENT
                              WAYS, INC. -------------------------    GFSI, INC.
                              HISTORICAL     DR            CR         PRO FORMA
                              ---------- ----------     ----------    ----------
<S>                           <C>        <C>            <C>           <C>
Net sales...................   $104,811  $      --      $     --       $104,811
Costs of sales..............     59,458         --            --         59,458
                               --------  ----------     ---------      --------
    Gross profit............     45,353         --            --         45,353
Operating expenses:
  Selling...................     10,406         --            --         10,406
  General and
   administrative...........     12,828         445(11)       757(11)    12,516
                               --------  ----------     ---------      --------
                                 23,234         445           757        22,922
                               --------  ----------     ---------      --------
    Operating income........     22,119         445           757        22,431
Other income/(expense):
  Interest expense..........     (1,465)      9,525(10)     1,465(10)    (9,525)
  Other.....................         43         --            --             43
                               --------  ----------     ---------      --------
                                 (1,422)      9,525         1,465        (9,482)
                               --------  ----------     ---------      --------
Income before income taxes..     20,697       9,970         2,222        12,949
  Income tax expense........        --        5,180(9)        --          5,180
                               --------  ----------     ---------      --------
Net income..................   $ 20,697  $   15,150     $   2,222      $  7,769
                               ========  ==========     =========      ========
Other data:
  EBITDA (as defined)(12)...   $ 23,791  $      445     $     568      $ 23,914
  Depreciation and
   amortization(12).........      1,672         --            189         1,483
  Cash interest expense(13)
   .........................      1,465       9,045         1,465         9,045
</TABLE>
 
                                      P-4
<PAGE>
 
                                   GFSI, INC.
 
                    UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                            YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               WINNING   PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENT
                              WAYS, INC. -------------------------    GFSI, INC.
                              HISTORICAL     DR            CR         PRO FORMA
                              ---------- ----------     ----------    ----------
<S>                           <C>        <C>            <C>           <C>
Net sales...................   $169,321  $      --      $     --       $169,321
Costs of sales..............     97,308         --            --         97,308
                               --------  ----------     ---------      --------
    Gross profit............     72,013         --            --         72,013
Operating expenses:
  Selling...................     16,963         --            --         16,963
  General and
   administrative...........     22,216         890(11)     1,265(11)    21,841
                               --------  ----------     ---------      --------
                                 39,179         890         1,265        38,804
                               --------  ----------     ---------      --------
    Operating income........     32,834         890         1,265        33,209
Other income/(expense):
  Interest expense..........     (2,608)     19,034(10)     2,608(10)   (19,034)
  Other.....................        --          --            --            --
                               --------  ----------     ---------      --------
                                 (2,608)     19,034         2,608       (19,034)
                               --------  ----------     ---------      --------
Income before income taxes..     30,226      19,924         3,873        14,175
  Income tax expense........        --        5,670(9)        --          5,670
                               --------  ----------     ---------      --------
Net income..................   $ 30,226  $   25,594     $   3,873      $  8,505
                               ========  ==========     =========      ========
Other data:
  EBITDA (as defined)(12)...   $ 36,035  $      890     $     913      $ 36,058
  Depreciation and
   amortization(12).........      3,201         --            352         2,849
  Cash interest
   expense(13)..............      2,608      18,076         2,608        18,076
</TABLE>
 
                                      P-5
<PAGE>
 
                                  GFSI, INC.
 
               NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. Presentation and Transactions:
 
  The unaudited pro forma financial statements assume the following
  transactions occurred on December 31, 1996 for purposes of the unaudited
  pro forma balance sheet and the beginning of the earliest period presented
  for purposes of the unaudited pro forma statements of income.
 
  Holdings and GFSI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings, were organized by
  affiliates of The Jordan Company and management to effect the acquisition
  of the Company. Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, Holdings and GFSI on
  February 27, 1997, acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock
  of the Company, and the Company immediately thereafter merged with and into
  GFSI. All of the capital stock of the Company acquired by Holdings in
  connection with the Acquisition was contributed to GFSI along with the
  balance of the Equity Contribution, as described below.
 
  The aggregate purchase price for the Company was $232.9 million, subject to
  adjustment following the Closing, consisting of $203.5 million in cash and
  the repayment of $29.4 of the Company's Existing Indebtedness. To finance
  the Acquisition, including approximately $11.1 million of related fees and
  expenses: (i) TJC, its affiliates and MCIT PLC (collectively, the "Jordan
  Investors") and certain members of management (the "Management Investors")
  invested $52.2 million in Holdings and Holdings contributed $51.3 million
  of this amount in cash to the Company (the "Equity Contribution"); (ii) the
  Company consummated the Offering; and (iii) the Company entered into the
  New Credit Agreement providing for borrowings of up to $115.0 million, of
  which approximately $67.7 million was outstanding and $22.9 million was
  utilized to cover outstanding letters of credit at Closing. The Equity
  Contribution was comprised of: (i) a contribution of $13.6 million from the
  Jordan Investors to Holdings in exchange for Holdings Preferred Stock and
  approximately 50% of the Common Stock of Holdings; (ii) a contribution of
  $13.6 million from the Management Investors to Holdings in exchange for
  Holdings Preferred Stock and approximately 50% of the Common Stock of
  Holdings; and (iii) a contribution of $25.0 million from a Jordan Investor
  to Holdings in exchange for Holdings Subordinated Notes. Approximately $0.8
  million of the contribution from the Management Investors was financed by
  loans from Holdings. Consummation of the Offering was conditioned upon the
  concurrent consummation of the Acquisition, the Equity Contribution and the
  initial borrowings under the New Credit Agreement.
 
  The Transactions are reflected in the accompanying unaudited pro forma
  financial statements of the Company as a leveraged recapitalization under
  which the existing basis of accounting was continued for financial
  accounting and reporting purposes.
 
  The following summarizes the sources and uses of funds resulting from the
  Transactions described above at the Company's level (in millions):
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                   <C>
   SOURCES OF FUNDS:
     New Credit Agreement............................................... $ 67.7
     Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007.................................  125.0
     Equity Contribution................................................   51.3
                                                                         ------
       Total sources.................................................... $244.0
                                                                         ======
   USES OF FUNDS:
     Cash purchase price of the Acquisition............................. $203.5
     Repayment of Existing Indebtedness.................................   29.4
     Fees and expenses..................................................   11.1
                                                                         ------
       Total uses....................................................... $244.0
                                                                         ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      P-6
<PAGE>
 
                                  GFSI, INC.
 
        NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  Holdings is dependent upon the cash flows of the Company to provide funds
  to service $25.0 million of Holdings Subordinated Notes. The annual cash
  flow requirements to service Holdings Subordinated Notes is $3 million
  (principal due in balloon payment in 2008). Pursuant to the terms of a
  deferred limited interest guaranty between the Company and Holdings, the
  Company is obligated to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the Holdings
  Subordinated Notes under certain limited circumstances. Additionally,
  Holdings' cumulative non-cash preferred stock dividends will total $3.2
  million annually. Holdings Preferred Stock may be redeemed at stated value
  ($27.0 million) plus accrued dividends with mandatory redemption in 2009.
  The annual cash flow requirements relative to the Holdings Subordinated
  Notes and Holdings Preferred Stock are not reflected in the accompanying
  unaudited pro forma financial statements.
 
2. The pro forma adjustment to cash recognizes additional funds generated by
   the Transactions.
 
3. The pro forma adjustments to prepaid expense and other current assets and
   cash value of life insurance recognizes the liquidation of officer life
   insurance policies. Such policies were cashed out or purchased by and
   transferred to the related individuals upon closing of the Transactions.
 
4. The pro forma adjustment to property, plant and equipment represents fixed
   assets that were purchased by a previous shareholder upon closing of the
   Transactions.
 
5. The pro forma adjustment to other assets (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1996
                                                                    ------------
<S>                                                                 <C>
  Fees and expenses related to the Transactions....................   $11,100
  Less costs not capitalized.......................................     1,875
                                                                      -------
  Pro forma adjustment.............................................   $ 9,225
                                                                      =======
  Eliminate deferred issuance costs on Existing Indebtedness.......   $   (84)
                                                                      =======
</TABLE>
 
   The $1.875 million of costs not capitalized were expensed upon completion
   of the Transactions. Such expense is excluded from the accompanying pro
   forma statements of income as it is considered a non-recurring charge.
 
6. The pro forma adjustments to debt (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                                  CURRENT   SHORT-TERM
                                      LONG-TERM  MATURITIES BORROWINGS  TOTAL
                                      ---------  ---------- ---------- --------
   <S>                                <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
   Record the issuance of Notes
    offered hereby................... $125,000         --        --    $125,000
   Record the issuance of new
    Revolver.........................    2,700         --        --       2,700
   Record the issuance of new Term
    Loans............................   62,750       2,250       --      65,000
                                      --------    --------   -------   --------
     Pro forma adjustment............ $190,450    $  2,250   $   --    $192,700
                                      ========    ========   =======   ========
   Eliminate existing long-term debt
    and short-term borrowings with
    proceeds of the Transactions..... $ (9,559)   $(13,819)  $(6,000)  $(29,378)
                                      ========    ========   =======   ========
</TABLE>
 
7. The pro forma adjustment to recognize the Company's change in tax status
   from an S Corporation to a C Corporation for income tax purposes which
   occurred concurrent with the Closing.
 
8. The pro forma adjustment to stockholders' equity recognizes the
   distribution of $203.5 million to previous shareholders for the acquisition
   of Winning Ways, Inc. common stock and the equity contribution of
   $51.3 million from Holdings in accordance with the Acquisition Agreement.
 
                                      P-7
<PAGE>
 
                                  GFSI, INC.
 
        NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
9. The pro forma adjustment to provide income taxes at an effective rate of
   40% recognizes that the Company is subject to income tax upon revocation of
   the S Corporation status for income tax purposes. The change associated
   with the Company's change in tax status reflecting the cumulative
   difference between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities as of
   the date of the conversion is estimated to be $1.1 million. Such expense is
   charged to operations at the date of conversion, however, it has not been
   reflected in the accompanying statements of income as it is considered a
   nonrecurring charge.
 
10. The pro forma adjustments to interest expense (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        YEAR
                                                TWELVE     SIX MONTHS   ENDED
                                             MONTHS ENDED    ENDED      JUNE
                                             DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,   30,
                                                 1996         1996      1996
                                             ------------ ------------ -------
   <S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>
   Elimination of interest expense relating
    to Winning Ways, Inc.'s existing debt
    agreements:
     Repay existing 10.125% credit
      agreement............................    $  (428)     $  (197)   $  (501)
     Repay existing line of credit
      agreement............................       (627)        (482)      (545)
     Repay existing 10.28% mortgage loan...       (996)        (496)      (998)
     Repay existing 5.72% industrial
      revenue bonds........................        (23)         (10)       (29)
     Repay existing short-term borrowings..       (523)        (280)      (535)
                                               -------      -------    -------
       Pro forma adjustment................    $(2,597)     $(1,465)   $(2,608)
                                               =======      =======    =======
   Additional interest expense related to:
     Issuance of Notes.....................    $12,031      $ 6,016    $12,031
     Amortization of deferred issuance
      costs related to the Notes...........        400          200        400
     Issuance of Term Loans assuming 8.44%
      interest rate........................      5,486        2,743      5,486
     Issuance of Revolver assuming 8.25%
      interest rate........................        223          112        223
     Amortization of deferred issuance
      costs related to
      New Credit Agreement.................        263          132        263
     Amortization of deferred issuance
      costs related to Holdings'
      subordinated notes...................        295          148        295
     Annual administrative agent's fee for
      New Credit Agreement.................         25           13         25
     Commitment fees related to New Credit
      Agreement............................        127           61        131
     Letter of credit fees related to New
      Credit Agreement.....................        190          100        180
                                               -------      -------    -------
       Pro forma adjustment................    $19,040      $ 9,525    $19,034
                                               =======      =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      P-8
<PAGE>
 
                                  GFSI, INC.
 
        NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONCLUDED)
 
 
11. The pro forma adjustment to general and administrative expense (in
    thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                TWELVE                  YEAR
                                                MONTHS     SIX MONTHS   ENDED
                                                ENDED        ENDED      JUNE
                                             DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,   30,
                                                 1996         1996      1996
                                             ------------ ------------ -------
   <S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>
   Additional general and administrative
    expense related to:
     Consulting fee to The Jordan Company..    $   500       $  250    $   500
     Board of Directors fees...............        140           70        140
     Wolff non-competition payments........        250          125        250
                                               -------       ------    -------
       Pro forma adjustment................    $   890       $  445    $   890
                                               =======       ======    =======
   Elimination of general and
    administrative expense related to:
     Officers life insurance premiums......    $  (621)      $ (477)   $  (718)
     Expenses of corporate jet not retained
      by Company...........................       (208)         (91)      (195)
     Depreciation on corporate jet not
      retained by Company..................       (376)        (189)      (352)
                                               -------       ------    -------
       Pro forma adjustment................    $(1,205)      $ (757)   $(1,265)
                                               =======       ======    =======
 
12. The pro forma adjustments to EBITDA recognize all adjustments to general
    and administrative expenses noted in footnote 11, except for the
    elimination of depreciation on the corporate jet not retained by the
    Company.
 
13.The pro forma cash interest expense calculated as follows (in thousands):
 
<CAPTION>
                                                TWELVE                  YEAR
                                                MONTHS     SIX MONTHS   ENDED
                                                ENDED        ENDED      JUNE
                                             DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,   30,
                                                 1996         1996      1996
                                             ------------ ------------ -------
   <S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>
   Issuance of Notes.......................    $12,031       $6,016    $12,031
   Issuance of Term Loans assuming 8.44%
    interest rate..........................      5,486        2,743      5,486
   Issuance of Revolver assuming 8.25% in-
    terest rate............................        223          112        223
   Annual administrative agent's fee for
    New Credit Agreement...................         25           13         25
   Commitment fees related to New Credit
    Agreement..............................        127           61        131
   Letter of credit fees related to New
    Credit Agreement.......................        190          100        180
                                               -------       ------    -------
     Total.................................    $18,082       $9,045    $18,076
                                               =======       ======    =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      P-9
<PAGE>
 
                               WINNING WAYS, INC.
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>
Winning Ways, Inc.--Historical Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Reports...........................................  F-2
  Balance Sheets--June 30, 1995 and 1996 and December 31, 1996
   (unaudited)............................................................  F-4
  Statements of Income--Years Ended June 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and Six
   Months Ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 (unaudited)....................  F-5
  Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity--Years Ended June 30,
   1994, 1995 and 1996 and Six Months Ended December 31, 1996
   (unaudited)............................................................  F-6
  Statements of Cash Flows--Years Ended June 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and
   Six Months Ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 (unaudited)................  F-7
  Notes to Financial Statements...........................................  F-8
GFSI Holdings, Inc.--Balance Sheet:
  Independent Auditors' Report............................................ F-14
  Balance Sheet--January 23, 1997......................................... F-15
  Note to Balance Sheet................................................... F-16
GFSI, Inc.--Balance Sheet:
  Independent Auditors' Report............................................ F-17
  Balance Sheet--January 23, 1997......................................... F-18
  Note to Balance Sheet................................................... F-19
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
Board of Directors
Winning Ways, Inc.
Lenexa, Kansas
 
  We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Winning Ways, Inc. (the
"Company") as of June 30, 1996, and the related statements of income,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for the year then ended. 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 audit.
 
  We conducted our audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 1996, and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Kansas City, Missouri
January 24, 1997
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
Board of Directors
Winning Ways, Inc.
Lenexa, Kansas
 
  We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Winning Ways, Inc. (the
"Company") as of June 30, 1995, and the related statements of income,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period
ended June 30, 1995. 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, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 1995, and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the
period ended June 30, 1995 in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
Donnelly Meiners Jordan Kline
 
Kansas City, Missouri
July 26, 1996
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                               WINNING WAYS, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
 
            JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 AND DECEMBER 31, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   JUNE 30,
                                            -----------------------  DECEMBER
                                               1995        1996      31, 1996
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                         <C>         <C>         <C>
                  ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents................ $   112,459 $   139,977 $   726,531
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
   doubtful accounts of $463,270 and
   $472,092 at June 30, 1995 and 1996,
   $708,340 at December 31, 1996
   (unaudited).............................  18,080,480  22,583,452  26,152,172
  Inventories, net.........................  29,484,671  27,782,953  28,073,779
  Prepaid expenses.........................   1,463,502     802,311     908,829
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
    Total current assets...................  49,141,112  51,308,693  55,861,311
Property, plant and equipment, net.........  23,751,206  23,038,589  23,480,293
Other assets:
  Loan costs, net of accumulated
   amortization of $42,103 and $51,459 at
   June 30, 1995 and 1996 and $55,357 at
   December 31, 1996 (unaudited)...........      98,239      88,883      84,205
  Cash value of life insurance, net of
   related policy loans of $90,117 at June
   30, 1995 and 1996 and at December 31,
   1996 (unaudited)........................   3,935,904   4,267,871   4,985,553
  Other....................................      12,003       7,269       5,483
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
                                              4,046,146   4,364,023   5,075,241
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
      Total................................ $76,938,464 $78,711,305 $84,416,845
                                            =========== =========== ===========
   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Short-term borrowings.................... $ 8,000,000 $ 7,000,000 $ 6,000,000
  Accounts payable.........................   7,383,223   9,667,536  10,708,396
  Accrued expenses.........................   4,533,584   5,288,998   5,583,949
  Current portion of long-term debt........   1,639,443   1,658,160  13,819,024
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
    Total current liabilities..............  21,556,250  23,614,694  36,111,369
Long-term debt.............................  23,275,973  20,617,878   9,559,080
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock, $.10 par value, 2,000,000
   shares authorized, 1,491,000 shares
   issued..................................     149,100     149,100     149,100
  Additional paid-in capital...............     882,746   1,585,691   2,720,087
  Retained earnings........................  33,554,728  35,045,220  37,910,696
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
                                             34,586,574  36,780,011  40,779,883
  Less treasury stock, at cost.............   2,480,333   2,301,278   2,033,487
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
    Total stockholders' equity.............  32,106,241  34,478,733  38,746,396
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
      Total................................ $76,938,464 $78,711,305 $84,416,845
                                            =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
 
                       See notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                               WINNING WAYS, INC.
 
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
                  YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1994, 1995 AND 1996 AND
            SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996 (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                  YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,                   DECEMBER 31,
                         ----------------------------------------  -------------------------
                             1994          1995          1996         1995          1996
                         ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  ------------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                      <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>
Net sales............... $128,171,107  $148,196,394  $169,320,620  $97,007,666  $104,810,936
Cost of sales...........   74,447,220    84,869,223    97,307,746   55,196,593    59,458,035
                         ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  ------------
    Gross profit........   53,723,887    63,327,171    72,012,874   41,811,073    45,352,901
Operating expenses:
  Selling...............   12,062,795    14,884,100    16,963,137    9,744,611    10,406,212
  General and
   administrative.......   17,087,995    19,544,325    22,216,193   11,334,850    12,827,644
                         ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  ------------
                           29,150,790    34,428,425    39,179,330   21,079,461    23,233,856
                         ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  ------------
    Operating income....   24,573,097    28,898,746    32,833,544   20,731,612    22,119,045
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense......   (2,455,129)   (2,522,054)   (2,608,154)  (1,475,627)   (1,465,013)
  Other.................      (13,054)     (156,869)          490      (53,180)       42,818
                         ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  ------------
                           (2,468,183)   (2,678,923)   (2,607,664)  (1,528,807)   (1,422,195)
                         ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  ------------
Net income.............. $ 22,104,914  $ 26,219,823  $ 30,225,880  $19,202,805  $ 20,696,850
                         ============  ============  ============  ===========  ============
Supplemental
 information:
  Income before income
   taxes................ $ 22,104,914  $ 26,219,823  $ 30,225,880  $19,202,805  $ 20,696,850
   Pro forma income tax
    provision, assuming
    a
    41% effective rate..    9,063,000    10,750,000    12,393,000    7,873,000     8,486,000
                         ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  ------------
Pro forma net income.... $ 13,041,914  $ 15,469,823  $ 17,832,880  $11,329,805  $ 12,210,850
                         ============  ============  ============  ===========  ============
</TABLE>
 
 
                       See notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                               WINNING WAYS, INC.
 
                 STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
                  YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1994, 1995 AND 1996 AND
                 SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             COMMON STOCK    ADDITIONAL                 TREASURY STOCK          TOTAL
                          ------------------  PAID-IN     RETAINED    --------------------  STOCKHOLDERS'
                           SHARES   AMOUNTS   CAPITAL     EARNINGS    SHARES     AMOUNTS       EQUITY
                          --------- -------- ---------- ------------  -------  -----------  -------------
<S>                       <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>           <C>      <C>          <C>
Balance, July 1, 1993 ..  1,491,000 $149,100 $  413,246 $ 29,543,853  282,250  $(2,604,250) $ 27,501,949
 Reissuance of treasury
  stock.................                          7,500                  (125)       1,875         9,375
 Net income.............                                  22,104,914                          22,104,914
 Dividends declared.....                                 (20,186,975)                        (20,186,975)
                          --------- -------- ---------- ------------  -------  -----------  ------------
Balance, June 30, 1994..  1,491,000  149,100    420,746   31,461,792  282,125   (2,602,375)   29,429,263
 Purchase of treasury
  stock.................                                                  125       (3,958)       (3,958)
 Reissuance of treasury
  stock.................                        462,000                (8,400)     126,000       588,000
 Net income.............                                  26,219,823                          26,219,823
 Dividends declared.....                                 (24,126,887)                        (24,126,887)
                          --------- -------- ---------- ------------  -------  -----------  ------------
Balance, June 30, 1995..  1,491,000  149,100    882,746   33,554,728  273,850   (2,480,333)   32,106,241
 Reissuance of treasury
  stock.................                        702,945               (12,600)     179,055       882,000
 Net income.............                                  30,225,880                          30,225,880
 Dividends declared.....                                 (28,735,388)                        (28,735,388)
                          --------- -------- ---------- ------------  -------  -----------  ------------
Balance, June 30, 1996..  1,491,000  149,100  1,585,691   35,045,220  261,250   (2,301,278)   34,478,733
 Reissuance of treasury
  stock (unaudited) ....                      1,134,396               (19,250)     267,791     1,402,187
 Net income (unau-
  dited)................                                  20,696,850                          20,696,850
 Dividends declared (un-
  audited)..............                                 (17,831,374)                        (17,831,374)
                          --------- -------- ---------- ------------  -------  -----------  ------------
Balance, December 31,
 1996 (unaudited) ......  1,491,000 $149,100 $2,720,087 $ 37,910,696  242,000  $(2,033,487) $ 38,746,396
                          ========= ======== ========== ============  =======  ===========  ============
</TABLE>
 
 
                       See notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                               WINNING WAYS, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                 YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1994, 1995, AND 1996 AND
            SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996 (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                  YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,                   DECEMBER 31,
                         ----------------------------------------  --------------------------
                             1994          1995          1996          1995          1996
                         ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                      <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Cash flows from operat-
 ing activities:
 Net income............. $ 22,104,914  $ 26,219,823  $ 30,225,880  $ 19,202,805  $ 20,696,850
 Adjustments to recon-
  cile net income to net
  cash provided by oper-
  ating activities:
 Depreciation and amor-
  tization..............    2,302,955     2,860,190     3,200,951     1,573,604     1,671,933
 (Gain) loss on sale or
  disposal of property,
  plant and equipment...        5,673       156,869         1,009        53,181       (24,567)
 Increase in cash value
  of life insurance.....     (638,166)     (519,580)     (331,967)     (243,217)     (717,682)
 Changes in operating
  assets and liabili-
  ties:
 Accounts receivable....      860,105    (4,993,971)   (4,502,972)   (5,170,011)   (3,568,720)
 Inventories............   (4,017,993)   (1,873,099)    1,701,718     5,538,886      (290,826)
 Prepaid expenses and
  other assets..........    1,331,544       271,658       665,925       810,436      (104,732)
 Accounts payable and
  accrued expenses......    2,481,751     1,783,226     3,039,727     1,772,230     1,335,811
                         ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
   Net cash provided by
    operating activi-
    ties................   24,430,783    23,905,116    34,000,271    23,537,914    18,998,067
                         ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Cash flows from invest-
 ing activities:
 Proceeds from sales of
  property, plant and
  equipment.............      259,149       733,698       131,032        27,781        48,121
 Purchases of property,
  plant and equipment...   (2,856,257)   (4,988,639)   (2,611,019)     (678,104)   (2,132,513)
                         ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
   Net cash used by in-
    vesting activities..   (2,597,108)   (4,254,941)   (2,479,987)     (650,323)   (2,084,392)
                         ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Cash flows from financ-
 ing activities:
 Net changes to short-
  term borrowings.......   (9,829,398)    6,200,000    (1,000,000)   (8,000,000)   (1,000,000)
 Proceeds from long-term
  debt..................    9,700,000                                 1,000,000     2,000,000
 Payments on long-term
  debt..................   (1,613,838)   (2,326,424)   (2,639,378)     (883,622)     (897,934)
 Dividends paid.........  (20,186,975)  (24,126,887)  (28,735,388)  (15,822,850)  (17,831,374)
 Proceeds from sale of
  treasury stock........        9,375       588,000       882,000       882,000     1,402,187
 Purchase of treasury
  stock.................                     (3,958)
                         ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
   Net cash used by fi-
    nancing activities..  (21,920,836)  (19,669,269)  (31,492,766)  (22,824,472)  (16,327,121)
                         ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
   Net increase (de-
    crease) in cash.....      (87,161)      (19,094)       27,518        63,119       586,554
Cash and cash equiva-
 lents,
 Beginning of period....      218,714       131,553       112,459       112,459       139,977
                         ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
 End of period.......... $    131,553  $    112,459  $    139,977  $    175,578  $    726,531
                         ============  ============  ============  ============  ============
Supplemental Cash Flow
 Information:
 Interest paid.......... $  2,465,752  $  2,496,989  $  2,628,291  $  1,507,078  $  1,482,921
                         ============  ============  ============  ============  ============
</TABLE>
 
                       See notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                              WINNING WAYS, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                    YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 AND
            SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996 (UNAUDITED)
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS--Winning Ways, Inc. is a leading designer,
manufacturer and marketer of high quality, custom designed sportswear and
activewear bearing names, logos and insignia of resorts, corporations,
colleges and professional sports. The Company's customer base is spread
throughout the United States.
 
  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS--The Company considers all highly liquid
investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash
equivalents.
 
  INVENTORIES--Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is
determined using the first-in, first-out method. Included in inventories are
markdown allowances of $1,570,917 and $1,922,038 at June 30, 1995 and 1996,
respectively and $1,834,386 (unaudited) at December 31, 1996.
 
  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT--Property, plant and equipment are recorded at
cost. Major renewals and betterments that extend the life of the asset are
capitalized; other repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred.
 
  Depreciation and amortization are provided for on the straight-line method
over the following estimated useful lives:
 
<TABLE>
       <S>                                                            <C>
       Buildings and improvements....................................   40 years
       Furniture and fixtures........................................ 3-10 years
</TABLE>
 
  INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS--Income or expense resulting from interest
rate swap agreements used in conjunction with on-balance sheet liabilities are
accounted for on an accrual basis and recorded as an adjustment to expense on
the matched instrument. Interest rate swap agreements that are not matched
with specific liabilities are recorded at fair value, with changes in the fair
value recognized in current operations.
 
  INCOME TAXES--Effective July 1, 1982, the Company elected to be taxed under
the S Corporation provisions of the Internal Revenue Code which provide that,
in lieu of corporate income taxes, the shareholders are taxed on the Company's
taxable income. Therefore, no provision or liability for income taxes is
reflected in the accompanying statements. The net book value of assets and
liabilities is in excess of their respective income tax basis by approximately
$1.7 million at December 31, 1996.
 
  Supplemental information relative to the Statements of Income has been
provided which reflects a provision for income taxes assuming a 41% effective
income tax rate.
 
  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.
 
  UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION--The unaudited interim financial
information as of December 31, 1996 and for the six months ended December 31,
1995 and 1996 has been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial
statements. In the opinion of management, such unaudited information includes
all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a
fair presentation of the interim information. Operating results for the six
months ended December 31, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of the results
that may be expected for the entire year ending June 30, 1997.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                              WINNING WAYS, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS--Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to be Disposed Of," was implemented on July 1, 1996. The adoption of
this Statement did not have a material impact on the Company's financial
position or results of operations.
 
2. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   JUNE 30,
                                            ----------------------- DECEMBER 31,
                                               1995        1996         1996
                                            ----------- ----------- ------------
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                         <C>         <C>         <C>
Land....................................... $ 2,442,373 $ 2,442,373 $ 2,442,373
Buildings and improvements.................  17,235,686  18,392,598  19,085,721
Furniture and fixtures.....................  15,851,182  16,722,972  17,259,705
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
                                             35,529,241  37,557,943  38,787,799
Less accumulated depreciation..............  11,779,797  14,521,591  16,157,506
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
                                             23,749,444  23,036,352  22,630,293
Construction in progress...................       1,762       2,237     850,000
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
                                            $23,751,206 $23,038,589 $23,480,293
                                            =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
 
  The net book value of assets under capital lease were $1,653,662 and
$1,576,876 at June 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and $1,538,484 (unaudited)
at December 31, 1996.
 
3. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
 
  At June 30, 1996, the Company had a $40,000,000 unsecured line of credit
with floating interest (5.37% at June 30, 1996 and 5.89% (unaudited) at
December 31, 1996). The line is subject to certain restrictions and covenants,
among them being the maintenance of certain financial ratios, the most
restrictive of which require the Company to maintain a current ratio of
greater than 1.3 to 1.0, a cash flow coverage ratio of greater than 1.5 to 1.0
and a leverage ratio of less than 3.3 to 1.0. Borrowings against this line
totaled $8,000,000 and $7,000,000 at June 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and
$6,000,000 (unaudited) at December 31, 1996.
 
  Letters of credit against this line for unshipped merchandise aggregated
$18,708,772, and $23,512,080 at June 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and
$21,989,274 (unaudited) at December 31, 1996.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                              WINNING WAYS, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
4. LONG-TERM DEBT
 
  Long-term debt consists of:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 JUNE 30,
                                          ----------------------- DECEMBER 31,
                                             1995        1996         1996
                                          ----------- ----------- ------------
                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
10.125% credit agreement with bank to
 borrow up to $10,000,000, unsecured,
 payable in monthly principal
 installments of $119,048 plus interest
 through July 1, 1997 when the remaining
 unpaid principal and accrued interest is
 due..................................... $ 5,714,286 $ 4,285,714 $ 3,571,428
Floating interest $10,000,000 line of
 credit agreement maturing in July 1997.
 Interest was 5.71% at
 June 30, 1996 and 6.00% at December 31,
 1996....................................   9,000,000   8,000,000  10,000,000
10.28% first mortgage loan, secured by
 building and equipment (with a carrying
 value of $9,556,710 at
 June 30, 1996), payable in monthly
 installments of $88,935 through February
 1, 2006 when the remaining unpaid
 principal and accrued interest is due...   9,631,130   9,550,324   9,506,676
5.78% Industrial revenue bonds, payable
 in amounts equal to the principal and
 interest payments due on the bonds
 through 1998............................     570,000     440,000     300,000
                                          ----------- ----------- -----------
                                           24,915,416  22,276,038  23,378,104
Less current portion.....................   1,639,443   1,658,160  13,819,024
                                          ----------- ----------- -----------
                                          $23,275,973 $20,617,878 $ 9,559,080
                                          =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
 
  The above agreements contain certain restrictions and covenants, the most
restrictive of which require the Company to maintain a current ratio of
greater than 1.3 to 1.0, a cash flow coverage ratio of greater than 1.5 to 1.0
and a leverage ratio of less than 3.3 to 1.0.
 
  Scheduled reduction of long-term debt at June 30, 1996 is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      YEAR ENDING JUNE 30,
      <S>                                                            <C>
      1997.......................................................... $ 1,658,160
      1998..........................................................  11,101,387
      1999..........................................................     264,942
      2000..........................................................     121,792
      2001..........................................................     134,919
      Thereafter....................................................   8,994,838
                                                                     -----------
                                                                     $22,276,038
                                                                     ===========
</TABLE>
 
  Included in the foregoing schedule of long-term debt is the following
capital lease information on the Company's 100,000 square foot manufacturing
and distribution facility:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     JUNE 30,
                                                 ----------------- DECEMBER 31,
                                                   1995     1996       1996
                                                 -------- -------- ------------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                              <C>      <C>      <C>
Total minimum lease payments.................... $639,326 $479,657   $326,731
Less amounts representing interest..............   69,326   39,657     26,731
                                                 -------- --------   --------
Present value of net minimum lease payments..... $570,000 $440,000   $300,000
                                                 ======== ========   ========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-10
<PAGE>
 
                              WINNING WAYS, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
  The Company is obligated under stock redemption agreements to repurchase all
shares owned upon the death of any stockholder and termination of key employee
stockholders. The price to be paid is determined annually by the Board of
Directors, and the Company can elect a ten year installment payment plan. The
majority of the commitment arising from these agreements is funded by life
insurance contracts.
 
  The Company, in the normal course of business, is threatened with or named
as a defendant in various lawsuits. It is not possible to determine the
ultimate disposition of these matters, however, management is of the opinion
that there are no known claims or known contingent claims that are likely to
have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial
condition, or cash flows of the Company.
 
6. PROFIT SHARING PLAN
 
  The Company provides a non-contributory defined contribution profit sharing
plan covering all eligible employees. Contributions are at the discretion of
the Board of Directors of the Company and totaled $1,079,215 and $875,756 for
the years ended June 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and $316,800 (unaudited)
for the six months ended December 31, 1995.
 
7. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK
 
  The Company engages in transactions which result in off-balance sheet risk.
Interest rate swap agreements are primarily used in conjunction with on-
balance sheet liabilities to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates.
Interest rate swap agreements are contractual agreements to exchange, or
"swap", a series of interest rate payments over a specified period, based on
an underlying notional amount but differing interest rate indices, usually
fixed and floating. The notional principal amount does not represent a cash
requirement, but merely serves as the amount used, along with the reference
rate, to calculate contractual payments. Because the instrument is a contract
or agreement rather than a cash market asset, the financial derivative
transactions described above are referred to as "off-balance sheet"
instruments.
 
  The Company attempts to minimize its credit exposure to counterparties by
entering into interest rate swap agreements only with major financial
institutions.
 
  The Company's interest rate swap agreements are used in conjunction with on-
balance sheet liabilities and were as follows:
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              WEIGHTED AVERAGE
                                       CONTRACT OR ESTIMATED   INTEREST RATE
                                        NOTIONAL     FAIR    ------------------
                                         AMOUNT      VALUE   RECEIVABLE PAYABLE
                                       ----------- --------- ---------- -------
   <S>                                 <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>
   June 30, 1995...................... $ 7,000,000 $219,000     5.83%    5.62%
   June 30, 1996......................   7,000,000  850,000     5.39     5.62
   December 31, 1996 (unaudited)......  12,900,000  557,000     5.46     5.41
</TABLE>
 
  The Company has entered into two swap agreements to exchange fixed interest
rates for floating rate debt payments. One agreement carries a notional amount
of $7,000,000 and terminates on November 18, 2000. The notional amount of the
other interest rate swap agreement fluctuates based on the Company's
anticipated level of short-term borrowing with the maximum notional amount
equalling $33,100,000. This agreement terminates on July 1, 2001.
 
                                     F-11
<PAGE>
 
                              WINNING WAYS, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
8. DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
  Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, Disclosures about Fair
Value of Financial Instruments, requires that the Company disclose estimated
fair values for its financial instruments which include cash and cash
equivalents, accounts receivables, short-term borrowings, accounts payables,
long-term debt and interest rate swap agreements.
 
  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS--The carrying amount reported on the balance sheet
represents the fair value of cash and cash equivalents.
 
  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE--The carrying amount of accounts receivable approximates
fair value because of the short-term nature of the financial instruments.
 
  SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS--Short-term borrowings have variable interest rates
which adjust daily. The carrying value of these borrowings is a reasonable
estimate of their fair value.
 
  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE--The carrying amount of accounts payable approximates fair
value because of the short-term nature of the financial instruments.
 
  LONG-TERM DEBT--Interest rates that are currently available to the Company
for issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to
estimate fair value of debt issues with fixed rates. The carrying value of
floating rate debt is a reasonable estimate of their fair value.
 
  INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS--Quoted market prices or dealer quotes are
used to estimate the fair value of interest rate swap agreements.
 
  The following summarizes the estimated fair value of financial instruments,
by type:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            JUNE 30,
                         -----------------------------------------------
                                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                  1995                    1996                    1996
                         ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
                                                                               (UNAUDITED)
                          CARRYING      FAIR      CARRYING      FAIR      CARRYING      FAIR
                           AMOUNT       VALUE      AMOUNT       VALUE      AMOUNT       VALUE
                         ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S>                      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Assets and liabilities:
Cash and cash
 equivalents............ $   112,459 $   112,459 $   139,977 $   139,977 $   726,531 $   726,531
Accounts receivable.....  18,080,480  18,080,480  22,583,452  22,583,452  26,152,172  26,152,172
Short-term borrowings...   8,000,000   8,000,000   7,000,000   7,000,000   6,000,000   6,000,000
Accounts payable........   7,383,223   7,383,223   9,667,536   9,667,536  10,708,396  10,708,396
Long-term debt..........  24,915,416  27,387,454  22,276,038  24,562,702  23,378,104  25,567,823
Off Balance Sheet
 Financial Instruments:
Interest rate swap
 agreements
 (asset/(liability)) ...         --      219,000         --      850,000         --      557,000
</TABLE>
 
  Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant
market information and information about the financial instruments. These
estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of
significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision.
 
 
                                     F-12
<PAGE>
 
                              WINNING WAYS, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
  The Company has entered into supply agreements with several affiliated
companies controlled by certain members of Company management. The agreements
allow the Company to outsource embroidery work to the affiliates in the event
that demand exceeds the Company's manufacturing capacity. Amounts paid to
these entities were $2,262,967 and $3,080,718 for the years ended June 30,
1995 and 1996, respectively, and $2,253,516 (unaudited) for the six months
ended December 31, 1996.
 
  During the six months ended December 31, 1996 (unaudited), the Company
loaned the affiliates $150,000 and $700,000 under separate promissory notes to
finance the affiliates purchase of embroidery equipment from the Company and
to provide for working capital. The equipment was sold at net book value. Each
of the promissory notes is unsecured, has an interest rate of 6.8% per annum
and matures July 1, 2000.
 
10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
  PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF THE COMPANY--On October 31, 1996, the Board of
Directors of the Company executed a letter of intent to enter into a
transaction with The Jordan Company. The anticipated transaction will include
the formation of a holding company, GFSI Holdings, Inc. ("Holdings"), which
will ultimately acquire 100% ownership of the Company through what is
anticipated to be a leveraged recapitalization transaction. Upon completion of
the transaction, Holdings will be jointly owned by investors affiliated with
The Jordan Company (50%) and current Company management (50%).
 
  In order to affect the leveraged recapitalization, GFSI, Inc. is anticipated
to be formed. GFSI, Inc. is anticipated to be capitalized with $67.7 million
of borrowings under a senior credit facility provided by a commercial bank,
$125.0 million of Senior Subordinated Notes to be purchased by institutional
investors through a Regulation 144A private placement, and $51.3 million of
equity from Holdings. Holdings is anticipated to own 100% of the operating
company, GFSI, Inc., upon completion of the transaction.
 
  These transactions are expected to be completed in February 1997. However,
there are no assurances that such transactions will be completed in the above
form, nor that the timing of such events will occur.
 
  WINNING WAYS, INC. PROFIT SHARING AND 401(K) PLAN--On August 1, 1996, the
Company amended its non-contributory defined contribution profit sharing plan
to include employee directed contributions with an annual Company
discretionary matching contribution. Participants exercise control over the
assets of his or her account and choose from a broad range of investment
alternatives. Contributions made by the Company to the plan totaled $198,834
(unaudited) for the six months ended December 31, 1996.
 
                                  * * * * * *
 
                                     F-13
<PAGE>
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
Board of Directors
GFSI Holdings, Inc.
Lenexa, Kansas
 
  We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of GFSI Holdings, Inc.
("Holdings") as of January 23, 1997. This financial statement is the
responsibility of Holdings' management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.
 
  We conducted our audit 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 statement is 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 audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, such balance sheet presents fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Holdings as of January 23, 1997 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Kansas City, Missouri
January 24, 1997
 
                                     F-14
<PAGE>
 
                              GFSI HOLDINGS, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEET
 
                                JANUARY 23, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>
                                 ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash................................................................... $100
                                                                          ----
    Total................................................................ $100
                                                                          ====
                          STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

Common stock, $.01 par value; 100,000 shares authorized; 1 share issued
 and outstanding......................................................... $  1
Additional paid-in-capital...............................................   99
                                                                          ----
    Total................................................................ $100
                                                                          ====
</TABLE>
 
 
                           See note to balance sheet.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
 
                              GFSI HOLDINGS, INC.
 
                             NOTE TO BALANCE SHEET
 
                               JANUARY 23, 1997
 
  Holdings, a Delaware corporation, was formed on December 23, 1996 to
ultimately serve as the parent owning 100% of GFSI, Inc. ( "GFSI") common
stock.
 
  GFSI intends to offer $125.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior
Subordinated Notes. The Senior Subordinated Notes will be guaranteed on an
unsecured, senior subordinated basis by substantially all of the future
subsidiaries of the Company. GFSI is expected to affect an acquisition of
Winning Ways, Inc. (the "Acquisition") for a total purchase price of $232.9.
million, subject to certain post-closing net worth adjustments. Closing of the
Acquisition is expected to occur in February 1997. Holdings is expected to
make additional capital contributions to GFSI of approximately $51.3 million.
 
  Holdings received an initial capital contribution of $100 on December 24,
1996 in exchange for 1 share of common stock. There have been no other
transactions involving Holdings as of January 23, 1997.
 
                                     F-16
<PAGE>
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
Board of Directors
GFSI, Inc.
Lenexa, Kansas
 
  We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of GFSI, Inc. ("GFSI") as of
January 23, 1997. This financial statement is the responsibility of GFSI's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial
statement based on our audit.
 
  We conducted our audit 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 statement is 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 audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, such balance sheet presents fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of GFSI as of January 23, 1997 in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Kansas City, Missouri
January 24, 1997
 
                                     F-17
<PAGE>
 
                                   GFSI, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEET
 
                                JANUARY 23, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>
                                  ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash.................................................................... $100
                                                                           ----
    Total................................................................. $100
                                                                           ====
                           STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
  Common Stock, $.01 par value; 10,000 shares authorized; 1 share issued
   and outstanding........................................................ $  1
  Additional paid-in-capital..............................................   99
                                                                           ----
    Total................................................................. $100
                                                                           ====
</TABLE>
 
 
                           See note to balance sheet.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
 
                                  GFSI, INC.
 
                             NOTE TO BALANCE SHEET
 
                               JANUARY 23, 1997
 
  GFSI, a Delaware corporation, was formed on January 15, 1997. GFSI is
intended to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of GFSI Holdings, Inc.
("Holdings") concurrent with the consummation of the acquisition of Winning
Ways, Inc. (the "Acquisition"), described below.
 
  GFSI is expected to affect an acquisition of Winning Ways, Inc. for a total
purchase price of $232.9 million, subject to certain post-closing net worth
adjustments, with closing to occur in February 1997. In order to finance the
Acquisition, GFSI intends to offer $125.0 million in aggregate principal
amount of Senior Subordinated Notes in a Rule 144A private placement
transaction.
 
  In addition to the Senior Subordinated Notes, GFSI is expecting to enter
into a new credit facility and receive contributions of capital from Holdings
in order to complete the Acquisition.
 
  GFSI received an initial capital contribution of $100 on January 16, 1997 in
exchange for 1 share of common stock. There have been no other transactions
involving GFSI as of January 23, 1997.
 
                                     F-19
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR ANY OTHER PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY
OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS
NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COM-
PANY OR BY THE INITIAL PURCHASERS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OF-
FER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY OTHER THAN SECU-
RITIES OFFERED HEREBY, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITA-
TION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY TO ANY PERSON IN
ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION
TO SUCH PERSON. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THE INFOR-
MATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HERE-
OF.
 
                               ----------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PAGE
                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                       <C>
Summary..................................................................   1
Risk Factors.............................................................  13
The Transactions.........................................................  20
Use of Proceeds..........................................................  21
Capitalization...........................................................  22
Selected Historical Financial Data.......................................  23
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and
 Financial Condition.....................................................  25
Business.................................................................  29
Management...............................................................  38
Principal Stockholders...................................................  41
The Exchange Offer.......................................................  42
Description of Notes.....................................................  51
Description of Certain Indebtedness......................................  79
Certain Transactions.....................................................  80
Plan of Distribution.....................................................  82
Federal Income Tax Consequences..........................................  82
Legal Matters............................................................  82
Experts..................................................................  83
Available Information....................................................  83
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Statements................................. P-1
Index to Financial Statements............................................ F-1
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 $125,000,000
 
                                  GFSI, INC.
 
              9 5/8% SERIES B SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
 
                               ----------------
 
                                  PROSPECTUS
 
                               ----------------
 
 
                                       , 1997
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
  (a) The Delaware General Corporation Law (Section 145) gives Delaware
corporations broad powers to indemnify their present and former directors and
officers and those of affiliated corporations against expenses incurred in the
defense of any lawsuit to which they are made parties by reason of being or
having been such directors or officers, subject to specified conditions and
exclusions; gives a director or officer who successfully defends an action the
right to be so indemnified; and authorizes the registrant to buy directors'
and officers' liability insurance. Such indemnification is not exclusive of
any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any by-laws,
agreement, vote of stockholders or otherwise.
 
  (b) The Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant requires, and the By-
Laws of the registrant provides for, indemnification of directors, officers,
employees and agents to the full extent permitted by law.
 
  (c) The Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement (the forms
of which are included as Exhibits 1 and 4.4 to this registration statement)
provide for the indemnification under certain circumstances of the registrant,
its directors and certain of its officers by the Underwriters.
 
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
  (a) Exhibits:
 
  A list of the exhibits included as part of this registration statement is
set forth in the Exhibit Index that immediately precedes such exhibits and is
incorporated herein by reference.
 
  (b) Financial Statement Schedules:
 
  All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission have been omitted
because they are not required, are inapplicable or the required information
has already been provided elsewhere in the registration statement.
 
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS
 
  (a) 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;
 
      (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
    the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
    post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
    aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
    in the 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 and of the estimated
    maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus file
    with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
    changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in
    the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
    Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.
 
      (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
    distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or
    any material change to such information in the registration statement;
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
    (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
  Securities Act of 1933, 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.
 
  (b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 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
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against 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 Act
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
  (c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
    (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
  1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
  this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
  form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
  (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
  registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
    (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
  of 1933, each post-effecitve amendment that contains a form of prospectus
  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.
 
  (d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Item 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 the registration statement through
the date of responding to the request.
 
  (e) 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 the registration statement when it became effective.
 
  (f) The registrant has not entered into any arrangement or understanding
with any person to distribute the securities to be received in the Exchange
Offer and to the best of the registrant's information and belief, each person
participating in the Exchange Offer is acquiring the securities in its
ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in the distribution of the securities to be received in
the Exchange Offer. In this regard, the registrant will make each person
participating in the Exchange Offer aware (through the Exchange Offer
Prospectus or otherwise) that if the Exchange Offer is being registered for
the purpose of secondary resales, any securityholder using the exchange offer
to participate in a distribution of the securities to be acquired in the
registered exchange offer (1) could not rely on the staff position enunciated
in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available April 13, 1989) or similar
letters and (2) must comply with registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale
transaction. The registrant acknowledges that such a secondary resale
transaction should be covered by an effective registration statement
containing the selling securityholder information required by Item 507 of
Regulation S-K.
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
 
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York,
State of New York, on March 28, 1997.
 
                                          GFSI, INC.
 
                                               /s/ A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                          By __________________________________
                                                 A. RICHARD CAPUTO, JR.
                                               VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR
 
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
  Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints A.
Richard Caputo, Jr., John L. Menghini and Robert G. Shaw, and each of them,
the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in the name, place and stead
of the undersigned and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, in any and
all capabilities, to sign any and all amendments and any registration
statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (including post-effective amendments thereto and other documents in
connection therewith), with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby
grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on March 28, 1997.
 
             SIGNATURES                           TITLE
             ----------                           -----
 
         /s/ Robert M. Wolff              Chairman and a Director
- -------------------------------------
           ROBERT M. WOLFF
 
        /s/ John L. Menghini              President, Chief Operating Officer
- -------------------------------------      and a Director
          JOHN L. MENGHINI                (Principal Executive Officer)
 
         /s/ Robert G. Shaw               Senior Vice President, Finance and a
- -------------------------------------      Director (Principal Financial and
           ROBERT G. SHAW                  Accounting Officer)
 
        /s/ Larry D. Graveel              Senior Vice President, Merchandising
- -------------------------------------      and a Director
          LARRY D. GRAVEEL
 
     /s/ A. Richard Caputo, Jr.           Vice President and a Director
- -------------------------------------
       A. RICHARD CAPUTO, JR.
 
        /s/ John W. Jordan II             Director
- -------------------------------------
          JOHN W. JORDAN II
 
       /s/ David W. Zalaznick             Director
- -------------------------------------
         DAVID W. ZALAZNICK
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                           DESCRIPTION                            SEQ. #
 -------                          -----------                            ------
 <C>     <S>                                                             <C>
  1      Purchase Agreement, dated February 27, 1997, by and among
         GFSI, Inc., Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
         Corporation and Jefferies & Company, Inc.
  2.1++  Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Stock, dated January 24,
         1997, among GFSI Holdings, Inc., GFSI, Inc. and the
         Shareholders of Winning Ways, Inc.
  2.2    Amendment No. 1 to Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Stock,
         dated February 27, 1997, among GFSI Holdings, Inc., GFSI,
         Inc. and the Shareholders of Winning Ways, Inc.
  2.3    Plan of Merger, dated February 27, 1997, between GFSI, Inc.
         and Winning Ways, Inc.
  3.1    Certificate of Incorporation of GFSI, Inc.
  3.2    Bylaws of GFSI, Inc.
  4.1    Indenture, dated February 27, 1997, between GFSI, Inc. and
         Fleet National Bank, as Trustee
  4.2    Global Series A Senior Subordinated Note
  4.3    Form of Global Series B Senior Subordinated Note
  4.4    Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 27, 1997, by
         and among GFSI, Inc., Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
         Corporation and Jefferies & Company, Inc.
  4.5    Subscription and Stockholders Agreement, dated February 27,
         1997, by and among GFSI, Inc. and the investors listed
         thereto
  4.6    Deferred Limited Interest Guaranty, dated February 27, 1997
         by GFSI, Inc. to MCIT PLC
  5      Opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt
  8      Tax Opinion
 10.1++  Credit Agreement, dated February 27, 1997, by and among GFSI,
         Inc., the lenders listed thereto and The First National Bank
         of Chicago, as Agent
 10.2++  Security Agreement, dated February 27, 1997, between GFSI,
         Inc. and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Agent
 10.3    Trademark Security Agreement, dated February 27, 1997,
         between GFSI, Inc. and The First National Bank of Chicago, as
         Agent
 10.4++  Mortgage, Security Agreement, Financing Statement and
         Assignment of Rents and Leases, dated February 27, 1997, by
         GFSI, Inc. in favor of The First National Bank of Chicago
 10.5(a) Restricted Account Agreement, dated February 27, 1997,
         between GFSI, Inc. and Boatmen's National Bank
 10.5(b) Restricted Account Agreement, dated February 27, 1997,
         between GFSI, Inc. and Hillcrest Bank
 10.6    Tax Sharing Agreement, dated February 27, 1997, between GFSI,
         Inc. and GFSI Holdings, Inc.
 10.7    Management Consulting Agreement, dated February 27, 1997,
         between GFSI Holdings, Inc. and TJC Management Corporation
 10.8    Employment Agreement, dated February 27, 1997, between GFSI,
         Inc. and Robert M. Wolff
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                           DESCRIPTION                           SEQ. #
 -------                          -----------                           ------
 <C>     <S>                                                            <C>
  10.9   Noncompetition Agreement, dated February 27, 1997, between
         GFSI Holdings, Inc. and Robert M. Wolff
  10.10  Form of Indemnification Agreement, dated February 27, 1997,
         between GFSI Holdings, Inc. and its director and executive
         officers
  12     Statement re: Computation of Ratios
  16     Letter re: Change in Certifying Accountant
         Consent of Mayer, Brown & Platt (included in the opinion
  23.1   filed as Exhibit 5)
  23.2   Consent of Deloitte & Touche
  23.3   Consent of Donnelly Meiners Jordan and Kline
         Power of Attorney (included on the signature page in Part II
  24     of the Registration Statement)
  25     Statement of eligibility of Trustee
  27     Financial Data Schedule
  99     Form of Letter of Transmittal
</TABLE>
 
++ The schedules and exhibits to the agreements have not been filed pursuant
   to Items 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. Such schedules and exhibits will be
   filed supplementally upon the request of the Securities and Exchange
   Commission.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  Execution Copy

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








                                   GFSI, INC.



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


                                  $125,000,000
                    9 5/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007

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


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

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                          DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 20, 1997

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










Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette                           Jefferies & Company, Inc.
  Securities Corporation

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                                                               February 20, 1997



DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
   SECURITIES CORPORATION
JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.
  c/o Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
        Securities Corporation
    277 Park Avenue
    New York, New York  10172

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY") and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of GFSI Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("HOLDINGS"), proposes
to issue and sell an aggregate of $125,000,000 in principal amount of 9 5/8%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "SERIES A NOTES") of the Company to
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation ("DLJ") and Jefferies &
Company, Inc. ("JEFFERIES" and, together with DLJ, the "INITIAL PURCHASERS").
The payment of principal, premium, interest and liquidated damages on the Notes
will be unconditionally guaranteed (the "NOTES GUARANTEE") on a senior
subordinated basis by all future Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the
Offering Memorandum (as defined)) of the Company (the "GUARANTORS"). The Series
A Notes and the Series B Notes (as defined) will be issued pursuant to an
indenture (the "INDENTURE") between the Company and Fleet National Bank, as
trustee (the "TRUSTEE").

     Pursuant to an agreement (the "STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT") to be dated the
Closing Date (as defined) among the Company, Holdings and the Stockholders (the
"STOCKHOLDERS") of Winning Ways, Inc., a Missouri corporation, the Company and
Holdings have agreed to purchase all of the outstanding shares of common stock
of Winning Ways, Inc. from the Stockholders (the "ACQUISITION"). Upon
consummation of the Acquisition, Winning Ways, Inc. will merge with and into the
Company (the "MERGER") with the Company being the surviving entity. The Stock
Purchase Agreement, the related agreements (including but not limited to the
Subscription and Stockholders Agreement dated as of the Closing Date by and
among the Company and the Stockholders) governing the terms of the Acquisition,
and all closing documents relating to the closing of the Acquisition are herein
referred to as the "ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS."

     1. ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES. The Series A Notes will be offered and sold to
the Initial Purchasers pursuant to an exemption from the registration
requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "ACT"). The
Company has prepared a preliminary offering memorandum, dated February 3, 1997
(the "PRELIMINARY OFFERING MEMORANDUM"), and a final offering memorandum, dated
February 20, 1997 (the "OFFERING MEMORANDUM" and, together with the Preliminary
Offering Memorandum, the "OFFERING DOCUMENTS"), relating to the Company and the
Series A Notes.

     Upon original issuance thereof, and until such time as the same is no
longer required under the applicable requirements of the Act, the Series A Notes
(and all securities issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof)
shall bear the following legend:

          "THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS


                                        1
<PAGE>
 
          ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER
          SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES
          ACT"), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR
          OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN
          APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY
          EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON
          THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE
          SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT
          (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED,
          ONLY (1) (a) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER
          REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN
          RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE
          REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (b) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE
          REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) OUTSIDE THE
          UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE
          REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE
          WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
          SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE COMPANY SO
          REQUESTS), (2) TO THE COMPANY OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE
          REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY
          APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY
          OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH
          SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER FROM IT OF THE
          SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN (A)
          ABOVE."

     2. AGREEMENTS TO SELL AND PURCHASE. On the basis of the representations and
warranties contained in, and subject to the terms and conditions of, this
Agreement, (i) the Company agrees to issue and sell the Series A Notes to the
Initial Purchasers, and (ii) each Initial Purchaser agrees, severally and not
jointly, to purchase Series A Notes from the Company in the principal amount set
forth opposite the name of such Initial Purchaser in Schedule I at a price of
97% of the principal amount of the Series A Notes (the "PURCHASE PRICE").

     3. TERM OF OFFERING. The Initial Purchasers have advised the Company that
the Initial Purchasers will make offers (the "EXEMPT RESALES") of the Series A
Notes purchased by the Initial Purchasers hereunder on the terms set forth in
the Offering Memorandum, as amended or supplemented, solely to (i) persons
(each, a "144A PURCHASER") whom the Initial Purchasers reasonably believe to be
"qualified institutional buyers" as defined in Rule 144A under the Act ("QIBs"),
(ii) a limited number of other institutional "accredited investors," as defined
in Rule 501(a) (1), (2), (3) and (7) under the Act, that make certain
representations and agreements to the Company (each, an "ACCREDITED
INSTITUTION") and (iii) to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in
reliance upon Regulation S ("REGULATION S") under the Act (such persons
specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) being referred to herein as the
"ELIGIBLE PURCHASERS"). The Initial Purchasers will offer the Series A Notes to
Eligible Purchasers initially at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount
thereof. Such price may be changed at any time without notice.

     Holders (including subsequent transferees) of the Series A Notes will have
the registration rights set forth in the registration rights agreement (the
"REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT"), to be dated the Closing Date, in substantially
the form of Exhibit A hereto, for so long as such Series A Notes constitute
"TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES" (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement).


                                        2
<PAGE>
 
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will agree to file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "COMMISSION"), under the
circumstances set forth therein, (i) a registration statement under the Act (the
"EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT") relating to (A) the Company's 9 5/8%
Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "SERIES B NOTES" and, together
with the Series A Notes, the "NOTES") to be offered in exchange for the Series A
Notes (such offer to exchange being referred to as the "REGISTERED EXCHANGE
OFFER") and/or (ii) a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under
the Act (the "SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT" and together with the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, the "REGISTRATION STATEMENTS") relating to the resale by
certain holders of the Series A Notes, and to use their best efforts to cause
such Registration Statements to be declared effective. This Agreement, the
Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement, the New Credit Agreement (as
defined) and the Acquisition Documents are hereinafter referred to collectively
as the "OPERATIVE DOCUMENTS." The Equity Contribution (as defined in the
Offering Memorandum), the consummation of the offering of the Notes, the
execution of the New Credit Agreement, the consummation of the Acquisition and
the repayment of the Company's Existing Indebtedness (as defined in the Offering
Memorandum) are collectively referred to herein as the "TRANSACTIONS."

     4. DELIVERY AND PAYMENT. Delivery to the Initial Purchasers by the Company
of, and payment by the Initial Purchasers for, the Series A Notes shall be made
at 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on February 27, 1997 (or such other date as
the Company and the Initial Purchasers may agree) (the "CLOSING DATE") at the
offices of Mayer, Brown & Platt, 1675 Broadway, New York, New York 10019.

     One or more Series A Notes in definitive form (the "GLOBAL NOTE"),
registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the Depository Trust Company
("DTC"), or such other names as the Initial Purchasers may request upon at least
one business days' notice to the Company, having an aggregate principal amount
corresponding to the aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes sold pursuant
to Exempt Resales, shall be delivered by the Company to the Initial Purchasers,
against payment by the Initial Purchasers of the purchase price thereof by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Company
at least one business day prior to the Closing Date. The Global Note shall be
made available to the Initial Purchasers for inspection at the offices of DLJ
not later than 9:30 a.m. on the business day immediately preceding the Closing
Date.

     5. AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY. The Company agrees with the Initial
Purchasers:

          (a) To advise the Initial Purchasers promptly and, if requested by the
     Initial Purchasers, to confirm such advice in writing, (i) of receipt of
     any notification with respect to the issuance by any state securities
     commission of any stop order suspending the qualification or exemption from
     qualification of any of the Series A Notes for offering or sale in any
     jurisdiction designated by the Initial Purchasers pursuant to Section 5(f),
     or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose by any state
     securities commission or other regulatory authority, and (ii) of the
     happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in
     the Offering Documents (or any amendment or supplement thereto) untrue or
     that requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Offering
     Documents (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in order to make the
     statements therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they are
     made, not misleading. The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the
     issuance of any stop order or order suspending the qualification or
     exemption from qualification of the Series A Notes under any state
     securities or Blue Sky laws, and, if at any time any state securities
     commission or other regulatory authority shall issue any stop order or
     order suspending the qualification or exemption


                                        3
<PAGE>
 
     from qualification of any of the Series A Notes under any state securities
     or Blue Sky laws, the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain the
     withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time.

          (b) To furnish to the Initial Purchasers, without charge, as many
     copies of the Offering Documents, and any amendments or supplements
     thereto, as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request. The Company
     consents to the use of the Offering Documents, and any amendments or
     supplements thereto, by the Initial Purchasers in connection with Exempt
     Resales.

          (c) Not to amend or supplement the Offering Memorandum, whether before
     or after the Closing Date, unless (i) the Initial Purchasers have been
     previously advised thereof, and (ii) the Initial Purchasers have not
     reasonably objected thereto (unless in the opinion of counsel to the
     Company such amendment or supplement is necessary, in the judgment of
     counsel to the Company, to make the statements made in the Offering
     Memorandum not misleading); and to prepare, promptly upon the Initial
     Purchasers' request, any amendment or supplement to the Offering Memorandum
     that the Initial Purchasers deem necessary or advisable in connection with
     Exempt Resales (except to the extent any such amendment or supplement
     requested would, in the judgment of counsel to the Company, render the
     statements made in the Offering Memorandum, as proposed to be amended or
     supplemented, misleading).

          (d) If, after the date hereof, in the opinion of counsel for the
     Initial Purchasers, any event shall occur as a result of which it becomes
     necessary to amend or supplement the Offering Memorandum to comply with any
     law or to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances at
     the time that the Offering Memorandum is delivered to an Eligible Purchaser
     which is a prospective purchaser, not misleading, to promptly (i) prepare
     an appropriate amendment or supplement to the Offering Memorandum so that
     the statements in the Offering Memorandum, as so amended or supplemented,
     will comply with all applicable laws and will not, in the light of the
     circumstances at the time it is so delivered, be misleading, and (ii)
     furnish each Initial Purchaser with such number of copies of the Offering
     Memorandum, as amended or supplemented, as such Initial Purchaser may
     reasonably request.

          (e) Prior to the earlier of consummation of the Exchange Offer or the
     effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement if, in the reasonable
     judgment of the Initial Purchasers, the Initial Purchasers or any of their
     affiliates (as such term is defined in the rules and regulations under the
     Act) are required to deliver an offering memorandum in connection with
     sales of, or market-making activities with respect to, the Notes, (A) to
     periodically amend or supplement the Offering Memorandum so that the
     information contained in the Offering Memorandum complies with the
     requirements of Rule 144A of the Act, (B) to amend or supplement the
     Offering Memorandum when necessary to reflect any material changes in the
     information provided therein so that the Offering Memorandum will not
     contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
     material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light
     of the circumstances existing as of the date the Offering Memorandum is so
     delivered, not misleading and (C) to provide the Initial Purchasers with
     copies of each such amended or supplemented Offering Memorandum, as the
     Initial Purchasers may reasonably request.

          Following the consummation of the Exchange Offer or the effectiveness
     of a Shelf Registration Statement and for so long as the Notes are
     outstanding if, in the reasonable judgment of the Initial Purchasers, the
     Initial Purchasers or any of their affiliates (as such term is defined in
     the rules and regulations under the Act) are required to deliver a
     prospectus in connection with sales of, or market-making activities with
     respect to, the Notes, (A) to periodically amend the


                                        4
<PAGE>
 
     applicable registration statement so that the information contained therein
     complies with the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Act, (B) to amend
     the applicable registration statement or supplement the related prospectus
     or the documents incorporated therein when necessary to reflect any
     material changes in the information provided therein so that the
     registration statement and the prospectus will not contain any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
     in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
     existing as of the date the prospectus is so delivered, not misleading and
     (C) to provide the Initial Purchasers with copies of each amendment or
     supplement filed and such other documents as the Initial Purchasers may
     reasonably request.

          The Company hereby expressly acknowledges that the indemnification and
     contribution provisions of Section 8 hereof are specifically applicable and
     relate to each offering memorandum, registration statement, prospectus,
     amendment or supplement referred to in this Section 5(e).

          (f) To (i) cooperate with the Initial Purchasers and counsel for the
     Initial Purchasers in connection with the qualification of the Series A
     Notes for offer and sale by the Initial Purchasers under the state
     securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Initial Purchasers
     may request, (ii) continue such qualification in effect so long as required
     for Exempt Resales of the Series A Notes and (iii) file such consents to
     service of process or other documents as may be necessary in order to
     effect such qualification; provided that in no event shall the Company be
     obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now
     so qualified, or take any action which would subject it to general service
     of process in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.

          (g) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, to file reports
     pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
     amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT"), and, during the period of three years
     following the date of this Agreement, to deliver to the Initial Purchasers,
     promptly upon their becoming available, (i) copies of all current, regular
     and periodic reports filed by the Company with any securities exchange or
     with the Commission or any governmental authority succeeding to any of the
     Commission's functions, and (ii) copies of each report or other publicly
     available information of the Company mailed to the holders of Notes and
     such other publicly available information concerning the Company and its
     subsidiaries as the Initial Purchasers may request.

          (h) To use the proceeds from the sale of the Series A Notes in the
     manner specified in the Offering Documents (and any amendments or
     supplements thereto) under the captions "Use of Proceeds" and "The
     Transactions."

          (i) Not to voluntarily claim, and to resist actively any attempts to
     claim, the benefit of any usury laws against the holders of the Notes.

          (j) Except as otherwise agreed to by the parties hereto, to pay all
     costs, expenses, fees and taxes incident to:

               (1) the preparation, printing, filing and distribution under the
          Act of the Offering Documents (including financial statements and
          exhibits) and all amendments and supplements to any of them;

               (2) the printing and delivery of the Operative Documents, the
          Series A


                                        5
<PAGE>
 
          Notes, the preliminary and supplemental Blue Sky memoranda and all
          other agreements, memoranda, correspondence and other documents
          printed and delivered in connection herewith and with the Exempt
          Resales (including in each case any disbursements of counsel to the
          Initial Purchasers relating to such printing and delivery);

               (3) the issuance and delivery by the Company of the Series A
          Notes;

               (4) the registration or qualification of the Series A Notes for
          offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of the several
          states (including in each case the fees and disbursements of counsel
          to the Initial Purchasers relating to such registration or
          qualification and memoranda relating thereto);

               (5) furnishing such copies of the Offering Documents (including
          all documents incorporated by reference therein) and all amendments
          and supplements thereto as may be requested for use in connection with
          the Exempt Resales;

               (6) the rating of the Series A Notes by rating agencies, if any;

               (7) all expenses and listing fees in connection with the
          application for quotation of the Series A Notes in the National
          Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System -
          PORTAL ("PORTAL");

               (8) all fees and expenses (including fees and expenses of
          counsel) of the Company in connection with approval of the Series A
          Notes by DTC for "book-entry" transfer; and

               (9) the performance by the Company of its other obligations under
          this Agreement.

          (k) If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to any of the
     provisions hereof (otherwise than a default by the Initial Purchasers) or
     if for any reason the Company shall be unable or unwilling to perform its
     obligations hereunder, the Company shall, except as otherwise agreed by the
     parties hereto, reimburse the Initial Purchasers for the fees and expenses
     to be paid or reimbursed pursuant to Section 5(j) above, and reimburse the
     Initial Purchasers for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including the
     reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Initial Purchasers) incurred
     by the Initial Purchasers in connection with the transactions contemplated
     by this Agreement.

          (l) Prior to the Closing Date, to furnish to the Initial Purchasers,
     as soon as they have been prepared by the Company, a copy of any
     consolidated financial statements of the Company for any period subsequent
     to the period covered by the financial statements appearing in the Offering
     Documents.

          (m) To cause all future Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that
     become co-obligors with respect to the obligations of the Company under the
     credit agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between the Company and The
     First National Bank of Chicago, as contractual representative, and other
     lenders thereunder (the "NEW CREDIT AGREEMENT"), to concurrently become
     guarantors with respect to the Notes pursuant to the terms of the
     Indenture.

          (n) Not to distribute prior to the Closing Date any offering material
     in connection


                                        6
<PAGE>
 
     with the offering and sale of the Series A Notes other than the Offering
     Documents.

          (o) Not to sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise
     negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in the Act) that would be
     integrated with the sale of the Series A Notes in a manner that would
     require the registration under the Act of the sale to the Initial
     Purchasers or the Eligible Purchasers of Series A Notes.

          (p) For so long as any of the Notes remain outstanding and during any
     period in which the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
     Exchange Act, to make available to any Eligible Purchaser or beneficial
     owner of Notes in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective
     purchaser of such Notes from such Eligible Purchaser or beneficial owner,
     the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Act.

          (q) To comply with their agreements in the Registration Rights
     Agreement, and all agreements set forth in the representation letters of
     the Company to DTC relating to the approval of the Series A Notes by DTC
     for "book-entry" transfer.

          (r) To cause the Registered Exchange Offer, if available, to be made
     in the appropriate form, as contemplated by the Registration Rights
     Agreement, to permit registration of the Series B Notes to be offered in
     exchange for the Series A Notes and to comply with all applicable federal
     and state securities laws in connection with the Registered Exchange Offer.

          (s) To use its best efforts to effect the inclusion of the Series A
     Notes in PORTAL.

          (t) To use its best efforts to do and perform all things required or
     necessary to be done and performed under this Agreement by the Company
     prior to the Closing Date and to satisfy all conditions precedent to the
     delivery of the Series A Notes and the issuance of the Guarantees.

          (u) During the period beginning from the date hereof and continuing to
     and including the date that is 180 days after the Closing Date, not to
     offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, except as provided
     hereunder, any securities of the Company (other than the Series B Notes)
     that are substantially similar to the Notes including but not limited to
     any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that
     represent the right to receive, Notes or any such substantially similar
     securities (other than pursuant to employee stock option plans existing on,
     or upon the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable
     securities outstanding as of, the date of this Agreement), without your
     prior written consent.

          (v) Not to cause any advertisement of the Notes to be published in any
     newspaper or periodical or posted in any public place and not to issue any
     circular relating to the Notes, except such advertisements that include the
     statements required by Regulation S.

     6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company represents
and warrants to each Initial Purchaser that (for purposes of this Section 6,
references to the "Company" shall be deemed to include the Company after giving
pro forma effect to the Transactions (as defined in the Offering Memorandum):

          (a) The Offering Documents have been prepared in connection with the
     Exempt Resales. The Preliminary Offering Memorandum as of its date did not,
     and the Offering Memorandum as of its date does not and as of the Closing
     Date will not, and any amendment or


                                        7
<PAGE>
 
     supplement thereto will not, contain any untrue statement of a material
     fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
     statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
     made, not misleading, except that the representations and warranties
     contained in this paragraph (a) shall not apply to statements or omissions
     in the Offering Documents (or any amendment or supplement thereto) based
     upon information relating to the Initial Purchasers furnished to the
     Company in writing by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers expressly for
     use therein. No stop order preventing the use of the any of the Offering
     Documents, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any order asserting
     that any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to
     the registration requirements of the Act, have been issued.

          (b) The Company has been, and after giving effect to the Acquisition
     pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Documents, will be, a corporation
     duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
     jurisdiction of incorporation, and has, and after giving effect to the
     Acquisition pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Documents, will have,
     full corporate power and authority to carry on its business as it is
     currently being and is proposed to be conducted and to own, lease and
     operate its properties, and has been, and after giving effect to the
     Acquisition pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Documents, will be,
     duly qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation registered to
     do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or its
     ownership or leasing of property requires or will require such
     qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified would not be
     reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the condition
     (financial or other), business, property, prospects, net worth or results
     of operations of the Company (a "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT"). All of the
     outstanding capital stock of the Company has been, and after giving effect
     to the Acquisition pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Documents, will
     be, duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and
     not subject to preemptive or similar rights other than as set forth in the
     Operative Documents. The Company has, and after giving effect to the
     Acquisition pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Documents, will have,
     all necessary corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its
     obligations under the Operative Documents and to issue, sell and deliver
     the Series A Notes to the Initial Purchasers. The Company has, and after
     giving effect to the Acquisition pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition
     Documents, will have, no subsidiaries.

          (c) The Company is not, and after giving effect to the Acquisition,
     will not be, in violation of its charter or bylaws or in default in any
     material respect in the performance of any obligation, agreement or
     condition contained in any bond, debenture, note or any other evidence of
     indebtedness or in any other agreement, indenture or instrument material to
     the conduct of the business of the Company to which the Company is a party
     or by which the Company or its property is bound.

          (d) The execution, delivery and performance of the Operative Documents
     by the Company, compliance by the Company with the provisions of the
     Operative Documents and the Series A Notes, and the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents and the Series A Notes
     does not conflict with or constitute a breach of any of the terms or
     provisions of, or a default under, or result in the imposition of a lien or
     encumbrance on any properties of the Company or an acceleration of
     indebtedness pursuant to, (i) the charter or bylaws of the Company, (ii)
     any bond, debenture, note, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other
     agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the
     Company or its property is bound, or (iii) any law or administrative
     regulation applicable to the Company or any of its assets or properties, or
     any judgment, order or decree of any court or governmental agency


                                        8
<PAGE>
 
     or authority entered in any proceeding to which the Company was or is now a
     party or to which the Company or its properties may be subject, except, in
     the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), for any such conflict, breach, default
     or imposition of a lien that would not be reasonably likely to have a
     Material Adverse Effect. No consent, approval, authorization or order of,
     or filing or registration with, any regulatory body, administrative agency,
     or other governmental agency (except as securities or Blue Sky laws of the
     various states may require) that has not been made or obtained is required
     for the execution, delivery and performance of the Operative Documents and
     the valid issuance and sale of the Series A Notes. No consents or waivers
     from any person are required to consummate the transactions contemplated by
     the Operative Documents and the Offering Documents other than such consents
     and waivers as have been or, prior to the Closing Date, will be obtained,
     except where the failure to obtain any such consents or waivers,
     individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to have a
     Material Adverse Effect or adversely effect the ability to consummate the
     Transactions.

          (e) This Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed by
     each of the Company and (assuming the due execution and delivery thereof by
     the Initial Purchasers) is a legally valid and binding obligation of the
     Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms,
     except as the enforceability thereof may be (i) subject to applicable
     bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws in
     effect which affect the enforcement of creditors rights generally, (ii)
     limited by general principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding
     at law or in equity) and (iii) limited by securities laws prohibiting or
     limiting the availability of, and public policy against, indemnification or
     contribution.

          (f) Each of the Company, Holdings and the Stockholders, as applicable,
     has duly authorized the Acquisition Documents, and, when the Company,
     Holdings and the Stockholders, as applicable, have duly executed and
     delivered the Acquisition Documents, the Acquisition Documents will be a
     legally valid and binding obligation of each of the Company, Holdings and
     the Stockholders, as applicable, enforceable against each of them in
     accordance with their terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be
     (i) subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
     reorganization or similar laws in effect which affect the enforcement of
     creditors rights generally and (ii) limited by general principles of equity
     (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

          (g) The Company has duly authorized the Indenture, and when the
     Company has duly executed and delivered it (assuming the due authorization,
     execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee), the Indenture will be a
     legally valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against
     the Company in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability
     thereof may be (i) subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
     moratorium, reorganization or similar laws in effect which affect the
     enforcement of creditors rights generally and (ii) limited by general
     principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in
     equity).

          (h) The Company has duly authorized the Series A Notes and, when
     issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and
     delivered to and paid for by the Initial Purchasers in accordance with the
     terms hereof, the Series A Notes will conform to the description thereof in
     the Offering Memorandum, and will be legally valid and binding obligations
     of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their
     terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be (i) subject to
     applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar
     laws in effect which affect the enforcement of creditors rights generally
     and (ii) limited by general principles of equity (whether considered in a
     proceeding at law or in equity).


                                        9
<PAGE>
 
          (i) The Company has duly authorized the Series B Notes and, when
     issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Registration
     Rights Agreement and the Indenture, the Series B Notes will conform to the
     description thereof in the Offering Memorandum, and will be legally valid
     and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
     accordance with their terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be
     (i) subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
     reorganization or similar laws in effect which affect the enforcement of
     creditors rights generally and (ii) limited by general principles of equity
     (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

          (j) The Company has duly authorized the Registration Rights Agreement,
     and when the Company has executed and delivered it (assuming the due
     execution and delivery thereof by the Initial Purchasers), the Registration
     Rights Agreement will be a legally valid and binding obligation of the
     Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms,
     except as the enforceability thereof may be (i) subject to applicable
     bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws in
     effect which affect the enforcement of creditors rights generally, (ii)
     limited by general principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding
     at law or in equity) and (iii) limited by securities laws prohibiting or
     limiting the availability of, and public policy against, indemnification or
     contribution.

          (k) There is, and after giving effect to the Acquisition pursuant to
     the terms of the Acquisition Documents, will be, (i) no action, suit or
     proceeding before or by any court, arbitrator or governmental agency, body
     or official, domestic or foreign, now pending or, to the knowledge of the
     Company, threatened or contemplated to which the Company is or may be a
     party or to which the business or property of the Company is or may be
     subject, (ii) no statute, rule, regulation or order that has been enacted,
     adopted or issued by any governmental agency or, to the best knowledge of
     the Company, proposed by any governmental body and (iii) no injunction,
     restraining order or order of any nature issued by a federal or state court
     of competent jurisdiction to which the Company is or may be subject that,
     in the case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, (A) is required to be
     disclosed in the Offering Memorandum and that is not so disclosed, (B)
     would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (C) would
     interfere with or adversely affect the issuance of the Series A Notes or
     the consummation of the Acquisition or (D) in any manner draw into question
     the validity of the Operative Documents or the Series A Notes.

          (l) Following consummation of the Transactions, no holder of any
     security of the Company has any right to require registration of any
     security of the Company.

          (m) The Company is not, and after giving effect to the Acquisition
     pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Documents, will not be, involved
     in any material labor dispute nor, to the knowledge of the Company, is any
     material dispute threatened which, if such dispute were to occur, would be
     reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (n) The Company has not, and after giving effect to the Acquisition,
     will not have, violated any safety or similar law applicable to its
     business, nor any federal or state law relating to discrimination in the
     hiring, promotion or pay of employees nor any applicable federal or state
     wages and hours laws, nor any provisions of the Employee Retirement Income
     Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), or the rules and regulations
     promulgated thereunder, except for such instances of noncompliance that,
     either singly or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to have a
     Material Adverse Effect.


                                       10
<PAGE>
 
          (o) Except as set forth in the Offering Memorandum, the Company is,
     and after giving effect to the Acquisition, will be, in compliance with all
     applicable existing federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations
     (collectively, "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS") relating to protection of human health
     or the environment or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning
     any Hazardous Material (as defined below), except for such instances of
     noncompliance that, either singly or in the aggregate, would not be
     reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. The term "HAZARDOUS
     MATERIAL" means (i) any "hazardous substance" as defined by the
     Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of
     1980, as amended, (ii) any "hazardous waste" as defined by the Resource
     Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, (iii) any petroleum or petroleum
     product, (iv) any polychlorinated biphenyl and (v) any pollutant or
     contaminant or hazardous, dangerous or toxic chemical, material, waste or
     substance regulated under or within the meaning of any other Environmental
     Law. Except as set forth in the Offering Memorandum, there is, and after
     giving effect to the Acquisition, there will be, to the best knowledge and
     information of the Company, no alleged or potential liability (including,
     without limitation, alleged or potential liability for investigatory costs,
     cleanup costs, governmental response costs, natural resources damages,
     property damages, personal injuries, or penalties) of the Company arising
     out of, based on, or resulting from (1) the presence or release into the
     environment of any Hazardous Material at any location currently or
     previously owned by the Company or at any location currently or previously
     used or leased by the Company, or (2) any violation or alleged violation of
     any Environmental Law, except in each case with respect to clause (1) and
     (2), alleged or potential liabilities that, singly or in the aggregate,
     would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (p) The Company owns or possesses, and after giving effect to the
     Acquisition pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Documents, will own
     and possess, the patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights,
     know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable
     proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures),
     trademarks, service marks and trade names (collectively, "INTELLECTUAL
     PROPERTY") presently or proposed to be employed by it in connection with
     the businesses now or proposed to be operated by it, except where the
     failure to own or possess such Intellectual Property would not, either
     singly or in the aggregate, be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
     Effect, and the Company has not received any notice that its use of any
     Intellectual Property allegedly infringes upon, or conflicts with, rights
     asserted by others, except for such instances that, singly or in the
     aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect
     if an unfavorable decision, judgment, ruling or finding is rendered against
     the Company.

          (q) All income tax returns required to be filed by the Company in any
     jurisdiction have been, and after giving effect to the Acquisition pursuant
     to the terms of the Acquisition Documents, will be, filed, and all material
     taxes (including, but not limited to, withholding taxes, penalties and
     interest, assessments, fees and other charges due or claimed to be due from
     any taxing authority) have been paid other than those (i) being contested
     in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been provided, or (ii)
     currently payable without penalty or interest.

          (r) Except as set forth in the Offering Memorandum or that, singly or
     in the aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
     Effect, (i) the Company has, and after giving effect to the Acquisition
     pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Documents, will have, (1) such
     permits, licenses, franchises and authorizations of governmental or
     regulatory authorities ("PERMITS") as are necessary to own, lease and
     operate its respective properties and to conduct its business as presently
     conducted, and (2) fulfilled and performed all of its material obligations
     with respect to the Permits, and (ii) no event has occurred that would


                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     allow, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or
     termination of any Permit or that would result in any other material
     impairment of the rights granted to the Company under any Permit, and the
     Company has no reason to believe that any governmental body or agency is
     considering limiting, suspending or revoking any Permit.

          (s) Except as set forth in the Offering Memorandum or that, singly or
     in the aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
     Effect, (i) the Company has, and after giving effect to the Acquisition
     pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Documents, will have, good and
     marketable title, free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances and
     restrictions except liens for taxes not yet due and payable, to all
     property and assets described in the Offering Memorandum as being owned by
     it, (ii) each lease to which the Company is a party is, and after giving
     effect to the Acquisition pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition
     Documents, will be, valid and binding and no default has occurred or is
     continuing thereunder and (iii) the Company enjoys, and after giving effect
     to the Acquisition pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Documents, will
     enjoy, peaceful and undisturbed possession under all such leases to which
     it is a party as lessee.

          (t) The Company maintains adequate insurance for its businesses and
     the value of its properties (including, without limitation, public
     liability insurance, third party property damage insurance and replacement
     value insurance), and all such insurance is outstanding and in force as of
     the date hereof.

          (u) The financial statements, together with related schedules and
     notes forming part of the Offering Documents (and any amendment or
     supplement thereto), present fairly the consolidated financial position,
     results of operations and changes in financial position of the Company on
     the basis stated in the Offering Documents at the respective dates or for
     the respective periods to which they apply, and such financial statements
     and related schedules and notes have been prepared in accordance with
     generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied throughout
     the periods involved, except as disclosed in the Offering Documents. The
     other financial and statistical information and data set forth in the
     Offering Documents (and any amendment or supplement thereto) is, in all
     material respects, accurately presented and prepared on a basis consistent
     with such financial statements and the books and records of the Company.

          (v) The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls
     sufficient to provide assurance that: (1) transactions are executed in
     accordance with management's general or specific authorizations; (2)
     transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
     statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and
     to maintain accountability for assets; and (3) the recorded accountability
     for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and
     appropriate action is taken with respect thereto.

          (w) Subsequent to the dates for which information is given in the
     Offering Documents and up to the Closing Date, unless set forth in the
     Offering Memorandum: (1) the Company has not incurred any liabilities or
     obligations, direct or contingent, which are material, individually or in
     the aggregate, to the Company, nor entered into any material transactions
     not in the ordinary course of business; (2) there has not been any decrease
     in the Company's capital stock or any increase in long-term indebtedness to
     meet working capital requirements or any material increase in short-term
     indebtedness of the Company or any payment of or declaration to pay any
     dividends or any other distribution with respect to the Company's capital
     stock, as the case may be; and (3) there has not been any event or series
     of events that would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
     Effect.


                                       12
<PAGE>
 
          (x) Prior to the issuance of the Series A Notes, (i) the present fair
     salable value of the assets of the Company exceeded and will exceed the
     amount that will be required to be paid on, or in respect of, the Company's
     debts and other liabilities (including contingent liabilities) as they
     become absolute and matured, (ii) the assets of the Company do not
     constitute and will not constitute unreasonably small capital to carry out
     its business as conducted or as proposed to be conducted, and (iii) the
     Company does not intend to, or believe that it will, incur debts or other
     liabilities beyond its ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they
     mature. Upon consummation of the Offering, and after giving effect to the
     Acquisition pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Documents, (x) the
     present fair salable value of the assets of the Company will exceed the
     amount that will be required to be paid on, or in respect of, the Company's
     debts and other liabilities (including contingent liabilities) as they
     become absolute and matured, (y) the assets of the Company will not
     constitute unreasonably small capital to carry out its business as
     conducted or as proposed to be conducted, and (iii) the Company does not
     intend to, or believe that it will, incur debts or other liabilities beyond
     its ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature.

          (y) Neither the Company, nor any agent thereof acting on its behalf,
     has taken, and none of them will take any action that might cause this
     Agreement or the issuance or sale of the Series A Notes to violate
     Regulation G (12 C.F.R. Part 207), Regulation T (12 C.F.R. Part 220),
     Regulation U (12 C.F.R. Part 221) or Regulation X (12 C.F.R. Part 224) of
     the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in each case as in
     effect now or as the same may hereafter be in effect on the Closing Date.

          (z) The Company is not, and after giving effect to the Acquisition
     pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Documents, will not be, an
     "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment company"
     within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

          (aa) Each of Deloitte & Touche LLP and Donnelly Meiners Jordan Kline
     are independent public accountants with respect to the Company as required
     by the Act.

          (ab) When the Series A Notes are issued and delivered pursuant to this
     Agreement, such Series A Notes will not be of the same class (within the
     meaning of Rule 144A under the Act) as securities of the Company that are
     listed on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the
     Exchange Act or that are quoted in a United States automated inter-dealer
     quotation system.

          (ac) Assuming (i) that the representations and warranties of the
     Initial Purchasers in Section 7 hereof are true, (ii) that the
     representations of the Accredited Institutions set forth in the
     certificates of such Accredited Institutions in the form set forth in Annex
     A to the Offering Memorandum are true, (iii) compliance by the Initial
     Purchasers with their covenants set forth in Section 7 hereof and (iv) that
     each of the Eligible Purchasers is a QIB or an Accredited Institution, the
     purchase and resale of the Series A Notes pursuant hereto (including
     pursuant to the Exempt Resales) is exempt from the registration
     requirements of the Act. No form of general solicitation or general
     advertising was used by the Company or any of its representatives (other
     than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company make no representation)
     in connection with the offer and sale of the Series A Notes, including, but
     not limited to, articles, notices or other communications published in any
     newspaper, magazine, or similar medium or broadcast over television or
     radio, or any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited by any
     general solicitation or general advertising. No securities of the same
     class as the Series A Notes have


                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     been issued and sold by the Company within the six-month period immediately
     prior to the date hereof.

          (ad) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other
     Operative Documents and the sale of the Series A Notes to be purchased by
     the Eligible Purchasers will not involve any prohibited transaction within
     the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. The
     representation made by the Company in the preceding sentence is made in
     reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of, and compliance with, the
     representations and covenants made or deemed made by the Eligible
     Purchasers as set forth in the Offering Documents under the section
     entitled "Notice to Investors."

     7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE INITIAL PURCHASERS. Each Initial
Purchaser, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to the Company as
follows:

          (a) Such Initial Purchaser is either a QIB or an Accredited
     Institution, in either case with such knowledge and experience in financial
     and business matters as are necessary in order to evaluate the merits and
     risks of an investment in the Series A Notes.

          (b) Such Initial Purchaser (i) is not acquiring the Series A Notes
     with a view to any distribution thereof or with any present intention of
     offering or selling any of the Series A Notes in a transaction that would
     violate the Act or the securities laws of any State of the United States or
     any other applicable jurisdiction, (ii) will be reoffering and reselling
     the Series A Notes only to QIBs in reliance on the exemption from the
     registration requirements of the Act provided by Rule 144A and to a limited
     number of Accredited Institutions that execute and deliver a letter
     containing certain representations and agreements in the form attached as
     Annex A to the Offering Documents and (iii) has not solicited and, unless
     and until the Series A Notes are registered under the Act, will not solicit
     any offer to buy or offer to sell the Series A Notes by means of any form
     of general solicitation or general advertising (as such terms are defined
     in Regulation D under the Act) or in any manner involving a public offering
     within the meaning of the Act.

          (c) Such Initial Purchaser also understands that the Company and, for
     purposes of the opinions to be delivered to the Initial Purchasers pursuant
     hereto, counsel to the Company and counsel to the Initial Purchasers will
     rely upon the accuracy and truth of the foregoing representations and the
     Initial Purchasers hereby consent to such reliance.

          (d) Such Initial Purchaser further agrees that, in connection with the
     Exempt Resales, it will solicit offers to buy the Series A Notes only from,
     and will offer to sell the Series A Notes only to, the Eligible Purchasers.
     Such Initial Purchaser further agrees that it will offer to sell the Series
     A Notes only to, and will solicit offers to buy the Series A Notes only
     from, persons who in purchasing such Series A Notes will be deemed to have
     represented and agreed (1) if such Eligible Purchaser is a QIB, that it is
     purchasing the Series A Notes for its own account or an account with
     respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that its or
     such accounts are QIBs, (2) that such Series A Notes will not have been
     registered under the Act and may be resold, pledged or otherwise
     transferred, only (A) (I) inside the United States to a person who the
     seller reasonably believes is a "qualified institutional buyer" within the
     meaning of Rule 144A under the Act in a transaction meeting the
     requirements of Rule 144A, (II) in a transaction meeting the requirements
     of Rule 144 under the Act, (III) outside the United States to a foreign
     person in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 904 under the Act
     or (IV) in accordance with another exemption from the registration
     requirements of the Act (and based upon an opinion


                                       14
<PAGE>
 
     of counsel if the Company so requests), (B) to the Company or (C) pursuant
     to an effective registration statement under the Act, in each case, in
     accordance with any applicable securities laws of any State of the United
     States or any other applicable jurisdiction, and (3) that the holder will,
     and each subsequent holder is required to, notify any purchaser from it of
     the security evidenced thereby of the resale restrictions set forth in (2)
     above. Accordingly, each Initial Purchaser represents and agrees that
     neither it, its affiliates nor any persons acting on its or their behalf
     has engaged or will engage in any directed selling efforts within the
     meaning of Rule 901(b) of Regulation S with respect to the Notes, and it,
     its affiliates and all persons acting on its or their behalf have complied
     and will comply with the offering restrictions requirements of Regulation
     S.

          (e) Such Initial Purchaser represents and agrees that the Notes
     offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S have been and will be offered
     and sold only in offshore transactions and that such securities have been
     and will be represented upon issuance by a global security that may not be
     exchanged for definitive securities until the expiration of the restricted
     period (as defined in Regulation S) (except to the extent of any beneficial
     owners thereof who acquired an interest therein pursuant to another
     exemption from registration under the Act and who will take delivery of a
     beneficial ownership interest in a Rule 144A Global Note (as defined in the
     Indenture), as contemplated by the Indenture) and only upon certification
     of beneficial ownership of the securities by a non-U.S. person or a U.S.
     person who purchased such securities in a transaction that was exempt from
     the registration requirements of the Act.

          (f) Such Initial Purchaser agrees that, at or prior to confirmation of
     a sale of Notes (other than a sale pursuant to Rule 144A, to Accredited
     Institutions in accordance with Section 3(a)(ii) of this Agreement or
     pursuant to Paragraph (i) of this Section 7), it will have sent to each
     distributor, dealer or person receiving a selling concession, fee or other
     remuneration that purchases Notes from it during the Restricted Period a
     confirmation or notice to substantially the following effect:

          "The Securities covered hereby have not been registered under the Act
          and may not be offered and sold within the United States or to, or for
          the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (i) as part of their
          distribution at any time or (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the
          later of the commencement of the offering and the closing date, except
          in either case in accordance with Regulation S (or Rule 144A if
          available) under the Act. Terms used above have the meaning given to
          them by Regulation S."

          (g) Such Initial Purchaser further agrees that it has not entered and
     will not enter into any contractual arrangement with respect to the
     distribution or delivery of the Notes, except with its affiliates or with
     the prior written consent of the Company.

          (h) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Notes in registered form may be
     offered, sold and delivered by such Initial Purchaser in the United States
     and to U.S. persons pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement without
     delivery of the written statement required by paragraph (f) of this Section
     7.

          (i) Such Initial Purchaser further represents and agrees that (i) it
     has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell any Notes to persons in
     the United Kingdom prior to the expiry of the period of six months from the
     issue date of the Notes, except to persons whose ordinary activities
     involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments
     (as principal


                                       15
<PAGE>
 
     or agent) for the purposes of their businesses or otherwise in
     circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in an offer to
     the public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Public Offers of
     Securities Regulations 1995, (ii) it has complied and will comply with all
     applicable provisions of the Financial Services Act 1986 with respect to
     anything done by it in relation to the Notes in, from or otherwise
     involving the United Kingdom, and (iii) it has only issued or passed on and
     will only issue or pass on in the United Kingdom any document received by
     it in connection with the issuance of the Notes to a person who is of a
     kind described in Article 11(3) of the Financial Services Act 1986
     (Investment Advertisements) (Exemptions) Order 1996 or is a person to whom
     the document may otherwise lawfully be issued or passed on.

          (j) Such Initial Purchaser agrees that it will not offer, sell or
     deliver any of the Notes in any jurisdiction outside the United States
     except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the
     applicable laws thereof, and that it will take at its own expense whatever
     action is required to permit its purchase and resale of the Notes in such
     jurisdictions. Such Initial Purchaser understands that no action has been
     taken to permit a public offering in any jurisdiction outside the United
     States where action would be required for such purpose.

          (k) Such Initial Purchaser agrees not to cause any advertisement of
     the Notes to be published in any newspaper or periodical or posted in any
     public place and not to issue any circular relating to the Notes, except
     such advertisements that include the statements required by Regulation S.

          (l) The sale of the Series A Notes in offshore transactions pursuant
     to Regulation S is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration
     provisions of the Act.

     Terms used in this Section 7 that have meanings assigned to them in
Regulation S are used herein as so defined.

     8. INDEMNIFICATION.

          (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial
     Purchaser and each person, if any, who controls either Initial Purchaser
     within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
     Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
     judgments caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
     material fact contained in the Offering Documents (as amended or
     supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or
     supplements thereto), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to
     state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
     make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
     they were made, not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims,
     damages, liabilities or judgments are caused by any such untrue statement
     or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information
     relating to such Initial Purchaser furnished in writing to the Company by
     such Initial Purchaser expressly for use therein; provided, however, that
     the indemnification contained in this paragraph (a) with respect to the
     Preliminary Offering Memorandum shall not inure to the benefit of either
     Initial Purchaser (or to the benefit of any person controlling such Initial
     Purchaser) on account of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
     judgment (i) arising from the sale of the Series A Notes by such Initial
     Purchaser to any person if a copy of the Offering Memorandum shall not have
     been delivered or sent to such person, at or prior to the written
     confirmation of such sale, and the untrue statement or alleged untrue
     statement or omission or alleged omission of a material fact contained in
     the Preliminary Offering Memorandum was corrected in the Offering
     Memorandum, provided that the Company has delivered the Offering Memorandum
     to the Initial


                                       16
<PAGE>
 
     Purchasers in requisite quantity on a timely basis to permit such delivery
     or sending or (ii) resulting from the use by such Initial Purchaser of any
     offering memorandum, registration statement or prospectus, or any amendment
     or supplement thereto, referred to in Section 5(e) hereof when, under
     Section 11 hereof, such Initial Purchaser was not permitted to do so;
     provided further, however, that the foregoing exceptions in clauses (i) and
     (ii) shall not affect the indemnity with respect to any other Initial
     Purchaser not otherwise subject to such exceptions.

          (b) In case any action shall be brought against either Initial
     Purchaser or any person controlling such Initial Purchaser, based upon any
     Offering Document or any amendment or supplement thereto and with respect
     to which indemnity may be sought against the Company, such Initial
     Purchaser shall promptly notify the Company in writing, and the Company
     shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel
     reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and payment of all fees
     and expenses. Either Initial Purchaser or any such controlling person shall
     have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and
     participate in the defense thereof, but the reasonable fees and expenses of
     such counsel shall be at the expense of such Initial Purchaser or such
     controlling person unless (i) the employment of such counsel has been
     specifically authorized in writing by the Company, (ii) the Company has
     failed to assume the defense and employ counsel or (iii) the named parties
     to any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both such
     Initial Purchaser or such controlling person and the Company, and such
     Initial Purchaser or such controlling person shall have been advised by
     such counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it
     which are different from or additional to those available to the Company
     (in which case the Company shall not have the right to assume the defense
     of such action on behalf of such Initial Purchaser or such controlling
     person, it being understood, however, that the Company shall not, in
     connection with any one such action or separate but substantially similar
     or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general
     allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of more
     than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for
     all such Initial Purchasers and controlling persons, which firm shall be
     designated in writing by DLJ, and that all such fees and expenses shall be
     reimbursed as they are incurred). The Company shall not be liable for any
     settlement of any such action effected without the written consent of the
     Company, but if settled with the Company's written consent, the Company
     agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial Purchasers and any such
     controlling person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such
     settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent
     of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or
     threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could
     have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
     indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release
     of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject
     matter of such proceeding.

          (c) Each Initial Purchaser agrees, severally and not jointly, to
     indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors and officers, and
     any person controlling them within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or
     Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively the "ISSUER INDEMNIFIED
     PARTIES"), to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company
     to each Initial Purchaser but only with reference to information relating
     to such Initial Purchaser furnished in writing by such Initial Purchaser
     expressly for use in the Offering Documents. In case any action shall be
     brought against any Issuer Indemnified Party in respect of which indemnity
     may be sought against an Initial Purchaser, such Initial Purchaser shall
     have the rights and duties given to the Company (except that if the Company
     shall have assumed the defense thereof, such Initial Purchaser shall not be
     required to do so, but may employ separate counsel therein and participate
     in the defense thereof but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be


                                       17
<PAGE>
 
     at the expense of such Initial Purchaser), and the Issuer Indemnified
     Parties shall have the rights and duties given to such Initial Purchaser by
     Section 8(b) hereof.

          (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is
     unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims,
     damages, liabilities or judgments referred to therein, then each
     indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall
     contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a
     result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments (i) in
     such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received
     by the Company on the one hand and the Initial Purchasers on the other hand
     from the offering of the Series A Notes or (ii) if the allocation provided
     by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion
     as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in
     clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Initial
     Purchasers in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in
     such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments, as well as any
     other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by
     the Company and the Initial Purchasers shall be deemed to be in the same
     proportion as the total proceeds from the offering of the Series A Notes
     (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, and the total
     discounts and commissions received by the Initial Purchasers, bear to the
     total price to investors of the Series A Notes, in each case as set forth
     in the table on the cover page of the Offering Memorandum. The relative
     fault of the Company and the Initial Purchasers shall be determined by
     reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue
     statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact
     relates to information supplied by the Company or the Initial Purchasers
     and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
     opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

          The Company and the Initial Purchasers agree that it would not be just
     and equitable if contribution pursuant to this paragraph were determined by
     pro rata allocation (even if the Initial Purchasers were treated as one
     entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does
     not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the
     immediately preceding paragraph. The losses, claims, damages, liabilities
     or judgments of an indemnified party referred to in the immediately
     preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations
     set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
     indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such
     action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no
     Initial Purchaser shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of
     the amount by which the discounts and commissions received by it exceeds
     the amount of any damages which such Initial Purchaser has otherwise been
     required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or
     omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent
     misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be
     entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
     fraudulent misrepresentation. The Initial Purchasers' obligations to
     contribute pursuant to this Section 8(d) are several in proportion to the
     respective principal amount of Series A Notes purchased by each of the
     Initial Purchasers hereunder and not joint.

          (e) The Company hereby designates The Jordan Company, 9 West 57th
     Street, New York, New York 10019, as its authorized agent, upon which
     process may be served in any action, suit or proceeding which may be
     instituted in any state or federal court in the State of New York by any
     Initial Purchaser or person controlling such Initial Purchaser asserting a
     claim for indemnification or contribution under or pursuant to this Section
     8, and the Company will accept the jurisdiction of such court in such
     action, and waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any
     defense based upon lack of personal jurisdiction or venue. A copy of any


                                       18
<PAGE>
 
     such process shall be sent or given to the Company, at the address for
     notices specified in Section 11(a) hereof.

          (f) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this
     Section 8 are in addition to any liability which the indemnifying persons
     may otherwise have to the indemnified persons referred to above.

     9. CONDITIONS OF THE INITIAL PURCHASERS' OBLIGATIONS. The several
obligations of the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Series A Notes under this
Agreement are subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions:

          (a) All the representations and warranties of the Company contained in
     this Agreement shall be true and correct on the Closing Date with the same
     force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date. The Company
     shall have performed or complied with all of the agreements and satisfied
     all conditions to be performed, complied with or satisfied by it under this
     Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date.

          (b) (1) The Offering Memorandum shall have been printed and copies
     distributed to the Initial Purchasers not later than 9:00 a.m., New York
     City time, on the second business day following the date of this Agreement,
     or at such later date and time as the Initial Purchasers may approve in
     writing;

               (2) no injunction, restraining order or order of any nature by a
          federal or state court of competent jurisdiction shall have been
          issued as of the Closing Date which would prevent the issuance of the
          Series A Notes; and

               (3) at the Closing Date, (i) no stop order preventing the use of
          the Offering Documents, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or
          suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the
          Series A Notes for sale in any jurisdiction designated by the Initial
          Purchasers pursuant to Section 5(f) hereof shall have been issued and
          no proceedings for that purpose shall have been commenced or shall be
          pending before or, to the knowledge of the Company, be contemplated.

          (c) (1) Since the date of the latest balance sheet included in the
     Offering Documents, there shall not have been any event that had a Material
     Adverse Effect, or any development involving a prospective change that
     would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, whether or
     not arising in the ordinary course of business;

               (2) since the date of the latest balance sheet included in the
          Offering Documents, there has not been any change, or any development
          involving a prospective change, in the capital stock or in the
          long-term debt of the Company from that set forth in the Offering
          Documents;

               (3) the Company shall have no material liability or obligation,
          direct or contingent, other than those reflected in the Offering
          Memorandum; and

               (4) on the Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers shall have
          received a certificate dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of the
          Company by John Menghini and Robert Shaw, in their capacities as
          President and Senior Vice President, Finance and Human Resources,
          respectively, of the Company, confirming all matters set forth in


                                       19
<PAGE>
 
          Sections 9(a), (b), and (c) hereof.

          (d) The Initial Purchasers shall have received on the Closing Date an
     opinion (satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers and counsel to the Initial
     Purchasers) dated the Closing Date, of Mayer, Brown & Platt, counsel for
     the Company, to the effect that:

               (1) The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority
          to enter into and perform its obligations under the Operative
          Documents (other than the Acquisition Documents) and to issue, sell
          and deliver the Series A Notes to the Initial Purchasers to be sold by
          the Initial Purchasers pursuant hereto;

               (2) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing or
          registration with, any regulatory body, administrative agency, or
          other governmental agency (except as securities or Blue Sky laws of
          the various states may require) which has not been made or obtained is
          required for the execution, delivery and performance of the Operative
          Documents (other than the Acquisition Documents) and the valid
          issuance and sale of the Series A Notes to the Initial Purchasers as
          contemplated by this Agreement or the offering of the Series A Notes
          as contemplated by the Offering Memorandum, except where the failure
          to obtain any such consents or waivers, individually or in the
          aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
          Effect or adversely effect the ability to consummate the Transactions;

               (3) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, no consents or
          waivers from any person are required to consummate the transactions
          contemplated by the Operative Documents (other than the Acquisition
          Documents) or the Offering Documents other than such consents and
          waivers as have been or will be obtained;

               (4) This Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed
          by the Company and (assuming the due execution and delivery thereof by
          the Initial Purchasers) is a legally valid and binding obligation of
          the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its
          terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be (i) subject to
          applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or
          similar laws in effect which affect the enforcement of creditors
          rights generally, (ii) limited by general principles of equity
          (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) and (iii)
          limited by securities laws prohibiting or limiting the availability
          of, and public policy against, indemnification or contribution;

               (5) The Company has duly authorized, executed and delivered the
          Indenture, and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery
          thereof by the Trustee) the Indenture is a legally valid and binding
          obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
          accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be
          (i) subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
          reorganization or similar laws in effect which affect the enforcement
          of creditors rights generally and (ii) limited by general principles
          of equity (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity);

               (6) The Company has duly authorized the Series A Notes and, when
          issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture
          and delivered to and paid for by the Initial Purchasers in accordance
          with the terms hereof, the Series A Notes will conform to the
          description thereof in the Offering Memorandum, and will be the
          legally valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable
          against the Company in


                                       20
<PAGE>
 
          accordance with their terms, except as the enforceability thereof may
          be (i) subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
          reorganization or similar laws in effect which affect the enforcement
          of creditors rights generally and (ii) limited by general principles
          of equity (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity);

               (7) The Company has duly authorized the Series B Notes and, when
          issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the
          Registration Rights Agreement and the Indenture, the Series B Notes
          will conform to the description thereof in the Offering Memorandum,
          and will be the legally valid and binding obligations of the Company,
          enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except
          as the enforceability thereof may be (i) subject to applicable
          bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws in
          effect which affect the enforcement of creditors rights generally and
          (ii) limited by general principles of equity (whether considered in a
          proceeding at law or in equity);

               (8) The Company has duly authorized, executed and delivered the
          Registration Rights Agreement, and (assuming the due execution and
          delivery thereof by the Initial Purchasers) the Registration Rights
          Agreement is a legally valid and binding obligation of the Company,
          enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except
          as the enforceability thereof may be (i) subject to applicable
          bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws in
          effect which affect the enforcement of creditors rights generally,
          (ii) limited by general principles of equity (whether considered in a
          proceeding at law or in equity) and (iii) limited by securities laws
          prohibiting or limiting the availability of, and public policy
          against, indemnification or contribution;

               (9) The statements under the captions "Certain Transactions,"
          "Description of Notes," "Description of Certain Indebtedness," and
          "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the Offering
          Memorandum, insofar as such statements constitute a summary of legal
          matters, documents or proceedings referred to therein, are correct in
          all material respects;

               (10) The Company is not an "investment company" or a company
          "controlled" by an "investment company" within the meaning of the
          Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

               (11) When the Series A Notes are issued and delivered pursuant to
          this Agreement, such Series A Notes will not be of the same class
          (within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Act) as securities of the
          Company that are listed on a national securities exchange registered
          under Section 6 of the Exchange Act or that are quoted in a United
          States automated inter-dealer quotation system;

               (12) The Indenture is not required to be qualified under the
          Trust Indenture Act prior to the first to occur of (i) the Registered
          Exchange Offer and (ii) the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration
          Statement;

               (13) No registration under the Act of the Series A Notes is
          required for the sale of the Series A Notes to the Initial Purchasers
          as contemplated hereby or for the Exempt Resales (assuming (i) that
          the Eligible Purchasers who buy the Series A Notes in the Exempt
          Resales are QIBs or Accredited Institutions, (ii) the accuracy of, and


                                       21
<PAGE>
 
          compliance with, the representations of the Initial Purchasers and
          those of the Company contained in Sections 6 and 7 hereof and (iii)
          the accuracy of the representations made by each Accredited
          Institution who purchases Series A Notes pursuant to an Exempt Resale
          as set forth in the letters of representation executed by such
          Accredited Institutions in the form of Annex A to the Offering
          Memorandum).

          In addition, such counsel shall state that it has participated in
     conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company,
     representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company, the
     Initial Purchasers' representatives and counsel for the Initial Purchasers,
     at which conferences the contents of the Offering Memorandum and related
     matters were discussed, and, although such counsel is not passing upon and
     assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the
     statements contained in the Offering Memorandum, and have not made any
     independent check or verification thereof, during the course of such
     participation (relying as to materiality to the extent such counsel deemed
     appropriate upon the statements of officers and other representatives of
     the Company), no facts came to such counsel's attention that caused such
     counsel to believe that the Offering Memorandum, as of its date, contained
     an untrue statement of material fact or omitted to state a material fact
     required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
     not misleading; it being understood that such counsel expresses no belief
     with respect to the financial statements, schedules and other financial and
     statistical data included in the Offering Memorandum or incorporated
     therein.

          (e) The Initial Purchasers shall have received on the Closing Date an
     opinion (satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers and counsel to the Initial
     Purchasers) dated the Closing Date of Bryan Cave LLP, counsel for the
     Company, to the effect that:

               (1) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
          and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
          incorporation, has full corporate power and authority to carry on its
          respective business as it is currently being conducted and to own,
          lease and operate its respective properties, and, to the best of such
          counsel's knowledge, is duly qualified and is in good standing as a
          foreign corporation registered to do business in each jurisdiction in
          which the nature of its business or its ownership or leasing of
          property requires such qualification, except where the failure to be
          so qualified would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
          Effect;

               (2) All of the outstanding capital stock of the Company has been
          duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and nonassessable
          and is not subject to preemptive or similar rights;

               (3) The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority
          to enter into and perform its obligations under the Acquisition
          Documents;

               (4) The Company is not in violation of its charter or bylaws,
          and, to the best knowledge of such counsel after due inquiry, the
          Company is not in default in the performance of any obligation,
          agreement or condition contained in any bond, debenture, note or any
          other evidence of indebtedness or in any other agreement, indenture or
          instrument material to the conduct of the business of the Company, to
          which the Company is a party or by which the Company or its property
          is bound;

               (5) The execution, delivery and performance of the Operative
          Documents by the Company, compliance by the Company with the
          provisions thereof and the Series A


                                       22
<PAGE>
 
          Notes, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
          and thereby does not conflict with or constitute a breach of any of
          the terms or provisions of, or a default under, or result in the
          imposition of a lien or encumbrance on any properties of the Company,
          or an acceleration of indebtedness pursuant to, (1) the charter or
          bylaws of the Company, (2) any bond, debenture, note, indenture,
          mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument known to such
          counsel after due inquiry to which the Company is a party or by which
          the Company or any of its property is bound, or (3) to the best of
          such counsel's knowledge, any law or administrative regulation
          applicable to the Company or any of its assets or properties, or any
          judgment, order or decree of any court or governmental agency or
          authority entered in any proceeding to which the Company was or is now
          a party or to which the Company or any of its property may be subject;

               (6) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing or
          registration with, any regulatory body, administrative agency, or
          other governmental agency (except as securities or Blue Sky laws of
          the various states may require) which has not been made or obtained is
          required for the execution, delivery and performance of the
          Acquisition Documents, except where the failure to obtain any such
          consents or waivers, individually or in the aggregate, would not be
          reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or adversely
          effect the ability to consummate the Transactions;

               (7) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, no consents or
          waivers from any person are required to consummate the transactions
          contemplated by the Acquisition Documents other than such consents and
          waivers as have been or will be obtained;

               (8) To the best knowledge of such counsel, after due inquiry,
          there is (i) no action, suit or proceeding before or by any court,
          arbitrator or governmental agency, body or official, domestic or
          foreign, now pending, threatened or contemplated to which the Company
          is or may be a party or to which the business or property of the
          Company is or may be subject, (ii) no statute, rule, regulation or
          order that has been enacted, adopted or issued by any governmental
          agency or proposed by any governmental body, or (iii) no injunction,
          restraining order or order of any nature by a federal or state court
          of competent jurisdiction applicable to the Company has been issued
          that, in the case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, (a) is
          required to be disclosed in the Offering Memorandum and that is not so
          disclosed, (b) would interfere with or adversely affect the issuance
          of the Series A Notes or the consummation of the Acquisition, or (c)
          might invalidate any provision or the validity of the Operative
          Documents or the Series A Notes;

               (9) To the best knowledge of such counsel, there is no contract
          or document concerning the Company of a character required to be
          described in the Offering Memorandum that is not so described or filed
          in a registration statement on Form S-4 if the Senior Notes were
          registered pursuant to the Act;

               (10) To the best knowledge of such counsel, after due inquiry,
          following consummation of the Transactions, no holder of any security
          of the Company has any right to require registration of any of the
          Company's securities;

          (f) The Initial Purchasers shall have received copies, addressed to
     the Initial


                                       23
<PAGE>
 
     Purchasers, of each opinion of counsel to the Company or Holdings delivered
     in connection with the Transactions, including, without limitation, in
     connection with the Acquisition and the New Credit Agreement.

          (g) The Initial Purchasers shall have received on the Closing Date an
     opinion, dated the Closing Date, of Latham & Watkins, in form and substance
     satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, and the Company shall have provided
     Latham & Watkins such papers and information as it requests to enable it to
     pass upon the matters contained in such opinion.

          (h) The Initial Purchasers shall have received letters from each of
     Deloitte & Touche LLP and Donnelly Meiners Jordan Kline, independent public
     accountants, on the date hereof and, in the case of Deloitte & Touche LLP,
     on the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Initial
     Purchasers, with respect to the financial statements and certain financial
     information contained in the Offering Memorandum.

          (i) All Acquisition Documents shall have been entered into by the
     parties thereto, and the Initial Purchasers shall have received
     counterparts, conformed as executed, thereof and of all other documents and
     agreements entered into in connection therewith. Each condition to the
     closing contemplated by the Acquisition Documents shall have been satisfied
     or, with the Initial Purchasers' specific approval, waived. There shall
     exist at and as of the Closing Date (after giving effect to the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement) no condition that would
     constitute a default (or an event that with notice or the lapse of time, or
     both, would constitute a default) under the Acquisition Documents. Prior
     to, or simultaneously with, the closing of the Offering, the Acquisition
     pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Documents shall have been
     consummated on terms that conform in all material respects to the
     description thereof in the Offering Documents, and the Initial Purchasers
     shall have received true and correct copies of all documents pertaining
     thereto and evidence satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers of the
     consummation thereof.

          (j) The Acquisition shall have been consummated, and the Company shall
     have delivered to you evidence satisfactory to you that the Acquisition has
     been consummated.

          (k) The Company shall have entered into the New Credit Agreement on or
     prior to the Closing Date.

          (l) The Company shall have entered into the Registration Rights
     Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date.

          (m) The Company shall have obtained all necessary consents to the
     Acquisition from its licensors in connection with its licensing agreements
     described in the Offering Memorandum, except to the extent that failure to
     obtain such consents, singly or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably
     likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and the Company shall have
     delivered to you evidence satisfactory to you that all such consents have
     been obtained.

          (n) The Company shall have performed or complied in all material
     respects with any of the agreements herein contained and required to be
     performed or complied with by the Company on or prior to the Closing Date.

     10. EFFECTIVE DATE OF AGREEMENT AND TERMINATION. This Agreement shall
become effective at the time that the Company and the Initial Purchasers execute
this Agreement.


                                       24
<PAGE>
 
     The Initial Purchasers may terminate this Agreement at any time prior to
the Closing Date by written notice to the Company if any of the following has
occurred:

          (a) since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
     Offering Documents, any adverse change or development involving a
     prospective adverse change, whether or not arising in the ordinary course
     of business, which would, in the Initial Purchasers' judgment, make it
     impracticable to market the Series A Notes on the terms and in the manner
     contemplated in the Offering Documents;

          (b) any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or
     international calamity or crisis or material change in economic conditions,
     if the effect of such outbreak, escalation, calamity, crisis or change on
     the financial markets of the United States or elsewhere would, in the
     Initial Purchasers' judgment, make it impracticable to market the Series A
     Notes on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Offering
     Documents;

          (c) the suspension or material limitation of trading in securities on
     the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq
     National Market or limitation on prices for securities on any such
     exchange;

          (d) the enactment, publication, decree or other promulgation of any
     federal or state statute, regulation, rule or order of any court or other
     governmental authority which in the Initial Purchasers' opinion causes or
     could cause a Material Adverse Effect;

          (e) the declaration of a banking moratorium by either federal or New
     York State authorities;

          (f) the taking of any action by any federal, state or local government
     or agency in respect of its monetary or fiscal affairs which in the Initial
     Purchasers' opinion has a material adverse effect on the financial markets
     in the United States; or

          (g) any of the Company's securities shall have been downgraded or
     placed on any "watch list" for possible downgrading by any nationally
     recognized statistical rating organization, provided that in the case of
     such "watch list" placement, termination shall be permitted only if such
     placement would, in the judgment of the Initial Purchasers, make it
     impracticable or inadvisable to market the Series A Notes or to enforce
     contracts for the sale of the Series A Notes or materially impair the
     investment quality of the Series A Notes.

     If on the Closing Date, either of the Initial Purchasers shall fail or
refuse to purchase the Series A Notes which it has agreed to purchase hereunder
on such date and arrangements satisfactory to the Company for purchase of such
Series A Notes are not made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement
will terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Initial
Purchaser. In any such case that does not result in termination of this
Agreement, the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in
no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any,
in the Offering Memorandum or any other documents or arrangements may be
effected. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting
Initial Purchaser from liability in respect of any default by it under this
Agreement.

     11. MISCELLANEOUS.

          (a) Notices given pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be
     addressed as


                                       25
<PAGE>
 
     follows: (i) if to the Company, The Jordan Company, 9 West 57th Street,
     40th Floor, New York, New York 10019, Attention: A. Richard Caputo, Jr. and
     (ii) if to the Initial Purchasers, c/o Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
     Securities Corporation, 277 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10172,
     Attention: Syndicate Department, or in any case to such other address as
     the person to be notified may have requested in writing.

          (b) The respective indemnities, contribution agreements,
     representations, warranties and other statements of the Company and the
     Initial Purchasers set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall
     remain operative and in full force and effect, and will survive delivery of
     and payment for the Series A Notes, regardless of (i) any investigation, or
     statement as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf of any such
     person, (ii) acceptance of the Series A Notes and payment for them
     hereunder and (iii) termination of this Agreement.

          (c) Except as otherwise provided, this Agreement has been and is made
     solely for the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Company, the
     Initial Purchasers, any controlling persons referred to herein and their
     respective successors and assigns, all as and to the extent provided in
     this Agreement, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under
     or by virtue of this Agreement. The term "successors and assigns" shall not
     include a purchaser of any of the Series A Notes from any of the several
     Initial Purchasers merely because of such purchase.

          (d) This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and the rights of
     the parties determined in accordance with the laws of the State of New York
     without reference to its choice of law provisions.

          (e) This Agreement may be signed in various counterparts which
     together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                        [SIGNATURE PAGE IS THE NEXT PAGE]
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE I
                                   ----------



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
                                                             OF SERIES A SENIOR
INITIAL PURCHASER                                         NOTES TO BE PURCHASED
- -----------------                                         ---------------------
<S>                                                                <C>         
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
   Securities Corporation.................................          $75,000,000

Jefferies & Company, Inc..................................           50,000,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                   $125,000,000
                                                                   ============
</TABLE>



                                       28
<PAGE>
 
     Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement
between the Company and the Initial Purchasers.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             GFSI, INC.


                                             By: /s/ Illegible
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Name:
                                                 Title:

DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
   SECURITIES CORPORATION

By: ___________________________________
     Name:
     Title:

JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.

By: ___________________________________
     Name:
     Title:

<PAGE>
 
                    AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE AND SALE OF STOCK

                                      AMONG

                              GFSI HOLDINGS, INC.,

                                   GFSI, INC.

                                       AND

                             ALL THE SHAREHOLDERS OF

                               WINNING WAYS, INC.
<PAGE>
 
                    AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE AND SALE OF STOCK


     THIS AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE AND SALE OF STOCK (this "Agreement"), dated as
of the 24th day of January, 1997, is made by and among the individuals and
entities listed on Schedule X attached hereto, being the holders of all of the
outstanding shares of stock of Winning Ways, Inc., a Missouri corporation (the
"Company"), all of said individuals being hereinafter collectively referred to
as the "Sellers," GFSI HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Holdings"), and
GFSI, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Acquisition").


                                    ARTICLE 1

                            PURCHASE AND SALE; PRICE

     1.1 Effectiveness of Agreement; Purchase and Sale of the Shares.

     1.1.1 This Agreement shall become effective and enforceable against the
parties hereto only upon the satisfaction of each of the conditions precedent
set forth in Section 6.6 of this Agreement. Once this Agreement becomes
effective, (i) Holdings' and Acquisition's obligations to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be conditioned upon satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in Article 7 and (ii) the Sellers' obligations to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby shall be conditioned upon
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article 8.

     1.1.2 At the Closing (as hereinafter defined) and in the manner herein
provided, the Sellers shall sell and deliver all of the shares of capital stock
of the Company (hereinafter collectively called the "Shares") to Acquisition and
Holdings, and Acquisition and Holdings shall purchase the Shares from the
Sellers on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

     1.2 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the meanings set forth below:

     "Adjusted Net Worth" shall mean the sum of (i) the Company's Net
Stockholders' Equity, as reflected on the Closing Balance Sheet (after the
accrual and/or payment of any distributions, dividends or bonuses declared
and/or paid under Section 4.4 hereof), plus (ii) the principal amount of the
Company's Closing Debt (excluding all interest and fees related to such debt).

     "Closing Balance Sheet" shall mean the statement of financial position of
the Company as of the Closing, without giving
<PAGE>
 
effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as prepared by the
Company in accordance with GAAP (as defined in Section 12.5), consistently
applied.

     "Closing Debt" shall mean, as of the Closing, the amount of any
indebtedness of the Company for (i) borrowed money, whether due to banks,
financial institutions or any other party, including all accrued interest and
fees related to such indebtedness, or (ii) capital leases.

     "Closing Debt Deficiency" shall mean the amount by which the Closing Debt,
as finally determined pursuant to Section 1.4.3, exceeds the Estimated Closing
Debt.

     "Closing Debt Surplus" shall mean the amount by which the Estimated Closing
Debt exceeds the Closing Debt, as finally determined pursuant to Section 1.4.3.

     "Closing Financials and Computations" shall mean the Closing Balance Sheet
and the calculations of the amounts of Closing Debt and Adjusted Net Worth based
on the Closing Balance Sheet.

     "Durable Power of Attorney" shall mean an instrument in the form of a
Durable Power of Attorney to be executed by each of the Sellers (other than
those Sellers executing this Agreement personally) and by the Sellers' Agents
which, among other things, shall appoint the Sellers' Agents as the agents of
Sellers and define the responsibilities of the Sellers' Agents.

     "Escrow Agent" shall mean the law firm of Rose, Brouillette & Shapiro, P.C.

     "Escrow Agreement" shall mean the escrow agreement to be executed
immediately prior to the Closing by the Escrow Agent Acquisition and the
Sellers' Agents (as defined below), the form of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit 1.2.1.

     "Estimated Closing Debt" shall mean the Company's good faith written
estimate of the Closing Debt, which shall be delivered to Acquisition no more
than five (5) nor less than two (2) business days prior to the Closing Date.

     "Net Worth Deficiency" shall mean, the amount, if any, by which (i)
$63,800,000 exceeds (ii) the Adjusted Net Worth, as finally determined pursuant
to Section 1.4.3 hereof.

     "Net Worth Surplus" shall mean, the amount, if any, by which (i) the
Adjusted Net Worth, as finally determined pursuant to Section 1.4.3 hereof,
exceeds (ii) $63,800,000.





                                        2
<PAGE>
 
     "Sellers' Agents" shall mean any of Wolff, Robert Shaw, John Menghini,
Larry D. Graveel and Michael H. Gary, as agents for each of the Sellers, and any
successor Sellers' Agents. Any reference to the Sellers' Agents shall be deemed
to be a reference to any one of such individuals, any three of whom shall have
the power and authority to bind those Sellers executing a Durable Power of
Attorney.

     "Wolff" shall mean Robert M. Wolff, individually.

     1.3 Preliminary Purchase Price. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and in reliance on the covenants, representations and warranties of
the Sellers herein contained (including, without limitation, the sale,
conveyance, transfer and delivery of the Shares to Holdings and Acquisition),
Acquisition and Holdings, collectively, shall pay to the Sellers at the Closing
an amount equal to (x) $232,900,000 less (y) the Estimated Closing Debt subject
to adjustment as of the Closing Date pursuant to Section 1.4 hereof, to be paid
as follows:

     1.3.1 Holdings shall pay $100,000 to the Sellers by delivery of an
aggregate of 100,000 shares of Holdings' Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01
per share, in an exchange that is intended to qualify as a tax-free exchange
pursuant to the provisions of Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code");

     1.3.2 Holdings shall pay $13,500,000 to the Sellers by delivery of an
aggregate of 13,500,000 shares of Holdings' Class A Preferred Stock, par value
$0.01 per share, in an exchange that is intended to qualify as a tax-free
exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 351 of the Code;

     1.3.3 Subject to the provisions of the following sentence, Acquisition
shall pay to the Sellers' Agents, for the benefit of all of the Sellers, an
aggregate amount of $219,300,000 minus the amount of the Estimated Closing Debt,
the resulting amount of which is hereinafter referred to as the "Preliminary
Cash Purchase Price." Six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) of the Preliminary
Cash Purchase Price shall be paid to the Escrow Agent for the benefit of the
Sellers, to be held pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement and
distributed in accordance with the terms of Section 1.4. The balance of the
Preliminary Cash Purchase Price shall be paid to the Sellers' Agents, for the
benefit of the Sellers, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the
account designated by the Sellers' Agents in writing to Acquisition no less than
five (5) days prior to the Closing.





                                        3
<PAGE>
 
     1.4 Post-Closing Adjustments.

     1.4.1 No later than sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, the Company
shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, and deliver to the parties hereto the
Closing Financials and Computations.

     1.4.2 Acquisition, the Sellers' Agents and their respective accountants
shall, within fifteen (15) days following receipt of the Closing Financials and
Computations (the "Review Period"), complete their review of the Closing
Financials and Computations. On or before the last day of the Review Period,
Acquisition or the Sellers' Agents (the "Objecting Party") shall inform the
other (the "Non-Objecting Party") in writing of any objections to the
calculation of the Closing Debt and/or Adjusted Net Worth as shown in the
Closing Financials and Computations (the "Objections"), setting forth detailed
written explanations of the Objections and the adjustments which the Objecting
Party believes should be made to the Closing Debt and/or Adjusted Net Worth. The
amount of the Preliminary Cash Purchase Price, Closing Debt and/or Adjusted Net
Worth not affected by the Objections will be deemed to be final as set forth in
the Closing Financials and Computations. Following its receipt of the
Objections, the Non-Objecting Party shall have 10 days to review and respond in
writing to the Objections. Acquisition and the Sellers' Agents will then have an
additional fifteen (15) days at the end of such period to attempt to resolve in
good faith the Objections.

     1.4.3 If Acquisition and the Sellers' Agents are unable to resolve all of
their disagreements with respect to the Objections within the time periods
specified in Section 1.4.2 above, they shall refer any unresolved Objections to
Deloitte & Touche LLP or to such other nationally-recognized firm of independent
certified public accountants as to which the parties mutually agree (the
"Arbitrator"), who shall determine, based on the information submitted by
Acquisition and the Sellers' Agents (and not by independent review), and only
with respect to the remaining differences so submitted, whether and to what
extent the Closing Debt and/or Adjusted Net Worth, as shown in the Closing
Financials and Computations, require adjustment. The Arbitrator's determination
shall be conclusive and binding upon the Sellers and Acquisition. The cost of
such Arbitrator's review shall be borne equally by the Sellers and Acquisition.
Unless the Sellers' Agents and Acquisition otherwise agree in writing, "Closing
Debt" and "Adjusted Net Worth" shall be (i) the amount of Closing Debt and/or
Adjusted Net Worth, respectively, set forth in the Closing Financials and
Computations in the event that neither Acquisition or the Sellers' Agents
deliver any Objections within the Review Period or (ii) the amount of Closing
Debt and/or Adjusted Net Worth as adjusted by the Arbitrator.





                                        4
<PAGE>
 
     1.4.4 If, as a result of such computations, there is a Closing Debt
Deficiency, the amount of the Closing Debt Deficiency shall be paid to
Acquisition, first from the funds held by the Escrow Agent and, to the extent
such funds are not adequate to pay Acquisition for all of the Closing Debt
Deficiency, then Sellers shall pay the remaining amount of such deficiency to
Acquisition as a post-Closing purchase price adjustment.

     1.4.5 If, as a result of such computations, there is a Closing Debt
Surplus, Acquisition shall pay the amount of such surplus to Sellers' Agents,
for the benefit of the Sellers, as a post-Closing purchase price adjustment.

     1.4.6 If, as a result of such computations, there is a Net Worth
Deficiency, the amount of the Net Worth Deficiency shall be paid to Acquisition,
first from the funds held by the Escrow Agent and, to the extent such funds are
not adequate to pay Acquisition for all of the Net Worth Deficiency (including
any payment that may be required pursuant to Section 1.4.4 above), then Sellers
shall pay the remaining amount of such deficiency to Acquisition as a
post-Closing purchase price adjustment.

     1.4.7 If, as a result of such computations, there is a Net Worth Surplus,
Acquisition shall pay the amount of such surplus to the Sellers' Agents, for the
benefit of the Sellers, as a post-Closing purchase price adjustment.

     1.4.8 Any amounts owed to the Sellers or Acquisition, as the case may be,
under Sections 1.4.4, 1.4.5, 1.4.6 or 1.4.7 hereof shall be paid within ten (10)
days following the final determination of the Closing Debt and/or Adjusted Net
Worth, as the case may be. Any amount not paid within such time period shall
bear interest from the due date until paid at a rate of 12% per annum.

     1.5 Accounts and Notes Receivable. The Sellers' Agents will deliver to
Acquisition a schedule of all accounts and notes receivable (and the face
amounts thereof) which are outstanding on the Closing Date (as hereinafter
defined). All accounts and notes receivable listed on the schedule delivered at
the Closing will constitute valid claims against third parties not affiliated
with the Company arising in the ordinary course of business of the Company. The
parties hereto agree that Acquisition may assign to the Sellers any accounts and
notes receivable which are outstanding on the Closing Date, and which are
uncollected as of the date six (6) months after the Closing Date, and
concurrently with such assignment the Sellers shall pay to Acquisition in cash
an amount equal to the aggregate value of such accounts and notes receivable to
the extent the same exceeds the reserve for doubtful accounts on the Closing
Balance Sheet. All amounts which are collected from an account or note debtor
after the Closing Date shall be first





                                        5
<PAGE>
 
applied to reduce the oldest outstanding balance on such account or with such
note debtor.


                                    ARTICLE 2

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS

     The Sellers hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to Holdings
and Acquisition, as follows:

     2.1 Corporate Organization, etc. The Company is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of
Missouri with all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted and to own, operate and lease its
properties and assets. Exhibit 2.1.1 lists each of the states where the Company
is qualified as a foreign corporation. The conduct of its business and its
ownership or use of property do not require the Company to be qualified or
licensed to do business as a foreign corporation in any state except those
listed in Exhibit 2.1.1. Exhibit 2.1.2 contains complete and correct copies of
the Company's (i) articles or certificate of incorporation; (ii) bylaws; and
(iii) certificates of authority for the states listed in Exhibit 2.1.1, each
amended to date. The Company has all federal, state, local and foreign licenses,
permits or other approvals required for the operation of its business as now
being conducted.

     2.2 Capital Stock; Options. The authorized capital stock of the Company and
the shares of capital stock of the Company issued and outstanding, of all
classes, and the respective holdings of each of the Sellers, are as set forth in
Exhibit 2.2. The Shares represent all of the issued and, except for 242,125
shares of treasury stock, outstanding capital stock of the Company. All of the
Shares are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the
Sellers, free and clear of all encumbrances or claims, except as set forth on
Exhibit 2.2. There are no issued and outstanding options, warrants, rights,
securities, contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the
Company is bound to issue any additional shares of its capital stock or options
to purchase shares of its capital stock.

     2.3 Subsidiaries and Affiliates. The Company has no subsidiaries. Except as
set forth in Exhibit 2.3, the Company has no Affiliates or investments in any
other entity or business operation. The term "Affiliates" includes each
shareholder, director, officer and employee of the Company, the family members
of each Seller, and any director, officer or employee of the Company, and any
corporation, partnership or other entity in which the Company, any Seller, any
family member of a Seller or director or officer of the Company has any
financial interest or is a controlling person, as that term is used in
connection with the





                                        6
<PAGE>
 
federal securities laws, if such person or entity has, or in the past had, a
contractual relationship with or is transacting, or has in the past transacted,
business with the Company. All of the outstanding shares of all classes of
capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company are owned by the Company free of
any liens, security interests, claims or encumbrances. The Company has no
Affiliate whose liabilities or obligations will be assumed by Holdings or
Acquisition.

     2.4 Authorization, etc. The Sellers have full power and authority to enter
into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby. None
of the Sellers are residents of any state that has enacted community property
statutes nor are any of the Sellers subject to any community property statutes.

     2.5 No Violation. Except as set forth in Exhibit 2.5, the Company is not
subject to or obligated under any article or certificate of incorporation,
bylaw, Law (as defined in Section 12.5), or any agreement or instrument, or any
license, franchise or permit, which would be breached or violated by the
Sellers' execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. The Sellers will
comply with all applicable Laws in connection with their execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.

     2.6 Governmental Authorities. Except as set forth in Exhibit 2.6, neither
the Sellers nor the Company are required to submit any notice, report or other
filing with, and no consent, approval or authorization is required, by any
governmental or regulatory authority in connection with their execution,
delivery, consummation or performance of this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby.

     2.7 Financial Statements. Exhibit 2.7 contains the Company's audited
statements of financial position as of June 30 for each of the years 1992
through 1996 and audited statements of income and retained earnings for the
fiscal years then ended, each such statement being prepared by Donnelly Meiners
Jordan Kline PC. All such statements of financial position and the notes thereto
are complete and accurate and fairly present the financial position of the
Company as of the respective dates thereof, and such statements of income and
retained earnings and the notes thereto fairly present the results of operations
for the periods therein referred to, all in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied throughout the periods indicated (except as stated therein or in the
notes thereto). The statement of financial position as of June 30, 1996 and the
notes thereto are referred to as the "Balance Sheet." June 30, 1996 is referred
to as the "Financial Statement Date."

     2.8 No Undisclosed Liabilities, Claims, etc. Except for (i) liabilities
fully reflected or reserved against in the Balance





                                        7
<PAGE>
 
Sheet; (ii) regular and usual liabilities and obligations incurred in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practices after the Financial
Statement Date (which shall in no event include any liabilities resulting from
breach of contract, any negligent or intentional acts or omissions or any strict
liability claim), and (iii) the items listed on Exhibit 2.8, the Company has no
liabilities, obligations or claims (absolute, accrued, fixed or contingent,
matured or unmatured, or otherwise), including liabilities, obligations or
claims which may become known or which arise only after the Closing and which
result from actions, omissions or occurrences of the Company prior to the
Closing.

     2.9 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as set forth on Exhibit 2.9 or the
certificate to be delivered pursuant to Sections 4.4 and 7.15, since the
Financial Statement Date, there has not been (i) any adverse change in the
business, prospects, financial condition, earnings or operations of the
Company's business; (ii) any damage, destruction or loss, whether covered by
insurance or not, adversely affecting the Company's properties and business;
(iii) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend whether in cash,
stock or property with respect to the Company's capital stock, or any redemption
or other acquisition of such stock by the Company; (iv) any increase in the
compensation payable or to become payable by the Company to its directors,
officers, key employees, Affiliates or any of the Sellers or any adoption of or
increase in any bonus, insurance, pension or other employee benefit plan,
payment or arrangement made to, for or with any such party; (v) any entry by the
Company into any commitment or transaction, including, without limitation, any
borrowing or capital expenditure other than in accordance with the Schedule of
Capital Expenditures (Exhibit 2.25); (vi) any change by the Company in
accounting methods, practices or principles; (vii) any adoption of any statute,
rule, regulation or order which adversely affects the Company; (viii) any
termination or waiver of any rights of value to the business of the Company;
(ix) any other transaction or event other than in the ordinary course of the
Company's business; (x) any transaction or conduct inconsistent with the
Company's past business practices; (xi) any adoption or amendment of any
collective bargaining, bonus, profit sharing, compensation, stock option,
pension, retirement, deferred compensation, or other plan, agreement, trust,
fund or arrangement for the benefit of employees; or (xii) any agreement or
understanding made or entered into to do any of the foregoing.

     2.10 Contracts. Exhibit 2.10 contains a schedule of, and copies of, all
Contracts to which the Company is a party. The term "Contracts" shall include,
but shall not be limited to, all oral (which shall be summarized in Exhibit
2.10) and written contracts, agreements, agency agreements, loan agreements,
mortgages, indentures, deeds of trust, guarantees, commitments, joint venture
agreements, purchase and/or sale agreements, collective bargaining, union,
consulting and/or employment contracts, leases of real or





                                        8
<PAGE>
 
personal property, easements, distribution or dealer agreements, service
agreements, license agreements and advertising agreements (except there shall
not be included agreements which do not exceed, in the case of any one
agreement, an annual obligation of $50,000, and in the case of all agreements,
an annual aggregate obligation of $500,000). The Company is not in default or
alleged to be in default under any Contract nor are any of the Sellers aware of
any default by any other party to any Contract, and there exists no event,
condition or occurrence which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would
constitute a default under any Contract. All of the Contracts are in full force
and effect and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the parties
thereto in accordance with their terms, and will remain in full force and effect
after the Closing without any notice to or consent by any other party.

     2.11 True and Complete Copies. Copies of all agreements, contracts and
documents delivered and to be delivered hereunder by the Sellers or the Company
are and will be true and complete copies of such agreements, contracts and
documents. All written summaries of oral agreements will be true and complete.

     2.12 Title and Related Matters. Except as set forth in Exhibit 2.12, the
Company has good and marketable title to all of the properties and assets
reflected in the Balance Sheet or acquired after the date thereof (except
properties sold or otherwise disposed of since the date thereof in the ordinary
course of business and consistent with past practices), including without
limitation, the specific assets referred to in Sections 2.12.1, 2.12.2 and
2.12.3 below, free and clear of all mortgages, security interests, liens,
pledges, claims, escrows, options, rights of first refusal, indentures,
easements, licenses, security agreements or other agreements, arrangements,
contracts, commitments, understandings, obligations, charges or encumbrances of
any kind or character, except as reflected on the Balance Sheet. The Company
owns or leases, directly or indirectly, all of the assets and properties, and is
a party to all licenses and other agreements, presently used or necessary to
carry on the business or operations of the Company as presently conducted.

     2.12.1 Real Property.

     2.12.1.1 The Company has good and marketable title in fee simple to the
land, including buildings and improvements thereon, shown on the Balance Sheet.
All such land, buildings and improvements of the Company are owned free and
clear of all encumbrances, restrictions and charges of every kind and character,
including, without limitation, any of the various types listed above, except as
set forth on Exhibit 2.12.

     2.12.1.2 The Company is not a tenant under any lease(s) of real property
used by the Company except as described on Exhibit 2.10. With respect to the
leased real property described on





                                        9
<PAGE>
 
Exhibit 2.10 and except as set forth on Exhibit 2.12: (i) all such leases are in
full force and effect and constitute valid and binding obligations of the
respective parties thereto; (ii) there have not been and there currently are not
any defaults thereunder by any party thereto; (iii) no event has occurred which
(whether with or without notice, lapse of time or the happening or occurrence of
any other event) would constitute a default thereunder entitling the lessor to
terminate the lease; and (a) the continuation, validity and effectiveness of all
such leases under the current rentals and other current terms thereof will in no
way be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or, if any
would be affected, the Sellers shall use all necessary means at their disposal
to cause an appropriate consent to such transactions to be delivered to Holdings
and Acquisition prior to the Closing Date at no cost or other adverse
consequences to the Company ((i) through (iv) are hereinafter collectively
referred to as "Lease Restrictions").

     2.12.1.3 Except as shown on Exhibit 2.12, each parcel of real property,
building, structure and improvement owned, leased or otherwise utilized by the
Company (collectively the "Premises") conforms to all applicable Laws, including
zoning regulations, none of which will, upon the sale of the Shares to Holdings
and Acquisition, prohibit the use of such properties, buildings, structures or
improvements, for the purposes for which they are now utilized. The Premises are
of good quality construction throughout, are in good condition and working
order, are adequate for their intended purposes, have no structural or other
substantial deficiencies, and are free from deferred maintenance.

     2.12.1.4 The Company does not currently have, and in the past has not had,
any interest (as owner, tenant or otherwise) in any real property except as
disclosed on Exhibit 2.12.

     2.12.2 Personal Property. The Company has good and marketable title to all
the personal property and assets, tangible or intangible, shown on the Balance
Sheet, except to the extent sold or disposed of in transactions entered into in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices since the
Financial Statement Date. The personal property in the aggregate is in good
condition and working order, and each individual item of personal property which
would cost in excess of $25,000 to replace is in good condition and working
order. None of such assets are subject to any (i) contracts of sale or lease,
except contracts for the sale of inventory in the ordinary and regular course of
business; or (ii) security interests, encumbrances, liens or charges of any kind
or character, except as set forth in Exhibit 2.12. Except as set forth in
Exhibit 2.12, there are no Lease Restrictions with respect to the personal
property leased by the Company.





                                       10
<PAGE>
 
     2.12.3 Inventories. In addition to Section 2.12.2, the inventories of the
Company included on the Balance Sheet, to be included on interim balance sheets
provided pursuant to Section 4.8 and owned by the Company on the Closing Date:
(i) are valued with respect to each category of inventory at the lower of cost
(on a FIFO basis) or market; and (ii) excluding the amount of any inventories
included in any reserves on the Balance Sheet or the Closing Balance Sheet, do
not include any items which are not usable or saleable in the normal course of
the business of the Company as currently conducted within normal inventory
"turn" experience, the value of which has not been fully written down, or with
respect to which adequate reserves have not been provided. The Company has the
proper amount of inventories to conduct its business consistent with past
practices. There has not been since the Financial Statement Date any provision
for markdowns or shrinkage with respect to inventories other than in the
ordinary and regular course of business consistent with past practices or as
otherwise consented to by Holdings and Acquisition.

     2.12.4 No Disposition of Assets. There has not been since the Financial
Statement Date any sale, lease or any other disposition or distribution by the
Company of any of its assets or properties and any other assets now or hereafter
owned by it, except transactions in the ordinary and regular course of business
consistent with past practices or as otherwise consented to by Holdings and
Acquisition.

     2.13 Litigation. Except as set forth in Exhibit 2.13, there is no suit,
action, investigation or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Sellers,
threatened against the Company or any of the Sellers which, if adversely
determined, would adversely affect the business, prospects, operations,
earnings, properties or the condition, financial or otherwise, of the Company,
nor is there any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any court,
governmental department, commission, agency, instrumentality or arbitrator
outstanding against the Company having, or which, insofar as can be reasonably
foreseen, in the future may have, any such effect.

     2.14 Tax Matters. The term "Taxes" means all net income, capital gains,
gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, transfer, ad valorem, franchise,
profits, license, capital, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, goods and
services, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits,
customs, duties or other taxes, fees or assessments, or other governmental
charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest, fines and any
penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts incurred or accrued under
applicable Law or assessed, charged or imposed by any governmental authority,
domestic or foreign, provided that any interest, penalties, additions to tax or
additional amounts that relate to Taxes for any taxable period (including any
portion of any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date) shall be





                                       11
<PAGE>
 
deemed to be Taxes for such period, regardless of when such items are incurred,
accrued, assessed or imposed. For the purposes of this Section 2.14 and Section
6.4, the Company shall be deemed to include any predecessor of the Company or
any person or entity from which the Company incurs a liability for Taxes as a
result of any transferee liability. Except as stated in Exhibit 2.14.1:

     2.14.1 The Company has duly and timely filed (and prior to the Closing Date
will duly and timely file) true, correct and complete tax returns, reports or
estimates, all prepared in accordance with applicable Laws, for all years and
periods (and portions thereof) and for all jurisdictions (whether federal,
state, local or foreign) in which any such returns, reports or estimates were
due. All Taxes shown as due and payable on such returns, reports and estimates
have been paid, and there is no current liability for any Taxes due and payable
in connection with any such returns. All Taxes not yet due and payable have been
fully accrued on the books of the Company and adequate reserves have been
established therefor; the charges, accruals and reserves for Taxes provided for
on the financial statements delivered or to be delivered pursuant to Section 2.7
and Section 4.8 are adequate; and there are no unpaid assessments for additional
Taxes for any period nor is there any basis therefor. Attached hereto as Exhibit
2.14.2 are copies of all federal, state and foreign tax returns filed by the
Company for the past five (5) years.

     2.14.2 The Company is not, and never has been, a member of any
consolidated, combined or unitary group for federal, state, local or foreign tax
purposes. The Company is not a party to any joint venture, partnership or other
arrangement that could be treated as a partnership for federal income tax
purposes.

     2.14.3 The Company has (i) withheld all required amounts from its
employees, agents, contractors and nonresidents and remitted such amounts to the
proper agencies; (ii) paid all employer contributions and premiums and (iii)
filed all federal, state, local and foreign returns and reports with respect to
employee income tax withholding, and social security and unemployment taxes and
premiums, all in compliance with the withholding tax provisions of the Code, as
in effect for the applicable year or any prior provision thereof and other
applicable Laws.

     2.14.4 The federal income tax returns of the Company have been examined by
the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"), or have been closed by the applicable
statute of limitations, for all periods through June 30, 1991; the state tax
returns of the Company have been examined by the relevant state agencies or such
returns have been closed by the applicable statute of limitations for all
periods through June 30, 1991; no deficiencies or reassessments for any Taxes
have been proposed, asserted or assessed against the Company by any federal,
state, local or foreign taxing authority.





                                       12
<PAGE>
 
Exhibit 2.14.1 describes the status of any federal, state, local or foreign tax
audits or other administrative proceedings, discussions or court proceedings
that are presently pending with regard to any Taxes or tax returns of the
Company (including a description of all issues raised by the taxing authorities
in connection with any such audits or proceedings), and no additional issues are
being asserted against the Company in connection with any existing audits or
proceedings.

     2.14.5 The Company has not executed or filed any agreement or other
document extending the period for assessment, reassessment or collection of any
Taxes, and no power of attorney granted by the Company with respect to any Taxes
is currently in force; provided, however, the Company currently is contesting
and has appealed certain personal property taxes and has retained Brian Darcy as
a consultant to advise the Company on methods of (i) applying for Tax refunds
for prior periods and (ii) reducing its future Tax obligations, in either such
case, by obtaining the benefits of all statutes and regulations available to the
Company.

     2.14.6 The Company has not entered into any closing or other agreement with
any taxing authority which affects any taxable year of the Company ending after
the Closing Date. The Company is not a party to any tax sharing agreement or
similar arrangement for the sharing of tax liabilities or benefits.

     2.14.7 The Company has not agreed to and is not required to make any
adjustment by reason of a change in accounting methods that affects any taxable
year ending after the Closing Date. The IRS has not proposed to the Company any
such adjustment or change in accounting methods that affects any taxable year
ending after the Closing Date. The Company has no application pending with any
taxing authority requesting permission for any changes in accounting methods
that relate to its business or operations and that affects any taxable year
ending after the Closing Date.

     2.14.8 The Company has not consented to the application of Code Section
341(f).

     2.14.9 There is no contract, agreement, plan or arrangement covering any
employee or former employee of the Company that, individually or collectively,
could give rise to the payment by the Company of any amount that would not be
deductible by reason of Code Section 280G.

     2.14.10 No asset of the Company is tax exempt use property under Code
Section 168(h). Except for the real property of the Company located at 16002 W.
110th Street, Lenexa, Kansas, no portion of the cost of any asset of the Company
has been financed directly or indirectly from the proceeds of any tax exempt
state or local government obligation described in Code Section 103(a).





                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     2.14.11 None of the assets of the Company is property that the Company is
required to treat as being owned by any other person pursuant to the safe harbor
lease provision of former Code Section 168(f)(8).

     2.14.12 The Company does not have and has not had a permanent establishment
in any foreign country and does not and has not engaged in a trade or business
in any foreign country. Neither the Sellers nor the Company is a foreign person
within the meaning of Code Section 1445.

     2.14.13 None of Holdings, Acquisition or the Company will be liable for any
federal, state, local, foreign and other sales, use, documentary, recording,
stamp, transfer or similar Taxes applicable to, imposed upon or arising out of
the transfer of the Shares to Holdings and Acquisition and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

     2.15 Government Contracts. Except as disclosed in Exhibit 2.15, no Contract
or other aspect of the business of the Company is subject to the Armed Services
Procurement Regulations or other regulations of any governmental agency. The
Company has not bid on or been awarded any "small business set aside contract,"
any other "set aside contract" or other order or contract requiring small
business or other special status at any time during the last three (3) years.
None of the Company's expected sales will be lost, and the Company's customer
relations will not be damaged, as a result of the Company's continuing the
operations of an entity that does not qualify as a small business.

     2.16 Compliance with Law.

     2.16.1 Except as disclosed on Exhibit 2.13, the Company has not previously
failed and is not currently failing to comply with any applicable Laws relating
to the business of the Company or the operation of its assets where such failure
or failures would individually or in the aggregate have an adverse effect on the
financial condition, business, operations or prospects of the Company. In
particular, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company is
in compliance with all applicable Laws relating to (i) anti-competitive
practices, (ii) price fixing, (iii) health and safety, (iv) environmental and
(v) except as disclosed on Exhibit 2.13, employment and discrimination matters.
Except as disclosed on Exhibit 2.13, there are no proceedings of record and no
proceedings are pending or threatened, nor has the Company or any of the Sellers
received any written notice regarding any violation of any Law, including,
without limitation, any requirement of OSHA or any pollution or environmental
control agency (including air and water).

     2.16.2 Exhibit 2.16 contains copies of all reports of inspections by
representatives of any federal, state or local





                                       14
<PAGE>
 
governmental entity or agency of the business and properties of the Company from
January 1, 1991 through the date hereof under OSHA and under all other
applicable health and safety Laws. The deficiencies, if any, noted on such
reports or any deficiencies noted by such inspections through the Closing Date
shall be corrected by the Closing Date. Except as disclosed on Exhibit 2.13,
neither the Company or any of the Sellers know or have reason to know of any
other safety, health, environmental, anti-competitive or discrimination problems
relating to the financial condition, business, assets, operations, prospects,
earnings or employment practices of the Company.

     2.17 Absence of Certain Business Practices. None of the Sellers, any person
or entity related to or affiliated with any of the Sellers, any officer,
employee or agent of the Company or any of the Sellers, any other person or
entity acting on behalf of or associated with the Company or any of the Sellers,
nor any other entity directly or indirectly owned or controlled by any of the
Sellers or the Company, acting alone or together, has (i) received, directly or
indirectly, any rebates, payments, commissions, promotional allowances or any
other economic benefit, regardless of its nature or type, from any customer,
supplier, trading company, shipping company, governmental employee or other
entity or individual with whom the Company has done business directly or
indirectly; or (ii) directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any gift or
similar benefit to any customer, supplier, trading company, shipping company,
governmental employee or other person or entity who is or may be in a position
to help or hinder the business of the Company (or assist the Company in
connection with any actual or proposed transaction) which (1) might subject the
Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental
litigation or proceeding, (2) if not given in the past, might have had an
adverse effect on the assets, business or operations of the Company as reflected
in the financial statements set forth as Exhibit 2.7 or (3), if not continued in
the future, might adversely affect the assets, business, operations or prospects
of the Company or which might subject the Company to suit or penalty in any
private or governmental litigation or proceeding.

     2.18 ERISA and Related Employee Benefit Matters.

     2.18.1 Welfare Benefit Plans. Exhibit 2.18.1 lists each "employee welfare
benefit plan" (within the meaning of Section 3(1) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA")) maintained by the Company or to which the
Company contributes or is required to contribute, including any multiemployer
plan ("Welfare Benefit Plan") and sets forth as of the most recent valuation
date (i) the amount of any liability of the Company for payments due with
respect to any Welfare Benefit Plan, (ii) the amount of any payment made and to
be made, stated separately, by the Company with respect to any Welfare Benefit
Plan for the plan year during which the Closing is to occur, and (iii)





                                       15
<PAGE>
 
with respect to any Welfare Benefit Plan to which Section 505 of the Code
applies, a statement of assets and liabilities for such Welfare Benefit Plan as
of the most recent valuation date. Without limiting the foregoing, Exhibit
2.18.1 discloses any obligations of the Company to provide retiree health
benefits to current or former employees of the Company.

     2.18.2 Pension Benefit Plans. Exhibit 2.18.2 lists each "employee pension
benefit plan" (within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA) maintained by the
Company or to which the Company contributes or is required to contribute,
including any multiemployer plan ("Pension Benefit Plan"). All costs of the
Pension Benefit Plans have been provided for on the basis of consistent methods
and, if applicable, in accordance with sound actuarial assumptions and practices
that are acceptable under ERISA. With respect to each Pension Benefit Plan that
is subject to Title I, Part 3 of ERISA (concerning "funding"), Exhibit 2.18.2
sets forth as of the valuation date (i) the unfunded liability for all accrued
benefits, (ii) the funding method, (iii) the actuarially computed value of
vested benefits, (iv) the fair market value of the assets held for funding
purposes, (v) the amount and plan year of any "accumulated funding deficiency,"
as defined in Section 302(a)(2) of ERISA (arising for any reason whatever) that
exists with respect to any plan year, and (vi) the amount of any contribution by
the Company paid and to be paid, stated separately, for the plan year during
which the Closing is to occur. With respect to each Pension Benefit Plan that is
not subject to Title I, Part 3 of ERISA, Exhibit 2.18.2 sets forth as of the
valuation date (i) the amount of any liability of the Company for any
contributions due with respect to such Pension Benefit Plan and (ii) the amount
of any contribution paid and to be paid, stated separately, by the Company with
respect to such Pension Benefit Plan for the plan year during which the Closing
is to occur.

     2.18.3 Compliance with Applicable Law. Each of the Pension Benefit Plans,
Welfare Benefit Plans, any related trust agreements, annuity contracts, and
other funding instruments, comply with the provisions of ERISA and the Code and
all other statutes, orders, governmental rules and regulations applicable to
such Welfare Benefit Plans and Pension Benefit Plans. The Company has performed
all of its obligations currently required to have been performed under all
Welfare Benefit Plans and Pension Benefit Plans. There are no actions, suits or
claims (other than routine claims for benefits) pending or threatened against or
with respect to any Welfare Benefit Plans, Pension Benefit Plans or the assets
of such plans, and no facts exist that could give rise to any actions, suits or
claims (other than routine claims for benefits) against such plans or the assets
of such plans. There have been no written or oral communications with the
Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor or any other federal, state or
local government entity. Each Pension Benefit Plan is qualified in form and
operation under Section 401(a) of the Code, the Internal Revenue





                                       16
<PAGE>
 
Service has issued a favorable determination letter with respect to each Pension
Benefit Plan, and no event has occurred that will or could give rise to a
disqualification of any Pension Benefit Plan under Code section 401(a). No event
has occurred that will or could subject any Welfare Benefit Plan or Pension
Benefit Plan to tax under Section 511 of the Code.

     2.18.4 Administration of Plans. Each Welfare Benefit Plan and each Pension
Benefit Plan has been administered to date in compliance with the requirements
of ERISA and the Code. No assets of any Pension Benefit Plan or Welfare Benefit
Plan are invested, directly or indirectly, in any obligation or security of the
Company or its Affiliates or in any real or personal property of the Company or
its Affiliates. No plan fiduciary of any Welfare Benefit Plan or Pension Benefit
Plan has engaged in (i) any transaction in violation of Section 406(a) or (b) of
ERISA, or (ii) any "prohibited transaction" (within the meaning of Section
4975(c)(1) of the Code) for which no exemption exists under Section 408 of ERISA
or Section 4975(d) of the Code.

     2.18.5 Title IV Plans. With respect to each Pension Benefit Plan which is
subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA in which the Company (for
purposes of this subsection the Company shall include each trade or business,
whether or not incorporated, which is a member of a group of which the Company
is a member and which is under common control within the meaning of Section 414
of the Code and the regulations thereunder) participates or has participated,
(i) the Company has not withdrawn from such Pension Benefit Plan during a plan
year in which it was a "substantial employer" (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2)
of ERISA), (ii) the Company has not completely or partially withdrawn from a
Pension Benefit Plan that is a multiemployer plan, and the liability to which
the Company would become subject under ERISA if the Company were to withdraw
completely from all multiemployer plans in which it currently participates is
not in excess of $10,000 as of the most recent valuation date applicable
thereto, (iii) the Company has not filed a notice of intent to terminate any
such Pension Benefit Plan or adopted any amendment to treat such Pension Benefit
Plan as terminated, (iv) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has not
instituted proceedings to terminate any such Pension Benefit Plan, (v) no other
event or condition has occurred that might constitute grounds under Section 4042
of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a Trustee to administer,
any such Pension Benefit Plan, (vi) all required premium payments to the Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation have been paid when due, and (vii) no "reportable
event" (as described in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations thereunder)
has occurred with respect to said Pension Benefit Plan.

     2.18.6 Other Employee Benefit Plans and Agreements. Exhibit 2.18.3 lists
each cafeteria, fringe benefit, profit sharing, deferred compensation, bonus,
stock option, stock





                                       17
<PAGE>
 
purchase, pension, retainer, consulting, retirement, welfare, or other incentive
plan or agreement, employment agreement not terminable on thirty (30) days or
less written notice, and any other employee benefit plan, agreement,
arrangement, or commitment not previously listed on the Exhibits to this Section
that is maintained by the Company or to which the Company contributes or is
required to contribute.

     2.18.7 Copies of Plans. Exhibit 2.18.4 includes true and complete copies
of: each Welfare Benefit Plan; each Pension Benefit Plan; related service
agreements, trust agreements, annuity contracts, insurance contracts and other
funding instruments; each plan, agreement, arrangement, and commitment referred
to in Section 2.18.6; favorable determination letters; annual reports (Form 5500
series) required to be filed with any governmental agency for each Welfare
Benefit Plan, Pension Benefit Plan, and fringe benefit plan for the three most
recent plan years, including, without limitation, all schedules thereto and all
financial statements with attached opinions of independent accountants; current
summary plan descriptions; and actuarial reports as of the last valuation date
for each Pension Benefit Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA.

     2.18.8 Continuation Coverage Requirements for Health Plans. All group
health plans of the Company (including any plans of affiliates of the Company
that must be taken into account under Section 4980B of the Code) have been
operated in compliance with the group health plan continuation coverage
requirements of Section 4980B of the Code and Title I, Part 6 of ERISA.

     2.18.9 Valid Obligations. All Welfare Benefit Plans, Pension Benefit Plans,
related trust agreements, annuity contracts or other funding instruments, and
all plans, agreements, arrangements and commitments referred to in Section
2.18.6 are legal, valid and binding and in full force and effect, and there are
no defaults thereunder. No insurance contract, annuity contract or other funding
instrument with any financial entity or other organization would impose a
penalty, discount, market value adjustment, or other reduction on account of the
withdrawal of assets from such organization or the change in investment of such
assets. Except as specified in Exhibit 2.18.5, none of the rights of the Company
thereunder will be impaired by the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, and all of the rights of the Company thereunder will be
enforceable by Holdings and Acquisition, as the case may be, at and after the
Closing without the consent or agreement of any other party other than consents
and agreements specifically listed in Exhibit 2.18.5.

     2.19 Intellectual Property. The Company has good and marketable title to,
owns all right, title, and interest in the United States in, to, and under, and
Exhibit 2.19 contains a detailed listing of, each copyright, trademark, trade
name, service mark, trade dress, patent, franchise, trade secret, product





                                       18
<PAGE>
 
designation, formula, process, know-how, right of publicity, design,
registration of any of the foregoing, and application for any patent or
registration, and other similar rights (collectively "Intellectual Property
Rights") used in, or necessary for, the operation of its business as currently
conducted. Except as otherwise set forth on Exhibit 2.19, all of said
Intellectual Property Rights, the right to use them, and the right to convey
them are free and clear of all royalty and other obligations, security
interests, liens and encumbrances. The Company has the right to use all
Intellectual Property Rights used in, or necessary for, the operation of its
business as currently conducted. The Company has taken all action necessary to
protect against and defend against, and neither the Company nor any of the
Sellers has any knowledge of, any conflicting use of any such Intellectual
Property Rights. The Company has not utilized, nor does it utilize, any
Intellectual Property Rights, except those which are set forth in Exhibit 2.19.
Except as set forth in Exhibit 2.19, the Company is not a party in any capacity
to any franchise, license, royalty or other agreement respecting or restricting
any Intellectual Property Rights, and, except as set forth on Exhibit 2.19, the
Intellectual Property Rights of the Company do not conflict with the
Intellectual Property Rights or other rights of any third party. No product,
including final and intermediate products, made, imported, offered for sale,
sold or distributed by the Company, or service provided by the Company, or
process used by the Company, violates any license or infringes any Intellectual
Property Rights or other rights of any third party, and, except as set forth on
Exhibit 2.19, there are no pending claims or demands by any third party to the
contrary. Neither the Company nor the Sellers are aware that any such claim or
demand will be or is likely to be made or of any fact or circumstance that could
reasonably give rise to such a claim or demand. The Intellectual Property Rights
are valid and enforceable.

     2.20 Labor Relations. Except as set forth in Exhibit 2.20, there have been
no strikes, work stoppages or any demands for collective bargaining by any union
or labor organization since January 1, 1993; there is no collective bargaining
relationship between the Company and any union; there is no dispute or
controversy with any union or other organization of the Company's employees and
there are no arbitration proceedings pending or threatened involving a dispute
or controversy. The Company is in full compliance with all Laws respecting
employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and
wages and hours including, without limitation, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990, the Veterans Reemployment Rights Act, the Equal Employment Opportunities
Act, as amended by the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Occupational Safety and
Health Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Immigration
Reform and Control Act of 1986, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Older Workers





                                       19
<PAGE>
 
Benefit Protection Act, and all other Laws, each as amended to date, relating to
employer/employee rights and obligations. The Company currently has satisfactory
relationships with its employees. Except as disclosed in Exhibit 2.20 and since
January 1, 1993, no officers of the Company have resigned, advised the Company
of an intention to resign from such employment or refused to continue employment
with the Company. Exhibit 2.20 lists each former employee and/or officer of the
Company whose aggregate annualized compensation exceeded $200,000 and whose
employment by the Company has ceased for any reasons since January 1, 1993. Set
forth opposite the name of each such employee and/or officer are: the positions
held; the beginning and ending employment dates; and the reason for the
cessation of employment.

     2.21 Insurance. Exhibit 2.21 lists and includes copies of all certificates
of coverage regarding all of the Company's existing insurance policies, the
premiums therefor and the coverage of each policy. Such policies and the amount
of coverage and the risks insured are, in the aggregate, sufficient to protect
and insure the Company against perils which good business practice demands be
insured against or which are normally insured against by other industry members
similarly situated, and will remain in full force and effect after the Closing.

     2.22 Suppliers. No suppliers of goods or services to the Company that has
made sales or provided services representing, individually or in the aggregate,
more than $200,000 in payments or commitments by the Company within the last 12
months has (i) ceased, or indicated any intention to cease, doing business with
the Company, or (ii) changed or indicated any intention to change any terms or
conditions for future supply or sale of products or services from the terms or
conditions that existed with respect to the supply or sale of such products or
services during the 12-month period ending on the date hereof.

     2.23 Environmental.

     2.23.1 For purposes of this Section:

     2.23.1.1 "Hazardous Materials" means any hazardous, .infectious or toxic
substance, chemical, pollutant, contaminant, emission or waste which is or
becomes regulated by any local, state, federal or foreign authority. Hazardous
Materials include, without limitation, anything which is: (i) defined as a
"pollutant" pursuant to 33 U.S.C. ss. 1362(6); (ii) defined as a "hazardous
waste" pursuant to 42 U.S.C. ss. 6921; (iii) defined as a "regulated substance"
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. ss. 6991; (iv) defined as a "hazardous substance" pursuant
to 42 U.S.C. ss. 9601(14); (v) defined as a "pollutant or contaminant" pursuant
to 42 U.S.C. ss. 9601(33); (vi) petroleum; (vii) asbestos; and (viii)
polychlorinated biphenyl.





                                       20
<PAGE>
 
     2.23.1.2 "Environmental Laws and Regulations" means all limitations,
restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions, requirements, obligations,
schedules and timetables contained in any Laws relating to pollution, nuisance,
or the environment including, without limitation, (i) the Federal Clean Air Act,
42 U.S.C. ss.ss. 7401 et seq.; (ii) the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. ss.ss. 9601 et seq.; (iii) the
Federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, 42 U.S.C. ss.ss.
1101 et seq.; (iv) the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, 7
U.S.C. ss.ss. 136 et seq.; (v) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33
U.S.C. ss.ss. 1251 et seq.; (vi) the Solid Waste Disposal Act, 42 U.S.C. ss.ss.
6901 et seq.; (vii) the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. ss.ss. 2601 et
seq.; (viii) Laws relating in whole or part to emissions, discharges, releases,
or threatened releases of any Hazardous Material; and (ix) Laws relating in
whole or part to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, coverage,
disposal, transportation, storage or handling of any Hazardous Material.

     2.23.2 The operations and activities of the Company comply, and have in the
past complied, in all respects, with all Environmental Laws and Regulations.
There are no pending or currently proposed changes to any Environmental Laws and
Regulations which, when implemented or effective, may affect the operations of
the Company.

     2.23.3 The Company has obtained and is and has been in full compliance with
all requirements, permits, licenses and other authorizations which are required
with respect to the Company's operations, as well as the transactions
contemplated hereby under all Environmental Laws and Regulations. Exhibit 2.23
lists each such permit, license or other authorization. There are no other such
permits, licenses or other authorizations which are required by any
Environmental Laws and Regulations to be obtained after the Closing.

     2.23.4 There is no civil, criminal, administrative or other action, suit,
demand, claim, hearing, notice of violation, proceeding, investigation, notice
or demand pending, received, or, to the best knowledge of the Company,
threatened against the Company relating in any way to any Environmental Laws and
Regulations.

     2.23.5 The Company has not caused or experienced any past or present
events, conditions, circumstances, plans or other matters which: (i) are not in
compliance with all Environmental Laws and Regulations; (ii) may give rise to
any statutory, common law, or other legal liability, or otherwise form the basis
of any claim, action, demand, suit, proceeding, hearing, notice of violation or
investigation based on or relating to Hazardous Materials including, without
limitation, such matters relating to any property owned, leased or utilized by
the Company at any time;





                                       21
<PAGE>
 
(iii) arise from inventory of or waste from Hazardous Materials; or (iv) arise
from any off-site disposal, release or threatened release of Hazardous
Materials.

     2.23.6 No asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, lead-based paints, or radon
are on any real property or in any building now or previously owned, operated,
leased or utilized by the Company.

     2.23.7 No employee or former employee of the Company has been exposed to
any Hazardous Material owned, produced or utilized by the Company or any former
subsidiary.

     2.23.8 The Company has not received any notice or indication from any
governmental agency or private or public entity advising it that it is or may be
responsible for any investigation or response costs with respect to a release,
threatened release or cleanup of chemicals or materials produced by or resulting
from any business, commercial or industrial activities, operations or processes,
including, without limitation, any Hazardous Materials. The Company is not aware
of any facts which might give rise to such notices.

     2.23.9 Except for the concrete vault located at 9700 Commerce Parkway,
Lenexa, Kansas which is used to store mineral spirits, no underground tanks,
piping or subsurface structures of any type exist or have existed on any real
property now or previously owned, operated, leased or utilized by the Company.

     2.23.10 Exhibit 2.23 contains complete copies of all environmental
investigations, assessments, audits, studies, tests and related materials in
possession of the Company, or known to the Company to exist, which relate to the
current or prior operations of the Company or any real property now or
previously owned, operated, leased or utilized by the Company.

     2.24 Capital Expenditures. The Company has outstanding commitments for
capital expenditures as set forth in Exhibit 2.24 which includes a schedule of
substantially all monies disbursed on account of capital expenditures made by
the Company between the Financial Statement Date and the date hereof. After the
date hereof, no capital expenditures or commitments in excess of $200,000 in the
aggregate will be made by the Company, except as set forth in Exhibit 2.24 or
with Holdings' and Acquisition's prior written consent.

     2.25 Warranties. Except as set forth in Exhibit 2.25, there are no claims
existing or threatened under or pursuant to any warranty, whether expressed or
implied, on products or services sold by the Company and the Balance Sheet
reserves, if any, for anticipated claims are adequate to cover any such claims.
Exhibit 2.25 includes a copy of the form of all written warranties





                                       22
<PAGE>
 
furnished by the Company to purchasers of any product since January 1, 1993.

     2.26 Dealings with Affiliates. Exhibit 2.26 sets forth a complete list
(including the parties) and copies (or a detailed summary in the case of an oral
agreement) of all oral or written contracts, arrangements or other agreements to
which the Company or any Affiliate is, will be or has been a party at any time
from January 1, 1993, to the Closing Date, and to which any other Affiliate or
the Company was or is also a party.

     2.27 Business Generally. Since July 1, 1996, there have been no events,
transactions or information which have come to the attention of the Sellers
(other than matters in the public domain) which could be expected to have an
adverse effect on the business and operations of the Company, and the Company is
not a party to any agreement, contract or covenant limiting the Company from
competing in any line of business or with any person or other entity in any
geographic area.

     2.28 Bank Accounts. Exhibit 2.28 is a list of all bank accounts, lock
boxes, post office boxes and safe deposit boxes maintained in the name of or
controlled by the Company and the names of the persons having access thereto.

     2.29 Disclosure. No representation or warranty made by the Sellers in this
Agreement or in any agreement, instrument, document, certificate, statement or
letter furnished to Holdings or Acquisition, by or on behalf of the Sellers in
connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement contains
any untrue statement of fact or omits to state a fact necessary in order to make
the statements herein or therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in
which they are made.


                                    ARTICLE 3

           REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF HOLDINGS AND ACQUISITION

     Holdings and Acquisition hereby represent and warrant to the Sellers, as
follows:

     3.1 Corporate Organization, etc. Acquisition is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of
Delaware and will be qualified to do business in Kansas on the Closing Date.
Holdings is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the state of Delaware.

     3.2 Capitalization. Holdings has authorized capital stock consisting of
100,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01





                                       23
<PAGE>
 
per share. Acquisition has authorized capital stock consisting of 100,000 shares
of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.

     3.3 Authorization, etc. Each of Holdings and Acquisition has full corporate
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the
transactions contemplated hereby. The Board of Directors of each of Holdings and
Acquisition has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby, and no other corporate proceedings on its
part are necessary to authorize this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.

     3.4 No Violation. Neither Holdings nor Acquisition is subject to or
obligated under any certificate of incorporation, bylaw, Law, or any agreement
or instrument, or any license, franchise or permit, which would be breached or
violated by its execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement. Each of
Holdings and Acquisition will comply with all Laws in connection with its
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.

     3.5 Governmental Authorities. Neither Holdings nor Acquisition is required
to submit any notice, report or other filing with and no consent, approval or
authorization is required by any governmental or regulatory authority in
connection with Holdings' and Acquisition's execution or delivery of this
Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.


                                    ARTICLE 4

                            COVENANTS OF THE SELLERS

     Except as otherwise consented to or approved by Holdings and Acquisition in
writing, until the Closing, the Sellers jointly and severally covenant and agree
(and will cause the Company to act or refrain from acting where required
hereinafter) as follows:

     4.1 Regular Course of Business. The Company will operate its business in
the ordinary course, diligently and in good faith, consistent with past
management practices; will maintain all of its properties in customary repair,
order and condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted; will maintain (except
for expiration due to lapse of time) all leases and contracts described herein
in effect without change except as expressly provided herein; will comply with
the provisions of all Laws applicable to the conduct of its business; will not
engage in any significant or unusual transaction; will not cancel, release,
waive or compromise any debt, claim or right in its favor having a value in
excess of $25,000; will maintain insurance coverage up to the Closing Date in
amounts adequate to protect and insure the Company against perils which good
business practice demands be insured against or which





                                       24
<PAGE>
 
are normally insured against by other industry members similarly situated.

     4.2 Amendments. Except as required for the transactions contemplated in
this Agreement, no change or amendment shall be made in the Company's articles
or certificate of incorporation or bylaws. The Company will not merge into or
consolidate with any other corporation or person, or change the character of its
business.

     4.3 Capital Changes. The Company will not issue or sell any shares of its
capital stock of any class or issue or sell any securities convertible into, or
options, warrants to purchase or rights to subscribe to, any shares of its
capital stock of any class.

     4.4 Redemptions; Distributions; Bonuses. The Company will not acquire any
shares of its capital stock and will not declare or pay any dividend or other
distribution in respect of its capital stock without delivering written notice
of such declaration or payment to Holdings and Acquisition within five (5) days
after the declaration or payment, as the case may be, of such dividend or other
distribution (but in no event later than two (2) days prior to Closing).
Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Chief Financial Officer
of the Company shall deliver to Holdings and Acquisition a certificate which
sets forth the bonuses to be paid to Sellers and the employees of the Company.
Except for the payment of bonuses in accordance with such certificate, the
Company will not pay, set aside, accrue, agree to or become liable in any manner
for any bonus, of any nature or type, to the Sellers or to any employee or
officer of the Company.

     4.5 Capital Expenditures. The Company will not make any capital
expenditures, or commitments with respect thereto, except as set forth in
Exhibit 2.24.

     4.6 Borrowing. The Company will not (i) incur, assume or guarantee any
indebtedness or capital leases, (ii) create or permit to become effective any
mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or charge of any kind upon its assets other
than in the ordinary course of business or (iii) prepay any debt or obligation
in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate (except for prepaying trade accounts
payable in the normal course of business to take advantage of cash discounts and
for paying down the Company's seasonal working capital revolver).

     4.7 Other Commitments. Except in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practices, the Company will not enter into any transaction, make any
commitment or incur any obligation.

     4.8 Interim Financial Information. The Company will supply Holdings and
Acquisition with unaudited monthly financial





                                       25
<PAGE>
 
statements on the earlier of (i) fifteen (15) days following the end of each
month ending between the Financial Statement Date and the Closing Date or (ii)
the date such unaudited monthly financial statements are prepared, in either
case, certified by its President and chief financial officer as having been
prepared in accordance with procedures employed by the Company in preparing
prior monthly financial statements. All such financial statements shall be
accompanied by a certificate of the Company's President and chief financial
officer certifying that such financial statements were prepared in accordance
with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the unaudited financial statements
for the preceding months and such unaudited statements include all adjustments
(all of which were normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly present the
financial position, results of operations and changes in financial position at
and for such period.

     4.9 Full Access and Disclosure.

     4.9.1 The Company shall afford to Holdings, Acquisition and their counsel,
accountants and other authorized representatives access during business hours to
the Company's plants, properties, books and records in order that Holdings and
Acquisition may have full opportunity to make such reasonable investigations as
it shall desire to make of the affairs of the Company and the Company will cause
its officers and employees to furnish such additional financial and operating
data and other information as Holdings and Acquisition shall from time to time
reasonably request.

     4.9.2 From time to time prior to the Closing Date, the Company will
promptly supplement or amend in writing information previously delivered to
Holdings or Acquisition with respect to any matter hereafter arising which, if
existing or occurring at the date of this Agreement, would have been required to
be set forth or disclosed.

     4.10 Consents. The Company will use its best efforts to obtain on or prior
to the Closing Date all consents necessary to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby. The use of best efforts shall not require the
expenditure of money.

     4.11 Breach of Agreement. Neither the Sellers nor the Company will take any
action which, if taken prior to the Closing Date, would constitute a breach of
this Agreement.

     4.12 Further Assurances. The Company, the Sellers and the Company's counsel
will furnish Holdings or Acquisition with such other and further documents,
certificates, opinions, consents and information as either Holdings or
Acquisition shall reasonably request to enable Holdings or Acquisition to
attempt to borrow funds from a bank or other lending entity or individual(s) for
the purchase of the Shares and to evidence compliance with the terms





                                       26
<PAGE>
 
and conditions of any credit agreement to be entered into between Holdings or
Acquisition and a bank and/or other lending entities or individuals.

     4.13 Fulfillment of Conditions. The Sellers and the Company will take all
commercially reasonable steps necessary or desirable, and proceed diligently and
in good faith, to satisfy each condition to the obligations of Holdings and
Acquisition contained in this Agreement and will not take or fail to take any
action that could reasonably be expected to result in the nonfulfillment of any
such condition.


                                    ARTICLE 5

                      COVENANTS OF HOLDINGS AND ACQUISITION

     Holdings and Acquisition hereby covenant and agree with the Sellers that:

     5.1 Confidentiality. Each of Holdings and Acquisition will hold in strict
confidence and not disclose to any other party (other than its counsel and other
advisors), without the prior consent of the Sellers' Agents, all information
received by Holdings or Acquisition from any of the Sellers or the Company, any
of the Company's officers, directors, employees, agents, counsel or auditors in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, except as may be required
by applicable law or as otherwise contemplated herein.

     5.2 Books and Records. Each of Holdings and Acquisition shall preserve and
keep the Company's books and records delivered hereunder for a period of three
(3) years from the date hereof and shall, during such period, make such books
and records available to former officers and directors of the Company for any
reasonable purpose.


                                    ARTICLE 6

                                OTHER AGREEMENTS

     Holdings, Acquisition and the Sellers covenant and agree that:

     6.1 Agreement to Defend. In the event any action, suit, proceeding or
investigation of the nature specified in Section 7.5 or Section 8.2 hereof is
commenced, whether before or after the Closing Date, all the parties hereto
agree to cooperate and use their best efforts to defend against and respond
thereto.




                                       27
<PAGE>
 
     6.2 Consultants, Brokers and Finders. Except for Barrington Associates,
whose fees and commissions shall be paid by Acquisition at or promptly after the
Closing, the Sellers, Holdings and Acquisition each represent and warrant to the
other that they have not retained any consultant, broker or finder in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Except for the Assumed
Expenses (as defined in Section 12.3), the Sellers, Holdings and Acquisition
each hereby agree to indemnify, defend and hold the other party and its
officers, directors, employees and affiliates, harmless from and against any and
all claims, liabilities or expenses for any brokerage fees, commissions or
finders fees due to any consultant, broker or finder retained by the
indemnifying party.

     6.3 Wolff Noncompetition Agreement. At the Closing, Wolff will enter into a
Noncompetition Agreement with Acquisition, in substantially the form set forth
as Exhibit 6.3.

     6.4 Taxes.

     6.4.1 The Sellers shall be liable and indemnify Holdings, Acquisition and
the Company for all Taxes of the Company to the extent such Taxes are not
adequately provided for as current Taxes on the Balance Sheet (i) for taxable
periods ending on or before the Closing Date and (ii) for any period not ending
on or before the Closing Date, for the portion of any Taxes attributable to the
period ending on the Closing Date.

     6.4.2 All Taxes attributable to the operations of the Company for periods
after the Closing Date shall be borne by the Company. For any period that
includes but does not end on the Closing Date, (i) liability for any Taxes
determined by reference to income, capital gains, gross income, gross receipts,
sales, net profits, windfall profits or similar items or resulting from a
transfer of assets shall be allocated between the Sellers and the Company based
on the date on which such items accrued; and (ii) liability for all other Taxes
shall be allocated between the Sellers and the Company, pro rata based on the
number of days in the taxable period for which each party is liable for Taxes
hereunder. With respect to the Subchapter S Corporation tax year of the Company
that ends on the Closing Date, the tax liability of the Sellers for items
described in Code Section 1366(a) shall be determined as provided in Code
Section 1362(e)(3) and an appropriate election shall be made thereunder. The
Sellers agree that the Sellers will not permit the Subchapter S Corporation
status of the Company to terminate prior to the Closing Date.

     6.4.3 The Sellers shall cause the Company to prepare and file all tax
returns and reports of the Company due on or prior to the Closing Date, which
returns and reports shall be prepared and filed timely and on a basis consistent
with existing procedures for preparing such returns and reports and in a manner
consistent




                                       28
<PAGE>
 
with prior practice with respect to the treatment of specific items on the
returns or reports; provided, however, that if the treatment of any item on any
such return or report has not been provided by prior practice, the Sellers shall
cause the Company to report such items in a manner that would result in the
least amount of tax liability to the Company, Holdings and Acquisition for
periods ending after the Closing Date. Holdings and Acquisition shall cause the
Company to prepare and file all tax returns and reports of the Company due after
the Closing Date, which returns and reports, to the extent they relate to
taxable periods beginning prior to, but including the Closing Date, and for the
purpose of determining the Sellers' liability for Taxes, shall be prepared and
filed timely and on a basis consistent with existing procedures for preparing
such returns and in a manner consistent with prior practice with respect to the
treatment of specific items on the returns and reports, unless such treatment
does not have sufficient legal support to avoid the imposition of penalties. In
the event the Sellers are liable under Section 6.4.1 hereof for Taxes due in
connection with the returns described in the preceding sentence, the Sellers
shall pay the amount of such liability to the Company immediately upon request
or at least three (3) business days prior to the filing of such returns,
whichever is later.

     6.4.4 Holdings, Acquisition, the Company and the Sellers shall provide each
other with such assistance as may reasonably be requested by the others in
connection with the preparation of any return or report of Taxes, any audit or
other examination by any taxing authority, or any judicial or administrative
proceedings relating to liabilities for Taxes. Holdings, Acquisition, the
Company and the Sellers will retain for the full period of any statute of
limitations and provide the others with any records or information which may be
relevant to such preparation, audit, examination, proceeding or determination.

     6.4.5 If in connection with any examination, investigation, audit or other
proceeding in respect of any tax return covering the operations of the Company
on or before the Closing Date, any governmental body or authority issues to the
Company a written notice of deficiency, a notice of reassessment, a proposed
adjustment, an assertion of claim or demand concerning the taxable period
covered by such return, Holdings, Acquisition or the Company shall notify the
Sellers' Agents of its receipt of such communication from the governmental body
or authority within thirty (30) business days after receiving such notice of
deficiency, reassessment, adjustment or assertion of claim or demand. No failure
or delay of Holdings, Acquisition or the Company in the performance of the
foregoing shall reduce or otherwise affect the obligations or liabilities of the
Sellers pursuant to this Agreement, except to the extent that such failure or
delay shall have adversely affected the Sellers' ability to defend against any
liability or claim for Taxes that the Sellers are obligated to pay hereunder.
Except as provided below, the Sellers shall, at his,





                                       29
<PAGE>
 
her or its expense, have the nonexclusive right to participate in the contest of
any such assessment, proposal, claim, reassessment, demand or other proceedings
in connection with any tax return covering taxable periods of the Company ending
on or before the Closing Date. Holdings, Acquisition and the Company will not be
obligated to settle or resolve any issue related to Taxes for such a period,
which, if so settled or resolved, could have an effect on the Company, Holdings
or Acquisition for periods after the Closing Date, unless the Sellers' Agents
agree in writing with Holdings, Acquisition and the Company, in terms reasonably
satisfactory to Holdings, Acquisition and the Company, to indemnify Holdings,
Acquisition and the Company from any cost, damage, loss or expense relating to
such settlement or resolution. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, if any examination, investigation, audit or other proceeding relates
to a tax return for a period that begins before and ends after the Closing Date,
Holdings, Acquisition and the Company shall solely participate in, control and
resolve such examination, investigation, audit or other proceeding, provided
that Holdings and Acquisition shall communicate with the Sellers' Agents
regarding the status of such examination, investigation, audit or proceeding.

     6.4.6 If the Company receives any refund for Taxes attributable to the
period prior to the Closing, such refund shall be paid promptly to the Sellers
by the Company, pro rata according to each Seller's ownership interest in the
Company immediately prior to the Closing. Any amounts to be paid to the Sellers
pursuant to this paragraph shall be deemed to be a post-Closing purchase price
adjustment.

     6.5 Life Insurance. Provided the Closing occurs, the parties agree that in
connection with the Closing Wolff, Barry Golden, John Menghini and Robert Shaw
shall each have the individual option to require that the Company (i) assign to
such individual the entire life insurance policy owned by the Company which
insures the respective life of such individual (including any cash values
thereon if requested by any of such individuals), or (ii) assign to such
individual just the life insurance portion of such policy, excluding any cash
values on such policies. Such options shall be exercised by delivering written
notice thereof to the Company no later than the Closing Date. The cash value of
any life insurance policy assigned by the Company to any of such individuals
shall be paid to the Company or its successor no later than the time of delivery
of the Closing Financials and Computations. At the time such policies are
renewed, such individuals shall have the option of paying the premiums for such
policies or letting the policies lapse.





                                       30
<PAGE>
 
     6.6 Conditions Precedent. The Sellers, Holdings and Acquisition each agree
that the following conditions precedent must be satisfied before this Agreement
shall be effective and binding upon any party to this Agreement:

     6.6.1 Wolff Employment Agreement. No later than January 31, 1997, Wolff and
Acquisition shall have agreed upon the form of an Employment Agreement to be
executed by Wolff and Acquisition at Closing (the "Wolff Employment Agreement").
Wolff and Acquisition shall each indicate their agreement to the form of the
Wolff Employment Agreement by initialling the form of such document no later
than January 31, 1997 and attaching the initialled document to this Agreement as
Exhibit 6.6.1.

     6.6.2 Subscription and Stockholders Agreement. No later than January 31,
1997, the Sellers' Agents and Holdings shall have agreed upon the form of a
Subscription and Stockholders Agreement to be executed by all the stockholders
of Holdings at Closing (the "Subscription Agreement"). Sellers' Agents and
Holdings shall each indicate their agreement to the form of the Subscription
Agreement by initialling the form of such document no later than January 31,
1997 and attaching the initialled document to this Agreement as Exhibit 6.6.2.

     6.6.3 Consulting Fees. No later than January 31, 1997, the Sellers' Agents
and Holdings shall have agreed upon the fees to be paid to TJC Management
Corporation ("TJC") pursuant to the consulting agreement to be executed between
Holdings and TJC at Closing. Sellers' Agents and Holdings shall each indicate
their agreement to the amount of such fees by executing a letter agreement
regarding same no later than January 31, 1997.

     6.6.4 Approval of Exhibits. No later than January 31, 1997, the Sellers'
Agents shall have delivered to Holdings and Acquisition all of the materials to
be included in the Exhibits to Article 2 of this Agreement. Holdings and
Acquisition shall have until February 15, 1997 to review and accept same. If
prior to February 15, 1997, neither Holdings nor Acquisition delivers to the
Sellers' Agents a written letter indicating that such party does not wish to
proceed with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, then the materials
delivered to Holdings and Acquisition shall be deemed to be the Exhibits to this
Agreement by all of the parties to this Agreement; provided, however, Holdings'
and Acquisition's acceptance and review of such materials as the Exhibits to
this Agreement shall not be deemed to waive or otherwise affect their rights
under Article 11 of this Agreement.

     6.6.5 Failure to Satisfy Conditions. If each of the conditions precedent
set forth in Sections 6.7.1, 6.7.2, 6.7.3 and 6.7.4 of this Agreement is not
satisfied by the dates required therein, then this Agreement shall be deemed
void ab initio and of





                                       31
<PAGE>
 
no force or effect and no party to this Agreement shall have any obligation or
liability to any other party to this Agreement.

     6.7 Durable Power of Attorney. Concurrently with the execution of this
Agreement, the Sellers' Agents shall deliver to Holdings and Acquisition an
executed copy of the Durable Power of Attorney for those Sellers who are
executing this Agreement by power of attorney.

     6.8 Transfer of Hawker. Provided the Closing occurs, the parties agree that
in connection with the Closing Wolff shall have the option to require the
Company to assign to him title to the Hawker 1000 aircraft upon payment to the
Company from Wolff of the book value of such aircraft as shown on the general
ledger of the Company as of the Closing Date.


                                    ARTICLE 7

            CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDINGS AND ACQUISITION

     Each and every obligation of Holdings and Acquisition under this Agreement
shall be subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of
the following conditions unless waived in writing by Holdings and Acquisition:

     7.1 Representations and Warranties; Performance. The representations and
warranties made by the Sellers herein shall be true and correct on the date of
this Agreement and on the Closing Date with the same effect as though made on
such date; the Sellers shall have performed and complied with all agreements,
covenants and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed and complied
with by them prior to the Closing Date; the Sellers shall have, and shall have
caused the President and chief financial officer of the Company to have
delivered to Holdings and Acquisition a certificate, dated the Closing Date, in
the form designated Exhibit 7.1 hereto, certifying to such matters and the
other conditions contained in this Article 7.

     7.2 Consents and Approvals. All consents from and filings with third
parties, regulators and governmental agencies required to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby, or which, either individually or in the
aggregate, if not obtained, would cause an adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition or business shall have been obtained and delivered to
Holdings and Acquisition.

     7.3 Opinion of the Sellers' Counsel. Holdings and Acquisition shall have
received an opinion of the Sellers' counsel, dated the Closing Date,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 7.3.





                                       32
<PAGE>
 
     7.4 No Adverse Change. There shall have been no adverse change since the
Financial Statement Date in the business, prospects, financial condition,
earnings or operations of the Company's business.

     7.5 No Proceeding or Litigation. No action, suit or proceeding before any
court or any governmental or regulatory authority shall have been commenced or
threatened, and no investigation by any governmental or regulatory authority
shall have been commenced or threatened against any of the Sellers, the Company,
Holdings, Acquisition or any of their respective principals, officers or
directors seeking to restrain, prevent or change the transactions contemplated
hereby or questioning the validity or legality of any of such transactions or
seeking damages in connection with any of such transactions.

     7.6 Comfort Letter and Solvency Certificate. Holdings and Acquisition shall
have received (i) a "comfort" letter from the Company's independent certified
public accountants, dated the Closing Date, based upon a limited review (but not
an audit) conducted no earlier than five (5) business days preceding the Closing
Date and (ii) a "solvency" certificate from the Company's President and chief
financial officer substantially in the forms of Exhibits 7.6.1 and 7.6.2 hereto,
respectively, which documents shall relate to the operations and financial
conditions of the Company and the interim financial statements delivered
pursuant to Section 4.8 hereof.

     7.7 Financial Condition at Closing.

     7.7.1 Except for liabilities set forth in the Balance Sheet and accounts
payable incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company consistent
with past practices, the Company shall not owe any debt at the Closing Date. The
term "debt" includes notes payable and the short-term and long-term portions of
any and all debt or obligations, including capitalized lease obligations.

     7.7.2 The mix and composition of the assets and liabilities of the Company
on the Closing Date will not be materially different than those indicated on the
Balance Sheet.

     7.7.3 The Company's Adjusted Net Worth as of the Closing shall be at least
$63,800,000.

     7.7.4 The Company's adjusted earnings (excluding all extraordinary items
and non-recurring expenses) before provision for interest, income taxes,
depreciation and amortization for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996,
calculated in accordance with GAAP, shall have been at least $36,600,000.



                                       33
<PAGE>
 
     7.7.5 The Company's net revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996,
calculated in accordance with GAAP, shall have been at least $169,200,000.

     7.8 Audit Review. Deloitte & Touche LLP shall conduct a review of the audit
of the Company as at June 30, 1996, the results of which shall be satisfactory
to Holdings and Acquisition in their sole and absolute discretion.

     7.9 Review. A full due diligence review of the Company's business shall be
completed by Holdings, Acquisition, their legal counsel, their outside
consultants, or others appointed by Holdings or Acquisition. Holdings and
Acquisition shall be satisfied in their sole and absolute discretion with the
results of their due diligence review of the Company and its business
operations, prospects and assets. Holdings and Acquisition shall bear the costs
of this review.

     7.10 Other Documents. The Sellers will furnish or cause the Company to
furnish Holdings and Acquisition with such other and further documents and
certificates of its officers and others as Holdings or Acquisition shall
reasonably request to evidence compliance with the conditions set forth in this
Agreement.

     7.11 Other Agreements. The Agreements described in Article 6 shall have
been entered into and delivered.

     7.12 Estoppel Certificate. The Sellers shall have furnished Holdings and
Acquisition with an estoppel certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
7.12, which shall have been executed by the lessor under the lease described on
Exhibit 2.12.

     7.13 Withholding Certificate. The Seller shall have executed and delivered
to Holdings and Acquisition a certificate, substantially in the form of Exhibit
7.13 attached hereto.

     7.14 Financing. Holdings and Acquisition shall have obtained funds in an
aggregate amount sufficient to consummate the transactions hereunder on terms
and conditions satisfactory to Holdings and Acquisition.

     7.15 Compensation. Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement the
Chief Financial Officer of the Company shall execute and deliver to Holdings and
Acquisition a certificate listing the current job title and total remuneration
(including, without limitation, salary, commissions and bonuses) for each of the
Sellers and for each officer, director, employee or consultant of the Company
who received total remuneration in excess of $200,000 from the Company during
any of the past three (3) fiscal years or who is expected to receive total
remuneration in excess of such amount during the current fiscal year. Except as
disclosed on such certificate, the Company shall not increase or commit to





                                       34
<PAGE>
 
increase the base compensation, commission, bonus or the rate (or any other
component) of total compensation payable or to become payable by the Company to
any employee (including any director or officer), whether such person is listed
on such certificate or not, and no extraordinary compensation or bonus shall be
paid by the Company.


                                    ARTICLE 8

                  CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLERS

     Each and every obligation of the Sellers under this Agreement shall be
subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the
following conditions unless waived in writing by the Sellers' Agents:

     8.1 Representations and Warranties; Performance. The representations and
warranties made by Holdings and Acquisition herein shall be true and correct on
the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date with the same effect as
though made on such date; each of Holdings and Acquisition shall have performed
and complied with all agreements, covenants and conditions required by this
Agreement to be performed and complied with by it prior to the Closing Date;
each of Holdings and Acquisition shall have delivered to the Sellers' Agents a
certificate of its President, dated the Closing Date, certifying to the
fulfillment of the conditions set forth herein, in the form designated as
Exhibit 8.1 and the other conditions contained in this Article 8.

     8.2 No Proceeding or Litigation. No action, suit or proceeding before any
court or any governmental or regulatory authority shall have been commenced, or
threatened, and no investigation by any governmental or regulatory authority
shall have been commenced, or threatened, against the Company, Holdings,
Acquisition, any of the Sellers, or any of their respective principals, officers
or directors, seeking to restrain, prevent or change the transactions
contemplated hereby or questioning the validity or legality of any of such
transactions or seeking damages in connection with any of such transactions.

     8.3 Opinion of Counsel. The Sellers' Agents shall have received an opinion
of counsel to Holdings and Acquisition dated the Closing Date substantially in
the form of Exhibit 8.3.

     8.4 Consents and Approvals. All consents from and filings with third
parties, regulators and governmental agencies required to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby, or which, either individually or in the
aggregate, if not obtained, would cause an adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition or business shall have been obtained and delivered to
Holdings and Acquisition.





                                       35
<PAGE>
 
     8.5 Payment. The payment(s) described in Section 1.3 shall have been made.

     8.6 Other Documents. Holdings and Acquisition will furnish the Sellers'
Agents with such other documents and certificates to evidence compliance with
the conditions set forth in this Article as may be reasonably requested by the
Sellers' Agents.

     8.7 Other Agreements. The agreements described in Article 6 shall have been
entered into and delivered.

     8.8 Financing. No later than February 17, 1996, Holdings and Acquisition
shall have obtained and delivered to the Sellers' Agents commitment letters or
"highly confident" letters from lenders that propose to loan funds to Holdings
and Acquisition in an aggregate amount sufficient to consummate the transactions
hereunder.

     8.9 Review. No later than January 31, 1997, Holdings and Acquisition shall
have delivered to the Sellers' Agents a letter indicating that Holdings and
Acquisition have completed their due diligence review of the Company's business.


                                    ARTICLE 9

                                     CLOSING

     9.1 Closing. Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated or abandoned
pursuant to the provisions of Article 10 hereof, a closing (the "Closing") shall
be held on February 28, 1997, or on such other date (the "Closing Date")
mutually agreed upon in New York, New York or at such other place or places as
Holdings and Acquisition shall designate. Each party has the right at any time
to extend the Closing Date for a period of up to thirty (30) business days from
the date stated above, by written notice to the other party or parties.

     9.2 Deliveries at Closing.

     9.2.1 At the Closing, the Sellers shall transfer and assign to Holdings and
Acquisition, as the case may be, all of the Shares by delivering certificates
representing each of the Shares, duly endorsed for transfer to Holdings and
Acquisition, as the case may be, with signatures guaranteed, and the cash
consideration, securities and the other agreements, certifications and other
documents required to be executed and delivered hereunder at the Closing shall
be duly and validly executed and delivered.

     9.2.2 From time to time after the Closing, at Holdings' and Acquisition's
request and without further





                                       36
<PAGE>
 
consideration from Holdings or Acquisition, the Sellers shall execute and
deliver such other instruments of conveyance and transfer and take such other
action as Holdings or Acquisition reasonably may require to convey, transfer to
and vest in Holdings and Acquisition and to put Holdings and Acquisition in
possession of the Shares to be sold, conveyed, transferred and delivered
hereunder.

     9.3 Legal Actions. If, prior to the Closing Date, any action or proceeding
shall have been instituted by any third party before any court or governmental
agency to restrain or prohibit this Agreement or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein, the Closing shall be adjourned at the option
of any party hereto for a period of up to one hundred twenty (120) days. If, at
the end of such one hundred twenty (120) day period, the action or proceeding
shall not have been favorably resolved, any party hereto may, by written notice
thereof to the other party or parties, terminate its obligation hereunder.

     9.4 Specific Performance. The parties agree that if any party hereto is
obligated to, but nevertheless does not, consummate this transaction, then any
other party, in addition to all other rights or remedies, shall be entitled to
the remedy of specific performance mandating that the other party or parties
consummate this transaction. In an action for specific performance by any party
hereto against any other party, the other party shall not plead adequacy of
damages at law.


                                   ARTICLE 10

                           TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT

     10.1 Methods of Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the
transactions herein contemplated may be abandoned at any time (notwithstanding
approval by the Board of Directors of each of Holdings and Acquisition):

     10.1.1 by mutual consent of Holdings, Acquisition and the Sellers' Agents;
or

     10.1.2 by either Holdings or Acquisition on the one hand, or the Sellers'
Agents on the other hand, if (i) in the case of Holdings and Acquisition,
neither party is in breach hereunder and the Sellers are in breach hereunder or,
in the case of the Sellers' Agents, none of the Sellers is in breach hereunder
and Holdings or Acquisition is in breach hereunder, and (ii) this Agreement is
not consummated on or before the Closing Date, including extensions.

     10.2 Procedure Upon Termination. In the event of termination and
abandonment pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof, this





                                       37
<PAGE>
 
Agreement shall terminate and shall be abandoned, without further action by any
of the parties hereto. If this Agreement is terminated as provided herein:

          10.2.1 each party will upon request redeliver all documents and other
     materials of any other party relating to the transactions contemplated
     hereby, whether so obtained before or after the execution hereof, to the
     party furnishing the same;

          10.2.2 no party hereto shall have any liability or further obligation
     to any other party to this Agreement; and

          10.2.3 each party shall bear its own expenses.


                                   ARTICLE 11

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

     11.1 Indemnification by the Sellers. The Sellers, jointly and severally,
shall indemnify Holdings, Acquisition and each of their respective shareholders,
officers and directors against any loss, damage, or expense, (including but not
limited to reasonable attorneys' fees) ("Damages"), incurred or sustained by
Holdings, Acquisition or any of their respective shareholders, officers or
directors as a result of (i) any breach of any term, provision, covenant or
agreement contained in this Agreement by the Sellers; (ii) any inaccuracy in any
of the representations or warranties made by the Sellers in Article 2 of this
Agreement; (iii) any inaccuracy or misrepresentation in any certificate or other
document or instrument delivered by the Sellers or the Company in accordance
with any provision of this Agreement and (iv) any of the matters disclosed in
Exhibit 2.13. The obligations of the Sellers as set forth in Section 11.1(ii)
and 11.1(iv) shall be subject to and limited by the following:

          11.1.1 No claim for Damages shall be made until the cumulative amount
     of such Damages shall equal or exceed $1,500,000; provided, however, that
     such limitation shall not apply to any Damages resulting from violations
     under Sections 2.2 and 2.4 hereof, or from intentional or fraudulent
     actions, misrepresentations or breaches;

          11.1.2 Holdings and Acquisition shall give written notice to the
     Sellers' Agents stating specifically the basis for the claim for Damages,
     the amount thereof and, provided the amount of such claim for Damages
     exceeds $1,500,000, shall tender defense thereof



                                       38
<PAGE>
 
     to the Sellers' Agents, on behalf of the Sellers, as provided in Section
     11.4; and

          11.1.3 To the extent of any claim for Damages that exceeds $1,500,000,
     either alone or in aggregate, and in addition to any other remedy, each of
     Holdings and Acquisition shall be entitled, but shall not be obligated, to
     offset all such claims for Damages against any obligation of Holdings or
     Acquisition to the Sellers now or hereafter existing.

     11.2 Investigations; Survival of Warranties. The respective representations
and warranties of the Sellers, Holdings and Acquisition contained herein or in
any certificates or other documents delivered prior to or at the Closing are
true, accurate and correct and shall not be deemed waived or otherwise affected
by any investigation made by any party hereto or by the occurrence of the
Closing. Each and every such representation and warranty shall survive until
sixty (60) days following the delivery of the Company's (or its successor's)
audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending June, 1998; provided,
however, all representations and warranties made pursuant to Sections 2.2, 2.4,
2.14 and 2.18 hereof, and all claims for Damages based on intentional or
fraudulent actions, misrepresentations or breaches, shall survive for the
applicable statute of limitations and provided further, all claims for Damages
based on a breach of warranty or misrepresentation under Section 2.23 shall
expire on the third anniversary of the Closing Date.

     11.3 Indemnification by Holdings and Acquisition. Holdings and Acquisition,
jointly and severally, shall indemnify each Seller against any Damages incurred
or sustained by such Seller personally as a result of any liability or
obligation of the Company that accrues after the Closing; provided, however,
nothing contained in this section shall create any obligation for Holdings or
Acquisition to indemnify any Seller in any instance in which such Seller would
not be entitled to indemnification under the Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws of Holdings or Acquisition and provided further, nothing contained in
this section shall create any obligation for Holdings or Acquisition to
indemnify any Seller in any instance in which the liability of such Seller
accrues as a result of a misrepresentation or breach of warranty under Article 2
of this Agreement.

     11.4 Tender of Defense for Damages. Promptly upon receipt by Holdings or
Acquisition of a notice of a claim by a third party which may give rise to a
claim for Damages, Holdings and Acquisition shall give written notice thereof to
the Sellers' Agents. No failure or delay of Holdings or Acquisition in the
performance of the foregoing shall relieve, reduce or otherwise affect the
Sellers' obligations and liability to indemnify Holdings and Acquisition
pursuant to this Agreement, except to the extent





                                       39
<PAGE>
 
that such failure or delay shall have adversely affected the Sellers' ability to
defend against such claim for Damages. If the Sellers' Agents give to Holdings
and Acquisition an agreement in writing, in a form reasonably satisfactory to
Holdings' and Acquisition's counsel, to defend such claim for Damages, the
Sellers may, at their sole expense, undertake the defense against such claim and
may contest or settle such claim on such terms, at such time and in such manner
as the Sellers' Agents, in their sole discretion, shall elect and Holdings and
Acquisition shall execute such documents and take such steps as may be
reasonably necessary in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Sellers to
enable the Sellers to conduct the defense of such claim for Damages. If the
Sellers fail or refuse to defend any claim for Damages, the Sellers may
nevertheless, at their own expense, participate in the defense of such claim by
Holdings and Acquisition and in any and all settlement negotiations relating
thereto. In any and all events, the Sellers' Agents shall have such access to
the records and files of Holdings and Acquisition relating to any claim for
Damages as may be reasonably necessary to effectively defend or participate in
the defense thereof.


                                   ARTICLE 12

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     12.1 Amendment and Modification. This Agreement may be amended, modified
and supplemented only by written agreement of the Sellers' Agents, on behalf of
all the Sellers, Holdings and Acquisition.

     12.2 Waiver of Compliance; Consents. Any failure of the Sellers on the one
hand, or Holdings and Acquisition on the other hand, to comply with any
obligation, covenant, agreement or condition herein may be waived in writing by
Holdings, Acquisition or the Sellers' Agents, on behalf of the Sellers,
respectively, but such waiver or failure to insist upon strict compliance with
such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not operate as a waiver
of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure. Whenever this
Agreement requires or permits consent by or on behalf of any party hereto, such
consent shall be given in writing in a manner consistent with the requirements
for a waiver of compliance as set forth in this Section 12.2.

     12.3 Expenses. Each party will pay its own legal, accounting and other
expenses incurred by such party or on its behalf in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein; provided, however, if the
Closing occurs, Acquisition shall reimburse the Sellers for all reasonable
legal, accounting and other expenses related to the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement (the "Assumed Expenses").





                                       40
<PAGE>
 
     12.4 Notices. Any notice, request, consent or communication (collectively a
"Notice") under this Agreement shall be effective only if it is in writing and
(i) personally delivered, (ii) sent by certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, (iii) sent by a nationally recognized
overnight delivery service, with delivery confirmed, or (iv) telecopied, with
receipt confirmed, addressed as follows:

     (a)  If to the Sellers, to each of:

          Robert M. Wolff
          9700 Commerce Parkway
          Lenexa, Kansas 66219
          Telecopier 913-752-3336

          Robert Shaw
          9700 Commerce Parkway
          Lenexa, Kansas 66219
          Telecopier 913-752-3336

          John Menghini
          9700 Commerce Parkway
          Lenexa, Kansas 66219
          Telecopier 913-752-3336

with a copy to:

          Leonard Rose, Esq.
          Rose, Brouillette & Shapiro, P.C.
          4900 Main Street, 11th Floor
          Kansas City, MO 64112
          Telecopier: 816-756-1639

or to such other person or address as the Sellers' Agents shall furnish to
Holdings and Acquisition in writing.

     (b)  If to Holdings or Acquisition, to:

          GFSI Holdings, Inc.
          c/o The Jordan Company
          9 West 57th Street, Suite 4000
          New York, NY  10019
          Telecopier:  212-755-5263
          Attention:  A. Richard Caputo, Jr.





                                       41
<PAGE>
 
with a copy to:

          G. Robert Fisher, Esq.
          Michael J. Beal, Esq.
          Bryan Cave LLP
          1200 Main, Suite 3500
          Kansas City, MO 64105
          Telecopier:  816-391-7600

or such other persons or addresses as shall be furnished in writing by any party
to the other party. A Notice shall be deemed to have been given as of the date
when (i) personally delivered, (ii) five (5) days after the date when deposited
with the United States mail properly addressed, (iii) when receipt of a Notice
sent by an overnight delivery service is confirmed by such overnight delivery
service, or (iv) when receipt of the telecopy is confirmed, as the case may be,
unless the sending party has actual knowledge that a Notice was not received by
the intended recipient.

     12.5 Definitions. For the purpose of this Agreement, "Laws" shall include,
without limitation, all foreign, federal, state and local laws, statutes, rules,
regulations, codes, ordinances, plans, orders, judicial decrees, writs,
injunctions, notices, decisions or demand letters issued, entered or promulgated
pursuant to any foreign, federal, state or local law. For the purpose of this
Agreement, "generally accepted accounting principles" or "GAAP" shall mean such
principles, applied on a consistent basis, as set forth in Opinions of the
Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants and/or in statements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board
which are applicable in the circumstances as of the date in question, and the
requirement that such principles be applied on a "consistent basis" means that
accounting principles observed in the current period are comparable in all
material respects to those applied in the preceding periods, except as change is
permitted or required under or pursuant to such accounting principles.

     12.6 Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
heirs, successors and permitted assigns, but neither this Agreement nor any of
the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any party
without the prior written consent of all other parties; provided, however,
Holdings and Acquisition may assign their respective rights under this Agreement
to any lender that provides financing to such entity in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     12.7 Termination of Stock Redemption Agreement. Each Seller hereby agrees
that, effective immediately upon the Closing,





                                       42
<PAGE>
 
the Restated Stock Redemption Agreement executed by the Company and each of the
Sellers shall be deemed terminated without further action by any party thereto.

     12.8 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
state of Missouri (regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under
applicable principles of conflicts of law of the state of Missouri as to all
matters including, but not limited to, matters of validity, construction,
effect, performance and remedies.

     12.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

     12.10 Neutral Interpretation. This Agreement constitutes the product of the
negotiation of the parties hereto and the enforcement hereof shall be
interpreted in a neutral manner, and not more strongly for or against any party
based upon the source of the draftsmanship hereof.

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

     12.12 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, which term as used throughout
includes the Exhibits hereto, embodies the entire agreement and understanding of
the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are
no restrictions, promises, representations, warranties, covenants or
undertakings other than those expressly set forth or referred to herein. This
Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties
with respect to such subject matter.


                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]





                                       43
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have entered into this Agreement as
of the date first hereinabove set forth.

                                       HOLDINGS:

                                       GFSI HOLDINGS, INC.


                                       By /s/ A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          A. Richard Caputo, Jr.,
                                          President

                                       ACQUISITION:

                                       GFSI, INC.


                                       By /s/ A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                          --------------------------------------
                                         A. Richard Caputo, Jr.,
                                         President

                                       SELLERS:

                                       Robert M. Wolff, Trustee under that
                                       certain Trust Agreement dated 5/17/79, by
                                       and between Robert M. Wolff, as Grantor,
                                       and Robert M. Wolff, as Trustee



                                       By /s/ Robert M. Wolff
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert M. Wolff, Trustee under that
                                          certain Trust Agreement dated 5/17/79,
                                          by and between Robert M. Wolff, as
                                          Grantor, and Robert M. Wolff, as
                                          Trustee

                                       Marcia W. Wolff, Trustee of the Marcia W.
                                       Wolff Trust under Trust Agreement dated
                                       6/22/83



                                       By /s/ John Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Marcia W. Wolff, Trustee of the Marcia
                                          W. Wolff Trust under Trust Agreement
                                          dated 6/22/83
<PAGE>
 
                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Marcia W. Wolff, Trustee of the Marcia
                                          W. Wolff Trust under Trust Agreement
                                          dated 6/22/83



                                       By /s Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Marcia W. Wolff, Trustee of the Marcia
                                          W. Wolff Trust under Trust Agreement
                                          dated 6/22/83

                                       Robert Shaw, Trustee of the Charles A.
                                       Wolff Trust under Trust Agreement dated
                                       9/29/82



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, Trustee of the Charles A.
                                          Wolff Trust under Trust Agreement
                                          dated 9/29/82

                                       Scott M. Wolff



                                       By /s/ John Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Scott M. Wolff



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Scott M. Wolff



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Scott M. Wolff
<PAGE>
 
                                       Laura W. Greenbaum, Trustee of the Laura
                                       M. Wolff Trust dated 9/20/78



                                       By /s/ John Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Laura W. Greenbaum, Trustee of the
                                          Laura M. Wolff Trust dated 9/20/78



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Laura W. Greenbaum, Trustee of the
                                          Laura M. Wolff Trust dated 9/20/78



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Laura W. Greenbaum, Trustee of the
                                          Laura M. Wolff Trust dated 9/20/78

                                       Mark Golden and Martin Becker, as
                                       Trustees of the Barry S. Golden
                                       Discretionary Trust for Mark Golden under
                                       Agreement dated 6/20/83



                                       By /s/ John Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Mark Golden and Martin Becker, as
                                          Trustees of the Barry S. Golden
                                          Discretionary Trust for Mark Golden
                                          under Agreement dated 6/20/83



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Mark Golden and Martin Becker, as
                                          Trustees of the Barry S. Golden
                                          Discretionary Trust for Mark Golden
                                          under Agreement dated 6/20/83
<PAGE>
 
                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Mark Golden and Martin Becker, as
                                          Trustees of the Barry S. Golden
                                          Discretionary Trust for Mark Golden
                                          under Agreement dated 6/20/83

                                       Michael Golden and Martin Becker, as
                                       Trustees of the Barry S. Golden
                                       Discretionary Trust for Michael Golden
                                       under Agreement dated 6/20/83



                                       By /s John Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Michael Golden and Martin Becker, as
                                          Trustees of the Barry S. Golden
                                          Discretionary Trust for Michael Golden
                                          under Agreement dated 6/20/83



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Michael Golden and Martin Becker, as
                                          Trustees of the Barry S. Golden
                                          Discretionary Trust for Michael Golden
                                          under Agreement dated 6/20/83



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Michael Golden and Martin Becker, as
                                          Trustees of the Barry S. Golden
                                          Discretionary Trust for Michael Golden
                                          under Agreement dated 6/20/83

                                       Barry S. Golden, as Trustee of the Barry
                                       S. Golden Revocable Trust dated 11/11/77



                                       By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Barry S. Golden, as Trustee of the
                                          Barry S. Golden Revocable Trust dated
                                          11/11/77
<PAGE>
 
                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Barry S. Golden, as Trustee of the
                                          Barry S. Golden Revocable Trust dated
                                          11/11/77



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Barry S. Golden, as Trustee of the
                                          Barry S. Golden Revocable Trust dated
                                          11/11/77

                                       John Leo Menghini, Trustee of the John
                                       Leo Menghini Revocable Trust dated
                                       11/18/92



                                       By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, Trustee of the John Leo
                                          Menghini Revocable Trust dated
                                          11/18/92

                                       Lisa Menghini



                                       By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Lisa Menghini



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Lisa Menghini



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Lisa Menghini
<PAGE>
 
                                       Robert Shaw, Trustee of the John L.
                                       Menghini, Jr. Trust



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, Trustee of the John L.
                                          Menghini, Jr. Trust

                                        Robert Shaw, Trustee of the Michael J.
                                        Menghini Trust



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, Trustee of the Michael J.
                                          Menghini Trust

                                        Larry Douglas Graveel, Trustee of the
                                        Larry D. Graveel Trust dated 8/30/91



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, Trustee of the Larry
                                          D. Graveel Trust dated 8/30/91

                                       Michael H. Gary, Trustee of The Michael
                                       H. Gary Revocable Trust dated 3/10/93



                                       By 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Michael H. Gary, Trustee of The
                                          Michael H. Gary Revocable Trust dated
                                          3/10/93

                                       Robert Shaw, Trustee of The Robert Shaw
                                       Living Trust dated 2/7/89



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, Trustee of The Robert
                                          Shaw Living Trust dated 2/7/89

                                       Robert Shaw, Custodian of Andrew Shaw



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, Custodian of Andrew Shaw
<PAGE>
 
                                       Robert Shaw, Custodian of Laura Shaw



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, Custodian of Laura Shaw

                                       Robert Shaw, Custodian of Stacey Shaw



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, Custodian of Stacey Shaw

                                       Anthony Gagliano



                                       By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Anthony Gagliano



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Anthony Gagliano



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Anthony Gagliano

                                       Lee Ann Stevens



                                       By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Lee Ann Stevens



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Lee Ann Stevens
<PAGE>
 
                                       William DiRocco Trust



                                       By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          William DiRocco Trust



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          William DiRocco Trust



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          William DiRocco Trust

                                       Terry V. Glenn



                                       By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Terry V. Glenn



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Terry V. Glenn



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Terry V. Glenn

                                       Mary Cimpl



                                       By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Mary Cimpl
<PAGE>
 
                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Mary Cimpl



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Mary Cimpl

                                       Dave Geenens



                                       By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Dave Geenens



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Dave Geenens



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Dave Geenens

                                       David Churchman



                                       By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          David Churchman



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          David Churchman



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          David Churchman
<PAGE>
 
                                       Steve Arnold



                                       By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Steve Arnold



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Steve Arnold



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Steve Arnold

                                       Jason Krakow



                                       By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Jason Krakow



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Jason Krakow



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Jason Krakow


                                       Martin Becker, Trustee of the Barry S.
                                       Golden Trust UTA dated 10/7/96



                                       By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Martin Becker, Trustee of the Barry S.
                                          Golden Trust UTA dated 10/7/96
<PAGE>
 
                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Lee Ann Stevens

                                       Kirk Kowalewski



                                       By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Kirk Kowalewski



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Kirk Kowalewski



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Kirk Kowalewski

                                       Mark Schimpf



                                       By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Mark Schimpf



                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Mark Schimpf



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Mark Schimpf
<PAGE>
 
                                       By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Martin Becker, Trustee of the Barry S.
                                          Golden Trust UTA dated 10/7/96



                                       By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                          Martin Becker, Trustee of the Barry S.
                                          Golden Trust UTA dated 10/7/96

<PAGE>
 
                               AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
                    AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE AND SALE OF STOCK


     THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE AND SALE OF STOCK (this
"Amendment"), dated as of the 27th day of February, 1997, is made by and among
the individuals and entities listed on Schedule X attached hereto, being the
holders of all of the outstanding shares of stock of Winning Ways, Inc., a
Missouri corporation (the "Company"), all of said individuals and entities being
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Sellers," GFSI HOLDINGS, INC., a
Delaware corporation ("Holdings"), and GFSI, INC., a Delaware corporation
("Acquisition").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the parties to this Amendment are parties to an Agreement for
Purchase and Sale of Stock, dated January 24, 1997 (the "Agreement"), pursuant
to which Holdings and Acquisition have agreed to purchase, and the Sellers have
agreed to sell and transfer to Holdings and Acquisition, all of the capital
stock of the Company; and

     WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend and modify certain terms of the
Agreement as set forth in this Amendment;

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

     1. Definitions. Unless defined in this Amendment, capitalized terms used in
this Amendment have the meaning given to such terms in the Agreement.

     2. Definition of Prudential Premium. The following definition shall be
inserted between the definitions of "Net Worth Surplus" and "Sellers' Agents"
set forth in Section 1.2 of the Agreement:

          "Prudential Premium" shall mean any "Prepayment Premium" amounts
     actually paid to The Prudential Insurance Company of America or its
     assignee at the Closing pursuant to the terms of that certain Promissory
     Note executed by the Company on January 17, 1991 in the principal amount of
     $9,900,000, as such premium ultimately may be agreed upon by The Prudential
     Insurance Company of America and the Company prior to Closing.

     3. Preliminary Purchase Price. Section 1.3 of the Agreement is deleted in
its entirety and the following language is inserted in lieu thereof:

          1.3 Preliminary Purchase Price. Subject to the terms and conditions of
     this Agreement and in reliance on the
<PAGE>
 
     covenants, representations and warranties of the Sellers herein contained
     (including, without limitation, the sale, conveyance, transfer and delivery
     of the Shares to Holdings and Acquisition), Acquisition and Holdings,
     collectively, shall pay to the Sellers at the Closing an amount equal to
     (x) $232,900,000 less (y) the Estimated Closing Debt, subject to adjustment
     as of the Closing Date pursuant to Section 1.4 hereof, and less (z) the
     amount of the Prudential Premium, to be paid as follows:

          1.3.1 Holdings shall pay $94,000 to the Sellers by delivery of an
     aggregate of 940 shares of Holdings' Series A Common Stock, par value $0.01
     per share, in an exchange that is intended to qualify as a tax-free
     exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 351 of the Internal Revenue
     Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code");

          1.3.2 Holdings shall pay $12,690,000 to the Sellers by delivery of an
     aggregate of 12,690 shares of Holdings' Series A Preferred Stock, par value
     $0.01 per share, in an exchange that is intended to qualify as a tax-free
     exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 351 of the Code;

          1.3.3 Subject to the provisions of the following sentence, Acquisition
     shall pay to the Sellers' Agents, for the benefit of all of the Sellers, an
     aggregate amount of $220,116,000 minus the amount of the Estimated Closing
     Debt and minus the amount of the Prudential Premium, the resulting amount
     of which is hereinafter referred to as the "Preliminary Cash Purchase
     Price." Six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) of the Preliminary Cash
     Purchase Price shall be paid to the Escrow Agent for the benefit of the
     Sellers, to be held pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement and
     distributed in accordance with the terms of Section 1.4. The balance of the
     Preliminary Cash Purchase Price shall be paid to the Sellers' Agents, for
     the benefit of the Sellers, by wire transfer of immediately available funds
     to the account designated by the Sellers' Agents in writing to Acquisition
     no less than two (2) days prior to the Closing.

          1.3.4 The aggregate amount of the Closing Debt and the Prudential
     Premium shall be paid by Acquisition to the respective creditors of the
     Company at the Closing.

     4. Post-Closing Adjustments. At such time as any amounts are to be paid to
Acquisition or the Sellers, as the case may be, pursuant to the terms of Section
1.4.8 of the Agreement, and in addition to any amounts to be paid pursuant to
such Section,

          (i) if Wolff elects to exercise his option under Section 6.8 of the
     Agreement to purchase the Company's


                                        2
<PAGE>
 
     interest in the Hawker 1000 owned by the Company (the "Aircraft"), Wolff
     shall pay to the Company the amount of the book value of the Aircraft as
     shown on the books and records of the Company as of the Closing Date in
     consideration of the execution by the Company of an FAA Bill of Sale and
     such other instruments as may be necessary to transfer title of the
     Aircraft to Wolff,

          (ii) if any of Wolff, Barry Golden, John Menghini or Robert Shaw elect
     to exercise their individual rights under Section 6.5 of the Agreement to
     require the Company to assign to such individual the entire life insurance
     policy (including the cash value of such life insurance policy) owned by
     the Company and insuring such individual's life, the individuals exercising
     such rights shall pay to the Company the cash value of the life insurance
     policy which insures their life; and

          (iii) Acquisition shall pay to the Sellers' Agents, for the benefit of
     the Sellers, the amount of the Prudential Premium paid to The Prudential
     Insurance Company of America or its assignee at or in connection with the
     Closing, plus interest on the Prudential Premium from the Closing Date at
     the prime rate as established by The Boatmen's First National Bank of
     Kansas City. Acquisition shall take all commercially reasonable means,
     including seeking additional borrowings under its credit facilities, to
     assure that funds will be available to make the payments required under
     this clause (iii).

     5. Section 3.2. Section 3.2 of the Agreement is deleted in its entirety and
the following language is inserted in lieu thereof:

          3.2 Capitalization. Holdings has authorized capital stock consisting
     of 100,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share. Acquisition
     has authorized capital stock consisting of 10,000 shares of Common Stock,
     par value $.01 per share.

     6. Representations and Warranties. The Sellers hereby jointly and severally
represent and warrant to Holdings and Acquisition that the representations and
warranties set forth in the Agreement are true and correct in all material
respects as of the date hereof.

     7. Wolff Employment Agreement. The parties agree that the form of the Wolff
Employment Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A shall be the form of such
agreement, as contemplated by Section 6.6.1 of the Agreement, to be executed by
Wolff at Closing and shall be deemed to be Exhibit 6.6.1 to the Agreement.


                                        3
<PAGE>
 
     8. Subscription Agreement. The parties agree that the form of the
Subscription Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B shall be the form of such
agreement, as contemplated by Section 6.6.2 of the Agreement, to be executed by
all of the shareholders of Holdings at Closing and shall be deemed to be Exhibit
6.6.2 to the Agreement.

     9. Consulting Fees. The parties agree that they are in agreement concerning
the amount and types of fees to be paid to TJC pursuant to the terms of the
consulting agreement to be executed between TJC and Holdings at Closing.

     10. Approval of Exhibits. Holdings and Acquisition hereby acknowledge to
the Sellers that the Exhibits delivered to counsel for Holdings and Acquisition
as required by Section 6.6.4 of the Agreement shall be deemed to be the Exhibits
to the Agreement; provided, however, Holdings' and Acquisition's acceptance and
review of such materials as the Exhibits to the Agreement shall not be deemed to
waive or otherwise affect their rights under Article 11 of the Agreement.

     11. Satisfaction of Section 6.6 Conditions. The parties agree that the
terms and conditions of Section 6.6 of the Agreement have been satisfied and
that, pursuant to Section 1.1 of the Agreement, (i) the Agreement remains in
full force and effect, except as expressly amended and modified by the terms of
this Amendment, (ii) the obligations of Holdings and Acquisition to consummate
the transactions contemplated by the Agreement remain subject to the fulfillment
of the conditions set forth in Article 7 of the Agreement and (iii) the
obligations of the Sellers to consummate the transactions contemplated by the
Agreement remain subject to the fulfillment of the conditions set forth in
Article 8 of the Agreement.

     12. Financing Contingency. The parties agree that Section 8.8 of the
Agreement is deleted in its entirety.

     13. Effect of Amendment. Except as modified and amended by the terms and
conditions of this Amendment, all of the terms and conditions of the Agreement
remain in full force and effect.

     14. Miscellaneous. This Amendment shall be governed by, construed, applied
and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of Missouri, except that
no doctrine of choice of law shall be used to apply any law other than that of
the state of Missouri. This Amendment shall insure to the benefit of the parties
and their respective successors, heirs, and assigns. The language used in this
Amendment will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to
express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction will be applied
against any party hereto. The captions used in this Amendment (i) are for
convenience of reference only, (ii) do not constitute a part of this Amendment
and


                                        4
<PAGE>
 
(iii) will not be deemed to limit, characterize or in any way affect any
provision of this Amendment. This Amendment and the Agreement contain the
complete agreement among the parties and supersedes any prior understandings,
agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which
may relate in any way to the subject matter of this Amendment and the Agreement.
This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, any one of which
need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such
counterparts taken together will constitute one and the same instrument.





                         (Signatures on following pages)



                                        5
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have entered into this Agreement as
of the date first hereinabove set forth.

                                    HOLDINGS:

                                    GFSI HOLDINGS, INC.


                                    By /s/ A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       A. Richard Caputo, Jr.,
                                       Vice President

                                    ACQUISITION:

                                    GFSI, INC.


                                    By /s/ A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       A. Richard Caputo, Jr.,
                                       Vice President

                                    SELLERS:

                                    Robert M. Wolff, Trustee under that
                                    certain Trust Agreement dated 5/17/79,
                                    by and between Robert M. Wolff, as
                                    Grantor, and Robert M. Wolff, as Trustee



                                    By /s/ Robert M. Wolff
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       Robert M. Wolff, Trustee under that
                                       certain Trust Agreement dated 5/17/79,
                                       by and between Robert M. Wolff, as
                                       Grantor, and Robert M. Wolff, as
                                       Trustee

                                    Marcia W. Wolff, Trustee of the Marcia
                                    W. Wolff Trust under Trust Agreement
                                    dated 6/22/83



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Marcia W. Wolff, Trustee of the Marcia
                                       W. Wolff Trust under Trust Agreement
                                       dated 6/22/83


                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Marcia W. Wolff, Trustee of the Marcia
                                       W. Wolff Trust under Trust Agreement
                                       dated 6/22/83



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Marcia W. Wolff, Trustee of the Marcia
                                       W. Wolff Trust under Trust Agreement
                                       dated 6/22/83

                                    Robert Shaw, Trustee of the Charles A.
                                    Wolff Trust under Trust Agreement dated
                                    9/29/82



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, Trustee of the Charles A.
                                       Wolff Trust under Trust Agreement
                                       dated 9/29/82

                                    Scott M. Wolff



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Scott M. Wolff



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Scott M. Wolff



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Scott M. Wolff
<PAGE>
 
                                    Laura W. Greenbaum, Trustee of the Laura
                                    M. Wolff Trust dated 9/20/78



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Laura W. Greenbaum, Trustee of the
                                       Laura M. Wolff Trust dated 9/20/78



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Laura W. Greenbaum, Trustee of the
                                       Laura M. Wolff Trust dated 9/20/78



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Laura W. Greenbaum, Trustee of the
                                       Laura M. Wolff Trust dated 9/20/78

                                    Mark Golden and Martin Becker, as
                                    Trustees of the Barry S. Golden
                                    Discretionary Trust for Mark Golden
                                    under Agreement dated 6/20/83



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                      Mark Golden and Martin Becker, as
                                      Trustees of the Barry S. Golden
                                      Discretionary Trust for Mark Golden
                                      under Agreement dated 6/20/83



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Mark Golden and Martin Becker, as
                                       Trustees of the Barry S. Golden
                                       Discretionary Trust for Mark Golden
                                       under Agreement dated 6/20/83
<PAGE>
 
                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Mark Golden and Martin Becker, as
                                       Trustees of the Barry S. Golden
                                       Discretionary Trust for Mark Golden
                                       under Agreement dated 6/20/83

                                    Michael Golden and Martin Becker, as
                                    Trustees of the Barry S. Golden
                                    Discretionary Trust for Michael Golden
                                    under Agreement dated 6/20/83



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                      Michael Golden and Martin Becker, as
                                      Trustees of the Barry S. Golden
                                      Discretionary Trust for Michael Golden
                                      under Agreement dated 6/20/83



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Michael Golden and Martin Becker, as
                                       Trustees of the Barry S. Golden
                                       Discretionary Trust for Michael Golden
                                       under Agreement dated 6/20/83



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Michael Golden and Martin Becker, as
                                       Trustees of the Barry S. Golden
                                       Discretionary Trust for Michael Golden
                                       under Agreement dated 6/20/83

                                    Barry S. Golden, as Trustee of the Barry
                                    S. Golden Revocable Trust dated 11/11/77



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                      Barry S. Golden, as Trustee of the
                                      Barry S. Golden Revocable Trust dated
                                      11/11/77
<PAGE>
 
                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Barry S. Golden, as Trustee of the
                                       Barry S. Golden Revocable Trust dated
                                       11/11/77



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Barry S. Golden, as Trustee of the
                                       Barry S. Golden Revocable Trust dated
                                       11/11/77

                                    John Leo Menghini, Trustee of the John
                                    Leo Menghini Revocable Trust dated
                                    11/18/92



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, Trustee of the John Leo
                                      Menghini Revocable Trust dated
                                      11/18/92

                                    Lisa Menghini



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                      Lisa Menghini



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Lisa Menghini



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Lisa Menghini
<PAGE>
 
                                     Robert Shaw, Custodian of Laura Shaw



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, Custodian of Laura Shaw

                                    Robert Shaw, Custodian of Stacey Shaw



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, Custodian of Stacey Shaw

                                    Anthony Gagliano



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                      Anthony Gagliano



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Anthony Gagliano



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Anthony Gagliano

                                    Lee Ann Stevens



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                      Lee Ann Stevens



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Lee Ann Stevens
<PAGE>
 
                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Lee Ann Stevens

                                    Kirk Kowalewski



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                      Kirk Kowalewski



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Kirk Kowalewski



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Kirk Kowalewski

                                    Mark Schimpf



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                      Mark Schimpf



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Mark Schimpf



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Mark Schimpf
<PAGE>
 
                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Mary Cimpl



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Mary Cimpl

                                    Dave Geenens



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                      Dave Geenens



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Dave Geenens



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Dave Geenens

                                    David Churchman



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                      David Churchman



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       David Churchman



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       David Churchman
<PAGE>
 
                                    Steve Arnold



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                      Steve Arnold



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Steve Arnold



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Steve Arnold

                                    Jason Krakow



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                      Jason Krakow



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Jason Krakow



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Jason Krakow


                                    Martin Becker, Trustee of the Barry S.
                                    Golden Trust UTA dated 10/7/96



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                      Martin Becker, Trustee of the Barry S.
                                      Golden Trust UTA dated 10/7/96
<PAGE>
 
                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Martin Becker, Trustee of the Barry S.
                                       Golden Trust UTA dated 10/7/96



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Martin Becker, Trustee of the Barry S.
                                       Golden Trust UTA dated 10/7/96
<PAGE>
 
                                    William DiRocco Trust



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                      William DiRocco Trust



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       William DiRocco Trust



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       William DiRocco Trust

                                    Terry V. Glenn



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                      Terry V. Glenn



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Terry V. Glenn



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, attorney-in-fact for
                                       Terry V. Glenn

                                    Mary Cimpl



                                    By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John Menghini, attorney-in-fact for
                                      Mary Cimpl
<PAGE>
 
                                    Robert Shaw, Trustee of the John L.
                                    Menghini, Jr. Trust



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, Trustee of the John L.
                                       Menghini, Jr. Trust

                                    Robert Shaw, Trustee of the Michael J.
                                    Menghini Trust



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, Trustee of the Michael J.
                                       Menghini Trust

                                    Larry Douglas Graveel, Trustee of the
                                    Larry D. Graveel Trust dated 8/30/91



                                    By /s/ Larry D. Graveel
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Larry D. Graveel, Trustee of the Larry
                                       D. Graveel Trust dated 8/30/91

                                    Michael H. Gary, Trustee of The Michael
                                    H. Gary Revocable Trust dated 3/10/93


                                    By /s/ Michael H. Gary
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Michael H. Gary, Trustee of The
                                       Michael H. Gary Revocable Trust dated
                                       3/10/93

                                    Robert Shaw, Trustee of The Robert Shaw
                                    Living Trust dated 2/7/89



                                    By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, Trustee of The Robert
                                       Shaw Living Trust dated 2/7/89

                                    Robert Shaw, Custodian of Andrew Shaw



                                     By /s/ Robert Shaw
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Robert Shaw, Custodian of Andrew Shaw

<PAGE>
 
                                 PLAN OF MERGER

     THIS PLAN OF MERGER (the "Plan") sets forth the Plan of Merger between
GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("GFSI"), and Winning Ways, Inc., a Missouri
corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of GFSI ("Winning Ways").


                                    ARTICLE I

                                   THE MERGER

     SECTION 1.01. The Merger. GFSI owns one hundred percent of the 1,249,000
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Winning Ways. Upon the terms
and conditions hereof, and in accordance with Section 253 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law and Section 351.447 of The General and Business
Corporation Law of the State of Missouri, Winning Ways shall be merged with and
into GFSI (the "Merger") and GFSI shall be the surviving corporation in the
Merger (the "Surviving Corporation").

     SECTION 1.02. Effective Time. As soon as practicable after approval of the
Merger by GFSI (a) a Certificate of Ownership and Merger with respect to the
Merger shall be filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware in accordance with
Delaware law and (b) Articles of Merger shall be filed with the Secretary of
State of Missouri in accordance with Missouri law. The Merger shall become
effective at such time as a Certificate of Merger shall have been issued by the
Secretary of State of Delaware (the "Effective Time").

     SECTION 1.03. Certain Effects of the Merger. As of the Effective Time of
the Merger, (i) the separate existence of Winning Ways shall cease and Winning
Ways shall be merged with and into Winning Ways and (ii) the Merger shall have
all the effects set forth in the applicable statutes of Delaware and Missouri.
GFSI shall assume all of the liabilities, obligations, responsibilities, rights,
privileges and immunities of Winning Ways as of the Effective Time.

     SECTION 1.04. Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws of GFSI as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation.

     SECTION 1.05. Name. The name of the Surviving Corporation shall be GFSI,
Inc.

     SECTION 1.06. Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation. The
directors and officers of GFSI in office immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall be the directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation until such time
as their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified or
until their earlier death, resignation or removal.
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE II
                        EFFECT OF MERGER ON CAPITAL STOCK
                         OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS

     SECTION 2.01. No Conversion of Shares of GFSI. At the Effective Time, each
share of the issued and outstanding capital stock of GFSI outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall not be converted, and each such
share shall continue to represent one issued and outstanding share of GFSI, as
the Surviving Corporation. Each such share shall continue to possess the same
rights and limitations as it possessed prior to the Effective Time and no shares
of the capital stock of GFSI or securities convertible into such shares shall be
issued pursuant to this Plan of Merger.

     SECTION 2.02. Cancellation of Shares of Winning Ways. At the Effective
Time, each share of the capital stock of Winning Ways issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be cancelled by virtue of the
merger and without any action on the part of any holder thereof, and no payment
shall be made with respect thereto.

                                   ARTICLE III

                     SERVICE OF PROCESS; DISSENTERS' RIGHTS

     SECTION 3.01 Service of Process. It is agreed that upon and after the
Effective Time:

          a. The Surviving Corporation may be served with process in the State
     of Missouri in any proceeding for the enforcement of any obligation of
     Winning Ways, and in any proceeding for the enforcement of the rights of a
     dissenting shareholder of Winning Ways against the Surviving Corporation;

          b. The Secretary of State of the State of Missouri shall be and hereby
     is irrevocably appointed as the agent of the Surviving Corporation to
     accept service of process in any such proceeding; the address to which the
     service of process in any such proceeding shall be mailed is 1209 Orange
     Street, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801, Attention:
     Corporation Trust Company.

     SECTION 3.02 Dissenters' Rights. The Surviving Corporation will promptly
pay to the dissenting shareholders of Winning Ways the amount, if any, to which
they shall be entitled under the provisions of the General and Business
Corporation Law of Missouri with respect to the rights of dissenting
shareholders.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                          PAGE 1

                               State of Delaware

                        Office of the Secretary of State

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

     I, EDWARD J. FREEL, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY
CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION OF "GFSI, INC.", FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF
JANUARY, A.D. 1997, AT 2 O'CLOCK P.M.











                                     [SEAL] 

                                        /s/ Edward J. Freel
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                            Edward J. Freel. Secretary of State

                                            AUTHENTICATION:      8346175

2706842  8100                               DATE:                02-25-97

971061815
<PAGE>
 
                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                                   GFSI, INC.


     The undersigned, for the purpose of incorporating and organizing a
corporation under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, hereby
adopts the following:

     FIRST: The name of the corporation is

                                   GFSI, INC.

     SECOND: The address of the corporation's initial registered office in the
State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City
of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of the
corporation's initial registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust
Company.

     THIRD: The purpose of the corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware.

     FOURTH: The total number of shares of capital stock that this corporation
shall have authority to issue is 10,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01
per share.

     FIFTH: The name and mailing address of the incorporator are Michael J.
Beal, 1200 Main Street, Suite 3500, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.

     SIXTH: The name of the person who is to serve as the sole director until
the first annual meeting of stockholders, or until his successor is elected and
shall qualify, is A. Richard Caputo, Jr., whose mailing address is 9 West 57th
Street, Suite 4000, New York, New York 10019.

     SEVENTH: The duration of the corporation is perpetual.

     EIGHTH: 1. Elimination of Certain Liability of Directors. A director of the
corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under
Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or (iv) for
any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
<PAGE>
 
at any time authorizes corporate action further limiting or eliminating the
personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the
corporation shall be limited or eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware without further action by
the corporation. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph by the
stockholders of the corporation shall not adversely affect any right or
protection of a director of the corporation existing at the time of such repeal
or modification.

     2. Indemnification and Insurance.

     (a) Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or is
threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person
of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer,
of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to
employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action
in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any
other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, shall be
indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent
authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same
exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only
to the extent that such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader
indemnification rights than said law permitted the corporation to provide prior
to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including
attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts
paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person
in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to a person
who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to
the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators: provided,
however, that, except as provided in paragraph (b) hereof, the corporation shall
indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a
proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding
(or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors of the corporation.
The right to indemnification conferred in this Section shall be a contract right
and shall include the right to be paid by the corporation the expenses incurred
in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition: provided,
however, that, if the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware allows,
the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her
capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which
service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer,
including, without limitation,




                                        2
<PAGE>
 
service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final disposition of a
proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an
undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts
so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer
is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section or otherwise. The
corporation may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide indemnification to
employees and agents of the corporation with the same scope and effect as the
foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.

     (b) Right of Claimant to Bring Suit. If a claim under paragraph (a) of this
Section is not paid in full by the corporation within thirty days after a
written claim has been received by the corporation, the claimant may at any time
thereafter bring suit against the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of
the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled
to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to
any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses
incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where
the required undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the
corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make
it permissible under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware to
indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such
defense shall be on the corporation. Neither the failure of the corporation
(including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its
stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such
action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances
because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, nor an actual determination by
the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or
its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard or
conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the
claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

     (c) Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The right to indemnification and the payment
of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final
disposition conferred in this Section shall not be exclusive of any other right
which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of
the Certificate of Incorporation, by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise.

     (d) Insurance. The corporation may at its option maintain insurance, at its
expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the
corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against





                                        3
<PAGE>
 
such expense, liability or loss under the General Corporation Law of the State
of Delaware.

     NINTH: The Board of Directors of the corporation is authorized and
empowered to make, alter, amend or repeal any or all of the Bylaws of the
corporation, subject to the power of the stockholders of the corporation to
make, alter, amend or repeal any or all of the Bylaws of the corporation.

     TENTH: The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time
to amend, alter, change, or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate
of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by law; and all
rights conferred upon stockholders, directors, or any other persons whomsoever
by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in their present form or as
hereafter amended are granted subject to this reservation.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this 15th day
of January, 1997.


                                                 /s/ Michael J. Beal
                                                 ------------------------------
                                                  Michael J. Beal, Incorporator





                                        4

<PAGE>
 
                                     BYLAWS

                                       OF

                                   GFSI, INC.


                                     Offices

     1. Registered Office and Registered Agent. The location of the registered
office and the name of the registered agent of the corporation in the State of
Delaware shall be such as shall be determined from time to time by the board of
directors and on file in the appropriate public offices of the State of Delaware
pursuant to applicable provisions of law.

     2. Corporate Offices. The corporation may have such other corporate offices
and places of business anywhere within or without the State of Delaware as the
board of directors may from time to time designate or the business of the
corporation may require.


                                      Seal

     3. Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name
of the corporation and the words "Corporate Seal, Delaware." The corporate seal
may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed,
reproduced or otherwise.


                             Meeting of Stockholders

     4. Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at the
offices of the corporation or at such other place either within or without the
State of Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by the board of
directors and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver
of notice thereof.

     5. Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation
shall be held on the first Tuesday in December of each year, commencing in 1997,
if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday, then on the next secular day
following, at 10:00 a.m., or at such other date and time as shall be determined
from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the notice of the
meeting. At the annual meeting the stockholders shall elect directors to serve
until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until their successors are
elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal, and shall
transact such other business as may properly be brought
<PAGE>
 
before the meeting. The stockholders may transact such other business as may be
desired, whether or not the same was specified in the notice of the meeting,
unless the consideration of such other business without its having been
specified in the notice of the meeting as one of the purposes thereof is
prohibited by law.

     6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders may be held for
any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the
certificate of incorporation, and may be called by any officer, by the board of
directors, or by the holders of, or by any officer or stockholder upon the
written request of the holders of, not less than 25 percent of the outstanding
stock entitled to vote at such meeting, and shall be called by any officer
directed to do so by the board of directors or requested to do so in writing by
a majority of the board of directors. Any such written request shall state the
purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. The "call" and the "notice" of any
such meeting shall be deemed to be synonymous.

     7. Voting. At all meetings of stockholders, every stockholder having the
right to vote shall be entitled to vote in person, or by proxy appointed by an
instrument in writing subscribed by such stockholder and bearing a date not more
than three years prior to said meeting, unless said instrument shall provide for
a longer period. Unless otherwise provided by the certificate of incorporation,
each stockholder shall have one vote for each share of stock entitled to vote at
such meeting registered in his name on the books of the corporation. At all
meetings of stockholders, the voting may be by voice vote, except that, unless
otherwise provided by the certificate of incorporation, any qualified voter may
demand a vote by ballot on any matter, in which event such vote shall be taken
by ballot.

     8. Quorum. The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding
and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of
any business, except as otherwise provided by law, by the certificate of
incorporation or by these bylaws. Every decision of a majority in the amount of
stock of such quorum shall be valid as a corporate act, except in those specific
instances in which a larger vote is required by law or by the certificate of
incorporation or by these bylaws.

     At any meeting at which a quorum shall not be present, the holders of a
majority of the stock present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall have
power successively to adjourn the meeting from time to time to a specified time
and place, without notice to anyone other than announcement at the meeting,
until a quorum shall be present in person or by proxy. At such adjourned meeting
at which a quorum shall be present in person or by proxy, any business may be
transacted which might have been transacted at





                                        2
<PAGE>
 
the original meeting which was adjourned. If the adjournment is for more than 30
days, or if after adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned
meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of
record entitled to vote at the meeting.

     9. Stock Ledger. The original or duplicate stock ledger shall be the only
evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list required
under Section 10 of these bylaws or the books of the corporation, or to vote in
person or by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders.

     10. Stockholders List. The secretary or assistant secretary, who shall have
charge of the stock ledger, shall prepare and make, at least ten days before
every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to
vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of
each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each
stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for
any purpose germane to the meeting during ordinary business hours for a period
of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city
where the meeting is to be held, or, if not so specified, at the place where the
meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and
place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any
stockholder who is present.

     11. Notice. Written or printed notice of each meeting of the stockholders,
whether annual or special, stating the place, date, and hour of the meeting,
and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes thereof, shall be
given, either personally or by mail, to each stockholder of record of the
corporation entitled to vote at such meeting not less than 10 days nor more than
60 days prior to the meeting. The board of directors may fix in advance a date,
which shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days preceding the date of any
meeting of the stockholders, as a record date for the determination of the
stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting and any
adjournment thereof; provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a
new record date for any adjourned meeting.

     12. Action by Stockholders Without Meeting. Any action required by law to
be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, or
any other action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such
stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without
a vote, if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken shall be
signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum
number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a
meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
Prompt notice of any taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than
unanimous written





                                        3
<PAGE>
 
consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.


                               Board of Directors

     13. Powers; Number; Term; Qualification. The management of all the affairs,
property, and business of the corporation shall be vested in a board of
directors. Unless required by the certificate of incorporation, directors need
not be stockholders. In addition to the powers and authorities these bylaws and
the certificate of incorporation have expressly conferred upon it, the board of
directors may exercise all such powers of the corporation, and do all such
lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the certificate of
incorporation or by these bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by
the stockholders. The number of directors shall be as provided from time to time
by resolution duly adopted by the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares entitled to vote thereon or by a majority of the whole board of
directors. Each director shall hold office until his successor shall have been
elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation and removal. Each
director, upon his election, shall be deemed to have qualified by filing with
the corporation his written acceptance of such office, which shall be placed in
the minute book, or by his attendance at, or consent to action in lieu of, any
regular or special meeting of directors. Any director may resign at any time by
filing a written resignation with the secretary of the corporation and, unless a
later date is fixed by its terms, said resignation shall be effective from the
filing thereof.

     14. Vacancies. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of
the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining
director, unless it is otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or
bylaws, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual
election and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, unless
sooner displaced. If there are no directors in office, then an election of
directors may be held in the manner provided by statute.

     15. Meetings of the Newly Elected Board. The first meeting of the members
of each newly elected board of directors shall be held (i) at such time and
place either within or without the State of Delaware as shall be suggested or
provided by resolution of the stockholders at the meeting at which such newly
elected board was elected, and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to
the newly elected directors in order legally to constitute the meeting, provided
a quorum shall be present; or (ii) if not so suggested or provided for by
resolution of the stockholders or if a quorum shall not be present, at such time
and




                                        4
<PAGE>
 
place as shall be consented to in writing by a majority of the newly elected
board of directors, provided that written or printed notice of such meeting
shall be given to each of the other directors in the same manner as provided in
Section 17 of these bylaws with respect to the giving of notice for special
meetings of the board, except that it shall not be necessary to state the
purpose of the meeting in such notice; or (iii) regardless of whether the time
and place of such meeting shall be suggested or provided for by resolution of
the stockholders, at such time and place as shall be consented to in writing by
all of the newly elected directors.

     16. Regular Meeting. Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held
without notice at such times and places either within or without the State of
Delaware as shall from time to time be fixed by resolution adopted by the full
board of directors. Any business may be transacted at a regular meeting.

     17. Special Meeting. Special meetings of the board of directors may be
called at any time by the president, any vice president, or the secretary, or by
any two or more of the directors. The place may be within or without the State
of Delaware as designated in the notice.

     18. Notice of Special Meeting. Written or printed notice of each special
meeting of the board of directors, stating the place, day, and hour of the
meeting and the purpose or purposes thereof, shall be mailed to each director
addressed to him at his residence or usual place of business at least two days
before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to him by
telegram, or delivered personally, at least one day before the day on which the
meeting is to be held. The notice may be given by any officer having authority
to call the meeting. "Notice" and "call" with respect to such meetings shall be
deemed to be synonymous. Any meeting of the board of directors shall be a legal
meeting without any notice thereof having been given if all directors shall be
present thereat.

     19. Quorum. Unless otherwise required by law, the certificate of
incorporation or these bylaws, a majority of the total number of directors shall
be necessary at all meetings to constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business, and except as may be otherwise provided by law, the certificate of
incorporation or these bylaws, the act of a majority of the directors present at
any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the board of
directors.

     If at least one-third of the whole board of directors is present at any
meeting at which a quorum is not present, a majority of the directors present at
such meeting shall have power successively to adjourn the meeting from time to
time to a subsequent date, without notice to any director other than




                                        5
<PAGE>
 
announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is
present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the
original meeting which was adjourned.

     20. Attendance by Telephone. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate
of incorporation, members of the board of directors, or any committee designated
by the board of directors, may participate in a meeting of such board or
committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment
by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other,
and participation in a meeting pursuant to this provision shall constitute
presence in person at such meeting.

     21. Committees. The board of directors may, by resolution or resolutions
passed by a majority of the whole board, designate one or more committees, each
committee to consist of one or more directors of the corporation. The board of
directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any
committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of
the committee. Any such committee, to the extent provided in said resolution or
resolutions or in these bylaws, shall have and may exercise all of the powers of
the board of directors in the management of the corporation, and may authorize
the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it;
provided, however, that in the absence or disqualification of any member of such
committee or committees, the member or members thereof present at any meeting
and not disqualified from voting, whether he or they constitute a quorum, may
unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the
meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Such committee
or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to
time by resolution adopted by the board of directors. All committees so
appointed shall, unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, keep
regular minutes of the transactions of their meetings and shall cause them to be
recorded in books kept for that purpose in the office of the corporation and
shall report the same to the board of directors at its next meeting. The
secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation may act as secretary of
the committee if the committee so requests.

     22. Compensation. The board of directors may, by resolution, fix a sum to
be paid directors for serving as directors of this corporation and may, by
resolution, fix a sum which shall be allowed and paid for attendance at each
meeting of the board of directors and in each case may provide for reimbursement
of expenses incurred by directors in attending each meeting; provided that
nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from
serving this corporation in any other capacity and receiving his regular
compensation therefor, Members of special or




                                        6
<PAGE>
 
standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee
meetings.

     23. Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by giving a written
notice to the chairman of the board of directors, the president, or the
secretary of the corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time
specified therein; and unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of
such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

     24. Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Each person who is or was a
director or officer of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of
the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation (including the
heirs, successors, executors or administrators, or estate of such persons) shall
be indemnified by the corporation as of right to the full extent permitted or
authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware, as now in effect and as
hereafter amended, against any liability, judgment, fine, amount paid in
settlement, cost, and expense (including attorneys' fees) asserted or threatened
against and incurred by such person in his capacity as or arising out of his
status as a director or officer of the corporation or, if serving at the request
of the corporation, as a director or officer of another corporation. The
indemnification provided by this bylaw provision shall not be exclusive of any
other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any other bylaws
or under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise, and shall not limit in any way any right which the corporation may
have to make different or further indemnification with respect to the same or
different persons or classes of persons.

     25. Action by Directors without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the
certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted
to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors or any committee thereof
may be taken without a meeting if all members of the board of directors or of
such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing
or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee.


                                    Officers

     26. (a) Officers - Who Shall Constitute. The officers of the corporation
shall consist of a chairman of the board of directors, a president, one or more
vice presidents, a secretary, and a treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by
the board of directors at their first meeting after the annual meeting of the
stockholders. The board of directors may also designate additional assistant
secretaries and assistant treasurers. In the discretion of the board of
directors, the office of chairman of the board of



                                        7
<PAGE>
 
directors may remain unfilled. The chairman of the board of directors (if any)
shall at all times be, and other officers may be, members of the board of
directors. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

     An officer shall be deemed qualified when he enters upon the duties of the
office to which he has been elected or appointed and furnishes any bond required
by the board; but the board may also require of such person his written
acceptance and promise faithfully to discharge the duties of such office.

     (b) Term. Each officer of the corporation shall hold his office at the
pleasure of the board of directors or for such other period as the board may
specify at the time of his election or appointment, or until his death,
resignation, or removal by the board, whichever first occurs. In any event, each
officer of the corporation who is not re-elected or re-appointed at the annual
meeting of the board of directors next succeeding his election or appointment
and at which any officer of the corporation is elected or appointed shall be
deemed to have been removed by the board, unless the board provides otherwise at
the time of his election or appointment.

     (c) Other Officers and Agents. The board of directors from time to time may
also appoint such other officers and agents for the corporation as it shall deem
necessary or advisable, each of whom shall serve at the pleasure of the board or
for such period as the board may specify, and shall exercise such powers, have
such titles, and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by
the board or by an officer empowered by the board to make such determinations.

     27. President. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the
corporation with such general executive powers and duties of supervision and
management as are usually vested in the office of the chief executive officer of
a corporation and he shall carry into effect all directions and resolutions of
the board of directors. The president shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and directors.

     The president may execute all bonds, notes, debentures, mortgages, and
other instruments for and in the name of the corporation, and may cause the
corporate seal to be affixed thereto.

     Unless the board of directors otherwise provides, the president, or any
person designated in writing by him, shall have full power and authority on
behalf of this corporation (i) to attend and to vote or take action at any
meeting of the holders of securities of corporations in which this corporation
may hold securities, and at such meetings shall possess and may exercise any and
all rights and powers incident to being a holder of such





                                        8
<PAGE>
 
securities and which as the holder thereof this corporation may have possessed
and exercised if present, and (ii) to execute and deliver waivers of notice and
proxies for and in the name of the corporation with respect to any such
securities held by this corporation.

     He shall, unless the board of directors otherwise provides, be ex officio a
member of all standing committees.

     He shall have such other or further duties and authority as may be
prescribed elsewhere in these bylaws or from time to time by the board of
directors.

     28. Vice President. In the absence of the president or in the event of his
disability, inability, or refusal to act, the vice president (or in the event
there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order
designated by the board, or in the absence of any designation, then in the order
of their election) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the
president, and shall perform such other duties as the board of directors may
from time to time prescribe.

     29. Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The secretary may attend all
sessions of the board of directors and all meetings of the stockholders, and
shall record or cause to be recorded all votes taken and the minutes of all
proceedings in a minute book of the corporation to be kept for that purpose. He
shall perform like duties for committees when requested to do so by the board of
directors or any such committee.

     It shall be the principal responsibility of the secretary to give, or cause
to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and of the board of
directors, but this shall not lessen the authority of others to give such notice
as is authorized elsewhere in these bylaws.

     The secretary shall see that all books, records, lists, and information, or
duplicates, required to be maintained in the State of Delaware or elsewhere, are
so maintained.

     The secretary shall keep in safe custody the seal of the corporation and
shall have the authority to affix the seal to any instrument requiring it, and
when so affixed, he shall attest the seal by his signature. The board of
directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of
the corporation and to attest the affixing by his signature.

     The secretary shall perform such other duties and have such other authority
as may be prescribed elsewhere in these bylaws or from time to time by the board
of directors or the chief executive officer of the corporation, under whose
direct supervision he shall be.




                                        9
<PAGE>
 
     In the absence of the secretary or in the event of his disability,
inability, or refusal to act, the assistant secretary (or in the event there be
more than one assistant secretary, the assistant secretaries in the order
designated by the board of directors, or in the absence of any designation, then
in the order of their election) may perform the duties and exercise the powers
of the secretary, and shall perform such other duties as the board of directors
may from time to time prescribe.

     30. Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers. The treasurer shall have
responsibility for the safekeeping of the funds and securities of the
corporation, shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate accounts of
receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation and shall keep,
or cause to be kept, all other books of account and accounting records of the
corporation. He shall deposit or cause to be deposited all moneys and other
valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation in such
depositories as may be designated by the board of directors or by any officer of
the corporation to whom such authority has been granted by the board of
directors.

     He shall disburse, or permit to be disbursed, the funds of the corporation
as may be ordered, or authorized generally, by the board of directors, and shall
render to the chief executive officer of the corporation and the directors
whenever they may require it, an account of all his transactions as treasurer
and of those under his jurisdiction, and of the financial condition of the
corporation.

     He shall perform such other duties and shall have such other responsibility
and authority as may be prescribed elsewhere in these bylaws or from time to
time by the board of directors.

     He shall have the general duties, powers, and responsibilities of a
treasurer of a corporation.

     If required by the board of directors, he shall give the corporation a bond
in a sum and with one or more sureties satisfactory to the board, for the
faithful performance of the duties of his office, and for the restoration to the
corporation, in the case of his death, resignation, retirement, or removal from
office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money, and other property of whatever
kind in his possession or under his control which belong to the corporation.

     In the absence of the treasurer or in the event of his disability,
inability, or refusal to act, the assistant treasurer (or in the event there be
more than one assistant treasurer, the assistant treasurers in the order
designated by the board of directors, or in the absence of any designation, then
in the order of their election) may perform the duties and exercise the powers
of the treasurer, and shall perform such other duties and have such




                                       10
<PAGE>
 
other authority as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe.

     31. Duties of Officers May be Delegated. If any officer of the corporation
be absent or unable to act, or for any other reason that the board of directors
may deem sufficient, the board may delegate for the time being some or all of
the functions, duties, powers, and responsibilities of any officer to any other
officer, or to any other agent or employee of the corporation or other
responsible person, provided a majority of the whole board of directors concurs
therein.

     32. Removal. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the board of
directors, and any employee, may be removed or discharged, with or without
cause, at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board of
directors, but such removal or discharge shall be without prejudice to the
contract rights, if any, of the person so removed or discharged.

     33. Salaries. Salaries and other compensation of all elected officers of
the corporation shall be fixed, increased or decreased by the board of
directors, but this power, except as to the salary or compensation of the
president, may, unless prohibited by law, be delegated by the board to the
president, or may be delegated to a committee. Salaries and compensation of all
other appointed officers, agents, and employees of the corporation may be fixed,
increased or decreased by the board of directors, but until action is taken with
respect thereto by the board of directors, the same may be fixed, increased or
decreased by the president or such other officer or officers as may be
designated by the board of directors to do so.

     34. Delegation of Authority. The board of directors from time to time may
delegate to the president or other officer or executive employee of the
corporation, authority to hire, discharge, fix, and modify the duties, salary,
or other compensation of employees of the corporation under their jurisdiction,
and the board may delegate to such officer or executive employee similar
authority with respect to obtaining and retaining for the corporation the
services of attorneys, accountants, and other experts.


                                      Stock

     35. Certificates. Certificates of stock shall be issued in numerical order,
and each stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate signed by the president
or a vice president, and by the treasurer or an assistant treasurer or the
secretary or an assistant secretary, certifying to the number of shares owned by
the stockholder. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a
facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or




                                       11
<PAGE>
 
registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a
certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar
before such certificate is issued, such certificate may nevertheless be issued
by the corporation with the same effect as if such officer, transfer agent, or
registrar who signed such certificate, or whose facsimile signature shall have
been placed thereon, had not ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or
registrar of the corporation.

     36. Transfer. Transfers of stock shall be made only upon the transfer books
of the corporation, kept at the office of the corporation or respective transfer
agents designated to transfer the several classes of stock, and before a new
certificate is issued the old certificate shall be surrendered for cancellation.
Until and unless the board of directors appoints some other person, firm, or
corporation as its transfer agent or transfer clerk (and upon the revocation of
any such appointment, thereafter until a new appointment is similarly made) the
secretary of the corporation shall be the transfer agent or transfer clerk of
the corporation without the necessity of any formal action of the board, and the
secretary, or any person designated by him, shall perform all of the duties
thereof.

     37. Registered Stockholders. Registered stockholders only shall be entitled
to be treated by the corporation as the holders and owners in fact of the shares
standing in their respective names and the corporation shall not be bound to
recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such shares on the part
of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice
thereof, except as expressly provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

     38. Lost Certificates. The board of directors may direct a new certificate
or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates
theretofore issued by the corporation, alleged to have been lost, stolen, or
destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming
the certificate or certificates to be lost, stolen, or destroyed. When
authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the board of
directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance
thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or
certificates, or his legal representative, to give the corporation and its
transfer agents and registrars, if any, a bond in such sum as it may direct to
indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it with respect to the
certificate or certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.

     39. Regulations. The board of directors shall have power and authority to
make all such rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the
issue, transfer, conversion, and registration of certificates for shares of the
capital stock of the




                                       12
<PAGE>
 
corporation, not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware, the
certificate of incorporation of the corporation and these bylaws.

     40. Fixing Record Date. In order that the corporation may determine the
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or
any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other
distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in
respect of any change, conversion, or exchange of stock or for the purpose of
any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record
date, which shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of
such meeting, nor more than 60 days prior to any other action. A determination
of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting except that the board
of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.


                              Dividends and Finance

     41. Dividends. Dividends upon the outstanding shares of the corporation,
subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation and of any
applicable law and of these bylaws, may be declared by the board of directors at
any meeting. Subject to such provisions, dividends may be paid in cash, in
property, or in shares of the capital stock of the corporation.

     42. Moneys. The moneys of the corporation shall be deposited in the name of
the corporation in such bank or banks or trust company or trust companies as the
board of directors shall designate, and shall be drawn out only by check signed
by persons designated by resolution adopted by the board of directors, except
that the board of directors may delegate said powers in the manner hereinafter
provided in this Section 42 of these bylaws. The board of directors may by
resolution authorize an officer or officers of the corporation to designate any
bank or banks or trust company or trust companies in which moneys of the
corporation may be deposited, and to designate the person or persons who may
sign checks drawn on any particular bank account or bank accounts of the
corporation, whether created by direct designation of the board of directors or
by an authorized officer or officers as aforesaid.

     43. Fiscal Year. The board of directors shall have power to fix and from
time to time change the fiscal year of the corporation. In the absence of action
by the board of directors, however, the fiscal year of the corporation shall end
each year on the date which the corporation treated as the close of its first
fiscal year, until such time, if any, as the fiscal year shall be changed by the
board of directors.





                                       13
<PAGE>
 
                                Books and Records

     44. Books, Accounts, and Records. The books, accounts, and records of the
corporation, except as may be otherwise required by the laws of the State of
Delaware, may be kept outside the State of Delaware, at such place or places as
the board of directors from time to time determine. The board of directors shall
determine whether, to what extent and the conditions upon which the accounts and
books of the corporation, or any of them, shall be open to the inspection of the
stockholders, and no stockholder shall have any right to inspect any account or
book or document of the corporation, except as conferred by law or by resolution
of the stockholders.


                                     Notice

     45. Provisions. Whenever the provisions of the statutes of the State of
Delaware, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws require notice to be
given to any director, officer, or stockholder, they shall not be construed to
required actual personal notice. Notice by mail may be given in writing by
depositing the same in a post office or letter box, in a post paid, sealed
wrapper, addressed to such director, officer, or stockholder at his or her
address as the same appears in the books of the corporation, and the time when
the same shall be mailed shall be deemed to be the time of the giving of such
notice. If notice be given by telegraph, such notice shall be deemed to be given
when the same is delivered to the telegraph company.

     46. Waiver. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the
provisions of the statutes of the State of Delaware or of the certificate of
incorporation or of these bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the
person or persons entitled to said notice whether before or after the time
stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at
a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the
person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning
of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not
lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the
purpose of, any regular or special meeting need be specified in any written
waiver of notice unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or the
bylaws.


                                   Amendments

     47. Amendments. These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of stock issued and outstanding and
entitled to vote thereon, or, if




                                       14
<PAGE>
 
the certificate of incorporation so provides, by the board of directors at any
meeting thereof.





                                       15

<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------






                                   GFSI, Inc.




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


                              SERIES A AND SERIES B

                    9 5/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007

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


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

                                    INDENTURE

                          DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 27, 1997

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







                               FLEET NATIONAL BANK

                                     Trustee



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                     ARTICLE 1
                                    DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
<S>             <C>                                                                                              <C>
Section 1.01.   Definitions.....................................................................................  1
Section 1.02.   Other Definitions............................................................................... 14
Section 1.03.   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act............................................... 14
Section 1.04.   Rules of Construction........................................................................... 14

                                                     ARTICLE 2
                                                     THE NOTES
Section 2.01.   Form and Dating................................................................................. 15
Section 2.02.   Execution and Authentication.................................................................... 15
Section 2.03.   Registrar and Paying Agent...................................................................... 16
Section 2.04.   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust............................................................. 16
Section 2.05.   Holder Lists.................................................................................... 16
Section 2.06.   Transfer and Exchange........................................................................... 17
Section 2.07.   Replacement Notes............................................................................... 23
Section 2.08.   Outstanding Notes............................................................................... 23
Section 2.09.   Treasury Notes.................................................................................. 23
Section 2.10.   Temporary Notes................................................................................. 23
Section 2.11.   Cancellation.................................................................................... 24
Section 2.12.   Defaulted Interest.............................................................................. 24
Section 2.13.   Record Date..................................................................................... 24
Section 2.14.   CUSIP Number.................................................................................... 24

                                                     ARTICLE 3
                               OPTIONAL REDEMPTION AND MANDATORY OFFERS TO PURCHASE
Section 3.01.   Notices to Trustee.............................................................................. 24
Section 3.02.   Selection of Notes to be Redeemed or Purchased.................................................. 25
Section 3.03.   Notice of Redemption............................................................................ 25
Section 3.04.   Effect of Notice of Redemption.................................................................. 26
Section 3.05.   Deposit of Redemption Price..................................................................... 26
Section 3.06.   Notes Redeemed in Part.......................................................................... 27
Section 3.07.   Optional Redemption Provisions.................................................................. 27
Section 3.08.   Mandatory Purchase Provisions................................................................... 27

                                                     ARTICLE 4
                                                     COVENANTS
Section 4.01.   Payment of Notes................................................................................ 29
Section 4.02.   SEC Reports..................................................................................... 29
Section 4.03.   Compliance Certificate.......................................................................... 30
Section 4.04.   Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.................................................................. 31
Section 4.05.   Limitation on Restricted Payments............................................................... 31
Section 4.06.   Corporate Existence............................................................................. 33
Section 4.07.   Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness........................................................ 34
Section 4.08    Limitation on Senior Subordinated Debt.......................................................... 34
Section 4.09.   Limitation on Transactions With Affiliates...................................................... 35
Section 4.10.   Limitation on Liens............................................................................. 35
Section 4.11.   Compliance With Laws, Taxes..................................................................... 36
</TABLE>


                                                         i
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>             <C>                                                                                              <C>
Section 4.12.   Limitation on Dividends and Other Payment
                Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.................................................. 36
Section 4.13.   Maintenance of Office or Agencies............................................................... 37
Section 4.14.   Change of Control............................................................................... 37
Section 4.15.   Limitation on Asset Sales....................................................................... 38
Section 4.16.   Note Guarantees..................................................................................39
Section 4.17.   Designation of Restricted and Non-Restricted Subsidiaries....................................... 39

                                                     ARTICLE 5
                                                    SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01.   Merger or Consolidation......................................................................... 40
Section 5.02.   Successor Corporation Substituted............................................................... 40

                                                     ARTICLE 6
                                               DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01.   Events of Default............................................................................... 41
Section 6.02.   Acceleration.................................................................................... 42
Section 6.03.   Other Remedies.................................................................................. 43
Section 6.04.   Waiver of Past Defaults......................................................................... 43
Section 6.05.   Control by Majority............................................................................. 44
Section 6.06.   Limitation on Suits............................................................................. 44
Section 6.07.   Rights of Holders to Receive Payment............................................................ 44
Section 6.08.   Collection Suit by Trustee...................................................................... 44
Section 6.09.   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim................................................................ 44
Section 6.10.   Priorities...................................................................................... 45
Section 6.11.   Undertaking for Costs........................................................................... 45

                                                     ARTICLE 7
                                                      TRUSTEE
Section 7.01.   Duties of Trustee............................................................................... 45
Section 7.02.   Rights of Trustee............................................................................... 46
Section 7.03.   Individual Rights of Trustee.................................................................... 47
Section 7.04.   Trustee's Disclaimer............................................................................ 47
Section 7.05.   Notice to Holders of Defaults and Events of Default............................................. 47
Section 7.06.   Reports by Trustee to Holders................................................................... 47
Section 7.07.   Compensation and Indemnity...................................................................... 48
Section 7.08.   Replacement of Trustee.......................................................................... 48
Section 7.09.   Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc................................................................ 49
Section 7.10.   Eligibility; Disqualification................................................................... 49
Section 7.11.   Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company........................................... 49

                                                     ARTICLE 8
                                              DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
Section 8.01.   Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance..................................................... 50
Section 8.02.   Conditions to Defeasance........................................................................ 50
Section 8.03.   Application of Trust Money...................................................................... 51
Section 8.04.   Repayment to the Company........................................................................ 52
Section 8.05.   Indemnity for Government Obligations............................................................ 52
Section 8.06.   Reinstatement................................................................................... 52
</TABLE>


                                                        ii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>             <C>                                                                                              <C>
                                                     ARTICLE 9
                                                    AMENDMENTS
Section 9.01.   Amendments and Supplements Permitted Without Consent of Holders................................. 52
Section 9.02.   Amendments and Supplements Requiring Consent of Holders......................................... 53
Section 9.03.   Compliance with TIA............................................................................. 54
Section 9.04.   Revocation and Effect of Consents............................................................... 54
Section 9.05.   Notation on or Exchange of Notes................................................................ 54
Section 9.06.   Trustee Protected............................................................................... 54

                                                    ARTICLE 10
                                                   SUBORDINATION
Section 10.01.  Agreement to Subordinate........................................................................ 55
Section 10.02.  Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy............................................................ 55
Section 10.03.  Default on Designated Senior Indebtedness....................................................... 55
Section 10.04.  Acceleration of Notes........................................................................... 56
Section 10.05.  When Distribution Must be Paid Over............................................................. 56
Section 10.06.  Notice by Company............................................................................... 57
Section 10.07.  Subrogation..................................................................................... 57
Section 10.08.  Relative Rights................................................................................. 57
Section 10.09.  Subordination may not be Impaired by Company.................................................... 57
Section 10.10.  Distribution or Notice to Representative........................................................ 57
Section 10.11.  Rights of Trustee as Paying Agent............................................................... 58
Section 10.12.  Authorization to Effect Subordination........................................................... 58
Section 10.13.  Amendments...................................................................................... 58

                                                    ARTICLE 11
                                                   MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.01.  Trust Indenture Act Controls................................................................... 58
Section 11.02.  Notices........................................................................................ 58
Section 11.03.  Communication by Holders with Other Holders.................................................... 59
Section 11.04.  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent............................................. 60
Section 11.05.  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.................................................. 60
Section 11.06.  Rules by Trustee and Agents.................................................................... 60
Section 11.07.  Legal Holidays................................................................................. 60
Section 11.08.  No Recourse Against Others..................................................................... 60
Section 11.09.  Counterparts................................................................................... 61
Section 11.10.  Variable Provisions............................................................................ 61
Section 11.11.  Governing Law.................................................................................. 61
Section 11.12.  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.................................................. 61
Section 11.13.  Successors..................................................................................... 61
Section 11.14.  Severability................................................................................... 61
Section 11.15.  Table of Contents, Headings, Etc............................................................... 61

                                                    ARTICLE 12
                                                GUARANTEE OF NOTES

Section 12.01.  Execution and Deliver of Note Guarantee........................................................ 62
Section 12.02.  Subordination of Note Guarantee; Guarantors May Consolidate, etc.,
                on Certain Terms............................................................................... 62
</TABLE>


                                                        iii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>             <C>                                                                                              <C>
                                                     EXHIBITS

Exhibit A       Form of Note ................................................................................... A-1
Exhibit B       Certificate of Transferor ...................................................................... B-1
Exhibit C       Certificate of Institutional Accredited Investor ............................................... C-1
Exhibit D       Certificate of Regulation S Transferor ......................................................... D-1
Exhibit E       Form of Note Guarantee.......................................................................... E-1
Exhibit F       Form of Supplemental Indenture.................................................................. F-1
</TABLE>

                                                        iv
<PAGE>
 
     This Indenture, dated as of February 27, 1997, is between GFSI, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Fleet National Bank, as trustee (the
"Trustee").

     Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the
equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Company's 9 5/8% Series A Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Series A Notes") and the Company's 9 5/8%
Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Series B Notes" and, together
with the Series A Notes, the "Notes"):

                                    ARTICLE 1
                          DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
                                  BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01   DEFINITIONS

     "Acquisition Agreement" means the agreement, dated as of January 24, 1997,
among Holdings, the Company and the shareholders party thereto, relating to the
purchase and sale of the stock of Winning Ways, Inc.

     "Affiliate" means any of the following: (i) any Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with the Company, (ii) any spouse, immediate family member or other
relative who has the same principal residence as any Person described in clause
(i) above, (iii) any trust in which any such Persons described in clause (i) or
(ii) above has a beneficial interest and (iv) any corporation or other
organization of which any such Persons described above collectively own 50% or
more of the equity of such entity, provided, however that MCIT PLC shall not be
deemed an Affiliate of the Company.

     "Affiliated Embroiderers" means the affiliated entities that provide
embroidery services for the Company as of the date of this Indenture.

     "Agent" means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar.

     "Asset Sale" means the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of assets or property whether owned on the
date of original issuance of the Notes or thereafter acquired, in a single
transaction or in a series of related transactions; provided that Asset Sales
will not include such sales, leases, conveyances or dispositions in connection
with (i) the sale or disposition of any Restricted Investment, (ii) any Equity
Offering by the Company, (iii) the surrender or waiver of contract rights or the
settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind,
(iv) the sale or lease of inventory, equipment, accounts receivable or other
assets in the ordinary course of business, (v) a sale-leaseback of assets within
one year following the acquisition of such assets, (vi) the grant of any license
of patents, trademarks, registration therefor and other similar intellectual
property, (vii) a transfer of assets by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, (viii) the designation of a
Restricted Subsidiary as a Non-Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 4.17,
(ix) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company as permitted under Section 5.01, (x) the sale
or disposition of obsolete equipment or other obsolete assets, (xi) Restricted
Payments permitted by Section 4.05, (xii) the exchange of assets for other
non-cash assets that (a) are useful in the business of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries and (b) have a fair market value at least equal to the
fair market value of the assets being exchanged (as determined by the Board of
Directors in good faith), (xiii) the sale of the corporate aircraft owned by the
Company on the date of this Indenture to Robert M. Wolff or his designees or
(xiv) the sale, transfer and/or termination of the officers' life insurance
policies in effect on the date of this Indenture.
<PAGE>
 
     "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state
law for the relief of debtors.

     "Board of Directors" means the Company's board of directors or any
authorized committee of such board of directors.

     "Business Day" means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

     "Capital Stock" means any and all shares, interests, participations or
other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock, including any
preferred stock.

     "Cash Flow" means, for any given period and Person, the sum of, without
duplication, Consolidated Net Income, plus (a) any provision for taxes based on
income or profits to the extent such income or profits were included in
computing Consolidated Net Income, plus (b) Consolidated Interest Expense, to
the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus (c) the
amortization of all intangible assets, to the extent such amortization was
deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income (including, but not limited to,
inventory write-ups, goodwill, debt and financing costs, and Incentive
Arrangements), plus (d) any non-capitalized transaction costs incurred in
connection with actual or proposed financings, acquisitions or divestitures
(including, but not limited to, financing and refinancing fees, including those
in connection with the Transactions), to the extent deducted in computing
Consolidated Net Income, plus (e) all depreciation and all other non-cash
charges (including, without limitation, those charges relating to purchase
accounting adjustments and LIFO adjustments), to the extent deducted in
computing Consolidated Net Income, plus (f) any interest income, to the extent
such income was not included in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus (g) all
dividend payments on preferred stock (whether or not paid in cash) to the extent
deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus (h) any extraordinary or
nonrecurring charge or expense arising out of the implementation of SFAS 106 or
SFAS 109 to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus (i)
to the extent not covered in clause (d) above, fees paid or payable in respect
of the TJC Agreement to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net
Income, plus (j) the net loss of any Person, other than those of a Restricted
Subsidiary, to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus
(k) net losses in respect of any discontinued operations as determined in
accordance with GAAP, to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net
Income, minus (l) the portion of Consolidated Net Income attributable to
minority interests in other Persons, except the amount of such portion received
in cash by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that
if any such calculation includes any period during which an acquisition or sale
of a Person or the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness occurred, then such
calculation for such period shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis.

     "Cash Flow Coverage Ratio" means, for any given period and Person, the
ratio of: (i) Cash Flow to (ii) the sum of Consolidated Interest Expense and all
dividend payments on any series of preferred stock of such Person (except
dividends paid or payable in additional shares of Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) and except for accrued and unpaid dividends with respect to
the Holdings Preferred Stock outstanding on the date of this Indenture), in each
case, without duplication; provided, however, that if any such calculation
includes any period during which an acquisition or sale of a Person or the
incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness occurred, then such calculation for such
period shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis.

     "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the
sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of
merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole to any "person" (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange
Act) other than the


                                        2
<PAGE>
 
Principals or their Related Parties, (ii) the adoption of a plan relating to the
liquidation or dissolution of the Company, (iii) the consummation of any
transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the
result of which is that any "person" (as defined above), other than the
Principals and their Related Parties, becomes the "beneficial owner" (as such
term is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that
a person shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all securities that
such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently
exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent
condition), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the
Company (measured by voting power rather than number of shares), (iv) the
consummation of the first transaction (including, without limitation, any merger
or consolidation) the result of which is that any "person" (as defined above)
becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined above), directly or indirectly, of
more of the Voting Stock of the Company (measured by voting power rather than
number of shares) than is at the time "beneficially owned" (as defined above) by
the Principals and their Related Parties in the aggregate or (v) the first day
on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company are
not Continuing Directors. For purposes of this definition, any transfer of an
equity interest of an entity that was formed following the date of issuance of
the Notes for the purpose of acquiring Voting Stock of the Company will be
deemed to be a transfer of such portion of such Voting Stock as corresponds to
the portion of the equity of such entity that has been so transferred.

     "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any given period and Person, the
aggregate of the interest expense in respect of all Indebtedness of such Person
and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis,
determined in accordance with GAAP (including amortization of original issue
discount on any such Indebtedness, all non-cash interest payments, the interest
portion of any deferred payment obligation and the interest component of capital
lease obligations, but excluding amortization of deferred financing fees if such
amortization would otherwise be included in interest expense); provided,
however, that for the purpose of the Cash Flow Coverage Ratio, Consolidated
Interest Expense shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis; provided further that
any premiums, fees and expenses (including the amortization thereof) payable in
connection with the Transactions or any other refinancing of Indebtedness shall
be excluded. For purposes of this definition, the Consolidated Interest Expense
of the Company shall include the cash interest expense of Holdings paid in
respect of the Holdings Subordinated Notes.

     "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any given period and Person, the
aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for
such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP;
provided, however, that: (a) the Net Income of any Person acquired in a pooling
of interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition
shall be excluded and (b) Consolidated Net Income of any Person will not
include, without duplication, any deduction for: (i) any increased amortization
or depreciation resulting from the write-up of assets pursuant to Accounting
Principles Board Opinion Nos. 16 and 17, as amended or supplemented from time to
time, (ii) the amortization of all intangible assets (including amortization
attributable to inventory write-ups, goodwill, debt and financing costs, and
Incentive Arrangements), (iii) any non-capitalized transaction costs incurred in
connection with actual or proposed financings, acquisitions or divestitures
(including, but not limited to, financing and refinancing fees), (iv) any
extraordinary or nonrecurring charges relating to any premium or penalty paid,
write-off or deferred financing costs or other financial recapitalization
charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness prior to its
stated maturity and (v) any Restructuring Charges; provided, however, that for
purposes of determining the Cash Flow Coverage Ratio, Consolidated Net Income
shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

     "Consolidated Net Worth" with respect to any Person means, as of any date,
the consolidated equity of the common stockholders of such Person (excluding the
cumulated foreign currency translation


                                        3
<PAGE>
 
adjustment), all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, but
without any reduction in respect of the payment of dividends on any series of
such Person's preferred stock if such dividends are paid in additional shares of
Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock); provided, however, that
Consolidated Net Worth shall also include, without duplication: (a) the
amortization of all write-ups of inventory, (b) the amortization of all
intangible assets (including amortization of goodwill, debt and financing costs,
and Incentive Arrangements), (c) any non-capitalized transaction costs incurred
in connection with actual or proposed financings, acquisitions or divestitures
(including, but not limited to, financing and refinancing fees), (d) any
increased amortization or depreciation resulting from the write-up of assets
pursuant to Accounting Principles Board Opinion Nos. 16 and 17, as amended and
supplemented from time to time, (e) any extraordinary or nonrecurring charges or
expenses relating to any premium or penalty paid, write-off or deferred
financing costs or other financial recapitalization charges incurred in
connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness prior to its stated
maturity, (f) any Restructuring Charges and (g) any extraordinary or
non-recurring charge arising out of the implementation of SFAS 106 or SFAS 109;
provided, however, that Consolidated Net Worth shall be calculated on a Pro
Forma Basis.

     "Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, any member
of the Board of Directors of the Company who (i) was a member of such Board of
Directors on the date of this Indenture or (ii) was nominated for election or
elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the
Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such
nomination or election.

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

     "Definitive Notes" means Notes that are in the form of Exhibit A attached
hereto (but without including the text referred to in footnotes 1 and 2
thereto).

     "Depositary" means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole
or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the
Depositary with respect to the Notes, until a successor shall have been
appointed and become such pursuant to Section 2.06 of this Indenture, and,
thereafter, "Depositary" shall mean or include such successor.

     "Designated Senior Indebtedness" means (i) any Indebtedness outstanding
under the New Credit Agreement and (ii) any other Senior Indebtedness permitted
under this Indenture the principal amount of which is $10.0 million or more and
that has been designated by the Company as "Designated Senior Indebtedness."

     "Disqualified Stock" means any Capital Stock that 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, matures 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
maturity date of the Notes.

     "Eligible Institution" means a commercial banking institution that has
combined capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000 or its equivalent in
foreign currency, whose debt is rated "A" (or higher) according to S&P or
Moody's at the time as of which any investment or rollover therein is made.

     "Equity Contribution" means, collectively, (a) a contribution of
$13,600,000 from the Jordan Investors to Holdings in exchange for Holdings
Preferred Stock and approximately 50% of the common stock of Holdings; (b) a
contribution of $13,600,000 from certain members of management of the Company to
Holdings in exchange for Holdings Preferred Stock and approximately 50% of the
common


                                        4
<PAGE>
 
stock of Holdings; and (c) a loan of $25,000,000 from a Jordan Investor to
Holdings in exchange for Holdings Subordinated Notes.

     "Equity Interests" means Capital Stock or partnership interests or
warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock or partnership
interests (but excluding (i) any debt security that is convertible into, or
exchangeable for, Capital Stock or partnership interests and (ii) any other
Indebtedness or Obligation); provided, however, that Equity Interests will not
include any Incentive Arrangements or obligations or payments thereunder.

     "Equity Offering" means a public or private offering by the Company for
cash of Equity Interests and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire
Capital Stock, other than (i) an offering of Disqualified Stock or (ii)
Incentive Arrangements or obligations or payments thereunder.

     "Exchange Offer" means the offer by the Company to Holders to exchange
Series B Notes for Series A Notes.

     "Existing Indebtedness" means the Indebtedness of Winning Ways, Inc. at
December 31, 1996.

     "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles, consistently
applied, as of the date of original issuance of the Notes. All financial and
accounting determinations and calculations under the Indenture will be made in
accordance with GAAP.

     "Global Note" means a Note that contains the paragraph referred to in
footnote 1 and the additional schedule referred to in footnote 2 to the form of
the Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.

     "Government Securities" means direct obligations of, or obligations
guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee
or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged.

     "Guarantors" means each Restricted Subsidiary that executes a Note
Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and their
respective successors and assigns.

     "Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, the Obligations of
such Persons under (i) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap
agreements and interest rate collar agreements, (ii) foreign exchange contracts,
currency swap agreements or similar agreements and (iii) other agreements or
arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations, or otherwise
to establish financial hedges in respect of, exchange rates, currency rates or
interest rates.

     "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

     "Holdings" means GFSI Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

     "Holdings Preferred Stock" means the 12% cumulative preferred stock due
2009 of Holdings, as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

     "Holdings Subordinated Notes" means $25.0 million in aggregate principal
amount of 12% subordinated notes due 2008 of Holdings as in effect on the date
of this Indenture or any Indebtedness of Holdings issued or given in exchange
for, or the proceeds of which are used to, extend, refinance, renew, replace,
substitute or refund such Holdings Subordinated Notes; provided that any such
Indebtedness (i) is issued in a principal amount not exceeding the then
outstanding principal amount of


                                        5
<PAGE>
 
the Holdings Subordinated Notes, (ii) has an interest rate not exceeding 12%,
(iii) is subordinated to other Indebtedness of Holdings to the same extent as
the Holdings Subordinated Notes and (iv) has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity
no less than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Holdings Subordinated
Notes.

     "Incentive Arrangements" means any earn-out agreements, stock appreciation
rights, "phantom" stock plans, employment agreements, non-competition
agreements, subscription and stockholders agreements and other incentive and
bonus plans, including the Incentive Compensation Plan, and similar arrangements
made in connection with acquisitions of Persons or businesses by the Company or
the Restricted Subsidiaries or the retention of consultants, executives,
officers or employees by Holdings, the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries.

     "Incentive Compensation Plan" means the incentive compensation plan for
providing annual cash bonuses that the Company expects to adopt following
consummation of the Transactions.

     "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, any indebtedness, whether
or not contingent, in respect of borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, notes,
debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement
agreements in respect thereof) or representing the deferred and unpaid balance
of the purchase price of any property (including pursuant to capital leases),
except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or a trade payable,
and any Hedging Obligations, if and to the extent such indebtedness (other than
a Hedging Obligation) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such
Person prepared on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and also
includes, to the extent not otherwise included, the guarantee of items that
would be included within this definition; provided, however, that "Indebtedness"
will not include any Incentive Arrangements or obligations or payments
thereunder.

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

     "Initial Purchasers" means Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation and Jefferies & Company, Inc.

     "Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding" means (i) any insolvency or
bankruptcy or similar case or proceeding, or any reorganization, receivership,
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or
involuntary, or (ii) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other
marshaling of assets and liabilities of the Company.

     "Investment" means any capital contribution to, or other debt or equity
investment in, any Person.

     "issue" means create, issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become
directly or indirectly liable for any Indebtedness or Capital Stock, as
applicable; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a
Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether
by merger, consolidation, acquisition, redesignation of a Non-Restricted
Subsidiary or otherwise) shall be deemed to be issued by such Restricted
Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary. For this definition,
the terms "issuing," "issuer," "issuance" and "issued" have meanings correlative
to the foregoing.

     "Jordan Investors" means The Jordan Company, affiliates of The Jordan
Company and MCIT PLC.


                                        6
<PAGE>
 
     "Legal Holiday" means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking
institutions in the City of New York, the city in which the principal corporate
trust office of the Trustee is located or at a place of payment are authorized
by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a
Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the
next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue
for the intervening period.

     "Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset,
whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law
(including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in
the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell and any filing of or
agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or
equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction).

     "Liquidated Damages" means all liquidated damages then owing pursuant to
Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement.

     "Marketable Securities" means (a) Government Securities, (b) any
certificate of deposit maturing not more than 270 days after the date of
acquisition issued by, or time deposit of, an Eligible Institution, (c)
commercial paper maturing not more than 270 days after the date of acquisition
of an issuer (other than an Affiliate of the Company) with a rating, at the time
as of which any investment therein is made, of "A-2" (or higher) according to
S&P or "P-2" (or higher) according to Moodys or carrying an equivalent rating by
a nationally recognized rating agency if both of the two named rating agencies
cease publishing ratings of investments, (d) any bankers acceptances or money
market deposit accounts issued by an Eligible Institution and (e) any fund
investing exclusively in investments of the types described in clauses (a)
through (d) above.

     "Moodys" means Moody's Investors Services, Inc.

     "Net Income" means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of
such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding, however, any gain or
loss, together with any related provision for taxes, realized in connection with
any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, dispositions pursuant to sale and
leaseback transactions).

     "Net Proceeds" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, the aggregate amount
of cash proceeds (including any cash received by way of deferred payment
pursuant to a note receivable issued in connection with such Asset Sale, other
than the portion of such deferred payment constituting interest, and including
any amounts received as disbursements or withdrawals from any escrow or similar
account established in connection with any such Asset Sale, but, in either such
case, only as and when so received) received by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such Asset Sale, net of: (i) the cash
expenses of such Asset Sale (including, without limitation, the payment of
principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Indebtedness required to be
paid as a result of such Asset Sale (other than the Notes) and legal,
accounting, management and advisory and investment banking fees and sales
commissions), (ii) taxes paid or payable as a result thereof, (iii) any portion
of cash proceeds that the Company determines in good faith should be reserved
for post-closing adjustments, it being understood and agreed that on the day
that all such post-closing adjustments have been determined, the amount (if any)
by which the reserved amount in respect of such Asset Sale exceeds the actual
post-closing adjustments payable by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries shall constitute Net Proceeds on such date, (iv) any relocation
expenses and pension, severance and shutdown costs incurred as a result thereof,
and (v) any deduction or appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against
any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and
retained by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary after


                                        7
<PAGE>
 
such sale or other disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension
and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to
environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with
such transaction.

     "New Credit Agreement" means that certain credit facility, dated as of
February 27, 1997, among the Company, as borrower, The First National Bank of
Chicago, as contractual representative, and the lenders party thereto, together
with all loan documents and instruments thereunder (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, without limitation, increasing the amount of available
borrowings, letters of credit or other financial accommodations thereunder, all
or any portion of the Obligations under any such agreement or any successor or
replacement agreement and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or
group of lenders).

     "Non-Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company other than
a Restricted Subsidiary.

     "Notes" means the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes.

     "Obligations" means, with respect to any Indebtedness, all principal,
interest, premiums, penalties, fees, indemnities, expenses (including legal fees
and expenses), reimbursement obligations and other liabilities payable to the
holder of such Indebtedness under the documentation governing such Indebtedness,
and any other claims of such holder arising in respect of such Indebtedness.

     "Offering" means the offer and sale of the Notes as contemplated by the
Offering Memorandum.

     "Offering Memorandum" means the Offering Memorandum, dated February 20,
1997, relating to the Company's offering and placement of the Notes.

     "Officer" means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the
Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief
Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the
Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.

     "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company
by two Officers of the Company, one of whom must be the principal executive
officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal
accounting officer of the Company, that meets the requirements of Section 11.05
hereof.

     "Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably
acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 11.05 hereof.
The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, any Subsidiary of
the Company or the Trustee.

     "Other Permitted Indebtedness" means: (i) Indebtedness of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries existing as of the date of original issuance of the
Notes and all related Obligations as in effect on such date; (ii) Indebtedness
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of bankers acceptances
and letters of credit (including, without limitation, letters of credit in
respect of workers' compensation claims) issued in the ordinary course of
business, or other Indebtedness in respect of reimbursement-type obligations
regarding workers' compensation claims; (iii) Refinancing Indebtedness, provided
that: (A) the principal amount of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not exceed
the outstanding


                                        8
<PAGE>
 
principal amount of Indebtedness (including unused commitments) extended,
refinanced, renewed, replaced, substituted or refunded plus any amounts incurred
to pay premiums, fees and expenses in connection therewith, (B) the Refinancing
Indebtedness shall have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater
than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness being extended,
refinanced, renewed, replaced, substituted or refunded; provided, however, that
this limitation in this clause (B) does not apply to Refinancing Indebtedness of
Senior Indebtedness, and (C) in the case of Refinancing Indebtedness of
Subordinated Indebtedness, such Refinancing Indebtedness shall be subordinated
to the Notes at least to the same extent as the Subordinated Indebtedness being
extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, substituted or refunded; (iv)
intercompany Indebtedness of and among the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries; (v) Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
incurred in connection with making permitted Restricted Payments under clauses
(iii), (iv) (but only to the extent that such Indebtedness is provided by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) or (x) of Section 4.05(b); provided that any
Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (v) is expressly subordinate in
right of payment to the Notes; (vi) Indebtedness of any Non-Restricted
Subsidiary created after the date of original issuance of the Notes, provided
that such Indebtedness is nonrecourse to the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries and the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries have no Obligations
with respect to such Indebtedness; (vii) Indebtedness of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries under Hedging Obligations; (viii) Indebtedness of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries arising from the honoring by a bank or
other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument
inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts, which will not be, and
will not be deemed to be, inadvertent) drawn against insufficient funds in the
ordinary course of business; (ix) Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in connection with performance, surety, statutory, appeal or
similar bonds in the ordinary course of business; (x) Indebtedness of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with agreements providing
for indemnification, purchase price adjustments and similar obligations in
connection with the sale or disposition of any of their business, properties or
assets; (xi) the guarantee by the Company or any of the Guarantors of
Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was
permitted to be incurred by Section 4.07; and (xii) Indebtedness of any Person
at the time it is acquired as a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that such
Indebtedness was not issued by such Person in connection with or in anticipation
of such acquisition.

     "Permitted Junior Securities" means Equity Interests in the Company or
subordinated debt securities of the Company that (a) are subordinated to all
Senior Indebtedness (and any debt securities issued in exchange for Senior
Indebtedness) to at least the same extent as the Notes are subordinated to
Senior Indebtedness pursuant to Article 10 of this Indenture, (b) have a
Weighted Average Life to Maturity no shorter than the Weighted Average Life to
Maturity of the Notes and (c) if there are any amounts outstanding under the New
Credit Agreement, have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at least as long as
the sum of (i) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the New Credit Agreement
or any debt securities issued in exchange therefor (whichever is longer) plus
(ii) the positive difference, if any, between the Weighted Average Life to
Maturity of the Notes and the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the New
Credit Agreement, in each case measured immediately prior to the issuance of
such Permitted Junior Securities.

     "Permitted Liens" means: (i) Liens securing Senior Indebtedness of the
Company or any Guarantor that was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be
incurred; (ii) Liens for taxes, assessments, governmental charges or claims
which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly
instituted and diligently conducted and if a reserve or other appropriate
provision, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been
made therefor; (iii) statutory Liens of landlords and carriers', warehousemen's,
mechanics', suppliers', materialmen's, repairmen's or other like Liens arising
in the ordinary course of business and with respect to amounts not yet
delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, if a
reserve or other appropriate provision, if


                                        9
<PAGE>
 
any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;
(iv) Liens incurred on deposits made in the ordinary course of business in
connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of
social security; (v) Liens incurred on deposits made to secure the performance
of tenders, bids, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds,
government contracts, performance and return of money bonds and other
obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business
(exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money); (vi) easements,
rights-of-way, zoning or other restrictions, minor defects or irregularities in
title and other similar charges or encumbrances not interfering in any material
respect with the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
incurred in the ordinary course of business; (vii) Liens (including extensions,
renewals and replacements thereof) upon property acquired (the "Acquired
Property") after the date of original issuance of the Notes, provided that: (A)
any such Lien is created solely for the purpose of securing Indebtedness
representing, or issued to finance, refinance or refund, the cost (including the
cost of construction) of the Acquired Property, (B) the principal amount of the
Indebtedness secured by such Lien does not exceed 100% of the cost of the
Acquired Property, (C) such Lien does not extend to or cover any property other
than the Acquired Property and any improvements on such Acquired Property, and
(D) the issuance of the Indebtedness to purchase the Acquired Property is
permitted by Section 4.07; (viii) Liens in favor of customs and revenue
authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in
connection with the importation of goods; (ix) judgment and attachment Liens not
giving rise to an Event of Default; (x) leases or subleases granted to others
not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (xi) Liens securing Indebtedness under Hedging
Obligations; (xii) Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising
from statutory, regulatory, contractual or warranty requirements; (xiii) Liens
arising out of consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered
into by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business; (xiv) any interest or title of a lessor in property subject to any
capital lease obligation or operating lease; (xv) Liens arising from filing
Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding leases; (xvi) Liens
existing on the date of original issuance of the Notes and any extensions,
refinancings, renewals, replacements, substitutions or refundings thereof;
(xvii) any Lien granted to the Trustee and any substantially equivalent Lien
granted to any trustee or similar institution under any indenture for Senior
Indebtedness permitted by the terms of the Indenture; (xviii) Liens in favor of
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; (xix) additional Liens at any one time
outstanding in respect of properties or assets where aggregate fair market value
does not exceed $2.0 million (the fair market value to be determined on the date
such Lien is granted on such properties or assets); and (xx) Liens securing
intercompany Indebtedness issued by any Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or
another Restricted Subsidiary.

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

     "Principals" means (a) The Jordan Company, Jordan/Zalaznick Capital
Corporation and MCIT PLC, and their respective Affiliates, principals, partners
and employees, family members of any of the foregoing and trusts for the benefit
of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, Leucadia National
Corporation and Jordan Industries, Inc., and their respective Subsidiaries, (b)
the officers, directors and employees of the Company on the date of issuance of
the Notes and their respective Affiliates and family members and trusts for the
benefit of any of the foregoing. For the purpose of the definition of
"Principals," The Jordan Company, Jordan/Zalaznick Capital Corporation and MCIT
PLC shall be deemed to be Affiliates.

     "Post-Petition Interest" means any interest accruing subsequent to the
filing of a petition of bankruptcy at the rate provided for in the documentation
with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under
applicable law.


                                       10
<PAGE>
 
     "Pro Forma Basis" means, for purposes of determining Consolidated Net
Income in connection with the Cash Flow Coverage Ratio (including in connection
with Sections 4.05, 4.17 and 5.01, the incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to
Section 4.07(a) and Consolidated Net Worth for purposes of Section 5.01), giving
pro forma effect to (x) any acquisition or sale of a Person, business or asset,
related incurrence, repayment or refinancing of Indebtedness or other related
transactions, including any Restructuring Charges which would otherwise be
accounted for as an adjustment permitted by Regulation S-X under the Securities
Act or on a pro forma basis under GAAP, or (y) any incurrence, repayment or
refinancing of any Indebtedness and the application of the proceeds therefrom,
in each case, as if such acquisition or sale and related transactions,
restructurings, consolidations, cost savings, reductions, incurrence, repayment
or refinancing were realized on the first day of the relevant period permitted
by Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or on a pro forma basis under GAAP.
Furthermore, in calculating the Cash Flow Coverage Ratio, (1) interest on
outstanding Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis as of the
determination date 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 in effect on the determination date; (2) if
interest on any Indebtedness actually incurred on the determination date may
optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or
similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rates, then the
interest rate in effect on the determination date will be deemed to have been in
effect during the relevant period; and (3) notwithstanding clause (1) above,
interest on Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis, to the extent such
interest is covered by agreements relating to interest rate swaps or similar
interest rate protection Hedging Obligations, shall be deemed to accrue at the
rate per annum resulting after giving effect to the operation of such
agreements.

     "Redeemable Preferred Stock" means preferred stock that by its terms or
otherwise is required to be redeemed or is redeemable at the option of the
holder thereof on, or prior to, the maturity date of the Notes.

     "Refinancing Indebtedness" means (i) Indebtedness of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries issued or given in exchange for, or the proceeds of
which are used to, extend, refinance, renew, replace, substitute or refund any
Indebtedness permitted under this Indenture or any Indebtedness issued to so
extend, refinance, renew, replace, substitute or refund such Indebtedness, (ii)
any refinancings of Indebtedness issued under the New Credit Agreement, and
(iii) any additional Indebtedness issued to pay premiums and fees in connection
with clauses (i) and (ii).

     "Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights Agreement,
dated as of February 27, 1997, by and among the Company and the Initial
Purchasers.

     "Related Party" with respect to any Principal means (a) any controlling
stockholder, 80% (or more) owned Subsidiary, or spouse or immediate family
member (in the case of an individual) of such Principal or (b) or trust,
corporation, partnership or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders,
partners, owners or Persons beneficially holding an 80% or more controlling
interest of which consist of such Principal and/or such other Persons referred
to in the immediately preceding clause (a).

     "Restricted Investment" means any Investment in any Person; provided that
Restricted Investments will not include: (i) Investments in Marketable
Securities; (ii) any Incentive Arrangements; (iii) Investments in the Company;
or (iv) Investments in any Restricted Subsidiary (provided that any Investment
in a Restricted Subsidiary was made for fair market value (as determined by the
Board of Directors in good faith)). The amount of any Restricted Investment
shall be the amount of cash and the fair market value at the time of transfer of
all other property (as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith)
initially invested or paid for such Restricted Investment, plus all additions
thereto, without


                                       11
<PAGE>
 
any adjustments for increases or decreases in value of or write-ups, write-downs
or write-offs with respect to, such Restricted Investment.

     "Restricted Subsidiary" means: (i) any Subsidiary of the Company existing
on the date of original issuance of the Notes, and (ii) any other Subsidiary of
the Company formed, acquired or existing after the date of original issuance of
the Notes that is designated as a "Restricted Subsidiary" by the Company
pursuant to a resolution approved a majority of the Board of Directors,
provided, however, that the term Restricted Subsidiary shall not include any
Subsidiary of the Company that has been redesignated by the Company pursuant to
a resolution approved by a majority of the Board of Directors as a
Non-Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 4.17 unless such Subsidiary
shall have subsequently been redesignated a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance
with clause (ii) of this definition.

     "Restructuring Charges" means any charges or expenses in respect of
restructuring or consolidating any business, operations or facilities, any
compensation or headcount reduction, or any other cost savings, of any Persons
or businesses either alone or together with the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, as permitted by GAAP or Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

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

     "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

     "Senior Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, (i) all
Indebtedness of such Person outstanding under the New Credit Agreement and all
Hedging Obligations with respect thereto, (ii) any other Indebtedness of such
Person permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, provided,
however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not include any Indebtedness which by
the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing the same is subordinated or
junior in right of payment to any other Senior Indebtedness in any respect, and
(iii) all Obligations (including any Post-Petition Interest) with respect to the
foregoing, in each case whether outstanding on the date of the Indenture or
thereafter incurred. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing,
Senior Indebtedness will not include (w) any liability for federal, state, local
or other taxes owed or owing by the Company, (x) any Indebtedness of such Person
to any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates (other than Indebtedness arising
under the New Credit Agreement), (y) any trade payables or other liability to
trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business (including guarantees
thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities) or (z) any Indebtedness that
is incurred in violation of this Indenture.

     "SFAS 106" means Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106.

     "SFAS 109" means Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109.

     "Significant Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
that would be a "significant subsidiary" as defined in clause (2) of the
definition of such term in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act
and the Exchange Act.

     "Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any installment of interest or
principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of
interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation
governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations to
repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date
originally scheduled for the payment thereof.


                                       12
<PAGE>
 
     "Subordinated Indebtedness" means all Obligations with respect to
Indebtedness if the instrument creating or evidencing the same, or pursuant to
which the same is outstanding, designates such Obligations as subordinated or
junior in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness.

     "Subsidiary" of any Person means any entity of which the Equity Interests
entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes that may be cast by all Equity
Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other
governing body of such entity are owned by such Person (regardless of whether
such Equity Interests are owned directly by such Person or through one or more
Subsidiaries).

     "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code ss.ss.
77aaa-77bbbb), as amended, as in effect on the date of original issuance of the
Notes.

     "Tax Sharing Agreement" means the tax sharing agreement between the Company
and Holdings, as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

     "TJC Agreement" means the Management Consulting Agreement, dated the date
of this Indenture, between the Company and TJC Management Corporation, as in
effect on the date of this Indenture.

     "Transactions" means, collectively, the Equity Contribution, the
consummation of the Offering, the execution of the New Credit Agreement, the
consummation by the Company of the acquisition of Winning Ways, Inc. pursuant to
the Acquisition Agreement and the repayment by the Company of the Existing
Indebtedness.

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

     "Trustee" means Fleet National Bank until a successor replaces it in
accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
means the successor.

     "U.S. Government Obligations" means direct obligations of the United States
of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United
States of America is pledged, provided that no U.S. Government Obligation shall
be callable at the issuer's option.

     "Voting Stock" means any class or classes of Capital Stock pursuant to
which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary
circumstances to elect the board of directors.

     "Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, 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 sum of the product(s)
obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment,
sinking fund, serial maturity or other requirement payment of principal,
including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the number of
years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) which will elapse between such
date and the making of such payment.

     "Wolff Noncompetition Agreement" means the agreement, dated the date of
this Indenture, between Holdings and Robert M. Wolff, relating to certain
covenants not to compete with the business of the Company, as in effect on the
date of this Indenture.


                                       13
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 1.02.   OTHER DEFINITIONS.
                                                                  Defined in
     Term                                                            Section

     "Acceleration Notice" ........................................     6.02
     "Affiliate Transaction" ......................................     4.09
     "Asset Transfer Trigger Date" ................................     4.15
     "Asset Sale Disposition Date" ................................     4.15
     "Change of Control Trigger Date" .............................     4.14
     "covenant defeasance option" .................................     8.01
     "Disposition" ................................................     5.01
     "DTC" ........................................................     2.03
     "Event of Default" ...........................................     6.01
     "Excess Proceeds" ............................................     4.15
     "legal defeasance option" ....................................     8.01
     "Note Guarantees" ............................................     4.01
     "Notice of Default" ..........................................     6.01
     "Offer" ......................................................     3.08
     "Paying Agent" ...............................................     2.03
     "Payment Blockage Notice" ....................................    10.03
     "Purchase Date" ..............................................     3.08
     "Registrar" ..................................................     2.03
     "Representative" .............................................    10.05
     "Restricted Payments" ........................................     4.05
     "Successor Corporation" ......................................     5.01
     "Trustee Expenses" ...........................................     6.08

SECTION 1.03.   INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT.

     Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is
incorporated by reference in, and made a part of, this Indenture. Any terms
incorporated by reference in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined
by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have
the meanings so assigned to them therein.

SECTION 1.04   RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

     Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

     (2)  an accounting term not otherwise defined herein has the meaning
          assigned to it under GAAP;

     (3)  "or" is not exclusive;

     (4)  words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include
          the singular; and

     (5)  provisions apply to successive events and transactions.


                                       14
<PAGE>
 
                                    ARTICLE 2
                                    THE NOTES

SECTION 2.01.   FORM AND DATING.

     The Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A, which is part of this Indenture. The
Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock
exchange rule or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.
The Notes shall be in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.

     The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are
hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable,
the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture,
expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.

     Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be
specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate
amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the
aggregate amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time
be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions.
Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or
decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by
the Trustee or the Note Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in
accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section
2.06.

SECTION 2.02.   EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION.

     One Officer shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile
signature. The Company's seal shall be reproduced on the Notes and may be in
facsimile form.

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

     A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an
authorized signatory of the Trustee, and the Trustee's signature shall be
conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
The form of Trustee's certificate of authentication to be borne by the Notes
shall be substantially as set forth in Exhibit A.

     The Trustee shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by two
Officers directing the Trustee to authenticate the Notes and certifying that all
conditions precedent to the issuance of the Notes contained herein have been
complied with, authenticate Notes for original issuance up to an aggregate
principal amount stated in paragraph 4 of the Notes (the aggregate principal
amount of outstanding Notes may not exceed that amount at any time, except as
provided in Section 2.07).

     The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company
to authenticate Notes. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an
authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each
reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes
authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an
Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.


                                       15
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 2.03.   REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT.

     The Company shall maintain an office or agency (the "Registrar") where
Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange and an
office or agency (the "Paying Agent") where Notes may be presented for payment.
The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and
exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more
additional paying agents. The term "Registrar" includes any co-registrar, and
the term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent. The Company may
change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The
Company shall notify in writing the Trustee and the Trustee shall notify the
Holders in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this
Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as
Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company shall
enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this
Indenture, and such agreement shall incorporate the TIA's provisions and
implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent.

     The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") to act
as Depository with respect to the Global Notes.

     The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent and
agent for service of notices and demands in connection with the Notes and as
Note Custodian with respect to the Global Notes. The Company or any of its
Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar. If the Company
fails to appoint or maintain a Registrar and Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act
as such, and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation in accordance with
Section 7.07.

SECTION 2.04.   PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST.

     The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree
in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the Holders' benefit or
the Trustee all money the Paying Agent holds for redemption or purchase of the
Notes or for the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, or
Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to the Notes, and will promptly notify
the Trustee of any Default by the Company in providing the Paying Agent with
sufficient funds to (i) purchase Notes tendered pursuant to an Offer arising
under Section 4.14, (ii) redeem Notes called for redemption, or (iii) make any
payment of principal, premium, interest or Liquidated Damages due on the Notes.
While any such Default continues, the Trustee may require the Paying Agent to
pay all money it holds to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed.
The Company at any time may require the Paying Agent to pay all money it holds
to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. Upon payment over to the
Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries)
shall have no further liability for the money it delivered to the Trustee. If
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate
and hold in a separate trust fund for the Holders' benefit or the Trustee all
money it holds as Paying Agent.

SECTION 2.05.   HOLDER LISTS.

     The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of
all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA ss. 312(a). If the Trustee is
not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven
Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the
Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the
Trustee may reasonably require that sets forth the names and addresses of, and
the aggregate principal amount of Notes held by, each Holder, and the Company
shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the TIA.


                                       16
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 2.06.   TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.

     (a) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes. When Definitive Notes are
presented by a Holder to the Registrar with a request:

     (x)  to register the transfer of the Definitive Notes; or

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

the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if
its requirements for such transactions are met; provided, however, that the
Definitive Notes presented or surrendered for register of transfer or exchange:

     (i)  shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of
          transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such
          Holder or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing; and

     (ii) in the case of a Definitive Note that is a Transfer Restricted Note,
          such request shall be accompanied by the following additional
          information and documents, as applicable:

          (A)  if such Transfer Restricted Note is being delivered to the
               Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such
               Holder, without transfer, a certification to that effect from
               such Holder (in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto); or

          (B)  if such Transfer Restricted Note is being transferred (1) to a
               "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under
               the Securities Act) in accordance with Rule 144A under the
               Securities Act or (2) pursuant to an exemption from registration
               in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act (and based
               on an opinion of counsel if the Company so requests) or (3)
               pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
               Securities Act, a certification to that effect from such Holder
               (in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto);

          (C)  if such Transfer Restricted Note is being transferred to an
               institutional "accredited investor," within the meaning of Rule
               501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act pursuant to a
               private placement exemption from the registration requirements of
               the Securities Act (and based on an opinion of counsel if the
               Company so requests), a certification to that effect from such
               Holder (in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto) and a
               certification from the applicable transferee (in substantially
               the form of Exhibit C hereto);

          (D)  if such Transfer Restricted Note is being transferred pursuant to
               an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 904 under
               the Securities Act (and based on an opinion of counsel if the
               Company so requests), certifications to that effect from such
               Holder (in substantially the form of Exhibits B and D hereto); or


                                       17
<PAGE>
 
          (E)  if such Transfer Restricted Note is being transferred in reliance
               on another exemption from the registration requirements of the
               Securities Act (and based on an opinion of counsel if the Company
               so requests), a certification to that effect from such Holder (in
               substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto).

     (b) Transfer of a Definitive Note for a Beneficial Interest in a Global
Note. A Definitive Note may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a
Global Note except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon
receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by
appropriate instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Trustee,
together with:

     (i)  if such Definitive Note is a Transfer Restricted Note, a certification
          from the Holder thereof (in substantially the form of Exhibit B
          hereto) to the effect that such Definitive Note is being transferred
          by such Holder to a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in
          Rule 144A under the Securities Act) in accordance with Rule 144A under
          the Securities Act; and

     (ii) whether or not such Definitive Note is a Transfer Restricted Note,
          written instructions from the Holder thereof directing the Trustee to
          make, or to direct the Note Custodian to make, an endorsement on the
          Global Note to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount
          of the Notes represented by the Global Note,

the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Note in accordance with Section 2.11
and cause, or direct the Note Custodian to cause, in accordance with the
standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depository and the
Note Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by the
Global Note to be increased accordingly. If no Global Notes are then
outstanding, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an authentication
order in accordance with Section 2.02, the Trustee shall authenticate a new
Global Note in the appropriate principal amount.

     (c) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of
Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the
Depository, in accordance with this Indenture and the procedures of the
Depository therefor, which shall include restrictions on transfer comparable to
those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act.

     (d) Transfer of a Beneficial Interest in a Global Note for a Definitive
Note.

     (i)  Any Person having a beneficial interest in a Global Note may upon
          request exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note. Upon
          receipt by the Trustee of written instructions or such other form of
          instructions as is customary for the Depository, from the Depository
          or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in
          a Global Note, and, in the case of a Transfer Restricted Note, the
          following additional information and documents (all of which may be
          submitted by facsimile):

          (A)  if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Person
               designated by the Depository as being the beneficial owner, a
               certification to that effect from such Person (in substantially
               the form of Exhibit B hereto); or


                                       18
<PAGE>
 
          (B)  if such beneficial interest is being transferred (1) to a
               "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under
               the Securities Act) in accordance with Rule 144A under the
               Securities Act or (2) pursuant to an exemption from registration
               in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act (and based
               on an opinion of counsel if the Company so requests) or (3)
               pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
               Securities Act, a certification to that effect from the
               transferor (in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto); or

          (C)  if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an
               institutional "accredited investor," within the meaning of Rule
               501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act pursuant to a
               private placement exemption from the registration requirements of
               the Securities Act (and based on an opinion of counsel if the
               Company so requests), a certification to that effect from such
               Holder (in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto) and a
               certification from the applicable transferee (in substantially
               the form of Exhibit C hereto);

          (D)  if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an
               exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 904 under the
               Securities Act (and based on an opinion of counsel if the Company
               so requests), certifications to that effect from such Holder (in
               substantially the form of Exhibits B and D hereto); or

          (E)  if such beneficial interest is being transferred in reliance on
               another exemption from the registration requirements of the
               Securities Act (and based on an opinion of counsel if the Company
               so requests), a certification to that effect from such Holder (in
               substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto).

          the Trustee or the Note Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee,
          shall, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures
          existing between the Depository and the Note Custodian, cause the
          aggregate principal amount of Global Notes to be reduced accordingly
          and, following such reduction, the Company shall execute and, upon
          receipt of an authentication order in accordance with Section 2.02
          hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the transferee a
          Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount.

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

     (e) Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Indenture (other than the provisions set forth in
subsection (f) of this Section 2.06), a Global Note may not be transferred as a
whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository


                                       19
<PAGE>
 
or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the
Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or
a nominee of such successor Depository.

     (f) Authentication of Definitive Notes in Absence of Depository. If at any
time:

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

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

then the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an
authentication order in accordance with Section 2.02, authenticate and deliver,
Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount
of the Global Notes in exchange for such Global Notes and registered in such
names as the Depository shall instruct the Trustee or the Company in writing.

     (g) Legends.

     (i)  Except for any Transfer Restricted Note sold or transferred (including
          any Transfer Restricted Note represented by a Global Note) as
          described in (ii) below, each Note certificate evidencing Global Notes
          and Definitive Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or
          substitution thereof) shall bear legends in substantially the
          following form:

          "THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY
          ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF
          THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND
          THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE
          TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE
          EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY
          IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION
          FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY
          RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY
          AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE
          RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1)(a) INSIDE THE
          UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A
          QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE
          SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE
          144A, (b) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER
          THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN PERSON
          IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE
          SECURITIES ACT OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE
          REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN
          OPINION OF COUNSEL IF


                                       20
<PAGE>
 
          THE COMPANY SO REQUESTS), (2) TO THE COMPANY OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN
          EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH
          ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR
          ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH
          SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER FROM IT OF THE
          SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN (A)
          ABOVE."

     (ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Note (including any
          Transfer Restricted Note represented by a Global Note) pursuant to an
          effective registration statement under the Securities Act, pursuant to
          Rule 144 under the Securities Act or pursuant to an opinion of counsel
          reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar that no
          legend is required:

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

          (B)  in the case of any Transfer Restricted Note represented by a
               Global Note, such Transfer Restricted Note shall not be required
               to bear the legend set forth in (i) above if all other interests
               in such Global Note have been or are concurrently being sold or
               transferred pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or
               pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
               Securities Act, but such Transfer Restricted Note shall continue
               to be subject to the provisions of Section 2.06(c); provided,
               however, that with respect to any request for an exchange of a
               Transfer Restricted Note that is represented by a Global Note for
               a Definitive Note that does not bear the legend set forth in (i)
               above, which request is made in reliance upon Rule 144, the
               Holder thereof shall certify in writing to the Registrar that
               such request is being made pursuant to Rule 144 (such
               certification to be substantially in the form of Exhibit B
               hereto).

    (iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon consummation of the Exchange
          Offer, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an authentication
          order in accordance with Section 2.02, the Trustee shall authenticate,
          Series B Notes in exchange for Series A Notes accepted for exchange in
          the Exchange Offer, which Series B Notes shall not bear the legend set
          forth in (i) above, and the Registrar shall rescind any restriction on
          the transfer of such Notes, in each case unless the Holder of such
          Series A Notes is either (A) a broker-dealer, (B) a Person
          participating in the distribution of the Series A Notes or (C) a
          Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144A) of the Company.
          The Company shall identify to the Trustee such Holders of the Notes in
          a written certification signed by an Officer of the Company and,
          absent certification from the Company to such effect, the Trustee
          shall assume that there are no such Holders.


                                       21
<PAGE>
 
     (h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all
beneficial interests in Global Notes have been exchanged for Definitive Notes,
redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, all Global Notes shall be returned to or
retained and cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11. At any
time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is
exchanged for Definitive Notes, redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, the
principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced
accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee
or the Notes Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such
reduction.

     (i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

     (i)  To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall
          execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes and Global
          Notes at the Registrar's request.

     (ii) No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of
          transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum
          sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge
          payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or
          similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant
          to Sections 3.07, 4.14, 4.15 and 9.05).

    (iii) Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required to register
          the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole
          or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed
          in part.

     (iv) All Definitive Notes and Global Notes issued upon any registration of
          transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes or Global Notes in accordance
          with this Indenture (including any increase in the aggregate principal
          amount of the Notes represented by the Global Note pursuant to
          subsection (b) above) shall be the valid obligations of the Company,
          evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this
          Indenture, as the Definitive Notes or Global Notes surrendered upon
          such registration of transfer or exchange.

     (v)  The Company shall not be required to issue Notes and the Registrar
          shall not be required to register the transfer of or to exchange Notes
          during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before
          the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02
          and ending at the close of business on the day of selection, or to
          register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date
          and the next succeeding interest payment date.

     (vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any
          Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the
          Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of
          such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of,
          premium, if any, accrued and unpaid interest, and Liquidated Damages,
          if any, on such Notes, and neither the Trustee, any Agent nor the
          Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

    (vii) The Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes and Global Notes in
          accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02.


                                       22
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 2.07.   REPLACEMENT NOTES.

     If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, or the Company and the
Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft
of any Note, the Company shall issue and the Trustee, upon the Company's written
order signed by two Officers, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the
Trustee's requirements are met. If the Trustee or the Company requires it, the
Holder must supply an indemnity bond that is sufficient in the judgment of the
Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent or any
authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is
replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge for their expenses in replacing
a Note. Every replacement Note is an additional Obligation of the Company.

SECTION 2.08.   OUTSTANDING NOTES.

     The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes the Trustee has
authenticated except for those it has cancelled, those delivered to it for
cancellation, those representing reductions in the interest in a Global Note
effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those
described in this Section as not outstanding.

     If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding
unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that a bona fide purchaser
holds the replaced Note.

     If the entire principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued interest on,
and Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to any Note is considered paid
under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest and Liquidated
Damages on it cease to accrue.

     Subject to Section 2.09, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because
the Company or an Affiliate holds the Note.

SECTION 2.09.   TREASURY NOTES.

     In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of
Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the
Company or an Affiliate shall be considered as though not outstanding, except
that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in
relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Trust
Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Notes that the Company or an Affiliate offers to
purchase or acquires pursuant to an Offer, exchange offer, tender offer or
otherwise shall not be deemed to be owned by the Company or an Affiliate until
legal title to such Notes passes to the Company or such Affiliate, as the case
may be.

SECTION 2.10.   TEMPORARY NOTES.

     Until Definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and
the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be
substantially in the form of Definitive Notes but may have variations that the
Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay,
the Company shall prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of the Company's written
order signed by two Officers which shall specify the amount of temporary Notes
to be authenticated and the date on which the temporary Notes are to be
authenticated, shall authenticate Definitive Notes and deliver them in exchange
for temporary Notes. Until such exchange, Holders of temporary Notes shall be
entitled to the same rights, benefits and privileges as Definitive Notes.


                                       23
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 2.11.   CANCELLATION.

     The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation.
The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes
surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, replacement, payment
(including all Notes called for redemption and all Notes accepted for payment
pursuant to an Offer) or cancellation, and the Trustee shall cancel all such
Notes and shall destroy all cancelled Notes (subject to the Exchange Act's
record retention requirements) and deliver a certificate of their destruction to
the Company unless by written order, signed by two Officers of the Company, the
Company shall direct that cancelled Notes be returned to it. The Company may not
issue new Notes to replace any Notes that have been cancelled by the Trustee or
that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. If the Company or an
Affiliate acquires any Notes (other than by redemption or pursuant to an Offer),
such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the
Indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until such Notes are delivered
to the Trustee for cancellation.

SECTION 2.12.   DEFAULTED INTEREST.

     If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay
the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest
payable on the defaulted interest, to Holders on a subsequent special record
date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01. The
Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment
date. As early as practicable prior to the special record date, the Company (or
the Trustee, in the name of and at the expense of the Company) shall mail a
notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the
amount of interest to be paid.

SECTION 2.13.   RECORD DATE.

     The record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders of
Notes entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or
permitted under this Indenture shall be determined as provided for in section
316(c) of the TIA.

SECTION 2.14.   CUSIP NUMBER.

     A "CUSIP" number shall be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee shall use
the CUSIP number in notices of redemption, purchase or exchange as a convenience
to Holders, provided that any such notice may state that no representation is
made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number printed in the notice
or on the Notes and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification
numbers printed on the Notes. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of
any change in the CUSIP number.


                                    ARTICLE 3
              OPTIONAL REDEMPTION AND MANDATORY OFFERS TO PURCHASE

SECTION 3.01.   NOTICES TO TRUSTEE.

     If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07, it shall
furnish to the Trustee, at least 40 days prior to the redemption date and at
least 10 days prior to the date that notice of the redemption is to be mailed by
the Company to Holders, an Officers' Certificate stating that the Company has
elected to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07(a) or 3.07(b), as the case may
be, the date notice


                                       24
<PAGE>
 
of redemption is to be mailed to Holders, the redemption date, the aggregate
principal amount of Notes to be redeemed, the redemption price for such Notes
and the amount of accrued and unpaid interest on and Liquidated Damages, if any,
with respect to such Notes as of the redemption date. If the Trustee is not the
Registrar, the Company shall, concurrently with delivery of its notice to the
Trustee of a redemption, cause the Registrar to deliver to the Trustee a
certificate (upon which the Trustee may rely) setting forth the name of, and the
aggregate principal amount of Notes held by, each Holder.

     If the Company is required to offer to purchase Notes pursuant to Section
4.14 or 4.15, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least two Business Days before
notice of the Offer is to be mailed to Holders, an Officers' Certificate setting
forth that the Offer is being made pursuant to Section 4.14 or 4.15, as the case
may be, the Purchase Date, the maximum principal amount of Notes the Company is
offering to purchase pursuant to the Offer, the purchase price for such Notes,
and the amount of accrued and unpaid interest on and Liquidated Damages, if any,
with respect to such Notes as of the Purchase Date.

     The Company will also provide the Trustee with any additional information
that the Trustee reasonably requests in connection with any redemption or Offer.

SECTION 3.02.   SELECTION OF NOTES TO BE REDEEMED OR PURCHASED.

     If less than all outstanding Notes are to be redeemed or if less than all
Notes tendered pursuant to an Offer are to be accepted for payment, the Trustee
shall select the outstanding Notes to be redeemed or accepted for payment pro
rata, by lot or by a method that complies with the requirements of any stock
exchange on which the Notes are listed and that the Trustee considers fair and
appropriate. If the Company elects to mail notice of a redemption to Holders,
the Trustee shall at least five Business Days prior to the date notice of
redemption is to be mailed, (i) select the Notes to be redeemed from Notes
outstanding not previously called for redemption and (ii) notify the Company of
the names of each Holder of Notes selected for redemption, the principal amount
of Notes held by each such Holder and the principal amount of such Holder's
Notes that are to be redeemed. If less than all Notes tendered pursuant to an
Offer on the Purchase Date are to be accepted for payment, the Trustee shall
select on or promptly after the Purchase Date the Notes to be accepted for
payment. The Trustee shall select for redemption or purchase Notes or portions
of Notes in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000; except
that if all of the Notes of a Holder are selected for redemption or purchase,
the aggregate principal amount of the Notes held by such Holder, even if not a
multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed or purchased. Except as provided in the
preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for
redemption or tendered pursuant to an Offer also apply to portions of Notes
called for redemption or tendered pursuant to an Offer. The Trustee shall notify
the Company promptly of the Notes or portions of Notes to be called for
redemption or selected for purchase.

SECTION 3.03.   NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

     At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the
Company shall mail a notice of redemption to each Holder of Notes or portions
thereof that are to be redeemed.

     The notice shall identify the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed and
shall state:

     (1)  the redemption date;

     (2)  the redemption price for the Notes and separately stating the amount
          of unpaid and accrued interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if any,
          with respect to, such Notes as of the date of redemption;


                                       25
<PAGE>
 
     (3)  if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal
          amount of such Notes to be redeemed and that, after the redemption
          date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal
          amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued;

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

     (5)  that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying
          Agent to collect the redemption price for, and any accrued and unpaid
          interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to such
          Notes;

     (6)  that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment,
          interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after
          the redemption date;

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

     (8)  the CUSIP number; provided that no representation is made as to the
          correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number listed in such notice and
          printed on the Notes.

     At the Company's request, the Trustee shall (at the Company's expense) give
the notice of redemption in the Company's name at least 30 but not more than 60
days before a redemption; provided, however, that the Company shall deliver to
the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the redemption date and at least 10 days
prior to the date that notice of the redemption is to be mailed to Holders, an
Officers' Certificate that (i) requests the Trustee to give notice of the
redemption to Holders, (ii) sets forth the information to be provided to Holders
in the notice of redemption, as set forth in the preceding paragraph, (iii)
states that the Company has elected to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07(a)
or 3.07(b), as the case may be, and (iv) sets forth the aggregate principal
amount of Notes to be redeemed and the amount of accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon as of the redemption date. If the Trustee is
not the Registrar, the Company shall, concurrently with any such request, cause
the Registrar to deliver to the Trustee a certificate (upon which the Trustee
may rely) setting forth the name of, the address of, and the aggregate principal
amount of Notes held by, each Holder.

SECTION 3.04.   EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

     Once notice of redemption is mailed, Notes called for redemption become due
and payable on the redemption date at the price set forth in the Note. Upon
surrender to the Trustee or Paying Agent, such Notes called for redemption shall
be paid at the redemption price (which shall include accrued interest thereon to
the redemption date) but installments of interest, the maturity of which is on
or prior to the redemption date, shall be payable to Holders of record at the
close of business on the relevant record dates.

SECTION 3.05.   DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE.

     Prior to 10 a.m. on any redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price
of, and accrued interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to all
Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall return
to the Company any money that the Company deposited with the Trustee or the
Paying Agent


                                       26
<PAGE>
 
in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued
interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to all Notes to be
redeemed.

     If the Company complies with the preceding paragraph, interest on the Notes
to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such Notes on the applicable redemption
date, whether or not such Notes are presented for payment. If a Note is redeemed
on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest
payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if
any, shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the
close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption shall
not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the
Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest will be paid on the
unpaid principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, from
the redemption date until such principal, premium, interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, is paid, at the rate of interest provided in the Notes and
Section 4.01.

SECTION 3.06.   NOTES REDEEMED IN PART.

     Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue
and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the Company's expense a new
Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note
surrendered.

SECTION 3.07.   OPTIONAL REDEMPTION PROVISIONS.

     (a) Except as provided in Section 3.07(b), the Notes may not be redeemed at
the option of the Company prior to March 1, 2002. During the twelve-month period
beginning on March 1 of the years indicated below, the Notes will be redeemable
at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, on at least 30 but not more
than 60 days' notice to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed, at the redemption
prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth below, plus
any accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the
redemption date:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     Year                                                            Percentage
     ----                                                            ----------

     <S>                                                              <C>    
     2002...........................................................  104.813
     2003...........................................................  103.208
     2004...........................................................  101.604
     2005 and thereafter............................................  100.000%
</TABLE>

     (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to March 1, 2000, the Company may
(but shall not have the obligation to) redeem up to 40% of the original
aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price of 110.000% of the
principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, to the redemption date, with the net proceeds of one or more
Equity Offerings; provided that at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount
of Notes originally issued remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence
of any such redemption; and provided, further, that any such redemption shall
occur within 60 days of the date of the closing of any such Equity Offering.

SECTION 3.08.   MANDATORY PURCHASE PROVISIONS.

     (a) Within 30 days after any Change of Control Trigger Date or Asset Sale
Trigger Date, the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder at such Holder's
registered address stating (i) that an offer ("Offer") is being made pursuant to
Section 4.14 or Section 4.15, as the case may be, the length of time the Offer
shall remain open and the maximum aggregate principal amount of Notes that will
be


                                       27
<PAGE>
 
accepted for payment pursuant to such Offer; (ii) the purchase price for the
Notes (as set forth in Section 4.14 or Section 4.15, as the case may be), the
amount of accrued and unpaid interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if any, with
respect to, such Notes as of the purchase date, and the purchase date (which
shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 40 days from the date such
notice is mailed (the "Purchase Date")); (iii) that any Note not accepted for
payment will continue to accrue interest and Liquidated Damages, if any; (iv)
that, unless the Company fails to deposit with the Paying Agent on the Purchase
Date an amount sufficient to purchase all Notes accepted by the Company for
payment, interest shall cease to accrue on such Notes after the Purchase Date;
(v) that Holders electing to tender any Note or portion thereof will be required
to surrender their Note, with a form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect
Purchase" completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice
prior to the close of business on the Business Day preceding the Purchase Date,
provided that Holders electing to tender only a portion of any Note must tender
a principal amount of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof; (vi) that Holders
will be entitled to withdraw their election to tender Notes, if the Paying Agent
receives, not later than the close of business on the third Business Day
preceding the Purchase Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter
setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered
for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to
have such Note purchased; and (vii) that Holders whose Notes are accepted for
payment in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the
unpurchased portion of Notes surrendered; provided that only Notes in a
principal amount of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof will be accepted for
payment in part.

     (b) On the Purchase Date for any Offer, the Company shall, to the extent
required by this Indenture and such Offer, (i) in the case of an Offer resulting
from a Change of Control, accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof
tendered pursuant to such Offer and, in the case of an Offer resulting from an
Asset Sale, accept for payment the maximum principal amount of Notes or portions
thereof tendered pursuant to such Offer that can be purchased out of Excess
Proceeds from such Asset Sale Trigger Date, (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent
the aggregate purchase price of all Notes or portions thereof accepted for
payment and any accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on
such Notes as of the Purchase Date, and (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered
to the Trustee all Notes tendered pursuant to the Offer.

     (c) With respect to any Offer, if less than all of the Notes tendered
pursuant to an Offer are to be purchased by the Company, the Trustee shall
select on the Purchase Date the Notes or portions thereof to be accepted for
payment pursuant to Section 3.02.

     (d) Promptly after consummation of an Offer, (i) the Paying Agent shall
mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder of Notes or
portions thereof accepted for payment an amount equal to the purchase price for,
plus any accrued and unpaid interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if any, with
respect to such Notes, (ii) with respect to any tendered Note not accepted for
payment in whole or in part, the Trustee shall return such Note to the Holder
thereof, and (iii) with respect to any Note accepted for payment in part, the
Trustee shall authenticate and mail to each such Holder a new Note equal in
principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the tendered Note.

     (e) The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Offer on or as
soon as practicable after the Purchase Date.

     (f) The Company shall comply with any tender offer rules under the Exchange
Act which may then be applicable to the Company, including Rule 14e-1, in
connection with an Offer required to be made by the Company to repurchase the
Notes as a result of a Change of Control Trigger Date or an Asset Sale Trigger
Date. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations
conflict with provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall comply with the
applicable securities laws and


                                       28
<PAGE>
 
regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this
Indenture by virtue thereof.

     (g) With respect to any Offer, if the Company deposits prior to 10 a.m. New
York City time with the Paying Agent on the Purchase Date an amount in available
funds sufficient to purchase all Notes accepted by the Company for payment,
interest shall cease to accrue on such Notes after the Purchase Date; provided,
however, that if the Company fails to deposit such amount on the Purchase Date,
interest shall continue to accrue on such Notes until such deposit is made.


                                    ARTICLE 4
                                    COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01.   PAYMENT OF NOTES.

     (a) The Company shall pay the principal of, and premium, if any, and
accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided
in the Notes. Holders of Notes must surrender their Notes to the Paying Agent to
collect principal payments. Principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and
unpaid interest, and Liquidated Damages, if any, shall be considered paid on the
date due if the Paying Agent (other than the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries), the Global Note Holder or each Holder that has specified an
account, holds, as of 10:00 a.m. New York City time, money the Company deposited
in immediately available funds designated for and sufficient to pay in cash all
principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on, and Liquidated
Damages, if any, then due; provided that, to the extent that the Holders have
not specified accounts, such amounts shall be considered paid on the date due if
the Company mails a check for such amounts on such date. The Paying Agent shall
return to the Company, no later than five (5) days following the date of
payment, any money (including accrued interest) that exceeds the amount of
principal, premium, if any, accrued and unpaid interest, and Liquidated Damages,
if any, paid on the Notes. The Company shall pay all Liquidated Damages, if any,
in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration
Rights Agreement. If any Liquidated Damages become payable, the Company shall
not later than three (3) Business Days prior to the date that any payment of
Liquidated Damages is due (i) deliver an Officers' Certificate to the Trustee
setting forth the amount of Liquidated Damages payable to Holders and (ii)
instruct the Paying Agent to pay such amount of Liquidated Damages to Holders
entitled to receive such Liquidated Damages.

     (b) To the extent lawful, the Company shall pay interest (including
Post-Petition Interest) on (i) overdue principal and premium at the then
applicable interest rate on the Notes, compounded semiannually and (ii) overdue
installments of interest and Liquidated Damages (without regard to any
applicable grace period) at the same rate as set forth in clause (i), compounded
semiannually.

SECTION 4.02.   SEC REPORTS.

     (a) So long as the Notes are outstanding, whether or not the Company is
subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act, the Company and the Guarantors shall file with the SEC (unless the SEC will
not accept such filing) the annual reports, quarterly reports and other
documents relating to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that the
Company would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or
15(d) if the Company were subject to such reporting requirements.


                                       29
<PAGE>
 
     (b) The Company and the Guarantors shall provide to the Holders and file
with the Trustee, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC, copies of the
annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents (or copies of such
portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations
prescribe) that the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section
13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. If the Company is not subject to the
requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the SEC will not
accept such filing as is prescribed in Section 4.02(a), the Company and the
Guarantors shall provide to the Holders and file with the Trustee, within 15
days after it would have been required or permitted, as the case may be, to file
with the SEC, financial statements, including any notes thereto (and with
respect to annual reports, an auditor's report by a firm of established national
reputation), and a "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations," both comparable to that which the Company would have
been required to include in such annual reports, quarterly reports and other
documents relating to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries if the Company
were subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Subsequent to the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA, the Company
also shall comply with the provisions of section 314(a) of the TIA.

     (c) If the Company is required to furnish annual or quarterly reports to
its stockholders pursuant to the Exchange Act, the Company shall cause any
annual report furnished to its stockholders generally and any quarterly or other
financial reports it furnishes to its stockholders generally to be filed with
the Trustee, and the Company shall mail such reports to the Holders at their
addresses appearing in the register of Notes maintained by the Registrar. If the
Company is not required to furnish annual or quarterly reports to its
stockholders pursuant to the Exchange Act, the Company shall cause its financial
statements referred to in Section 4.02(a), including any notes thereto (and with
respect to annual reports, an auditors' report by a firm of established national
reputation), and a "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations," to be so mailed to the Holders within 120 days after
the end of each of the Company's fiscal years and within 60 days after the end
of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each year. The Company shall cause
to be disclosed in a statement accompanying any annual report or comparable
information as of the date of the most recent financial statements in each such
report or comparable information the amount available for payments pursuant to
Section 4.05.

     (d) If the Company is not subject to the requirements of Section 13 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, the
Company shall furnish to the Holders, securities analysts and prospective
investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant
to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

SECTION 4.03.   COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE.

     The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of
each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers' Certificate stating that a review
of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding
fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a
view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and
fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each
such Officer signing such certificate, that, to the best of his or her
knowledge, the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and
every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the
performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof
(or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such
Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what
action the Company has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that,
to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in
existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of, premium,
if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if any,


                                       30
<PAGE>
 
with respect to the Notes are prohibited or if such event has occurred, a
description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to
take with respect thereto.

     So long as not contrary to the then current recommendations of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the financial statements delivered
pursuant to Section 4.02 shall be accompanied by a written statement of the
Company's independent public accountants (who shall be a firm of established
national reputation reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee) that in making the
examination necessary for certification of such financial statements nothing has
come to their attention that would lead them to believe that the Company has
violated any provisions of Section 4.01, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10,
4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15 or 4.17 or of Article 5 or, if any such violation
has occurred, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof, it being
understood that such accountants shall not be liable directly or indirectly to
any Person for any failure to obtain knowledge of any such violation.

     The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to
the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event
of Default, an Officers' Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default
and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

SECTION 4.04.   STAY, EXTENSION AND USURY LAWS.

     The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it
will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or
take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever
enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that might affect the covenants
or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such
law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or
impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer
and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been
enacted.

SECTION 4.05.   LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS.

     (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, directly or indirectly, (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any
distribution on account of the Company's or any Restricted Subsidiary's Equity
Interests (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests
(other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and dividends or distributions
payable by a Restricted Subsidiary pro rata to its shareholders; (ii) purchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than any such Equity
Interests purchased from the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for fair
market value determined by the Board of Directors in good faith; (iii) make any
payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire
or retire for value any Subordinated Indebtedness, except a payment of interest
or principal at Stated Maturity; or (iv) make any Restricted Investment (all
such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above
being collectively referred to as "Restricted Payments") if, at the time of such
Restricted Payment:

     (A)  a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or
          shall occur as a consequence thereof; or

     (B)  immediately after such Restricted Payment and after giving effect
          thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, the Company shall not be able to issue
          $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.07(a); or


                                       31
<PAGE>
 
     (C)  such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate of all other
          Restricted Payments made after the date of original issuance of the
          Notes, without duplication, exceeds the sum of: (1) 50% of the
          aggregate Consolidated Net Income (including, for this purpose, gains
          from Asset Sales and, to the extent not included in Consolidated Net
          Income, any gain from a sale or disposition of a Restricted
          Investment) of the Company (or, in case such aggregate is a loss, 100%
          of such loss) for the period (taken as one accounting period) from the
          beginning of the first fiscal quarter commencing immediately after the
          date of original issuance of the Notes and ended as of the Company's
          most recently ended fiscal quarter at the time of such Restricted
          Payment; plus (2) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair
          market value of any property or securities, as determined by the Board
          of Directors in good faith, received by the Company from the issue or
          sale of Equity Interests of the Company or Holdings (to the extent
          contributed to the Company) subsequent to the date of original
          issuance of the Notes (other than (x) Equity Interests issued or sold
          to a Restricted Subsidiary and (y) Disqualified Stock); plus (3) $5.0
          million; plus (4) the amount by which the principal amount of and any
          accrued interest on either Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any
          Restricted Subsidiary is reduced on the Company's consolidated balance
          sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a Restricted
          Subsidiary) subsequent to the date of original issuance of the Notes
          of any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (not
          held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) for Equity Interests
          (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (less the amount of any
          cash, or the fair market value of any other property or securities (as
          determined by the Board of Directors in good faith), distributed by
          the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (to Persons other than the
          Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary) upon such conversion or
          exchange); plus (5) if any Non-Restricted Subsidiary is redesignated
          as a Restricted Subsidiary, the value of the Restricted Payment that
          would result if such Subsidiary were redesignated as a Non-Restricted
          Subsidiary at such time, as determined in accordance with Section
          4.17(a); provided, however, that for purposes of this clause (5), the
          value of any redesignated Non-Restricted Subsidiary shall be reduced
          by the amount that any such redesignation replenishes or increases the
          amount of Restricted Investments permitted to be made pursuant to
          clause (ii) of Section 4.05(b).

     (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following Restricted Payments may be
made: (i) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of
declaration thereof, if at said date of declaration, such payment would comply
with all covenants of this Indenture (including, but not limited to, Section
4.05); (ii) making Restricted Investments at any time, and from time to time, in
an aggregate outstanding amount of $10.0 million after the date of original
issuance of the Notes (it being understood that if any Restricted Investment
after the date of original issuance of the Notes pursuant to this clause (ii) is
sold, transferred or otherwise conveyed to any Person other than the Company or
a Restricted Subsidiary, the portion of the net cash proceeds or fair market
value of securities or properties paid or transferred to the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such sale, transfer or conveyance
that relates or corresponds to the repayment or return of the original cost of
such a Restricted Investment will replenish or increase the amount of Restricted
Investments permitted to be made pursuant to this clause (ii), so that up to
$10.0 million of Restricted Investments may be outstanding under this clause
(ii) at any given time); provided that, without otherwise limiting this clause
(ii), any Restricted Investment in a Subsidiary made pursuant to this clause
(ii) is made for fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors in
good faith); (iii) the repurchase, redemption, retirement or acquisition of
Equity Interests of the Company or Holdings from the executives, management,
employees or consultants of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $7.5 million; (iv) any loans, advances,
distributions or payments from the Company to its Restricted Subsidiaries, or
any loans, advances,


                                       32
<PAGE>
 
distributions or payments by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to
another Restricted Subsidiary, in each case pursuant to intercompany
Indebtedness, intercompany management agreements and other intercompany
agreements and obligations; (v) the purchase, redemption, retirement or other
acquisition of the Notes pursuant to Sections 3.08, 4.14 or 4.15; (vi) the
payment of (a) consulting, financial and investment banking fees under the TJC
Agreement, provided, that no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing or shall occur as a consequence thereof, and the Company's
Obligations to pay such fees under the TJC Agreement shall be subordinated
expressly to the Company's Obligations in respect of the Notes, and (b)
indemnities, expenses and other amounts under the TJC Agreement; (vii) the
redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests
of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for, or out of the
proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of
the Company) of other Equity Interests of the Company (other than any
Disqualified Stock) or the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other
acquisition of any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary in exchange
for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale (other than to
the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) of other Equity Interests of such
Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, in each case, any net cash proceeds that
are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase, retirement or other
acquisition, and any Net Income resulting therefrom, shall be excluded from
Sections 4.05(a)(iv)(C)(1) and (2); (viii) the defeasance, redemption or
repurchase of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary with the net cash proceeds from an issuance of permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness or the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of
the Company) of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock)
or the defeasance, redemption or repurchase of Subordinated Indebtedness of any
Restricted Subsidiary with the net cash proceeds from the substantially
concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of Equity Interests
of such Restricted Subsidiary (other than Disqualified Stock); provided that, in
each case, any net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such defeasance,
redemption or repurchase, and any Net Income resulting therefrom, shall be
excluded from Sections 4.05(a)(iv)(C)(1) and (2); (ix) Restricted Investments
made or received in connection with the sale, transfer or disposition of any
business, properties or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary,
provided, that if such sale, transfer or disposition constitutes an Asset Sale,
the Company complies with Section 4.15; (x) any Restricted Investment
constituting securities or instruments of a Person issued in exchange for trade
or other claims against such Person in connection with a financial
reorganization or restructuring of such person; (xi) payments to Holdings in an
amount sufficient to permit Holdings to make required payments on the Holdings
Subordinated Notes; (xii) payments in connection with the Transactions as set
forth in the Offering Memorandum; (xiii) payments of fees, expenses and
indemnities to the directors of Holdings, the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries; (xiv) payments to Holdings in respect of accounting, legal or
other professional or administrative expenses or reimbursements or franchise or
similar taxes and governmental charges incurred by it relating to the business,
operations or finances of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and in
respect of fees and related expenses associated with any registration statements
relating to the Notes filed with the SEC and subsequent ongoing public reporting
requirements with respect to the Notes; (xv) so long as Holdings files
consolidated income tax returns that include the Company, payments to Holdings
pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement; (xvi) payments, if any, relating to any
purchase price adjustment pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement;
(xvii) payments in respect of the Wolff Noncompetition Agreement; and (xviii)
shareholder loans in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1.0 million.

SECTION 4.06.   CORPORATE EXISTENCE.

     Subject to Section 4.15 and Article 5, the Company shall do or cause to be
done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its
corporate existence and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of
its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the respective organizational
documents of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries and the rights (charter and
statutory),


                                       33
<PAGE>
 
licenses and franchises of the Company and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such
right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of
any Restricted Subsidiary, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the
preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and that the loss
thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

SECTION 4.07.   LIMITATION ON INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS.

     (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, issue any Indebtedness (other than the Indebtedness represented by the
Notes) unless the Company's Cash Flow Coverage Ratio for its four full fiscal
quarters next preceding the date such additional Indebtedness is issued would
have been at least 2.0 to 1 determined on a Pro Forma Basis (including, for this
purpose, any other Indebtedness incurred since the end of the applicable four
quarter period) as if such additional Indebtedness and any other Indebtedness
issued since the end of such four quarter period had been issued at the
beginning of such four quarter period.

     (b) Section 4.07(a) shall not apply to the issuance of: (i) Indebtedness of
the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries under the New Credit Agreement in
an aggregate principal amount outstanding on such date of issuance not to exceed
the greater of (A) $115.0 million and (B) the sum of: (1) 85% of the book value
of accounts receivable of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis and (2) 65% of the book value of the inventories of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the aggregate principal
amount of Indebtedness outstanding under this clause (i) together with the
aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under clause (iii) below
shall not exceed $140.0 million at any one time outstanding (less the amount of
any permanent reductions as set forth in Section 4.15); (ii) Indebtedness of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with capital leases, sale
and leaseback transactions, purchase money obligations, capital expenditures or
similar financing transactions relating to: (A) their properties, assets and
rights as of the date of original issuance of the Notes not to exceed $7.5
million in aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding, or (B) their
properties, assets and rights acquired after the date of original issuance of
the Notes, provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness
under this clause (ii)(B) does not exceed 100% of the cost of such properties,
assets and rights; (iii) additional Indebtedness of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount up to $25.0 million
(all or any portion of which may be issued as additional Indebtedness under the
New Credit Agreement) provided that the aggregate principal amount of
Indebtedness outstanding under this clause (iii) together with the aggregate
principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under clause (i) above shall not
exceed $140.0 million at any one time outstanding (less the amount of any
permanent reductions as set forth in Section 4.15); and (iv) Other Permitted
Indebtedness.

SECTION 4.08.   LIMITATION ON SENIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT.

     (a) The Company shall not incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or
otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in
right of payment to any Senior Indebtedness and senior in any respect in right
of payment to the Notes.

     (b) No Guarantor shall incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise
become liable for any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of
payment to any Senior Indebtedness and senior in any respect in right of payment
to the Note Guarantees.


                                       34
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 4.09.   LIMITATION ON TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.

     (a) Except as otherwise set forth herein, neither the Company nor any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries shall make any loan, advance, guarantee or capital
contribution to, or for the benefit of, or sell, lease, transfer or dispose of
any properties or assets to, or for the benefit of, or purchase or lease any
property or assets from, or enter into or amend any contract, agreement or
understanding with, or for the benefit of, an Affiliate (each such transaction
or series of related transactions that are part of a common plan are referred to
as an "Affiliate Transaction"), except in good faith and on terms that are no
less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those
that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction on an arm's length
basis from an unrelated Person.

     (b) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, engage in any Affiliate Transaction involving aggregate payments or other
transfers by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in excess of $5.0
million (including cash and non-cash payments and benefits valued at their fair
market value by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith) unless the
Company delivers to the Trustee: (i) a resolution of the Board of Directors of
the Company stating that the Board of Directors (including a majority of the
disinterested directors, if any) has, in good faith, determined that such
Affiliate Transaction complies with the provisions of this Indenture, and (ii)
(A) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction involving the incurrence of
Indebtedness, a written opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking or
accounting firm experienced in the review of similar types of transactions, (B)
with respect to any Affiliate Transaction involving the transfer of real
property, fixed assets or equipment, either directly or by a transfer of 50% or
more of the Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary which holds any such real
property, fixed assets or equipment, a written appraisal from a nationally
recognized appraiser, experienced in the review of similar types of transactions
or (C) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction not otherwise described in (A)
and (B) above, a written certification from a nationally recognized professional
or firm experienced in evaluating similar types of transactions, in each case,
stating that the terms of such transaction are fair to the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from a financial point of view.

     (c) Notwithstanding Sections 4.09(a) and (b), Section 4.09 will not apply
to: (i) transactions between the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary or
between Restricted Subsidiaries; (ii) payments under the TJC Agreement; (iii)
any other payments or transactions permitted pursuant to Section 4.05; (iv) (A)
payments and transactions under Incentive Arrangements and (B) reasonable
compensation paid to officers, employees or consultants of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary as determined in good faith by the Company's Board of
Directors or executives; (v) payments and transactions in connection with the
Transactions and the application of the net proceeds therefrom; (vi) the sale of
the corporate aircraft owned by the Company on the date of issuance of the Notes
to Robert M. Wolff or his designee; or (vii) the sale, transfer and/or
termination of the officers' life insurance policies in effect on the date of
issuance of the Notes.

     (d) Notwithstanding Sections 4.09(a) and (b), any Affiliate Transaction
between the Company and Affiliated Embroiderers relating to the provision of
embroidery services in the ordinary course of business shall not be subject to
the provisions of clause (ii) of Section 4.09(b).

SECTION 4.10.   LIMITATION ON LIENS.

     The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to
exist any Lien, other than Permitted Liens, upon any property or asset now owned
or hereafter acquired by them, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or
convey any right to receive income therefrom unless all payments due under this
Indenture and the


                                       35
<PAGE>
 
Notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the obligations so secured
until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.

SECTION 4.11.   COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, TAXES.

     The Company shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to,
comply with all statutes, laws, ordinances, or government rules and regulations
to which it is subject, the non-compliance with which would materially adversely
affect the business, prospects, earnings, properties, assets or condition,
financial or otherwise, of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as
a whole.

     The Company shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to,
pay prior to delinquency all taxes, assessments and governmental levies, except
those contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

SECTION 4.12.   LIMITATION ON DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING
                RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.

     (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
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
Restricted Subsidiary to: (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on
its Capital Stock or any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its
profits, owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or pay any
Indebtedness owed to, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) make loans
or advances to the Company, or (iii) transfer any of its properties or assets to
the Company, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by
reason of: (A) applicable law, (B) Indebtedness permitted (1) under Section
4.07(a) and (2) under clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 4.07(b) and clauses
(iv), (vii) and (x) of the definition of "Other Permitted Indebtedness,"
provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases,
supplements, refundings, replacement or refinancings are no more restrictive
with respect to the items set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this
Section 4.12(a) than those contained in the New Credit Agreement as in effect on
the date of this Indenture, (C) customary provisions restricting subletting or
assignment of any lease or license of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary,
(D) customary provisions of any franchise, distribution or similar agreement,
(E) any instrument governing Indebtedness or preferred stock or any other
encumbrance or restriction of a Person acquired by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary at the time of such acquisition, which encumbrance or restriction is
not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other
than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired, (F)
Indebtedness or other agreements existing on the date of original issuance of
the Notes, (G) any Refinancing Indebtedness permitted under Section 4.07,
provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such
Refinancing Indebtedness are no more restrictive in any material respect with
regard to the interests of the holders of the Notes than those contained in the
agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced, (H) any restrictions,
with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary, imposed pursuant to an agreement that
has been entered into for the sale or disposition of the stock, business, assets
or properties of such Restricted Subsidiary, (I) the terms of purchase money or
capital lease obligations, but only to the extent such purchase money
obligations restrict or prohibit the transfer of the property so acquired, or
(J) any instrument governing the sale of assets of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, which encumbrance or restriction applies solely to the assets of the
Company or such Restricted subsidiary being sold in such transaction.

     (b) Nothing contained in Section 4.12 shall prevent the Company from
entering into any agreement or instrument providing for the incurrence of
Permitted Liens or restricting the sale or other


                                       36
<PAGE>
 
disposition of property or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries that are subject to Permitted Liens.

SECTION 4.13.   MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCIES.

     The Company shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New
York an office or an agency (which may be an office of any Agent) where Notes
may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices
and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture
may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of
any change in the location of such office or agency. If at any time the Company
shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations,
surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust
Office.

     The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices
or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such
purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however,
that no such designation or rescission shall in any matter relieve the Company
of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan,
the City of New York for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written
notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in
the location of any such other office or agency.

     The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee
located at 14 Wall Street, 8th Floor, Window #2, New York, New York 10005 as one
such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03.

SECTION 4.14.   CHANGE OF CONTROL.

     (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (such date being the "Change
of Control Trigger Date"), each Holder of Notes shall have the right to require
the Company to purchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple
thereof) of such Holder's Notes pursuant to an Offer at a purchase price in cash
equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase.
Although the failure of the Company to purchase all Notes tendered in such an
Offer shall be a Default, if the Company is unable to purchase all Notes
tendered in such an Offer, the Company shall nevertheless purchase the maximum
principal amount of Notes that it is able to purchase at that time.

     (b) Prior to the mailing of the notice referred to in Section 3.08(a), but
in any event within 30 days following any Change of Control Trigger Date, the
Company shall (i) repay in full and terminate all commitments under Indebtedness
under the New Credit Agreement and all other Senior Indebtedness the terms of
which require repayment upon a Change of Control or offer to repay in full and
terminate all commitments under all Indebtedness under the New Credit Agreement
and all other such Senior Indebtedness and to repay the Indebtedness owed to
each lender which has accepted such offer or (ii) obtain the requisite consents
under the New Credit Agreement and all such other Senior Indebtedness to permit
the repurchase of the Notes. The Company shall first comply with the covenant in
the immediately preceding sentence before it shall be required to repurchase
Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.14. The Company's failure to
comply with this covenant shall constitute an Event of Default described in
clause (a)(iii) and not in clause (a)(ii) under Section 6.01.

     (c) In the event of a Change of Control, the Company shall not offer to
purchase or redeem any Subordinated Indebtedness required or entitled by its
terms to be redeemed or purchased until the


                                       37
<PAGE>
 
Change of Control Offer for the Notes has been consummated and all Notes
tendered pursuant to such Offer have been accepted for payment.

SECTION 4.15.   LIMITATION ON ASSET SALES.

     (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, directly or indirectly, consummate an Asset Sale (including the sale of any
of the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary) providing for Net Proceeds in
excess of $2.5 million unless at least 75% of the Net Proceeds from such Asset
Sale are applied (in any manner otherwise permitted by this Indenture) to one or
more of the following purposes in such combination as the Company shall elect:
(a) an investment in another asset or business in the same line of business as,
or a line of business similar to that of, the line of business of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of the Asset Sale or the making of a
capital expenditure otherwise permitted by this Indenture; provided that such
investment occurs within 365 days of the date of such Asset Sale (the "Asset
Sale Disposition Date"), (b) to reimburse the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries for expenditures made, and costs incurred, to repair, rebuild,
replace or restore property subject to loss, damage or taking to the extent that
the Net Proceeds consist of insurance proceeds received on account of such loss,
damage or taking, (c) to cash collateralize letters of credit; provided any such
cash collateral released to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries upon the
expiration of such letters of credit shall again be deemed to be Net Proceeds
received on the date of such release, (d) the permanent purchase, redemption or
other prepayment or repayment of outstanding Senior Indebtedness of the Company
or Indebtedness of the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries (with a corresponding
reduction in any commitment relating thereto) on or prior to the 365th day
following the Asset Sale Disposition Date or (e) an Offer expiring on or prior
to the Purchase Date.

     (b) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, directly or indirectly, consummate an Asset Sale unless at least 75% of the
consideration thereof received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is
in the form of cash or Marketable Securities; provided that, solely for purposes
of calculating such 75% of the consideration, the amount of (x) any liabilities
(as shown on the Company's or such Restricted Subsidiary's most recent balance
sheet or in the notes thereto, excluding contingent liabilities and trade
payables) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than liabilities
that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes) that are assumed by the
transferee of any such assets and (y) any notes or other obligations received by
the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are
promptly, but in no event more than 90 days after receipt, converted by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash
received), shall be deemed to be cash and cash equivalents for purposes of this
provision. Any Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not applied or invested
as provided in the first sentence of this paragraph shall constitute "Excess
Proceeds."

     (c) When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $10.0 million
(such date being an "Asset Sale Trigger Date"), the Company shall make an Offer
to all Holders of Notes to purchase the maximum principal amount of the Notes
then outstanding that may be purchased out of Excess Proceeds, at an offer price
in cash in an amount equal to 100% of principal amount thereof plus any accrued
and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the Purchase Date in
accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture.

     (d) To the extent that any Excess Proceeds remain after completion of an
Offer, the Company may use such remaining amount for general corporate purposes.

     (e) If the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders
thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the
Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis, by


                                       38
<PAGE>
 
lot or by a method that complies with the requirements of any stock exchange on
which the Notes are listed and that the Trustee considers fair and appropriate.

     (f) Upon completion of an Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds
shall be reset at zero.

     (g) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any or all of the Net
Proceeds of an Asset Sale is prohibited or delayed by applicable local law from
being repatriated to the United States, the portion of such Net Proceeds so
affected will not be required to be applied as described in Section 4.15, but
may be retained for so long, but only for so long, as the applicable local law
prohibits repatriation to the United States. The Company shall promptly take all
reasonable actions required by the applicable local law to permit such
repatriation, and once such repatriation of any affected Net Proceeds is not
prohibited under applicable local law, such repatriation will be immediately
effected and such repatriated Net Proceeds will be applied in the manner set
forth above as if such Asset Sale have occurred on the date of repatriation.

SECTION 4.16   NOTE GUARANTEES.

     In the event that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall
acquire or create another Restricted Subsidiary after the date of this
Indenture, then such newly acquired or created Restricted Subsidiary shall
execute and deliver to the Trustee a Note Guarantee in accordance with Section
12.01 hereof.

SECTION 4.17   DESIGNATION OF RESTRICTED AND NON-RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.

     (a) From and after the date of original issuance of the Notes, the Company
may designate any existing or newly formed or acquired Subsidiary as a
Non-Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) either (A) the Subsidiary to be so
designated has total assets of $1.0 million or less or (B) immediately before
and after giving effect to such designation on a Pro Forma Basis: (1) the
Company could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.07(a)
determined on a Pro Forma Basis; and (2) no Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, and (ii) all transactions between the
Subsidiary to be so designated and its Affiliates remaining in effect are
permitted pursuant to Section 4.09. Any Investment made by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary that is redesignated from a Restricted Subsidiary to a
Non-Restricted Subsidiary shall be considered a Restricted Payment (to the
extent not previously included as a Restricted Payment) made on the day such
Subsidiary is designated a Non-Restricted Subsidiary in the amount of the
greater of (i) the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors of
the Company in good faith) of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary held by
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on such date, and (ii) the amount of
the Investments determined in accordance with GAAP made by the Company and any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Subsidiary.

     (b) A Non-Restricted Subsidiary may be redesignated as a Restricted
Subsidiary. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, take any action or enter into any transaction or series of
transactions that would result in a Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary
(whether through an acquisition, the redesignation of a Non-Restricted
Subsidiary or otherwise, but not including through the creation of a new
Restricted Subsidiary) unless, immediately before and after giving effect to
such action, transaction or series of transactions on a Pro Forma Basis, (i) the
Company could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to
Section 4.07(a) and (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing.


                                       39
<PAGE>
 
     (c) The designation of a Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or the
removal of such designation is required to be made by a resolution adopted by a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Company stating that the Board of
Directors has made such designation in accordance with this Indenture, and the
Company is required to deliver to the Trustee such resolution together with an
Officers' Certificate certifying that the designation complies with this
Indenture. Such designation will be effective as of the date specified in the
applicable resolution, which may not be before the date the applicable Officers'
Certificate is delivered to the Trustee.


                                    ARTICLE 5
                                   SUCCESSORS

SECTION 5.01.   MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION.

     (a) The Company shall not consolidate or merge with or into, or sell,
lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to,
any Person (any such consolidation, merger or sale being a "Disposition") unless
(i) the successor corporation of such Disposition or the corporation to which
such Disposition shall have been made is a corporation organized or existing
under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of
Columbia; (ii) the successor corporation of such Disposition or the corporation
to which such Disposition shall have been made expressly assumes the Obligations
of the Company, pursuant to a supplemental indenture in a form reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee, under the Indenture and the Notes; (iii)
immediately after such Disposition, no Default or Event of Default shall exist;
and (iv) the corporation formed by or surviving any such Disposition, or the
corporation to which such Disposition shall have been made, shall (A) have
Consolidated Net Worth (immediately after the Disposition but prior to giving
any pro forma effect to purchase accounting adjustments or Restructuring Charges
resulting from the Disposition) equal to or greater than the Consolidated Net
Worth of the Company immediately preceding the Disposition, (B) be permitted
immediately after the Disposition by the terms of this Indenture to issue at
least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness determined on a Pro Forma Basis, and (C)
have a Cash Flow Coverage Ratio, for the four fiscal quarters immediately
preceding the applicable Disposition, and determined on a Pro Forma Basis, equal
to or greater than the actual Cash Flow Coverage Ratio of the Company for such
four quarter period.

     (b) Prior to the consummation of any proposed Disposition, the Company
shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate to the foregoing effect
and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed Disposition and such
supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.

SECTION 5.02.   SUCCESSOR CORPORATION SUBSTITUTED.

     Upon any Disposition, the Successor Corporation resulting from such
Disposition shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every
right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if
such Successor has been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that
neither the Company nor any Successor Corporation shall be released from its
Obligation to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid
interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to the Notes.


                                       40
<PAGE>
 
                                    ARTICLE 6
                              DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01.   EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

     (a)  An Event of Default is:

          (i)  a default for 30 days in payment of interest on, or Liquidated
               Damages, if any, with respect to, the Notes;

          (ii) a default in payment when due of principal or premium, if any,
               with respect to, the Notes;

         (iii) the failure of the Company to comply with any of its other
               agreements or covenants in, or provisions of, this Indenture or
               the Notes outstanding and the Default continues for the period,
               if applicable, and after the notice specified in Section 6.01(b);

          (iv) a default by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary under any
               mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued
               or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness
               for money borrowed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
               (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any
               Restricted Subsidiary), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee
               now exists or shall be created hereafter, if (A) either (1) such
               default results from the failure to pay principal of or interest
               on any such Indebtedness at or after the final maturity thereof
               (after giving effect to any extensions thereof) or (2) as a
               result of such default the maturity of such Indebtedness has been
               accelerated prior to its expressed maturity, and (B) the
               principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the
               principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for
               failure to pay principal or interest thereon, or because of the
               acceleration of the maturity thereof, aggregates in excess of
               $10,000,000;

          (v)  a failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay
               final judgments (not covered by insurance) aggregating in excess
               of $5,000,000, which judgments a court of competent jurisdiction
               does not rescind, annul or stay within 45 days after their entry;

          (vi) in existence when the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
               pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

               (A)  commences a voluntary case,

               (B)  consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in
                    an involuntary case,

               (C)  consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all
                    or substantially all of its property, or

               (D)  makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
                    and


                                       41
<PAGE>
 
         (vii) in existence when a court of competent jurisdiction enters an
               order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

               (A)  is for relief against the Company or any Significant
                    Subsidiary in an involuntary case,

               (B)  appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant
                    Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property
                    of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, or

               (C)  orders the liquidation of the Company or any Significant
                    Subsidiary,

               and any such order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for
               60 days.

        (viii) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee shall
               be held in any judicial proceeding unenforceable or invalid or
               shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any
               Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall
               deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Note Guarantee.

     (b) A Default or Event of Default under Section 6.01(a)(iii) (other than an
Event of Default arising under Section 5.01, which shall be an Event of Default
with the notice but without the passage of time specified in this Section
6.01(b)) is not an Event of Default under this Indenture until the Trustee or
the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding
notify the Company of the Default, and the Company does not cure the Default
within 30 days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default,
demand that it be remedied, and state that the notice is a "Notice of Default."

     (c) In the case of any Event of Default pursuant to Sections 6.01(a)(i) and
(ii) occurring by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken (or not
taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding payment of
the premium that the Company would have to pay if the Company then had elected
to redeem the Notes pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Notes, an equivalent premium
shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by
law, anything in this Indenture or in the Notes contained to the contrary
notwithstanding.

     (d) The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event
of Default unless written notice thereof shall have been given to a Trust
Officer at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee by the Company or any other
Person.

     (e) The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any
continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or an Event of Default
pursuant to Sections 6.01(a)(i) and (ii)) if the Trustee determines that
withholding notice is in their interest.

SECTION 6.02.   ACCELERATION.

     (a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (other than an Event of
Default under clause Sections 6.01(a)(vi) and (vii)), the Trustee or the holders
of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare
all Notes (i) to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to the
Company and the Trustee specifying the respective Event of Default and that it
is a "notice of acceleration" (the "Acceleration Notice") and, upon receipt by
the Company of such Acceleration Notice, the principal of, premium, if any, and
any accrued and unpaid interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if


                                       42
<PAGE>
 
any, with respect to all Notes shall be due and payable immediately; or (ii) if
there are any amounts outstanding under the New Credit Agreement, to be due and
payable immediately upon the first to occur of (A) an acceleration under the New
Credit Agreement or (B) five business days after receipt by the Company of such
Acceleration Notice, but only if such Event of Default is then continuing;
provided, however, that if an Event of Default arises under Section 6.01(a)(vi)
or (vii), the principal of, premium, if any, and any accrued and unpaid interest
on, and Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to all Notes, shall ipso facto
become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act
on the part of the Trustee or any Holders of Notes.

     (b) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding, by notice to the Trustee, may rescind any declaration of
acceleration of such Notes and its consequences (if the rescission would not
conflict with any judgment or decree) if all existing Events of Default (other
than the nonpayment of principal of or interest on such Notes that shall have
become due by such declaration) shall have been cured or waived.

     (c) If there has been a declaration of acceleration of the Notes because an
Event of Default under Section 6.01(a)(iv) has occurred and is continuing, such
declaration of acceleration shall be automatically annulled if the holders of
the Indebtedness described in Section 6.01(a)(iv) have rescinded the declaration
of acceleration in respect of such Indebtedness within 30 Business Days thereof
and if (i) the annulment of such acceleration would not conflict with any
judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, (ii) all existing
Events of Default, except non-payment of principal, premium, interest or
Liquidated Damages that shall have become due solely because of the
acceleration, have been cured or waived, and (iii) the Company has delivered an
Officers' Certificate to the Trustee to the effect of clauses (i) and (ii)
above.

SECTION 6.03.   OTHER REMEDIES.

     If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any
available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or any
accrued and unpaid interest on, or Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to
the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this
Indenture.

     The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of
the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission
by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an
Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of
or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the
extent permitted by law.

SECTION 6.04.   WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS.

     The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all Holders of Notes waive
any existing Default or Event of Default under this Indenture and its
consequences, except a continuing Default in the payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect
to such Notes, which may only be waived with the consent of each Holder of Notes
affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event
of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every
purpose of this Indenture; provided that no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.


                                       43
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 6.05.   CONTROL BY MAJORITY.

     Subject to Section 7.01(e), the Holders of a majority in principal amount
of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising
any trust or power conferred on it by this Indenture. However, the Trustee may
refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that
the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders
or would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

SECTION 6.06.   LIMITATION ON SUITS.

     A Holder may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes
only if (i) the Holder gives to the Trustee notice of a continuing Event of
Default; (ii) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes make a request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy; (iii) such
Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee
against any loss, liability or expense; (iv) the Trustee does not comply with
the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of
indemnity; and (v) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a
direction inconsistent with the request.

     A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another
Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.

     Holders of the Notes may not enforce this Indenture, except as provided
herein.

SECTION 6.07.   RIGHTS OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT.

     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any
Holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and any accrued and
unpaid interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to a Note, on
or after a respective due date expressed in the Note, or to bring suit for the
enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective date, shall not be
impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

SECTION 6.08.   COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE.

     If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(i) or (ii) occurs and
is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and
as trustee of an express trust against the Company for (i) the principal,
premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the
Notes, (ii) interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the
extent lawful, interest, and (iii) such further amount as shall be sufficient to
cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents
and counsel ("Trustee Expenses").

SECTION 6.09.   TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM.

     The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as
may be necessary or advisable to have the claims of the Trustee (including any
claim for Trustee Expenses) and the Holders allowed in any Insolvency or
Liquidation Proceeding or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or
any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be
entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute to Holders any money
or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and each Holder
authorizes any Custodian in any such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or
other judicial proceeding to make such payments to the Trustee, and if the
Trustee shall consent to the


                                       44
<PAGE>
 
making of such payments directly to the Holders any such Custodian is hereby
authorized to make such payments directly to the Holders, and to pay to the
Trustee any amount due to it hereunder for Trustee Expenses, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. To the extent that the payment of
any such Trustee Expenses, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section
7.07 out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason,
payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any
and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties which
the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding, whether in
liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize
or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or
the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the
claim of any Holder in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

SECTION 6.10.   PRIORITIES.

     If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall pay
out the money in the following order:

     First:  to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

     Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal,
             premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest, ratably,
             without preference or priority of any kind, according to the 
             amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium and 
             Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest, respectively; and

     Third:  to the Company or to such party as a court of competent 
             jurisdiction shall direct.

     The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to
Holders.

SECTION 6.11.   UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS.

     In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture
or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a
Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant
in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its
discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good
faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does
not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07,
or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes.


                                    ARTICLE 7
                                     TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01.   DUTIES OF TRUSTEE.

     (a) If an Event of Default occurs (and has not been cured) the Trustee
shall (i) exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and
(ii) use the same degree of care and skill in exercising such rights and powers
as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct
of its own affairs.


                                       45
<PAGE>
 
     (b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

     (i)  the Trustee's duties shall be determined solely by the express
          provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those
          duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no
          others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into
          this Indenture against the Trustee; and

     (ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively
          rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the
          opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to
          the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture.
          However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to
          determine whether they conform to this Indenture's requirements.

     (c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent
action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own wilful misconduct, except
that:

     (i)  this paragraph does not limit the effect of Section 7.01(b);

     (ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good
          faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was
          negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

    (iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes
          or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction it
          receives pursuant to Section 6.05.

     (d) Whether or not expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture
that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), (c)
and (e) of this Section.

     (e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or
risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee shall be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the
request of any Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee
security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or
expense.

     (f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money it receives
except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money the Trustee
holds in trust need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent
required by law.

SECTION 7.02.   RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.

     (a) The Trustee may rely on any document it believes to be genuine and to
have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee shall not be
obligated to investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

     (b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may reasonably
require an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, or both. The Trustee
shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in
reliance on such Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may
consult with counsel and advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall
be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action
taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance
thereon.


                                       46
<PAGE>
 
     (c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the
misconduct or negligence of any Agent appointed with due care.

     (d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to
take, except to the extent that such action or omission to act constitutes
negligence or wilful misconduct on the part of the Trustee.

     (e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand,
request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by
an Officer.

SECTION 7.03.   INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.

     The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or
pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate with
the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, if the Trustee
acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90
days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee or resign. Any
Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee is also subject to Sections
7.10 and 7.11.

SECTION 7.04.   TRUSTEE'S DISCLAIMER.

     The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to
the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be
accountable for the Company's use of the proceeds from the Notes or for any
money paid to the Company or upon the Company's direction under any provisions
hereof, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money any
Paying Agent other than the Trustee receives, and it shall not be responsible
for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other
document furnished or issued in connection with the sale of the Notes or
pursuant to this Indenture, other than its certificate of authentication.

SECTION 7.05.   NOTICE TO HOLDERS OF DEFAULTS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

     If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is
actually known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders a notice of the
Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case
of a Default or Event of Default in payment on any Note (including any failure
to redeem Notes called for redemption or any failure to purchase Notes tendered
pursuant to an Offer that are required to be purchased by the terms of this
Indenture), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of
its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in
the Holders' interests.

SECTION 7.06.   REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS.

     Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with May 15, 1997, the Trustee
shall mail to Holders a brief report dated as of such reporting date that
complies with section 313(a) of the TIA (but if no event described in section
313(a) of the TIA has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting
date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with section
313(b)(2) of the TIA. The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as
required by section 313(c) of the TIA.

     Commencing at the time this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, a copy of
each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the SEC
and each national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed. The Company
shall notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any national securities
exchange.


                                       47
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 7.07.   COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY.

     The Company shall pay to the Trustee (in its capacities as Trustee, Paying
Agent and/or Registrar) from time to time reasonable compensation for its
services hereunder. The Trustee's compensation shall not be limited by any law
on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse
the Trustee upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances, fees and
expenses it incurs or makes in addition to the compensation for its services.
Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and
expenses of the Trustee's agents and counsel.

     The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee (in its
capacities as Trustee, Paying Agent and/or Registrar) against any and all
losses, liabilities or expenses the Trustee incurs arising out of or in
connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this
Indenture, except as set forth below. The Trustee shall notify the Company
promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to
so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its Obligations
hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall reasonably
cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company
shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not
pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld.

     The Company's Obligations under this Section 7.07 shall survive the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

     The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or
liability the Trustee incurs through the Trustee's negligence or bad faith.

     To secure the Company's payment of its Obligations in this Section, the
Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property the
Trustee holds or collects. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture.

     When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of
Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(vii) or (viii) occurs, the expenses and the
compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and
counsel) are intended to constitute administrative expenses under any Bankruptcy
Law.

SECTION 7.08.   REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE.

     A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor
Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee's acceptance of
appointment as provided in this Section.

     The Trustee may resign and be discharged from the trust hereby created by
so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and
the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

     (i)  the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

     (ii) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for
          relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy
          Law;

    (iii) a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its
          property; or


                                       48
<PAGE>
 
     (iv) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

     If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office
of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
Trustee, provided that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace any successor
Trustee appointed by the Company.

     If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the
retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the
Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor
Trustee.

     If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder may petition
any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the
appointment of a successor Trustee.

     A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment
to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or
removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and the successor Trustee
shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this
Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its appointment to
Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property it holds as
Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided all sums owing to the retiring
Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section
7.07. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08,
the Company's obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the retiring
Trustee's benefit with respect to expenses and liabilities it incurred prior to
being replaced.

SECTION 7.09.   SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER, ETC.

     If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or
substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the
successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

SECTION 7.10.   ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION.

     The Trustee shall at all times (i) be a corporation organized and doing
business under the laws of the United States of America, of any state thereof,
or the District of Columbia authorized under such laws to exercise corporate
trustee power, (ii) be subject to supervision or examination by federal or state
authority, (iii) have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 as
set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition, and (iv)
satisfy the requirements of sections 310(a)(1), (2) and (5) of the TIA. The
Trustee is subject to section 310(b) of the TIA.

SECTION 7.11.   PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE COMPANY.

     The Trustee is subject to section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor
relationship listed in section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or
been removed shall be subject to section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent
indicated therein.


                                       49
<PAGE>
 
                                    ARTICLE 8
                             DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

SECTION 8.01.   DISCHARGE OF LIABILITY ON NOTES; DEFEASANCE.

     (a) When (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Notes
(other than Notes replaced pursuant to Section 2.07) for cancellation, or (ii)
all outstanding Notes have become due and payable and the Company irrevocably
deposits with the Trustee funds sufficient to pay at maturity all outstanding
Notes, including interest, premium and Liquidated Damages thereon (other than
Notes replaced pursuant to Section 2.07), and if in either case the Company pays
all other sums payable under this Indenture by the Company, then this Indenture
shall, subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.06, cease to be of further effect.

     (b) Subject to Sections 8.01(c), 8.02, and 8.06, the Company at any time
may terminate (i) all its obligations under the Notes and this Indenture ("legal
defeasance option") or (ii) its obligations under Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.05,
4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16 and 4.17, and
the operation of Sections 5.01(a)(iii), 5.01(a)(iv), or 6.01(a)(iii) through
(a)(v) ("covenant defeasance option"). 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. If the Company exercises
its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes shall not be accelerated
because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(a)(iii) through (a)(v)
or because of the Company's failure to comply with Section 5.01(a)(iii) and
5.01(a)(iv).

     Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon the Company's
request (and at the Company's expense), the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing
the discharge of those obligations that the Company has terminated.

     (c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Company's obligations in
Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 4.01, 4.04, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04, 8.05 and
8.06, and the Trustee's and the Paying Agent's obligations in Section 8.04 shall
survive until the Notes have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Company's
obligations in Sections 7.07 and 8.05 and the Company's, the Trustee's and the
Paying Agent's obligations in Section 8.04 shall survive.

SECTION 8.02.   CONDITIONS TO DEFEASANCE.

     The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant
defeasance option only if:

     (1)  the Company irrevocably deposits in trust (the "defeasance trust")
          with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient for
          the payment in full of the principal of, premium, if any, and any
          accrued and unpaid interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if any, with
          respect to the Notes then outstanding, as of the maturity date, the
          redemption date or the Purchase Date, as the case may be;

     (2)  the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally
          recognized firm of independent accountants or an investment bank
          expressing its opinion that the payments of principal and interest
          when due and without reinvestment of the deposited U.S. Government
          Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide
          cash


                                       50
<PAGE>
 
          at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay when
          due principal of, premium, if any, and any accrued and unpaid interest
          on, and Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to all the Notes to
          maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

     (3)  since the Company's irrevocable deposit provided for in Section
          8.02(1), 91 days have passed;

     (4)  no Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit
          and after giving effect to it;

     (5)  the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement
          binding on the Company;

     (6)  the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the
          effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute,
          or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the
          Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

     (7)  in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Company shall have
          delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the
          Company has received from, or there has been published by, the
          Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (ii) under applicable federal
          income tax law, in either case, to the effect that, and based thereon
          such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders 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, in the same manner and at the same
          times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred;

     (8)  in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Company shall have
          delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the
          Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
          purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will
          be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same
          manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
          covenant 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); and

     (9)  the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an
          Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the
          defeasance and discharge of the Notes contemplated by this Article 8
          have been satisfied.

     Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory
to the Trustee for the redemption or purchase of Notes at a future date in
accordance with Article 3.

SECTION 8.03.   APPLICATION OF TRUST MONEY.

     The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations
deposited with it pursuant to this Article 8. It shall apply the deposited money
and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in
accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, premium, if any,
and any accrued and unpaid interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if any, with
respect to the Notes.


                                       51
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 8.04.   REPAYMENT TO THE COMPANY.

     After the Notes have been paid in full, the Trustee and the Paying Agent
shall promptly turn over to the Company any excess money or securities they
hold.

     The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon written
request by the Company any money they hold for the payment of principal,
premium, interest or Liquidated Damages that remains unclaimed for one year
after the date upon which such payment shall have become due; provided, however,
that the Company shall have either caused notice of such payment to be mailed to
each Holder entitled thereto no less than 30 days prior to such repayment or
within such period shall have published such notice in a financial newspaper of
widespread circulation published in The City of New York (including, without
limitation, The Wall Street Journal). After payment to the Company, Holders
entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors
unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person, and all
liability of the Trustee and such Paying Agent with respect to such money shall
cease.

SECTION 8.05.   INDEMNITY FOR GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS.

     The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee
or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government
Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government
Obligations.

SECTION 8.06.   REINSTATEMENT.

     If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S.
Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8 by reason of any legal
proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental
authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the
Company's obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and
reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 8 until
such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or
U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8; provided,
however, that, if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium, if
any, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if any,
with respect to any Notes because of the reinstatement of its Obligations, the
Company shall be subrogated to the Holders' rights to receive such payment from
the money or U.S. Government Obligations the Trustee or Paying Agent holds.


                                    ARTICLE 9
                                   AMENDMENTS

SECTION 9.01.   AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS PERMITTED WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS.

     Notwithstanding Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or
supplement this Indenture or the Notes without the consent of any Holder (a) to
cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; (b) to provide for uncertificated
Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes; (c) to provide for the
assumption by a Successor Corporation of the Company's Obligations to the
Holders in the event of a Disposition pursuant to Article 5; (d) to comply with
SEC's requirements to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture
under the TIA; (e) to comply with Section 12.01; or (f) to make any change that
does not adversely affect any Holder's legal rights under this Indenture.


                                       52
<PAGE>
 
     Upon the Company's request, after receipt by the Trustee of a resolution of
the Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any amended or supplemental
indenture, the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall join with
the Company in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized
or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate
agreements and stipulations that may be contained in any such amended or
supplemental indenture, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into an
amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or
immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

SECTION 9.02.   AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS REQUIRING CONSENT OF HOLDERS.

     Subject to Section 6.07, the Company and the Trustee may amend or
supplement this Indenture or the Notes with the written consent of the Holders
of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes
(including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer
for the Notes). Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07, the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in
connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes) may also waive
any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a payment Default) and its
consequences or compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any
provision of this Indenture or the Notes.

     Upon the Company's request and after receipt by the Trustee of a resolution
of the Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any supplemental
indenture, evidence of the Holders' consent, and the documents described in
Section 9.06, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such
amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture
affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or
otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but not be obligated
to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

     It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section
to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall
be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

     After an amendment or waiver under this Section becomes effective, the
Company shall mail to each Holder affected thereby a notice briefly describing
the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such
notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect
the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Without
the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under
this Section may not (1) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must
consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver; (2) reduce the rate of or change
the time for payment of interest, including interest as set forth in Section
4.01, or Liquidated Damages on any Note or alter the redemption or purchase
provisions with respect thereto or the price at which the Company is required to
offer to purchase any Note; (3) reduce the principal of or change the fixed
maturity of any Note; (4) make any Note payable in money other than that stated
in the Note; (5) make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 or in this sentence of
this Section 9.02; or (6) waive a default in the payment of the principal of, or
premium, if any, or any accrued and unpaid interest on, or Liquidated Damages,
if any, with respect to, or redemption or purchase payment with respect to, any
Note (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at
least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and
a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration).

     Without the consent of the Holders of at least 75% in aggregate principal
amount of the Notes then outstanding, no amendment, supplement or waiver under
this Section may make any change in the provisions under Article 10 of this
Indenture.


                                       53
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 9.03.   COMPLIANCE WITH TIA.

     Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set
forth in an amended supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in
effect.

SECTION 9.04.   REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS.

     Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it
by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent
Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same Indebtedness as
the consenting Holder's Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any
Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to
his or her Note or portion of a Note if the Trustee receives the notice of
revocation before the date on which the Trustee receives an Officer's
Certificate certifying that the Holders of the requisite principal amount of
Notes have consented to the amendment or waiver.

     The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the
purpose of determining the Holders of Notes entitled to consent to any amendment
or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the provisions of
the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders of Notes at
such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons,
shall be entitled to consent to such amendment or waiver or to revoke any
consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders of
Notes after such record date. No consent shall be valid or effective for more
than 90 days after such record date unless consents from Holders of the
principal amount of Notes required hereunder for such amendment or waiver to be
effective shall have also been given and not revoked within such 90-day period.

     After an amendment or waiver becomes effective it shall bind every Holder,
unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (1) through (6) of Section
9.02. In such case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder who has
consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Note that evidences the same
debt as the consenting Holder's Note.

SECTION 9.05.   NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF NOTES.

     The Trustee may (at the Company's expense) place an appropriate notation
about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated.
The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall
authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

     Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not
affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

SECTION 9.06.   TRUSTEE PROTECTED.

     The Trustee shall sign any amendment or supplemental indenture authorized
pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment does not adversely affect the
rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the
Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In signing such amendment or supplemental
indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and, subject to Section
7.01, shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers' Certificate and
Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that such amendment or supplemental
indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that it is not
inconsistent herewith, and that it will be valid and binding upon the Company in
accordance with its terms. The Company may not sign an amendment or supplemental
indenture until the Board of Directors approves it.


                                       54
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE 10
                                  SUBORDINATION

SECTION 10.01.   AGREEMENT TO SUBORDINATE.

     The Company agrees, and each Holder by accepting a Note agrees, that the
Indebtedness evidenced by the Note is subordinated in right of payment, to the
extent and in the manner provided in this Article 10, to the prior payment in
full in cash or Marketable Securities of all Senior Indebtedness (whether
outstanding on the date hereof or hereafter created, incurred, assumed or
guaranteed), and that the subordination is for the benefit of the holders of
Senior Indebtedness.

SECTION 10.02.   LIQUIDATION; DISSOLUTION; BANKRUPTCY.

     Upon any distribution to creditors of the Company in a liquidation or
dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency,
receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property, in
an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any marshalling of the Company's
assets and liabilities:

     (a) holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in
full in cash or Marketable Securities of all Obligations due in respect of such
Senior Indebtedness (including interest after the commencement of any such
proceeding at the rate specified in the applicable Senior Indebtedness) before
Holders shall be entitled to receive any payment with respect to the Notes
(except that Holders may receive (i) Permitted Junior Securities and (ii)
payments and other distributions made from any defeasance trust created pursuant
to Section 8.02 hereof); and

     (b) until all Obligations with respect to Senior Indebtedness are paid in
full in cash or Marketable Securities, any distribution to which Holders would
be entitled but for this Article 10 shall be made to holders of Senior
Indebtedness (except that Holders may receive (i) Permitted Junior Securities
and (ii) payments and other distributions made from any defeasance trust created
pursuant to Section 8.02 hereof), as their interests may appear.

SECTION 10.03.   DEFAULT ON DESIGNATED SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.

     (a) The Company may not make any payment or distribution to the Trustee or
any Holder in respect of Obligations with respect to the Notes and may not
acquire from the Trustee or any Holder any Notes for cash or property (other
than (x) Permitted Junior Securities and (y) payments and other distributions
made from any defeasance trust created pursuant to Section 8.02 hereof) until
all principal and other Obligations with respect to the Senior Indebtedness have
been paid in full if:

     (i)  a default in the payment of any principal or other Obligations with
          respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness occurs and is continuing
          beyond any applicable grace period in the agreement, indenture or
          other document governing such Designated Senior Indebtedness; or

     (ii) a default, other than a payment default, on Designated Senior
          Indebtedness occurs and is continuing that then permits holders of the
          Designated Senior Indebtedness to accelerate its maturity and the
          Trustee receives a notice of the default (a "Payment


                                       55
<PAGE>
 
          Blockage Notice") from a Person who may give it pursuant to Section
          10.12 hereof. If the Trustee receives any such Payment Blockage
          Notice, no subsequent Payment Blockage Notice shall be effective for
          purposes of this Section unless and until at least 360 days shall have
          elapsed since the date of receipt by the Trustee of the immediately
          prior Payment Blockage Notice. No nonpayment default that existed or
          was continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice
          to the Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent
          Payment Blockage Notice (it being understood that any subsequent
          action, or any breach of any covenant for a period commencing after
          the date of receipt by the Trustee of such Payment Blockage Notice,
          that, in either case, would give rise to such a default pursuant to
          any provision under which a default previously existed or was
          continuing shall constitute a new default for this purpose).

     (b) The Company may and shall resume payments on and distributions in
respect of the Notes and may acquire them upon the earlier of: (i) the date upon
which the default is cured or waived, or (ii) in the case of a default referred
to in Section 10.03(a)(ii) hereof, 179 days pass after the applicable Payment
Blockage Notice is received by the Company if the maturity of such Designated
Senior Indebtedness has not been accelerated (or, if such Designated Senior
Indebtedness has been accelerated, such Designated Senior Indebtedness has not
been paid in full in cash or Marketable Securities) and if this Article
otherwise permits the payment, distribution or acquisition at the time of such
payment or acquisition.

SECTION 10.04.   ACCELERATION OF NOTES.

     If payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the
Company shall promptly notify holders of Senior Indebtedness of the
acceleration.

SECTION 10.05.   WHEN DISTRIBUTION MUST BE PAID OVER.

     (a) In the event that the Trustee or any Holder receives any payment of any
Obligations with respect to the Notes at a time when the Trustee or such Holder,
as applicable, has actual knowledge that such payment is prohibited by Section
10.03 hereof, such payment shall be held by the Trustee or such Holder in trust
for the benefit of, and shall be paid forthwith over and delivered, upon written
request, to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness as their interests may appear or
their representative (the "Representative") under the indenture or other
agreement (if any) pursuant to which Senior Indebtedness may have been issued,
as their respective interests may appear, for application to the payment of all
Obligations with respect to Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent
necessary to pay such Obligations in full in cash or Marketable Securities in
accordance with their terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or
distribution to or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

     (b) With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee
undertakes to perform only such obligations on the part of the Trustee as are
specifically set forth in this Article 10, and no implied covenants or
obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read
into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe
any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and shall not be
liable to any such holders if the Trustee shall pay over or distribute to or on
behalf of Holders or the Company or any other Person money or assets to which
any holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article
10, except if such payment is made as a result of the willful misconduct or
gross negligence of the Trustee.


                                       56
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 10.06.   NOTICE BY COMPANY.

     The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee and the Paying Agent of any
facts known to the Company that would cause a payment of any Obligations with
respect to the Notes to violate this Article, but failure to give such notice
shall not affect the subordination of the Notes to the Senior Indebtedness as
provided in this Article.

SECTION 10.07.   SUBROGATION.

     After all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full in cash or Marketable
Securities and until the Notes are paid in full, Holders shall be subrogated
(equally and ratably with all other Indebtedness pari passu with the Notes) to
the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable
to Senior Indebtedness to the extent that distributions otherwise payable to the
Holders have been applied to the payment of Senior Indebtedness. A distribution
made under this Article to holders of Senior Indebtedness that otherwise would
have been made to Holders is not, as between the Company and Holders, a payment
by the Company on the Notes.

SECTION 10.08.   RELATIVE RIGHTS.

     (a) This Article defines the relative rights of Holders and holders of
Senior Indebtedness. Nothing in this Indenture shall: (i) impair, as between the
Company and Holders, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and
unconditional, to pay principal of and interest on the Notes in accordance with
their terms; (ii) affect the relative rights of Holders and creditors of the
Company other than their rights in relation to holders of Senior Indebtedness;
or (iii) prevent the Trustee or any Holder from exercising its available
remedies upon a Default or Event of Default, subject to the rights of holders
and owners of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions and payments
otherwise payable to Holders.

     (b) If the Company fails because of this Article to pay principal of or
interest on a Note on the due date, the failure is still a Default or Event of
Default.

SECTION 10.09.   SUBORDINATION MAY NOT BE IMPAIRED BY COMPANY.

     No right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness to enforce the subordination
of the Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes shall be impaired by any act or
failure to act by the Company or any Holder or by the failure of the Company or
any Holder to comply with this Indenture.

SECTION 10.10.   DISTRIBUTION OR NOTICE TO REPRESENTATIVE.

     Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of
Senior Indebtedness, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their
Representative.

     Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in
this Article 10, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon any
order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction or upon any
certificate of such Representative or of the liquidating trustee or agent or
other Person making any distribution to the Trustee or to the Holders for the
purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such
distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other Indebtedness of
the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid
or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article
10.


                                       57
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 10.11.   RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE AND PAYING AGENT.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article 10 or any other provision of
this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence
of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment or distribution by
the Trustee, and the Trustee and the Paying Agent may continue to make payments
on the Notes, unless the Trustee shall have received at its Corporate Trust
Office at least five Business Days prior to the date of such payment written
notice of facts that would cause the payment of any Obligations with respect to
the Notes to violate this Article. Only the Company or a Representative may give
the notice. Nothing in this Article 10 shall impair the claims of, or payments
to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07 hereof.

     The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may hold Senior
Indebtedness with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any
Agent may do the same with like rights.

SECTION 10.12.   AUTHORIZATION TO EFFECT SUBORDINATION.

     Each Holder of a Note by the Holder's acceptance thereof authorizes and
directs the Trustee on the Holder's behalf to take such action as may be
necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this
Article 10, and appoints the Trustee to act as the Holder's attorney-in-fact for
any and all such purposes. If the Trustee does not file a proper proof of claim
or proof of debt in the form required in any proceeding referred to in Section
6.09 hereof at least 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such
claim, the Holders are hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim.

SECTION 10.13.   AMENDMENTS.

     The provisions of this Article 10 shall not be amended or modified without
the written consent of the holders of all Senior Indebtedness (in accordance
with the provisions thereof).

                                   ARTICLE 11
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 11.01.   TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS.

     If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with the
duties imposed by operation of section 318(c) of the TIA, the imposed duties
shall control.

SECTION 11.02.   NOTICES.

     Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other is
duly given if in writing and delivered in person, mailed by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested or delivered by
telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to the
other's address:

     If to the Company:

         GFSI, Inc.
         9700 Commerce Parkway
         Lenexa, Kansas  66219
         Attention: director of finance
         Telecopier: (913) 752-3336


                                       58
<PAGE>
 
     with copies to:

         Mayer, Brown & Platt
         1675 Broadway
         New York, New York  10019
         Attention:  James B. Carlson, Esq.
         Telecopier No.: (212) 262-1910

         The Jordan Company
         9 West 57th Street
         40th Floor
         New York, New York  10019
         Attention: A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
         Telecopier No.: (212) 755-5263

     If to the Trustee:

         Fleet National Bank
         777 Main Street
         Hartford, Connecticut 06115
         Attention: Corporate Trust Administration CTMO0238
         Telecopier No.: (860) 986-7920

     The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional
or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

     All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be
deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally
delivered; the date receipt is acknowledged, if mailed by registered or
certified mail; when answered back, if telecopied; and the next Business Day
after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier
guaranteeing next day delivery.

     Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail
to his or her address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Failure to
mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect
its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

     If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within
the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

     If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a
copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

SECTION 11.03.   COMMUNICATION BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS.

     Holders may communicate pursuant to section 312(b) of the TIA with other
Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The
Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and any other Person shall have the
protection of section 312(c) of the TIA.


                                       59
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 11.04.   CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

     Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

     (a)  an Officers' Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth
          in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all
          conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this
          Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

     (b)  an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in
          Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such
          conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the
          proposed action have been complied with.

SECTION 11.05.   STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE OR OPINION.

     Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided
pursuant to section 314(a)(4) of the TIA) shall include:

     (1)  a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has
          read such covenant or condition;

     (2)  a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
          investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
          certificate or opinion are based;

     (3)  a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such
          examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express
          an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
          has been complied with; and

     (4)  a statement as to whether, in such Person's opinion, such condition or
          covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 11.06.   RULES BY TRUSTEE AND AGENTS.

     The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of
Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set
reasonable requirements for its functions.

SECTION 11.07.   LEGAL HOLIDAYS.

     If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be
made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and
no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

SECTION 11.08.   NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.

     No officer, employee, director, stockholder or Subsidiary of the Company
shall have any liability for any Obligations of the Company under the Notes or
this Indenture, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such
Obligations or the creation of any such Obligation, except, in the case of a
Subsidiary, for an express guarantee or an express creation of any Lien by such
Subsidiary of the Company's Obligations under the Notes. Each Holder by
accepting a Note waives and releases all such


                                       60
<PAGE>
 
liability, and such waiver and release is part of the consideration for the
issuance of the Notes. The foregoing waiver may not be effective to waive
liabilities under the Federal securities law and the SEC is of the view that
such a waiver is against public policy.

SECTION 11.09.   COUNTERPARTS.

     This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the
parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be
deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one
and the same agreement.

SECTION 11.10.   VARIABLE PROVISIONS.

     The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent, Registrar and
authenticating agent.

     The first compliance certificate to be delivered by the Company to the
Trustee pursuant to Section 4.03 shall be for the fiscal year ending on June 30,
1997.

SECTION 11.11.   GOVERNING LAW.

     The internal laws of the State of New York shall govern this Indenture and
the Notes, without regard to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.

SECTION 11.12.   NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS.

     This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt
agreement of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and no other indenture,
loan or debt agreement may be used to interpret this Indenture.

SECTION 11.13.   SUCCESSORS.

     All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind
its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its
successor.

SECTION 11.14.   SEVERABILITY.

     If any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 11.15.   TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC.

     The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table, and headings of the Articles
and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference
only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or
restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.


                                       61
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE 12
                               GUARANTEE OF NOTES

SECTION 12.01.   EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF NOTE GUARANTEE.

     (a) After the date of this Indenture, if the Company, or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, shall acquire or create a Restricted Subsidiary, or
redesignate a Non-Restricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary, then such
Restricted Subsidiary shall execute a guarantee (a "Note Guarantee"). Such Note
Guarantee shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit E and shall be
accompanied by a Supplemental Indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit F,
along with such other opinions, certificates and documents as required under
this Indenture; provided, however, that any Subsidiary that has been properly
designated as a Non-Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 4.17 need
not execute a Note Guarantee for so long as it continues to constitute a
Non-Restricted Subsidiary.

     (b) Except as provided for under Section 12.02, a Guarantor shall be
subject to the provisions of this Indenture from the date of the Supplemental
Indenture to which its Note Guarantee relates and until such time as it has been
properly designated as a Non-Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 4.17.

SECTION 12.02.   SUBORDINATION OF NOTE GUARANTEE; GUARANTORS MAY CONSOLIDATE, 
                 ETC., ON CERTAIN TERMS.

     (a) The obligations of each Guarantor under its Note Guarantee pursuant to
this Article 12 shall be subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash or
Marketable Securities of all Senior Indebtedness of each Guarantor (including
such Guarantor's guarantee of the New Credit Agreement) to the same extent that
the Notes are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Company pursuant to
Article 10 of this Indenture. For the purposes of this foregoing sentence, the
Trustee and the Holders shall have the right to receive and/or retain payments
by any of the Guarantors in respect of any Note Guarantee only at such times as
they may receive and/or retain payments in respect of the Notes pursuant to this
Indenture, including Article 10 hereof.

     (b) No Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not
such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another corporation, Person or entity
whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor unless (i) subject to the
provisions of Section 12.02(c), the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) assumes all the
obligations of such Guarantor pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, under the Notes and this
Indenture; (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default
or Event of Default exists; (iii) such Guarantor, or any Person formed by or
surviving any such consolidation or merger, would have Consolidated Net Worth
(immediately after giving effect to such transaction), equal to or greater than
the Consolidated Net Worth of such Guarantor immediately preceding the
transaction; and (iv) the Company would be permitted by virtue of the Company's
pro forma Cash Flow Coverage Ratio, immediately after giving effect to such
transaction, to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the
Cash Flow Coverage test set forth in Section 4.07; provided, that the
requirements of clauses (iii) and (iv) of this paragraph will not apply in the
case of a consolidation with or merger with or into the Company or another
Guarantor.

     (c) In the event of a sale or other disposition of all of the assets of any
Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other
disposition of all of the capital stock of any Guarantor, then such Guarantor
(in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of such a merger,
consolidation or otherwise, of all of the capital stock of such Guarantor or any
such designation) or the


                                       62
<PAGE>
 
corporation acquiring the property (in the event of a sale or other disposition
of all of the assets of such Guarantor) shall be released and relieved of any
obligations under its Note Guarantee; provided that the Net Proceeds of such
sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable
provisions of this Indenture.

     (d) In the event that the Company designates a Guarantor to be a
Non-Restricted Subsidiary, then such Guarantor shall be released and relieved of
any obligations under its Note Guarantee; provided that such designation is
conducted in accordance with Section 4.17.

                          [NEXT PAGE IS SIGNATURE PAGE]


                                       63
<PAGE>
 
Dated as of February 27, 1997                GFSI, INC.



                                             By: /s/ Illegible
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                   Name:
                                                   Title:





Dated as of February 27, 1997                FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                                                as Trustee



                                             By: /s/ Michael M. Hopkins
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                   Name: MICHAEL M. HOPKINS
                                                   Title: VICE PRESIDENT


                                       64
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                 (Face of Note)

              9 5/8% Series [A/B] Senior Subordinated Note due 2007


     No.                                                             $__________

     CUSIP No. [361695AA7/361695AB5]

                                   GFSI, INC.


     promises to pay to

     or registered assigns,

     the principal sum of

     Dollars on _________, 2007.

     Interest Payment Dates:

     Record Dates:

                                               Dated: February __, 1997

                                               GFSI, INC.

                                               By:______________________________
                                                   Name:
                                                   Title:

Trustee's Certificate of Authentication
Dated: February __, 1997


This is one of the 
Notes referred to in the 
within-mentioned Indenture:


FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
as Trustee

By:_____________________________
      (Authorized Signatory)


                                       A-1
<PAGE>
 
     [Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Notes in
definitive form, this Senior Subordinated Note may not be transferred except as
a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the
Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the
Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such
successor Depository. The Depository Trust Company shall act as the Depository
until a successor shall be appointed by the Company and the Registrar. Unless
this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository
Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) ("DTC"), to the issuer or
its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate
issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as may be
requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to
Cede & Co. or such other entity as may be requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY Person IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner
hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]1

     THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN
     A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES
     SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED
     HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF
     SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF
     THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE
     RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES
     ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED
     HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE
     RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1)(a) INSIDE THE UNITED
     STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED
     INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A
     TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (b) IN A TRANSACTION
     MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) OUTSIDE
     THE UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE
     REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH
     ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT
     (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE COMPANY SO REQUESTS), (2) TO
     THE COMPANY OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN
     EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE
     OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (B) THE
     HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY
     PURCHASER FROM IT OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE
     RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN (A) ABOVE.

     Additional provisions of this Senior Subordinated Note are set forth on the
other side of this Senior Subordinated Note.



- --------
1.   This paragraph should be included only if the Senior Subordinated Note is
     issued in global form.


                                       A-2
<PAGE>
 
                                 (Back of Note)


              9 5/8% SERIES [A/B] SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE 2007

     1. Interest. GFSI, Inc. (the "Company") promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of the Notes at the rate and in the manner specified below.
Interest on the Notes will accrue at 9 5/8% per annum from the date this Note is
issued until maturity. The Company will pay Liquidated Damages pursuant to
Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. Interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, will be payable semiannually in cash in arrears on
March 1 and September 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day
on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an "Interest Payment Date"). Interest
on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date on which interest has been
paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance;
provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be September 1, 1997. The
Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time
to time on demand at the interest rate then in effect and shall pay interest on
overdue installments of interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, (without regard
to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to
the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months.

     2. Method of Payment. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except
defaulted interest) and Liquidated Damages to the Persons who are registered
holders of Notes at the close of business on the record date for the next
Interest Payment Date even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date
and on or before such Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Notes to a
Paying Agent to collect principal payments on such Notes. The Company will pay
principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, in money of
the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of
public and private debts. The Company will pay principal, premium, if any,
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders or, if no such account
is specified, by mailing a check to each such Holder's registered address;
provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be
required with respect to principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on all Global Notes.

     3. Paying Agent and Registrar. Fleet National Bank (the "Trustee") will
initially act as the Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint
additional paying agents or co-registrars, and change the Paying Agent, any
additional paying agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar without prior notice
to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such
capacity.

     4. Indenture. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of
February 27, 1997 (the "Indenture"), among the Company and the Trustee. The
terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of
the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code
ss.ss. 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the original issuance of the
Notes (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The Notes are subject to, and qualified by,
all such terms, certain of which are summarized herein, and Holders are referred
to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of such terms (all
capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned them in
the Indenture). The Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the Company
limited to $125,000,000 in aggregate principal amount.

     5. Optional Redemption. (a) Except as described in paragraph 5(b) below,
the Notes may not be redeemed at the option of the Company prior to March 1,
2002. During the twelve-month period beginning November 15 of the years
indicated below, the Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Company, in
whole or in part, on at least 30 but not more than 60 days' notice to each
Holder of Notes


                                       A-3
<PAGE>
 
to be redeemed, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the
principal amount) set forth below, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of redemption:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     Year                                                             Percentage
     ----                                                             ----------

     <S>                                                               <C>     
     2002............................................................. 104.813%
     2003............................................................. 103.208%
     2004............................................................. 101.604%
     2005 and thereafter.............................................. 100.000%
</TABLE>

     (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to March 1, 2000, the Company may
(but shall not have the obligation to) redeem up to 40% of the original
aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price of 110.000% of the
principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, to the redemption date, with the net proceeds of one or more
Equity Offerings; provided that at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount
of Notes originally issued remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence
of any such redemption; and provided, further, that any such redemption shall
occur within 60 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

     6. Mandatory Redemption. Subject to the Company's obligation to make an
offer to purchase Notes under certain circumstances pursuant to Sections 4.14
and 4.15 of the Indenture (as described in paragraph 7 below), the Company is
not required to make any mandatory redemption, purchase or sinking fund payments
with respect to the Notes.

     7. Mandatory Offers to Purchase Notes. (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change
of Control (such date being the "Change of Control Trigger Date"), each Holder
of Notes shall have the right to require the Company to purchase all or any part
(equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such Holder's Notes
pursuant to an offer (a "Change of Control Offer") at a purchase price in cash
equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase.

     (b) If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary consummates one or more
Asset Sales and does not use all of the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sales as
provided in the Indenture, the Company will be required, under certain
circumstances, to utilize the Excess Proceeds from such Asset Sales to offer (an
"Asset Sale Offer") to purchase Notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of the Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase. If the Excess Proceeds are
insufficient to purchase all Notes tendered pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer,
the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased in accordance with the terms
of the Indenture.

     (c) Holders may tender all or, subject to paragraph 8 below, any portion of
their Notes in a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer (collectively, an
"Offer") by completing the form below entitled "OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT
PURCHASE."

     (d) The Company shall comply with any tender offer rules under the Exchange
Act which may then be applicable, including Rule 14e-1, in connection with an
offer required to be made by the Company to repurchase the Notes as a result of
a Change of Control or an Asset Sale Trigger Date. To the extent that the
provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of
this Indenture, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and
regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this
Indenture by virtue thereof.


                                       A-4
<PAGE>
 
     8. Notice of Redemption or Purchase. Notice of an optional redemption or an
Offer will be mailed to each Holder at its registered address at least 30 days
but not more than 60 days before the date of redemption or purchase. Notes may
be redeemed or purchased in part, but only in whole multiples of $1,000 unless
all Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased. On or after any date
on which Notes are redeemed or purchased, interest ceases to accrue on the Notes
or portions thereof called for redemption or accepted for purchase on such date.

     9. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The
transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in
the Indenture. Holders seeking to transfer or exchange their Notes may be
required, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer
documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
Indenture. The Registrar need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note
or portion of a Note selected for redemption or tendered pursuant to an Offer.
Also, it need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of
15 Business Days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or between a record
date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

     10. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated
as its owner for all purposes.

     11. Amendments and Waivers. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or
the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at
least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, and any
existing Default (except a payment Default) may be waived with the consent of
the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
Without the consent of any Holder, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended to:
cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; provide for uncertificated Notes in
addition to or in place of certificated Notes; provide for the assumption by
another corporation of the Company's obligations to Holders in the event of a
merger or consolidation of the Company in which the Company is not the surviving
corporation or a sale of substantially all of the Company's assets to such other
corporation; comply with the SEC's requirements to effect or maintain the
qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; provide for
additional Guarantees with respect to the Notes; or, make any change that does
not materially adversely affect any Holder's rights under the Indenture.

     12. Defaults and Remedies. Events of Default include: default for 30 days
in payment of interest on, or Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to, the
Notes; default in payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;
failure by the Company for 30 days after notice to it to comply with any of its
other agreements or covenants in, or provisions of, the Indenture or the Notes;
certain defaults under and acceleration prior to maturity of, or failure to pay
at maturity, certain other Indebtedness; certain final judgments that remain
undischarged; certain judicial findings of unenforceability or invalidity as to
any guarantee of the Notes or the disaffirmance or denial by any guarantor of
its guarantee of the Notes; and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency
involving the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant
Subsidiary. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes may declare all the
Notes to be immediately due and payable in an amount equal to the principal of,
premium, if any, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, and Liquidated Damages,
if any, with respect to such Notes; provided, however, that in the case of an
Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, the
principal of, premium, if any, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, and
Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to the Notes becomes due and payable
immediately without further action or notice. Subject to certain exceptions,
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may
direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power, provided that the
Trustee will be under


                                       A-5
<PAGE>
 
no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the
request of Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee security and
indemnity satisfactory to it. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes
except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may withhold from Holders
notice of any continuing default (except a payment Default) if it determines
that withholding notice is in their interests. The Company must furnish an
annual compliance certificate to the Trustee.

     13. Trustee Dealings with the Company. The Trustee, in its individual or
any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform
services for the Company or any Affiliate, and may otherwise deal with the
Company or any Affiliate, as if it were not Trustee.

     14. No Recourse Against Others. No officer, employee, director, stockholder
or Subsidiary of the Company shall have any liability for any Obligations of the
Company under the Notes or the Indenture, or for any claim based on, in respect
of, or by reason of, such Obligations or the creation of any such Obligation,
except, in the case of a Subsidiary, for an express guarantee or an express
creation of any Lien by such Subsidiary of the Company's Obligations under the
Notes. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability,
and such waiver and release is part of the consideration for the issuance of the
Notes. The foregoing waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the
Federal securities law and the SEC is of the view that such a waiver is against
public policy.

     15. Additional Rights of Holders of Transfer Restricted Notes. In addition
to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of
Transfer Restricted Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 27, 1997 among the Company,
and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and Jefferies & Company,
Inc. (the "Registration Rights Agreement").

     16. Successor Substituted. Upon the consolidation or merger by the Company
with or into another corporation, or upon the sale, lease, conveyance or other
disposition of all or substantially all of its assets to another corporation, in
accordance with the Indenture, the corporation surviving any such merger or
consolidation (if not the Company) or the corporation to which such assets were
sold or transferred to shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may
exercise every right and power of the Company under the Indenture with the same
effect as if such surviving or other corporation had been named as the Company
in the Indenture.

     17. Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without regard to the
conflict of laws provisions thereof.

     18. Authentication. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the
manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

     19. Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a
Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (=
tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common), CUST (=Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts
to Minors Act).

     20. CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the
Committee on Uniform Note Identification Procedures, the Company has caused
CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and have directed the Trustee to use
CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No
representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on
the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed
only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes.


                                       A-6
<PAGE>
 
     The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without
charge a copy of the Indenture, which has in it the text of this Note in larger
type. Request may be made to:

                                   GFSI, Inc.
                              9700 Commerce Parkway
                              Lenexa, Kansas 66219
                         Attention: director of finance
                           Telecopier: (913) 752-3336


                                       A-7
<PAGE>
 
                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

     To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:




                  (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)






              (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint
                             as agent to transfer this Note on the books of the 
Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.



Date:                   Your Signature:_______________________________________
                                       (Sign exactly as your name appears on the
                                       other side of this Note)



Signature Guarantee:_____________________________



                                       A-8
<PAGE>
 
                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

     If you elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section
4.14 of the Indenture, check the box: | |

     If you elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section
4.15 of the Indenture, check the box: | |

     If you elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 4.14 or 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount (multiples
of $1000 only):

$




Date:                   Your Signature:_______________________________________
                                       (Sign exactly as your name appears on the
                                       other side of this Note)


Signature Guarantee:_____________________________


                                       A-9
<PAGE>
 
                   SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF DEFINITIVE NOTES2

     The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for Definitive Notes
have been made:




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Principal Amount of this        Signature of
                          Amount of decrease in      Amount of increase in          Global Note          authorized officer of
                        Principal Amount of this      Principal Amount of     following such decrease       Trustee or Note
   Date of Exchange            Global Note             this Global Note            (or increase)               Custodian
   ----------------            -----------             ----------------            -------------              ----------
<S>                            <C>                     <C>                         <C>                        <C> 

</TABLE>





- --------
2.   This should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.


                                      A-10
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                    CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE
                      OR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF NOTES

                                                      -----------------, -------

Re:  9 5/8% Series [A/B] Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 of GFSI, Inc.

     This Certificate relates to $_____ principal amount of Notes held in *
________ book-entry or *_______ definitive form by ________________ (the
"Transferor").

The Transferor*:

     | | has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for
its beneficial interest in the Global Note held by the Depository a Note or
Notes in definitive, registered form equal to its beneficial interest in such
Global Note (or the portion thereof indicated above); or

     | | has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the
transfer of a Note or Notes.

     In connection with such request and in respect of each such Note, the
Transferor does hereby certify that the Transferor is familiar with the
Indenture relating to the above captioned Notes and that the transfer of this
Note does not require registration under the Securities Act (as defined below)
because:*

     | | Such Note is being acquired for the Transferor's own account without
transfer (in satisfaction of Section 2.06(a)(ii)(A) or Section 2.06(d)(i)(A) of
the Indenture).

     | | Such Note is being transferred (i) to a "qualified institutional buyer"
(as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act")), in reliance on Rule 144A or (ii) pursuant to an exemption
from registration in accordance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act (and in
the case of clause (ii), based on an opinion of counsel if the Company so
requests and together with a certification in substantially the form of Exhibit
D to the Indenture).

     | | Such Note is being transferred (i) in accordance with Rule 144 under
the Securities Act (and based on an opinion of counsel if the Company so
requests) or (ii) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act.

- ----------
 *Check applicable box.


                                       B-1
<PAGE>
 
     | | Such Note is being transferred to an institutional accredited investor
within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act
pursuant to a private placement exemption from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act (and based on an opinion of counsel if the Company so
requests together with a certification in substantially the form of Exhibit C to
the Indenture).

     | | Such Note is being transferred in reliance on and in compliance with
another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act (and
based on an opinion of counsel if the Company so requests).






                                        [INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR]


                                        By:_____________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:
                                        Address:





- ----------
 *Check applicable box.


                                       B-2
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT C

                     FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED BY
                       INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTORS

                                                          ---------------, -----

___________________, as Registrar
Attention: Corporate Trust Department

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We are delivering this letter in connection with an offering of
$125,000,000 of 9 5/8% Series [A/B] Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the
"Notes") of GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), all as described
in the Offering Memorandum (the "Offering Memorandum") relating to such
offering.

          (i) we are an "accredited investor" within the meaning of Rule
     501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act (an "Institutional
     Accredited Investor");

          (ii) any purchase of Notes will be for our own account or for the
     account of one or more other Institutional Accredited Investors;

          (iii) in the event that we purchase any Notes, we will acquire Notes
     having a minimum purchase price of at least $100,000 for our own account
     and for each separate account for which we are acting;

          (iv) we have such sophistication, knowledge and experience in
     financial and business matters that we are capable of evaluating the merits
     and risks of purchasing Notes;

          (v) we are not acquiring Notes with a view to any distribution thereof
     in a transaction that would violate the Securities Act or the securities
     laws of any state of the United States or any other applicable
     jurisdiction; provided that the disposition of our property and the
     property of any accounts for which we are acting as fiduciary shall remain
     at all times within our control; and

          (vi) we have received a copy of the Offering Memorandum and
     acknowledge that we have had access to such financial and other
     information, and have been afforded the opportunity to ask such questions
     of representatives of the Company and receive answers thereto, as we deem
     satisfactory and necessary in connection with our decision to purchase
     Notes.

     We understand that the Notes are being offered in a transaction not
involving any public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act and that
the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and we agree, on
our own behalf and on behalf of each account for which we acquire any Notes,
that such Notes may be offered, resold, pledge or otherwise transferred only (i)
to a person whom we reasonably believe to be a "qualified institutional buyer"
(as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) in a transaction meeting the
requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, outside the U.S. in a
transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 904 under the Securities Act, or in
accordance with another exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act (and based upon an opinion of counsel if the Company so
requests), (ii) to the Company or (iii) pursuant to an effective registration
statement, and in each case, in accordance with any applicable securities laws
of any State of the United


                                       C-1
<PAGE>
 
States or any other applicable jurisdiction. We understand that the registrar
and the transfer agent will not be required to accept for registration of
transfer any Notes, except upon presentation of evidence satisfactory to the
Company that the foregoing restrictions on transfer have been complied with. We
further understand the Notes purchased by us will be initially in book-entry
form, however, to the extent that the definitive physical certificates are
subsequently issued in exchange therefor, such certificates will bear a legend
reflecting the substance of this paragraph.

     We acknowledge that you, the Company and others will rely upon our
confirmations, acknowledgements and agreements set forth herein, and we agree to
notify you promptly in writing if any of our representations or warranties
herein ceases to be accurate and complete.

     THIS LETTER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                                 Very truly yours,





                                 [Name of Purchaser]



                                 By:____________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:
                                 Address:



                                       C-2
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT D

                FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION
                     WITH TRANSFERS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S


                                                       -----------------, ------

______________________, as Registrar
Attention: Corporate Trust Department


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     In connection with our proposed sale of certain 9 5/8% Series [A/B] Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Notes") of GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), we represent that:

          (i) the offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the United
     States;

          (ii) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was
     outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf
     reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States;

          (iii) no directed selling efforts have been made by us in the United
     States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b)
     of Regulation S, as applicable; and

          (iv) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the
     registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.

     You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and you are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with
respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the
meanings set forth in Regulation S.

                                 Very truly yours,


                                 _______________________________
                                 [Name of Transferor]



                                 By:____________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:
                                 Address:


                                       D-1
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT E

                             FORM OF NOTE GUARANTEE

     Each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally
guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee
and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity
and enforceability of the Indenture dated as of February 27, 1997, by and
between GFSI, Inc. and Fleet National Bank, as Trustee (the "Indenture"), the
Notes or the obligations of the Company, hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the
principal of and premium, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes
will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration,
redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal or, premium and
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes if any, if lawful, and all
other Obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or
thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with
the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of the time of
payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will
be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of
the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or
otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any
performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly
and severally obligated to pay the same immediately.

     The Obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of the Notes and to the
Trustee pursuant to this Note Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set
forth in Article 12 of the Indenture. The terms of Article 12 of the Indenture
are incorporated herein by reference.

     This is a continuing Note Guarantee and shall remain in full force and
effect and shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its respective successors
and assigns to the extent set forth in the Indenture until full and final
payment of all of the Company's Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture.
The Note Guarantee shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of
the Trustee and the Holders of Notes and, in the event of any transfer or
assignment of rights by any Holder of Notes or the Trustee, the rights and
privileges herein conferred upon that party shall automatically extend to and be
vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions
hereof. This is a Note Guarantee of payment and not of collection.

     In certain circumstances more fully described in the Indenture, any
Guarantor may be released from its liability under this Note Guarantee, and any
such release will be effective whether or not noted hereon.

     This Note Guarantee shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until
the certificate of authentication on the Note upon which this Note Guarantee is
noted shall have been executed by the Trustee under the Indenture by the manual
signature of one of its authorized officers.

     Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings given in the Indenture
unless otherwise indicated.

                                          By:__________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                       E-1
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT F

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






                                   GFSI, Inc.

                                       and

                           the Guarantors named herein


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


                              SERIES A AND SERIES B

                    9 5/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007

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


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

                         FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
                      AND AMENDMENT -- SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE


                         DATED AS OF ________ ___, ____

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







                               FLEET NATIONAL BANK

                                     Trustee



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


                                       F-1
<PAGE>
 
     This SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of __________ ___, ____, among GFSI,
INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), each of the parties identified
under the caption "Guarantors" on the signature pages hereto (the "Guarantors")
and Fleet National Bank, as Trustee.

                                    RECITALS

     WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee entered into an Indenture, dated as of
February 27, 1997 (the "Indenture"), pursuant to which the Company issued
$125,000,000 in principal amount of 9 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007
(the "Notes"); and

     WHEREAS, Section 9.01(e) of the Indenture provides that the Company and the
Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture in order to execute a Note
Guarantee to comply with Section 12.01 thereof without the consent of the
Holders of the Notes; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 12.01 of the Indenture, all Guarantors must
execute a Note Guarantee and Supplemental Indenture.

     WHEREAS, all acts and things prescribed by the Indenture, by law and by the
Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company, of the Guarantors
and of the Trustee necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid
instrument legally binding on the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, in
accordance with its terms, have been duly done and performed;

     NOW, THEREFORE, to comply with the provisions of the Indenture and in
consideration of the above premises, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee
covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective
Holders of the Notes as follows:

                                    ARTICLE 1

     SECTION 1.01. This Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to the Indenture
and does and shall be deemed to form a part of, and shall be construed in
connection with and as part of, the Indenture for any and all purposes.

     SECTION 1.02. This Supplemental Indenture shall become effective
immediately upon its execution and delivery be each of the Company, the
Guarantors and the Trustee.

                                    ARTICLE 2

     SECTION 2.01. From this date, in accordance with Section 12.01 and by
executing this Supplemental Indenture and the accompanying Note Guarantee (a
copy of which is attached hereto), the Guarantors whose signatures appear below
are subject to the provisions of the Indenture to the extent provided for in
Article 12 thereunder.

     SECTION 2.02. The Note Guarantee constitutes a part of the Note as soon as
the certificate of authentication has been executed by the Trustee.

                                    ARTICLE 3

     SECTION 3.01. Except as specifically modified herein, the Indenture and the
Notes are in all respects ratified and confirmed (mutatis mutandis) and shall
remain in full force and effect in accordance


                                       F-2
<PAGE>
 
with their terms with all capitalized terms used herein without definition
having the same respective meanings ascribed to them as in the Indenture.

     SECTION 3.02. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no duties,
responsibilities or liabilities are assumed, or shall be construed to be
assumed, by the Trustee by reason of this Supplemental Indenture. This
Supplemental Indenture is executed and accepted by the Trustee subject to all
the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture with the same force and
effect as if those terms and conditions were repeated at length herein and made
applicable to the Trustee with respect hereto.

     SECTION 3.03. The laws of the State of New York shall govern this
Supplemental Indenture without regard to the conflict of laws provisions
thereof. The Trustee, the Company and each Guarantor agree to submit to the
jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York in any action or proceeding
arising out of or relating to this Supplemental Indenture.

     SECTION 3.04. The parties may sign any number of copies of this
Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of such
executed copies together shall represent the same agreement.

                          [NEXT PAGE IS SIGNATURE PAGE]


                                       F-3
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental
Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.

                                     GFSI, INC.

                                     By: _______________________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

                                     GUARANTORS

                                     [_______________________]

                                     By: _______________________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

                                     FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as trustee

                                     By: _______________________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:


                                       F-4

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2

               9 5/8% Series A Senior Subordinated Note due 2007

No.1                                                                $124,173,000

CUSIP No. 361695AA7

                                   GFSI, INC.

promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of one
hundred and twenty-four million, one hundred and seventy-three thousand Dollars
on March 1, 2007.

Interest Payment Dates: March 1 and September 1

Record Dates: February 15 and August 15

                                   Dated: February 27, 1997

                                   GFSI, INC.

                                   By:    [illegible]
                                      --------------------------------------
                                   Name:
                                   Title:

Trustee's Certificate of Authentication
Dated: February 27, 1997

This is one of the 
Notes referred to in the 
within-mentioned Indenture:

FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
as Trustee

By: /s/ illegible]
   ------------------------------
     (Authorized Signatory)

     Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Notes in
definitive form, this Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the
Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to
the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any
such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor
Depository. The Depository Trust Company shall act as the Depository until a
successor shall be appointed by the Company and the Registrar. Unless this
certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust
Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) ("DTC"), to the issuer or its
agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate
issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or
<PAGE>
 
such other name as may, be requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and
any payment is made to Cede & Co. or such other entity as may be requested by an
authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR
VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY Person IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered
owner hereof, Cede & Co., has art interest herein.

     THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN
     A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES
     SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED
     HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF
     SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF
     THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE
     RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES
     ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED
     HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE
     RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1)(a) INSIDE THE UNITED
     STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED
     INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A
     TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (b) IN A TRANSACTION
     MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) OUTSIDE
     THE UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE
     REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH
     ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT
     (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE COMPANY SO REQUESTS), (2) TO
     THE COMPANY OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN
     EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE
     OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (B) THE
     HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY
     PURCHASER FROM IT OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE
     RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN (A) ABOVE.

     Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this
Note.

                                        2
<PAGE>
 
                9 5/8% SERIES A SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE 2007

     1. Interest. GFSI, Inc. (the "Company") promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of the Notes at the rate and in the manner specified below
Interest on the Notes will accrue at 9  5/8% per annum from the date this Note
is issued until maturity. The Company will pay Liquidated Damages pursuant to
Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. Interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, will be payable semiannually in cash in arrears on
March 1 and September 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day
on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an "Interest Payment Date"). Interest
on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date on which interest has been
paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance;
provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be September 1, 1997. The
Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time
to time on demand at the interest rate then in effect and shall pay interest on
overdue installments of interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, (without regard
to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to
the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months.

     2. Method of Payment. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except
defaulted interest) and Liquidated Damages to the Persons who are registered
holders of Notes at the close of business on the record date for the next
Interest Payment Date even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date
and on or before such Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Notes to a
Paying Agent to collect principal payments on such Notes. The Company will pay
principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, in money of
the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of
public and private debts. The Company will pay principal, premium, if any,
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders or, if no such account
is specified, by mailing a check to each such Holder's registered address;
provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be
required with respect to principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on all Global Notes.

     3. Paying Agent and Registrar. Fleet National Bank (the "Trustee") will
initially act as the Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint
additional paying agents or co-registrars, and change the Paying Agent, any
additional paying agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar without prior notice
to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such
capacity.

     4. Indenture. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of
February 27, 1997 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and the Trustee. The
terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of
the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code
ss.ss. 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the original issuance of the
Notes (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The Notes are subject to, and qualified by,
all such terms, certain of which are summarized herein, and Holders are referred
to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of such terms (all
capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned them in
the Indenture). The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company limited to
$125,000,000 in aggregate principal amount.

     5. Optional Redemption. (a) Except as described in paragraph 5(b) below,
the Notes may not be redeemed at the option of the Company prior to March 1,
2002. During the twelve-month period beginning March 1 of the years indicated
below, the Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in
part, on at least 30 but not more than 60 days' notice to each Holder of

                                        3
<PAGE>
 
Notes to be redeemed. at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the
principal amount) set forth below. plus any accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of redemption:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year                                                                  Percentage
- ----                                                                  ----------
<S>                                                                   <C>
 2002 ................................................................104.813%
 2003 ................................................................103.208%
 2004 ................................................................101.604%
 2005 and thereafter .................................................100.000%
</TABLE>

     (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to March 1, 2000, the Company may
(but shall not have the obligation to) redeem up to 40% of the original
aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price of 110.000% of the
principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, to the redemption date, with the net proceeds of one or more
Equity Offerings; provided that at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount
of Notes originally issued remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence
of any such redemption; and provided, further, that any such redemption shall
occur within 60 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

     6. Mandatory Redemption. Subject to the Company's obligation to make an
offer to purchase Notes under certain circumstances pursuant to Sections 4.14
and 4.15 of the Indenture (as described in paragraph 7 below), the Company is
not required to make any mandatory redemption, purchase or sinking fund payments
with respect to the Notes.

     7. Mandatory Offers to Purchase Notes. (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change
of Control (such date being the "Change of Control Trigger Date", each Holder of
Notes shall have the right to require the Company to purchase all or any part
(equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such Holder's Notes
pursuant to an offer (a "Change of Control Offer") at a purchase price in cash
equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase.

     (b) If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary consummates one or more
Asset Sales and does not use all of the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sales as
provided in the Indenture, the Company will be required, under certain
circumstances, to utilize the Excess Proceeds from such Asset Sales to offer (an
"Asset Sale Offer") to purchase Notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of the Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase. If the Excess Proceeds are
insufficient to purchase all Notes tendered pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer,
the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased in accordance with the terms
of the Indenture.

     (c) Holders may tender all or, subject to paragraph 8 below, any portion of
their Notes in a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer (collectively, an
"Offer") by completing the form below entitled "OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT
PURCHASE."

     (d) The Company shall comply with any tender offer rules under the Exchange
Act which may then be applicable, including Rule 14e-1, in connection with an
offer required to be made by the Company to repurchase the Notes as a result of
a Change of Control or an Asset Sale Trigger Date. To the extent that the
provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of
this

                                        4
<PAGE>
 
Indenture, the Company shall comply with applicable securities laws and
regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this
Indenture by virtue thereof.

     8. Notice of Redemption or Purchase. Notice of an optional redemption or an
Offer will be mailed to each Holder at its registered address at least 30 days
but not more than 60 days before the date of redemption or purchase. Notes may
be redeemed or purchased in part, but only in whole multiples of $1,000 unless
all Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased. On or after any date
on which Notes are redeemed or purchased, interest ceases to accrue on the Notes
or portions thereof called for redemption or accepted for purchase on such date.

     9. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The
transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in
the Indenture. Holders seeking to transfer or exchange their Notes may be
required, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer
documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
Indenture. The Registrar need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note
or portion of a Note selected for redemption or tendered pursuant to an Offer.
Also, it need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of
15 Business Days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or between a record
date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

     10. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated
as its owner for all purposes.

     11. Amendments and Waivers. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or
the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at
least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, and any
existing Default (except a payment Default) may be waived with the consent of
the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
Without the consent of any Holder, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended to:
cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; provide for uncertificated Notes in
addition to or in place of certificated Notes; provide for the assumption by
another corporation of the Company's obligations to Holders in the event of a
merger or consolidation of the Company in which the Company is not the surviving
corporation or a sale of substantially all of the Company's assets to such other
corporation; comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission's requirements
to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act; provide for additional Guarantees with respect to the Notes; or,
make any change that does not materially adversely affect any Holder's rights
under the Indenture.

     12. Defaults and Remedies. Events of Default include: default for 30 days
in payment of interest on, or Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to, the
Notes; default in payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;
failure by the Company for 30 days after notice to it to comply with any of its
other agreements or covenants in, or provisions of, the Indenture or the Notes;
certain defaults under and acceleration prior to maturity of, or failure to pay
at maturity, certain other Indebtedness; certain final judgments that remain
undischarged; certain judicial findings of unenforceability or invalidity as to
any guarantee of the Notes or the disaffirmance or denial by any guarantor of
its guarantee of the Notes; and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency
involving the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant
Subsidiary. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes may declare all the
Notes to be immediately due and payable in an amount equal to the principal of,

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
premium. if any. and any accrued and unpaid interest on, and Liquidated Damages,
if any, with respect to such Notes; provided, however, that in the case of an
Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, the
principal of, premium, if any, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, and
Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to the Notes becomes due and payable
immediately without further action or notice. Subject to certain exceptions,
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may
direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power, provided that the
Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers
under the Indenture at the request of Holders unless such Holders have offered
to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it. Holders may not
enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The
Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing default (except a
payment Default) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interests.
The Company must furnish an annual compliance certificate to the Trustee.

     13. Trustee Dealings with the Company. The Trustee, in its individual or
any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform
services for the Company or any Affiliate, and may otherwise deal with the
Company or any Affiliate, as if it were not Trustee.

     14. No Recourse Against Others. No officer, employee, director, stockholder
or Subsidiary of the Company shall have any liability for any Obligations of the
Company under the Notes or the Indenture, or for any claim based on, in respect
of, or by reason of, such Obligations or the creation of any such Obligation,
except, in the case of a Subsidiary, for an express guarantee or an express
creation of any Lien by such Subsidiary the Company's Obligations under the
Notes. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability,
and such waiver and release is part of the consideration for the issuance of the
Notes. The foregoing waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the
Federal securities law and the Commission is of the view that such a waiver is
against public policy.

     15. Additional Rights of Holders of Transfer Restricted Notes. In addition
to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of
Transfer Restricted Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 27, 1997 among the Company,
and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and Jefferies & Company,
Inc. (the "Registration Rights Agreement").

     16. Successor Substituted. Upon the consolidation or merger by the Company
with or into another corporation, or upon the sale, lease, conveyance or other
disposition of all or substantially all of its assets to another corporation, in
accordance with the Indenture, the corporation surviving any such merger or
consolidation (if not the Company) or the corporation to which such assets were
sold or transferred to shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may
exercise every right and power of the Company under the Indenture with the same
effect as if such surviving or other corporation had been named as the Company
in the Indenture.

     17. Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without regard to the
conflict of laws provisions thereof.

     18. Authentication. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the
manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

                                        6
<PAGE>
 
     19. Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a
Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (=
tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common), CUST (=Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts
to Minors Act).

     20. CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the
Committee on Uniform Note Identification Procedures, the Company has caused
CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and have directed the Trustee to use
CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No
representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on
the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed
only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes.

     The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without
charge a copy of the Indenture, which has in it the text of this Note in larger
type. Request may be made to:

                                   GFSI, Inc.
                              9700 Commerce Parkway
                              Lenexa, Kansas 66219
                         Attention: director of finance
                            Telecopier: (913)752-3336

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
               9 5/8% Series A Senior Subordinated Note due 2007

     No. 2                                                              $142,000

     CUSIP No. 361695AB5

                                   GFSI, INC.

     promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of
     one hundred and forty-two thousand Dollars on March 1, 2007.

     Interest Payment Dates: March 1 and September ]

     Record Dates: February 15 and August 15

                                             Dated: February 27, 1997

                                             GFSI, INC.

                                             By: /s/ [illegible]
                                                -------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

Trustee's Certificate of Authentication
Dated: February 27, 1997

This is one of the 
Notes referred to in the 
within-mentioned Indenture:

FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
as Trustee 


By:          [illegible]
    ------------------------------
         (Authorized Signatory)

     Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Notes in
definitive form, this Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the
Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to
the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any
such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor
Depository. The Depository Trust Company shall act as the Depository until a
successor shall be appointed by the Company and the Registrar. Unless this
certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust
Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) ("DTC"), to the issuer or its
agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate
issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or
<PAGE>
 
such other name as may be requested by an authorized  representative of DTC (and
any payment is made to Cede & Co. or such other entity as may be requested by an
authorized  representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR
VALUE OR  OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY Person IS WRONGFUL  inasmuch as the  registered
owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

     THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN
     A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES
     SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED
     HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF
     SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF
     THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE
     RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES
     ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED
     HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE
     RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (l)(a) INSIDE THE UNITED
     STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED
     INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A
     TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (b) IN A TRANSACTION
     MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) OUTSIDE
     THE UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE FOREIGN
     REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE
     WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
     SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE COMPANY SO
     REQUESTS), (2) TO THE COMPANY OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
     STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES
     LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION
     AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY
     ANY PURCHASER FROM IT OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE
     RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN (A) ABOVE.

     Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this
Note.

                                        2
<PAGE>
 
               9 5/8%: SERIES A SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE 2007

     1. Interest. GFSI, Inc. (the "Company" ) promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of the Notes at the rate and in the manner specified below.
Interest on the Notes will accrue at 9 5/8 per annum from the date this Note is
issued until maturity. The Company will pay Liquidated Damages pursuant to
Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. Interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, will be payable semiannually in cash in arrears on
March 1 and September 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day
on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an "Interest Payment Date"). Interest
on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date on which interest has been
paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance;
provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be September 1, 1997. The
Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time
to time on demand at the interest rate then in effect and shall pay interest on
overdue installments of interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, (without regard
to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to
the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months.

     2. Method of Payment. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except
defaulted interest) and Liquidated Damages to the Persons who are registered
holders of Notes at the close of business on the record date for the next
Interest Payment Date even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date
and on or before such Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Notes to a
Paying Agent to collect principal payments on such Notes. The Company will pay
principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, in money of
the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of
public and private debts. The Company will pay principal, premium, if any,
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders or, if no such account
is specified, by mailing a check to each such Holder's registered address;
provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be
required with respect to principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on all Global Notes.

     3. Paying Agent and Registrar. Fleet National Bank (the "Trustee") will
initially act as the Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint
additional paying agents or co-registrars, and change the Paying Agent, any
additional paying agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar without prior notice
to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such
capacity.

     4. Indenture. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of
February 27, 1997 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and the Trustee. The
terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of
the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code
ss.ss. 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the original issuance of the
Notes (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The Notes are subject to, and qualified by,
all such terms, certain of which are summarized herein, and Holders are referred
to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of such terms (all
capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned them in
the Indenture). The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company limited to
$195,000,000 in aggregate principal amount.

     5. Optional Redemption. (a) Except as described in paragraph 5(b) below,
the Notes may not be redeemed at the option of the Company prior to March 1,
2002. During the twelve-month period beginning March 1 of the years indicated
below, the Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in
part, on at least 30 but not more than 60 days' notice to each Holder of 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Notes to be redeemed, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the
principal amount) set forth, below. plus any accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of redemption:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year                                                                  Percentage
- ----                                                                  ----------
<S>                                                                    <C>      
2002 ..................................................................104.813%
2003 ..................................................................103.208%
2004 ..................................................................101.604%
2005 and thereafter ...................................................100.000%
</TABLE>

     (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to March 1, 2000, the Company may
(but shall not have the obligation to) redeem up to 40% of the original
aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price of 110.000% of the
principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, to the redemption date, with the net proceeds of one or more
Equity Offerings; provided that at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount
of Notes originally issued remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence
of any such redemption; and provided, further, that any such redemption shall
occur within 60 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

     6. Mandatory Redemption. Subject to the Company's obligation to make an
offer to purchase Notes under certain circumstances pursuant to Sections 4.14
and 4.15 of the Indenture (as described in paragraph 7 below), the Company is
not required to make any mandatory redemption, purchase or sinking fund payments
with respond to the Notes.

     7. Mandatory Offers to Purchase Estates. (a) Upon the occurrence of a
Change of Control (such date being the "Change of Control Trigger Date"), each
Holder of Notes shall have the right to require the Company to purchase all or
any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof)of such Holder's Notes
pursuant to an offer (a "Change of Control Offer") at a purchase price in cash
equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase.

     (b) If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary consummates one or more
Asset Sales and does not use all of the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sales as
provided in the Indenture, the Company will be required, under certain
circumstances, to utilize the Excess Proceeds from such Asset Sales to offer (an
"Asset Sale Offer") to purchase Notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of the Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase. If the Excess Proceeds are
insufficient to purchase all Notes tendered pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer,
the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased in accordance with the terms
of the Indenture.

     (c) Holders may tender all or, subject to paragraph 8 below, any portion of
their Notes in a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer (collectively, an
"Offer") by completing the form below entitled "OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT
PURCHASE."

     (d) The Company shall comply with any tender offer rules under the Exchange
Act which may then be applicable, including Rule 14e-1, in connection with an
offer required to be made by the Company to repurchase the Notes as a result of
a Change of Control or an Asset Sale Trigger Date. To the extent that the
provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of
this

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Indenture, Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and
regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this
Indenture by virtue thereof.

     8. Notice of Redemption or Purchase. Notice of an optional redemption or an
Offer will be mailed to each Holder at its registered address at least 30 days
but not more than 60 days before the date of redemption or purchase. Notes may
be redeemed or purchased in part, but only in whole multiples of $1,000 unless
all Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased. On or after any date
on which Notes are redeemed or purchased, interest ceases to accrue on the Notes
or portions thereof called for redemption or accepted for purchase on such date.

     9. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The
transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in
the Indenture. Holders seeking to transfer or exchange their Notes may be
required, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer
documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
Indenture. The Registrar need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note
or portion of a Note selected for redemption or tendered pursuant to an Offer.
Also, it need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of
15 Business Days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or between a record
date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

     10. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated
as its owner for all purposes.

     11. Amendments and Waivers. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or
the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at
least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, and any
existing Default (except a payment Default) may be waived with the consent of
the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
Without the consent of any Holder, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended to:
cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; provide for uncertificated Notes in
addition to or in place of certificated Notes; provide for the assumption by
another corporation of the Company's obligations to Holders in the event of a
merger or consolidation of the Company in which the Company is not the surviving
corporation or a sale of substantially all of the Company's assets to such other
corporation; comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission's requirements
to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act; provide for additional Guarantees with respect to the Notes; or,
make any change that does not materially adversely affect any Holder's rights
under the Indenture.

     12. Defaults and Remedies. Events of Default include: default for 30 days
in payment of interest on, or Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to, the
Notes; default in payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;
failure by the Company for 30 days after notice to it to comply with any of its
other agreements or covenants in, or provisions of, the Indenture or the Notes;
certain defaults under and acceleration prior to maturity of, or failure to pay
at maturity, certain other Indebtedness; certain final judgments that remain
undischarged; certain judicial findings of unenforceability or invalidity as to
any guarantee of the Notes or the disaffirmance or denial by any guarantor of
its guarantee of the Notes; and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency
involving the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant
Subsidiary. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes may declare all the
Notes to be immediately due and payable in an amount equal to the principal of,

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
premium, if any, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, and Liquidated Damages,
if any, with respect to such Notes; provided, however, that in the case of an
Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, the
principal of, premium, if any, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, and
Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to the Notes becomes due and payable
immediately without further action or notice. Subject to certain exceptions,
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may
direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power, provided that the
Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers
under the Indenture at the request of Holders unless such Holders have offered
to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it. Holders may not
enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The
Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing default (except a
payment Default) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interests.
The Company must furnish an annual compliance certificate to the Trustee.

     13. Trustee Dealings with the Company. The Trustee, in its individual or
any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform
services for the Company or any Affiliate, and may otherwise deal with the
Company or any Affiliate, as if it were not Trustee.

     14. No Recourse Against Others. No officer, employee, director, stockholder
or Subsidiary of the Company shall have any liability for any Obligations of the
Company under the Notes or the Indenture, or for any claim based on, in respect
of, or by reason of, such Obligations or the creation of any such Obligation,
except, in the case of a Subsidiary, for an express guarantee or an express
creation of any Lien by such Subsidiary of the Company's Obligations under the
Notes. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability,
and such waiver and release is part of the consideration for the issuance of the
notes. The foregoing waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the
Federal securities law and the Commission is of the view that such a waiver is
against public policy.

     15. Additional Rights of Holders of Transfer Restricted Notes. In addition
to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of
Transfer Restricted Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 27, 1997 among the Company,
and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and Jefferies &
Company, Inc. (the "Registration Rights Agreement").

     16. Successor Substituted. Upon the consolidation or merger by the Company
with or into another corporation, or upon the sale, lease, conveyance or other
disposition of all or substantially all of its assets to another corporation, in
accordance with the Indenture, the corporation surviving any such merger or
consolidation (if not the Company) or the corporation to which such assets were
sold or transferred to shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may
exercise every right and power of the Company under the Indenture with the same
effect as if such surviving or other corporation had been named as the Company
in the Indenture.

     17. Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without regard to the
conflict of laws provisions thereof.

     18. Authentication. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the
manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

                                        6
<PAGE>
 
     19. Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a
Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (=
tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common), CUST (Custodian), and UIGIMIA (= Uniform Gifts to
Minors Act).

     20. CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the
Committee on Uniform Note Identification Procedures, the Company has caused
CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and have directed the Trustee to use
CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No
representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on
the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed
only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes.

     The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without
charge a copy of the Indenture, which has in it the text of this Note in larger
type. Request may be made to:

                                   GFSI, Inc.
                              9700 Commerce Parkway
                              Lenexa, Kansas 66219
                         Attention: director of finance
                            Telecopier: (913)752-3336

                                        7
<PAGE>
 
                      9 5/8% Series A Senior Note due 2007

     No. 3                                                              $685,000

     CUSIP No. 361695AB5

                                   GFSI, INC.

     promises to pay to Pondwave & Co. or registered assigns, the principal
     sum of six hundred and eighty-five thousand Dollars on March 1, 2007.

     Interest Payment Dates: March 1 and September 1


     Record Dates: February 15 and August 15

                                          Dated: February 27, 1997


                                          GFSI, INC.


                                          By:     [illegible]
                                          -------------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

Trustee's Certificate of Authentication

Dated: February 27, 1997

This is one of the 
Notes referred to in the 
within-mentioned Indenture:

FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
as Trustee


By: /s/        [illegible]
   ------------------------------- 
(Authorized Signatory)

     THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED
     IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED
     STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THE SECURITY
     EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE
     ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH
     PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE
     SELLER MAY BE RELYING
<PAGE>
 
     ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT
     PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED
     HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE
     RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1)(a) INSIDE THE UNITED
     STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED
     INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A
     TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (b) IN A TRANSACTION
     MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) OUTSIDE
     THE UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE
     REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE
     WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
     SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE COMPANY SO
     REQUESTS), (2) TO THE COMPANY OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
     STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE
     SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER SECURITIES
     APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER
     IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER FROM IT OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED
     HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN (A) ABOVE.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                9 5/8% SERIES A SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE 2007

     1. Interest. GFSI, Inc. (the "Company") promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of the Notes at the rate and in the manner specified below.
Interest on the Notes will accrue at 9 5/8% per annum from the date this Note is
issued until maturity. The Company will pay Liquidated Damages pursuant to
Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. Interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, will be payable semiannually in cash in arrears on
March 1 and September 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day
on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an "Interest Payment Date"). Interest
on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date on which interest has been
paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance;
provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be September 1, 1997. The
Company shall  pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, from
time to time on demand at the interest rate then in effect and shall pay
interest on overdue installments of interest and Liquidated Damages, if any,
(without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at
the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months.


     2. Method of Payment. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except
defaulted interest) and Liquidated Damages to the Persons who are registered
holders of Notes at the close of business on the record date for the next
Interest Payment ate even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date and
on or before such Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Notes to a
Paying Agent to collect principal payments on such Notes. The Company will pay
principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, in money of
the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of
public private debts. The Company will pay principal, premium, if any, interest
and Liquidated: Damages, if any, by wire transfer of immediately available funds
to the accounts specified by the Holders or, if no such account's specified, by
mailing a check to each such Holder's registered address; provided that payment
by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to
principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on all
Global Notes.


     3. Paying Agent and Registrar. Fleet National Bank (the "Trustee") will
initially act as the Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint
additional paying agents or co-registrars, and change the Paying Agent, any
additional paying agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar without prior notice
to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such
capacity.


     4. Indenture. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of
February 27, 1997 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and the Trustee. The
terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of
the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code
ss.ss. 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the original issuance of the
Notes (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The Notes are subject to, and qualified by,
all such terms, certain of which are summarized herein, and Holders are referred
to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of such terms (all
capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned them in
the Indenture). The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company limited to
$125,000,000 in aggregate principal amount.

                                        3
<PAGE>
 
     5. Optional Redemption. (a) Except as described in paragraph 5(b) below,
the Notes may not be redeemed at the option of the Company prior to March 1,
2002. During the twelve-month period beginning March 1 of the years indicated
below, the Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in
part, on at least 30 but not more than 60 days' notice to each Holder of Notes
to be redeemed, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the
principal amount) set forth below, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of redemption:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year                                                                Percentage
- ----                                                                ----------
<S>                                                                  <C>     
2002..................................................               104.813%
2003 .................................................               103.208%
2004 .................................................               100.604%
2005 and thereafter ..................................               100.000%
</TABLE>

     (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to March 1, 2000, the Company may
(but shall not have the obligation to) redeem up to 40% of original aggregate
principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price of 110.000% of the principal
amount: thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if
any, to the redemption date, with the net proceeds of one or more Equity
Offerings; provided that at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes
originally issued remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of any
such redemption; and provided, further, that any such redemption shall occur
within 60 days of the date We closing of such Equity Offering.

     6. Mandatory Redemption. Subject to the Company's obligation to make an
offer to purchase Notes under certain circumstances pursuance to Sections 4.14
and 4.15 of the Indenture (as described in paragraph below), the Company is not
required to make any mandatory redemption, purchase or sinking fund payments
with respect to the Notes.

     7. Mandatory Offers to Purchase Notes. Upon the occurrence of a Change of
Control (such date being the "Change of Control Trigger Date"), each Holder of
Notes shall have the right to require the Company to purchase all or any part
(equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such Holder's Notes
pursuant to an offer (a "Change of Control Offer") at a purchase price in cash
equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase.

     (b) If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary consummates one or more
Asset Sales and does not use all of the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sales as
provided in the Indenture, the Company will be required, under certain
circumstances, to utilize the Excess Proceeds from such Asset Sales to offer (an
"Asset Sale Offer") to purchase Notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of the Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase. If the Excess Proceeds are
insufficient to purchase all Notes tendered pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer the
Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased in accordance with the terms of
the Indenture.

                                        4
<PAGE>
 
     (c) Holders may tender all or, subject to paragraph 8 below, any portion of
their In a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer (collectively, an
"Offer") by completing the form below entitled "OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT
PURCHASE."

     (d) The Company shall comply with any tender offer rules under the Exchange
Act which may then be applicable, including Rule 14e-1, in connection with an
offer required to be made by the Company to repurchase the Notes as a result of
a Change of Control or an Asset Sale Trigger Date. To the extent that the
provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of
this Indenture, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and
regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this
Indenture by virtue thereof.

     8. Notice of Redemption or Purchase. Notice of an optional redemption for
an Offer will be mailed to each Holder at its registered address at least 30
days but not more than 60 days before the date of redemption or purchase. Notes
may be redeemed or purchased in part, but only in whole multiples of $1,000
unless all Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased. On or after
any date on which Notes are redeemed or purchased interest ceases to accrue on
the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption or accepted for purchase on
such date.

     9. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes Are in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The
transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in
the Indenture. Holders seeking to transfer or exchange their Notes may be
required, among other things to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer
documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
Indenture. The Registrar need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note
or portion of a Note selected for redemption or tendered pursuant to an Offer.
Also, it need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of
15 Business Days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or between a record
date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

     10. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated
as its owner for all purposes.

     11. Amendments and Waivers. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or
the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consents of the Holders of at
least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, and any
existing Default (except a payment Default) may be waived with the consent of
the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
Without the consent of any Holder, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended to
cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; provide for uncertificated Notes in
addition to or in place of certificated Notes; provide for the assumption by
another corporation of the Company's obligations to Holders in the event of a
merger or consolidation of the Company in which the Company is not the surviving
corporation or a sale of substantially all of the Company's assets to such other
corporation; comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission's requirements
to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act; provide for additional Guarantees with respect to the Notes' or,
make any change that does not materially adversely affect any Holder's rights
under the Indenture.

                                        5
<PAGE>
 
     12. Defaults and Remedies. Events of Default include: default for 30 days
in payment of interest on, or Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to, the
Notes; default in payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;
failure by the Company for 30 days after notice to it to comply with any of its
other agreements or covenants in, or provisions of, the Indenture or the Notes;
certain defaults under and acceleration prior to maturity of, or failure to pay
at maturity, certain other Indebtedness; certain final judgments that remain
undischarged; certain judicial findings of unenforceability or invalidity as to
any guarantee of the Notes or the disaffirmance or denial by any guarantor of
its guarantee of the Notes; and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency
involving the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant
Subsidiary. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes may declare all the
Notes to be immediately due and payable in an amount equal to the principal of,
premium, if any, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, and Liquidated Damages,
if any, with respect to such Notes; provided, however, that in the case of an
Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, the
principal of, premium, if and any accrued accrued and unpaid interest on. and
Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to the Notes becomes due and payable
immediately without further action or notice. Subject to certain exceptions,
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may
direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power, provided that the
Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers
under the Indenture at the request of Holders unless such Holders have offered
to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it. Holders may not
enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The
Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing default (except a
payment Default) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interests.
The Company must furnish an annual compliance certificate to the Trustee.

     13. Trustee Dealings with the Company. The Trustee, in its individual or
any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, perform services
for the Company or any Affiliate, and may otherwise deal with the Company any
Affiliate, if it were not Trustee.

     14. No Recourse Against Others. No officcer, employee, director,
stockholder or Subsidiary of the Company Shall have any liability for any
Obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture, or for any claim
based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such Obligations or the creation of
Any such Obligation, except, in the case of a Subsidiary, for an express
guarantee or an express creation of any Lien by such Subsidiary of the Company's
Obligations under the Notes. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases
all such liability, and such waiver and release is part of the consideration for
the issuance of the Notes. The foregoing waiver may not be effective to waive
liabilities under the Federal securities law and the Commission is of the view
that such a waiver is against public policy.

     15. Additional Rights of Holders of Transfer Restricted Notes. In addition
to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of
Transfer Restricted Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 27, 1997 among the Company,
and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and Jefferies & Company,
Inc. (the "Registration Rights Agreement").

     16. Successor Substituted. Upon the consolidation or merger by the Company
with or into another corporation, or upon the sale, lease, conveyance or other
disposition of all or substantially all

                                        6
<PAGE>
 
of its assets to another corporation. in accordance with the Indenture, the
corporation surviving any such merger or consolidation (if not the Company) or
the corporation to which such assets were sold or transferred to shall succeed
to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the
Company under the Indenture with the same effect as if such surviving or other
corporation had been named as the Company in the Indenture.

     17. Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without regard to the
conflict of laws provisions thereof.

     18. Authentication. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the
manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

     19. Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a
Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants
by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not
as tenants in common), CUST (=Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors
Act).

     20. CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the
Committee on Uniform Note Identification Procedures, the Company has caused
CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and have directed the Trustee to use
CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No
representation is made as to the accuracy such numbers either as printed on the
Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed
only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes.

     The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without
charge a copy of the Indenture, which has in it the text of this Note in larger
type. Request may be made to:

                                   GFSI, Inc.
                             9700 Commerce Parkway
                              Lenexa, Kansas 66219
                         Attention: director of finance
                           Telecopier: (913) 752-3336

                                       7

<PAGE>
 
        REGISTERED                                              REGISTERED

          NUMBER 

        R

                                  GFSI, INC.
               9 5/8% SERIES B SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE 2007

                                                                   CUSIP

promises to pay to


or registered assigns, 
the principal sum of                                   DOLLARS on March 1, 2007.


                        Interest Payment Dates:
                        Record Dates:

Dated : April   , 1997
                                                           GFSI, INC.

TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION             By:
This is one of the Notes referred to in the 
within-mentioned Indenture:
          FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                                 as Trustee

By:


                       Authorized Signatory
<PAGE>
 
               9 5/8% SERIES B SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE 2007

        1. INTEREST. GFSI, Inc. (the "Company ") promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of the Notes at the rate and in the manner specified below.
Interest on the Notes will accrue at 9 5/8% per annum from the date this
Subordinated Note is issued until maturity. The Company will pay Liquidated
Damages pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to
below. Interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, will be payable semiannually in
cash in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, or if any such day is
not a Business Day on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an "Interest
Payment Date "). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date on
which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of
original issuance; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be
September 1, 1997. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and
premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the interest rate then in effect
and shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to
time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed
on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

        2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except
defaulted interest) and Liquidated Damages to the Persons who are registered
holders of Notes at the close of business on the record date for the next
Interest Payment Date even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date
and on or before such Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Notes to a
Paying Agent to collect principal payments on such Notes. The Company will pay
principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, in money of
the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of
public and private debts. The Company will pay principal, premium, if any,
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders or, if no such account
is specified, by mailing a check to each such Holder's registered address;
provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be
required with respect to principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on all Global Notes.

        3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Fleet National Bank (the "Trustee ") will
initially act as the Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint
additional paying agents or co-registrars, and change the Paying Agent, any
additional paying agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar without prior notice
to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such
capacity.

        4. INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as
of February 27, 1997 (the "Indenture"), among the Company and the Trustee. The
terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of
the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code
Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the original issuance of the
Notes (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The Notes are subject to, and qualified by,
all such terms, certain of which are summarized herein, and Holders are referred
to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of such terms (all
capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned them in
the Indenture). The Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the Company
limited to $125,000,000 in aggregate principal amount.

        5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION. (a) Except as described in paragraph 5(b) below,
the Notes may not be redeemed at the option of the Company prior to March 1,
2002. During the twelve (12) month period beginning November 15 of the years
indicated below, the Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Company, in
whole or in part, on at least 30 but not more than 60 days' notice to each
Holder of Notes to be redeemed, at the redemption prices (expressed as
percentages of the principal amount) set forth below, plus any accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of redemption:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
        Year                                    Percentage
        ----                                    ----------
        <S>                                      <C> 
        2002.................................... 104.813%
        2003.................................... 103.208%
        2004.................................... 101.604%
        2005 and thereafter..................... 100.000%
</TABLE>

        (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to March 1, 2000, the Company
may (but shall not have the obligation to) redeem up to 40% of the original
aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price of 110.000% of the
principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, to the redemption date, with the net proceeds of one or more
Equity Offerings; provided that at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount
of Notes originally issued remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence
of any such redemption; and provided, further, that any such redemption shall
occur within 60 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

        6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION. Subject to the Company's obligation to make an
offer to purchase Notes under certain circumstances pursuant to Sections 4.14
and 4.15 of the Indenture (as described in paragraph 7 below), the Company is
not required to make any mandatory redemption, purchase or sinking fund payments
with respect to the Notes.

        7. MANDATORY OFFERS TO PURCHASE NOTES. (a) Upon the occurrence of a
Change of Control (such date being the "Change of Control Trigger Date "), each
Holder of Notes shall have the right to require the Company to purchase all or
any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such Holder's
Notes pursuant to an offer (a "Change of Control Offer") at a purchase price in
cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus any accrued
and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase.

        (b) If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary consummates one or more
Asset Sales and does not use all of the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sales as
provided in the Indenture, the Company will be required, under certain
circumstances, to utilize the Excess Proceeds from such Asset Sales to offer (an
"Asset Sale Offer ") to purchase Notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of the Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase. If the Excess Proceeds are
insufficient to purchase all Notes tendered pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer,
the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased in accordance with the terms
of the Indenture.

        (c) Holders may tender all or, subject to paragraph 8 below, any portion
of their Notes in a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer (collectively,
an "Offer ") by completing the form below entitled "OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT
PURCHASE."

        (d) The Company shall comply with any tender offer rules under the
Exchange Act which may then be applicable, including Rule 14e-I, in connection
with an offer required to be made by the Company to repurchase the Notes as a
result of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale Trigger Date. To the extent that
the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of
this Indenture, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and
regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this
Indenture by virtue thereof.

        8. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION OR PURCHASE. Notice of an optional redemption or
an Offer will be mailed to each Holder at its registered address at least 30
days but not more than 60 days before the date of redemption or purchase. Notes
may be redeemed or purchased in part, but only in whole multiples of $1,000
unless all Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased. On or after
any date on which Notes are redeemed or purchased, interest ceases to accrue on
the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption or accepted for purchase on
such date.

        9. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The
transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in
the Indenture. Holders seeking to transfer or exchange their Notes may be
required, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer
documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
Indenture. The Registrar need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note
or portion of a Note selected for redemption or tendered pursuant to an Offer.
Also, it need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of
15 Business Days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or between a record
date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date. 

        10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be 
treated as its owner for all purposes.

        11. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture
or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of
at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, and any
existing Default (except a payment Default) may be waived with the consent of
the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
Without the consent of any Holder, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended to:
cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; provide for uncertificated Notes in
addition to or in place of certificated Notes; provide for the assumption by
another corporation of the Company's obligations to Holders in the event of a
merger or consolidation of the Company in which the Company is not the surviving
corporation or a sale of substantially all of the Company's assets to such other
corporation; comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission's requirements
to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act; provide for additional Guarantees with respect to the Notes; or,
make any change that does not materially adversely affect any Holder's rights
under the Indenture.

        12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: default for 30
days in payment of interest on, or Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to,
the Notes; default in payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;
failure by the Company for 30 days after notice to it to comply with any of its
other agreements or covenants in, or provisions of, the Indenture or the Notes;
certain defaults under and acceleration prior to maturity of, or failure to pay
at maturity, certain other Indebtedness; certain final judgments that remain
undischarged; certain judicial findings of unenforceability or invalidity as to
any guarantee of the Notes or the disaffirmance or denial by any guarantor of
its guarantee of the Notes; and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency
involving the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant
Subsidiary. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes may declare all the
Notes to be immediately due and payable in an amount equal to the principal of,
premium, if any, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, and Liquidated Damages,
if any, with respect to such Notes; provided, however, that in the case of an
Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, the
principal of, premium, if any, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, and
Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to the Notes becomes due and payable
immediately without further action or notice. Subject to certain exceptions,
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may
direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power, provided that the
Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers
under the Indenture at the request of Holders unless such Holders have offered
to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it. Holders may not
enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The
Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing default (except a
payment Default) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interests.
The Company must furnish an annual compliance certificate to the Trustee.

        13. TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH THE COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or
any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform
services for the Company or any Affiliate, and may otherwise deal with the
Company or any Affiliate, as if it were not Trustee.

        14. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No officer, employee, director,
stockholder or Subsidiary of the Company shall have any liability for any
Obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture, or for any claim
based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such Obligations or the creation of
any such Obligation, except, in the case of a Subsidiary, for an express
guarantee or an express creation of any Lien by such Subsidiary of the Company's
Obligations under the Notes. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases
all such liability, and such waiver and release is part of the consideration for
the issuance of the Notes. The foregoing waiver may not be effective to waive
liabilities under the Federal securities law and the Commission is of the view
that such a waiver is against public policy.

        15. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED NOTES. In
addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders
of Transfer Restricted Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 27, 1997 among the Company,
and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and Jefferies & Company,
Inc. (the "Registration Rights Agreement ").

        16. SUCCESSOR SUBSTITUTED. Upon the consolidation or merger by the
Company with or into another corporation, or upon the sale, lease, conveyance or
other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets to another
corporation, in accordance with the Indenture, the corporation surviving any
such merger or consolidation (if not the Company) or the corporation to which
such assets were sold or transferred to shall succeed to, and be substituted
for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company under the Indenture
with the same effect as if such surviving or other corporation had been named as
the Company in the Indenture.

        17. GOVERNING LAW. This Note shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without regard to the
conflict of laws provisions thereof. 

        18. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by
the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

        19. ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a
Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (=
tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts
to Minors Act).

        20. CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the
Committee on Uniform Note Identification Procedures, the Company has caused
CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and has directed the Trustee to use
CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No
representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on
the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed
only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes.

        The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without
charge a copy of the Indenture, which has in it the text of this Note in larger
type. Request may be made to:

                                  GFSI, Inc.
                             9700 Commerce Parkway
                             Lenexa, Kansas 66219
                        Attention: director of finance
                          Telecopier: (913) 752-3336


                                ASSIGNMENT FORM

        To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

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


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


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)


and irrevocably appoint_________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________as agent to 
transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute
another to act for him.


Date:_______________________             Your Signature:_______________________ 
                                                        (Sign exactly as your
                                                        name appears on the
                                                        other side of this Note)

Signature Guarantee:

                                                                             
____________________________


                      OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

     If you elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section
4.14 of the Indenture, check the box: [ ]

     If you elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section
4.15 of the Indenture, check the box: [ ]

     If you elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 4.14 or 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount (multiples
of $1000 only):

                           $_______________________


Date:_______________________             Your Signature:_______________________ 
                                                        (Sign exactly as your
                                                        name appears on the
                                                        other side of this Note)

Signature Guarantee:

                                                                             
____________________________

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4

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

                                   GFSI, INC.




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


                                  $125,000,000
               9 5/8% SERIES A SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007

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


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

                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                          DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 27, 1997

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









Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette                           Jefferies & Company, Inc.
  Securities Corporation

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
     This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of February 27, 1997 by and among GFSI Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and
Jefferies & Company, Inc. (each a "Purchaser" and, collectively, the
"Purchasers"), each of which has agreed to purchase the Company's 9 5/8% Series
A Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Series A Notes") pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement (as defined).

     This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated February
20, 1997 (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and between the Company and the
Purchasers. In order to induce the Purchasers to purchase the Series A Notes,
the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this
Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the
obligations of the Purchasers set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

     The parties hereby agree as follows:

1.   DEFINITIONS

     As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the
following meanings:

     Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     Business Day: Any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day in the City of
New York, or in the city of the corporate trust office of the Trustee, on which
banks are authorized to close.

     Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.

     Broker-Dealer Transfer Restricted Notes: Series B Notes that are acquired
by a Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer in exchange for Series A Notes that
such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities (other than Series A Notes acquired
directly from the Company or any of its affiliates).

     Closing Date: The date hereof.

     Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission.

     Consummate: An Exchange Offer shall be deemed "Consummated" for purposes of
this Agreement upon the occurrence of (a) the filing and effectiveness under the
Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Series B Notes
to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (b) the maintenance of such Registration
Statement continuously effective and the keeping of the Exchange Offer open for
a period not less than the minimum period required pursuant to Section 3(b)
hereof and (c) the delivery by the Company to the Registrar under the Indenture
of Series B Notes in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate
principal amount of Series A Notes tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the
Exchange Offer.

     Damages Payment Date: Each Interest Payment Date.

     Effectiveness Target Date: As defined in Section 5.

     Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.



                                        1
<PAGE>
 
     Exchange Offer: The registration by the Company under the Act of the Series
B Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to which
the Company shall offer the Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Notes
the opportunity to exchange all such outstanding Transfer Restricted Notes for
Series B Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal
amount of the Transfer Restricted Notes tendered in such exchange offer by such
Holders.

     Exchange Offer Registration Statement: The Registration Statement relating
to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.

     Exempt Resales: The transactions in which the Initial Purchasers propose to
sell the Series A Notes to certain "qualified institutional buyers," as such
term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act, and to certain "accredited
investors," as such term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), (5) and (7) of
Regulation D under the Act.

     Holders: As defined in Section 2 hereof.

     Indemnified Holder: As defined in Section 8(a) hereof.

     Indenture: The Indenture, dated the Closing Date, between the Company and
Fleet National Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee"), pursuant to which the Notes are
to be issued, as such Indenture is amended or supplemented from time to time in
accordance with the terms thereof.

     Interest Payment Date: As defined in the Indenture and the Notes.

     NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

     Notes: The Series A Notes and the Series B Notes.

     Person: An individual, partnership, corporation, trust, unincorporated
organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

     Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement at the time
such Registration Statement is declared effective, as amended or supplemented by
any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto, including
post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference into such
Prospectus.

     Record Holder: With respect to any Damages Payment Date, each Person who is
a Holder of Notes on the record date with respect to the Interest Payment Date
on which such Damages Payment Date shall occur.

     Registration Default: As defined in Section 5 hereof.

     Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company relating
to (a) an offering of Series B Notes pursuant to an Exchange Offer or (b) the
registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Notes pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement, in each case, (i) which is filed pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement and (ii) including the Prospectus included therein,
all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and
all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.



                                        2
<PAGE>
 
     Restricted Broker-Dealer: Any Broker-Dealer which holds Broker-Dealer
Transfer Restricted Notes.

     Series B Notes: The Company's 9 5/8% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due
2007 to be issued pursuant to the Indenture (i) in the Exchange Offer or (ii)
upon the request of any Holder of Series A Notes covered by a Shelf Registration
Statement, in exchange for such Series A Notes.

     Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 4 hereof.

     TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb) as in
effect on the date of the Indenture.

     Transfer Restricted Notes: Each Note, until the earliest to occur of (a)
the date on which such Note is exchanged in the Exchange Offer and entitled to
be resold to the public by the Holder thereof without complying with the
prospectus delivery requirements of the Act, (b) the date on which such Note has
been disposed of in accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement, (c) the date
on which such Note is disposed of by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the "Plan of
Distribution" contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
(including delivery of the Prospectus contained therein) or (d) the date on
which such Note is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act.

     Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering: A registration in which
securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the
public.

2.   HOLDERS

     A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Notes (each, a
"Holder") whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Notes.

3.   REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER

     (a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permitted by applicable federal
law (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below have been complied
with), the Company shall (i) cause to be filed with the Commission as soon as
practicable after the Closing Date, but in no event later than 90 days after the
Closing Date, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, (ii) use their best
efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective
at the earliest possible time, but in no event later than 150 days after the
Closing Date, (iii) in connection with the foregoing, (A) file all pre-effective
amendments to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement as may be necessary in
order to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective,
(B) file, if applicable, a post-effective amendment to such Exchange Offer
Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Act and (C) cause all
necessary filings, if any, in connection with the registration and qualification
of the Series B Notes to be made under the Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions
as are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer, and (iv) upon the
effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, commence and
Consummate the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall be on the appropriate
form permitting registration of the Series B Notes to be offered in exchange for
the Series A Notes that are Transfer Restricted Notes and to permit sales of
Broker-Dealer Transfer Restricted Notes by Restricted Broker-Dealers as
contemplated by Section 3(c) below.

     (b) The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement to be effective continuously, and shall keep the Exchange
Offer open, for a period of not less than the


                                        3
<PAGE>
 
minimum period required under applicable federal and state securities laws to
Consummate the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that in no event shall such
period be less than 20 Business Days. The Company shall cause the Exchange Offer
to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities
other than the Notes shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to
be Consummated on the earliest practicable date after the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement has become effective, but in no event later than 30
Business Days thereafter.

     (c) The Company shall include a "Plan of Distribution" section in the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and indicate
therein that any Restricted Broker-Dealer who holds Series A Notes that are
Transfer Restricted Notes and that were acquired for the account of such
Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, may exchange such Series A Notes (other than Transfer Restricted
Notes acquired directly from the Company) pursuant to the Exchange Offer;
however, such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Act in connection with its initial sale of each Series B
Note received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, which prospectus
delivery requirement may be satisfied by the delivery by such Broker-Dealer of
the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. Such
"Plan of Distribution" section shall also contain all other information with
respect to such sales of Broker-Dealer Transfer Restricted Notes by Restricted
Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to permit such sales
pursuant thereto, but such "Plan of Distribution" shall not name any such
Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Notes held by any such Broker-Dealer
except to the extent required by the Commission as a result of a change in
policy after the date of this Agreement.

     The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as
required by the provisions of Section 6(c) below to the extent necessary to
ensure that it is available for sales of Broker-Dealer Transfer Restricted Notes
by Restricted Broker-Dealers, and to ensure that such Registration Statement
conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies,
rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a
period of 120 days from the date on which the Exchange Offer is Consummated.

     The Company shall promptly provide sufficient copies of the latest version
of such Prospectus to such Restricted Broker-Dealers upon such Restricted
Broker-Dealers' reasonable request, and in no event later than two Business Days
after such request, at any time during such 120-day period in order to
facilitate such sales.

4.   SHELF REGISTRATION

     (a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Company is not required to file an
Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to the Series B Notes because
the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law (after the procedures set
forth in Section 6(a)(i) below have been complied with) or (ii) if any Holder of
Transfer Restricted Notes shall notify the Company in writing within 20 Business
Days following the Consummation of the Exchange Offer that (A) such Holder is
prohibited by law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer
or (B) such Holder may not resell the Series B Notes acquired by it in the
Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and the Prospectus
contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or
available for such resales by such Holder or (C) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer
and holds Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or one of its
affiliates, then the Company shall (x) cause to be filed on or prior to the


                                        4
<PAGE>
 
earliest of (1) 60 days after the date on which the Company is notified by the
Commission or otherwise determines that it is not required to file the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement pursuant to clause (i) above and (2) 60 days after
the date on which the Company receives the notice specified in clause (ii)
above, a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act, (which
may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (in either
event, the "Shelf Registration Statement")), relating to all Transfer Restricted
Notes the Holders of which shall have provided the information required pursuant
to Section 4(b) hereof, and (y) use their best efforts to cause such Shelf
Registration Statement to become effective at the earliest possible time, but in
no event later than 120 days after the date on which the Company becomes
obligated to file such Shelf Registration Statement. If, after the Company has
filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement which satisfies the requirements
of Section 3(a) above, the Company is required to file and make effective a
Shelf Registration Statement solely because the Exchange Offer shall not be
permitted under applicable federal law, then the filing of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of clause (x)
above. Such an event shall have no effect on the requirements of clause (y)
above, or on the Effectiveness Target Date as defined in Section 5 below. The
Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration
Statement discussed in this Section 4(a) continuously effective, supplemented
and amended as required by and subject to the provisions of Sections 6(b) and
(c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for sales of
Transfer Restricted Notes by the Holders thereof entitled to the benefit of this
Section 4(a), and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this
Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as
announced from time to time, for a period of at least three years (as extended
pursuant to Section 6(c)(i)) following the date on which such Shelf Registration
Statement first becomes effective under the Act or such shorter period that will
terminate when all Transfer Restricted Notes covered by the Shelf Registration
Statement have been sold pursuant thereto.

     (b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the
Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes may include
any of its Transfer Restricted Notes in any Shelf Registration Statement
pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to the Company
in writing, within 20 days after receipt of a request therefor, such information
specified in item 507 of Regulation S-K under the Act for use in connection with
any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus
included therein. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes shall be entitled to
Liquidated Damages pursuant to Section 5 hereof unless and until such Holder
shall have used its best efforts to provide all such information. Each Holder as
to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish
promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to
make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not
materially misleading.

5.   LIQUIDATED DAMAGES

     If (i) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is not filed
with the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such filing in this
Agreement, (ii) any such Registration Statement has not been declared effective
by the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such effectiveness in
this Agreement (the "Effectiveness Target Date"), (iii) the Exchange Offer has
not been Consummated within 30 Business Days after the Effectiveness Target Date
with respect to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or (iv) subject to the
provisions of Section 6(c)(i) below, any Registration Statement required by this
Agreement is filed and declared effective but shall thereafter cease to be
effective or fail to be usable for its intended purpose without being succeeded
immediately (but in any event within five Business Days thereafter) by a
post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement that cures such failure
and that is itself declared effective within such five Business Day period,
other than, in the case of clause (iv) above, for such period in which such
Registration Statement shall cease to be effective as a result of post-


                                        5
<PAGE>
 
effective amendments to incorporate annual filings which the Company is required
to file with the Commission or post-effective amendments not otherwise covered
by Section 6(c)(i) hereof, provided that the Company in good faith attempts to
cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective as soon as reasonably
practicable (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a
"Registration Default"), the Company hereby agrees to pay to each Holder of
Transfer Restricted Notes, for the first 90-day period immediately following the
occurrence of such Registration Default, liquidated damages in an amount equal
to $.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Notes constituting Transfer
Restricted Notes held by such Holder for so long as the Registration Default
continues. The amount of liquidated damages payable to each Holder shall
increase by an additional $.05 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of
Transfer Restricted Notes held by such Holder for each subsequent 90-day period
up to a maximum of $.40 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Notes
constituting Transfer Restricted Notes held by such Holder; provided, however,
that (1) upon filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if
applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (i) above, (2)
upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if
applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (ii) above, (3)
upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer, in the case of (iii) above, or (4) upon
the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or an
additional Registration Statement that causes the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement) to again be
declared effective or made usable in the case of (iv) above, the liquidated
damages payable with respect to such Transfer Restricted Notes as a result of
such clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv), as applicable, shall cease.

     All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid by the Company to the Global
Note Holder by wire transfer of immediately available funds or by federal funds
check and to Holders of Certificated Securities by wire transfer to the accounts
specified by them or by mailing checks to their registered addresses if no such
accounts have been specified on each Damages Payment Date. All obligations of
the Company set forth in the preceding paragraph that are outstanding with
respect to any Transfer Restricted Note at the time such security ceases to be a
Transfer Restricted Note shall survive until such time as all such obligations
with respect to such security shall have been satisfied in full.

6.   REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

     (a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection with the Exchange
Offer, the Company shall comply with all applicable provisions of Section 6(c)
below, shall use their best efforts to effect such exchange and to permit the
sale of Broker-Dealer Transfer Restricted Notes being sold in accordance with
the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and shall comply with
all of the following provisions:

          (i) If, following the date hereof there has been published a change in
     Commission policy with respect to exchange offers such as the Exchange
     Offer, such that in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company there
     is a substantial question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by
     applicable federal law or Commission policy, the Company hereby agrees to
     seek a no-action letter or other favorable decision from the Commission
     allowing the Company to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such Series A
     Notes. The Company hereby agrees to pursue the issuance of such a decision
     to the Commission staff level but shall not be required to take
     commercially unreasonable action to effect a change of Commission policy.
     In connection with the foregoing, the Company hereby agrees, however, to
     take all such other actions as are requested by the Commission or otherwise
     required in connection with the issuance of such decision, including
     without limitation (A) participating in telephonic conferences with the
     Commission, (B) delivering to the Commission staff an analysis prepared by
     counsel to the


                                        6
<PAGE>
 
     Company setting forth the legal bases, if any, upon which such counsel has
     concluded that such an Exchange Offer should be permitted and (C)
     diligently pursuing a resolution (which need not be favorable) by the
     Commission staff of such submission.

          (ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer
     pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Holder of Transfer Restricted
     Notes shall furnish, upon the request of the Company, prior to the
     Consummation of the Exchange Offer, a written representation to the Company
     (which may be contained in the letter of transmittal contemplated by the
     Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to the effect that (A) it is not an
     affiliate of the Company, (B) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to
     engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to
     participate in, a distribution of the Series B Notes to be issued in the
     Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the Series B Notes in its ordinary
     course of business. Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that any
     Broker-Dealer and any such Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate
     in a distribution of the securities to be acquired in the Exchange Offer
     (1) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this
     Agreement rely on the position of the Commission enunciated in Morgan
     Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings
     Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission's
     letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action
     letters (including, if applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant
     to clause (i) above), and (2) must comply with the registration and
     prospectus delivery requirements of the Act in connection with a secondary
     resale transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction must be
     covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling
     security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of
     Regulation S-K if the resales are of Series B Notes obtained by such Holder
     in exchange for Series A Notes acquired by such Holder directly from the
     Company or an affiliate thereof.

          (iii) To the extent required by the Commission, prior to effectiveness
     of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Company shall provide a
     supplemental letter to the Commission (A) stating that the Company is
     registering the Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the
     Commission enunciated in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May
     13, 1988), Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and, if
     applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above, (B)
     including a representation that the Company has not entered into any
     arrangement or understanding with any Person to distribute the Series B
     Notes to be received in the Exchange Offer and that, to the best of the
     Company's information and belief, each Holder participating in the Exchange
     Offer is acquiring the Series B Notes in its ordinary course of business
     and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in
     the distribution of the Series B Notes received in the Exchange Offer and
     (C) any other undertaking or representation required by the Commission as
     set forth in any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above.

     (b) Shelf Registration Statement. In connection with the Shelf Registration
Statement, the Company shall comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c)
below and shall use its best efforts to effect such registration to permit the
sale of the Transfer Restricted Notes being sold in accordance with the intended
method or methods of distribution thereof (as indicated in the information
furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof), and pursuant thereto
the Company will prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement
relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Act, which form
shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Notes in accordance
with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof within the time
periods and otherwise in accordance with the provisions hereof.


                                        7
<PAGE>
 
     (c) General Provisions. In connection with any Registration Statement and
any related Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or resale
of Transfer Restricted Notes (including, without limitation, any Exchange Offer
Registration Statement and the related Prospectus, to the extent that the same
are required to be available to permit sales of Broker-Dealer Transfer
Restricted Notes by Restricted Broker-Dealers), the Company shall:

          (i) use its reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement
     continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements for
     the period specified in Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement, as applicable.
     Upon the occurrence of any event that would cause any such Registration
     Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain a material
     misstatement or omission or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale
     of Transfer Restricted Notes during the period required by this Agreement,
     the Company shall file promptly an appropriate amendment to such
     Registration Statement, (1) in the case of clause (A), correcting any such
     misstatement or omission, and (2) in the case of either clause (A) or (B),
     use its reasonable efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective
     and such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to become usable
     for their intended purpose(s) as soon as practicable thereafter.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (A) the Board of Directors of the Company
     determines in good faith that it is in the best interests of the Company
     not to disclose the existence of or facts surrounding any proposed or
     pending material corporate transaction involving the Company or its
     subsidiaries and (B) the Company notifies the Holders within two Business
     Days after the Board of Directors makes such determination, the Company may
     allow the Shelf Registration Statement to fail to be effective and usable
     as a result of such nondisclosure for up to 60 days during the three-year
     period of effectiveness required by Section 4 hereof, but in no event for
     any period in excess of 30 consecutive days; provided, however, that the
     three-year period referred to in Section 4 hereof during which the Shelf
     Registration Statement is required to be effective and usable shall be
     extended by the number of days during which such registration statement was
     not effective or usable pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

          (ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
     post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement as may be necessary
     to keep the Registration Statement effective for the applicable period set
     forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, or such shorter period as will terminate
     when all Transfer Restricted Notes covered by such Registration Statement
     have been sold; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required
     Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule
     424 under the Act, and to comply fully with Rules 424 and 430A, as
     applicable, under the Act in a timely manner; and comply with the
     provisions of the Act with respect to the disposition of all securities
     covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable period in
     accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the
     sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to
     the Prospectus;

          (iii) advise the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders promptly
     upon becoming aware and, if requested by such Persons, confirm such advice
     in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or
     post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any
     Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the
     same has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for
     amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to
     the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, (C) of the
     issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness
     of the Registration Statement under the Act or of the suspension by any
     state securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted
     Notes for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the


                                        8
<PAGE>
 
     initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of the
     existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any
     statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the
     Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto or any document
     incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making of
     any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement in order to make
     the statements therein not misleading, or that requires the making of any
     additions to or changes in the Prospectus in order to make the statements
     therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
     misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order
     suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any state
     securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order
     suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the
     Transfer Restricted Notes under state securities or Blue Sky laws, the
     Company shall use its reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal or
     lifting of such order at the earliest possible time;

          (iv) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, use reasonable
     efforts to furnish to the Purchaser, each selling Holder named in any
     Registration Statement or Prospectus and each of the underwriter(s) in
     connection with such sale, if any, before filing with the Commission,
     copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or
     any amendments or supplements to any such Registration Statement or
     Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference after the
     initial filing of such Registration Statement) prior to filing, reasonably
     respond to comments received from such persons, and make the Company's
     representatives available for discussion of such documents and other
     customary due diligence matters.

          (v) subject to execution of confidentiality agreements that are
     reasonably satisfactory to the Company as to the disclosure of any
     non-public information obtained pursuant to this Section 6(c)(v) and upon
     reasonable notice and at reasonable times, make available for inspection at
     the Company's offices located in Lenexa, Kansas by the selling Holders, any
     managing underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such
     Registration Statement and any attorney or accountant retained by such
     selling Holders or any of such underwriter(s), all financial and other
     records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and
     cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all
     information reasonably requested by any such Holder, underwriter, attorney
     or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement or any
     post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior
     to its effectiveness;

          (vi) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, if requested by
     any selling Holders or the underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if
     any, promptly include in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant
     to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such information
     as such selling Holders and underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request
     to have included therein, including, without limitation, information
     relating to the "Plan of Distribution" of the Transfer Restricted Notes,
     information with respect to the principal amount of Transfer Restricted
     Notes being sold to such underwriter(s), the purchase price being paid
     therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Transfer Restricted
     Notes to be sold in such offering; and make all required filings of such
     Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable
     after the Company is notified of the matters reasonably requested to be
     included in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

          (vii) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, furnish to each
     selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s) in connection with such sale,
     if any, without charge, at least one copy


                                        9
<PAGE>
 
     of the Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of
     each amendment thereto, including all documents incorporated by reference
     therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated therein by
     reference);

          (viii) deliver to each selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s),
     if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each
     preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such
     Persons reasonably may request; the Company hereby consents to the use (in
     accordance with law) of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement
     thereto by each of the selling Holders and each of the underwriter(s), if
     any, in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer
     Restricted Notes covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
     thereto;

          (ix) enter into such customary agreements and make such customary
     representations and warranties and take all such other customary actions in
     connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of
     the Transfer Restricted Notes pursuant to any Registration Statement
     contemplated by this Agreement as may be reasonably requested by any Holder
     of Transfer Restricted Notes or underwriter in connection with any sale or
     resale pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this
     Agreement, and in such connection, whether or not an underwriting agreement
     is entered into and whether or not the registration is an Underwritten
     Registration, the Company shall:

               (A) furnish (or in the case of paragraphs (2) and (3), use its
          best efforts to furnish) to each selling Holder and each underwriter,
          if any, upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement and
          to each Restricted Broker-Dealer upon Consummation of the Exchange
          Offer:

                    (1) a certificate, dated the date of Consummation of the
               Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf
               Registration Statement, as the case may be, signed on behalf of
               the Company by (x) the President or any Vice President and (y) a
               principal financial or accounting officer of the Company
               confirming, as of the date thereof, the matters set forth in
               paragraphs (a) through (c) of Section 9 of the Purchase Agreement
               and such other similar matters as the Holders and/or
               underwriter(s) may reasonably request;

                    (2) an opinion, dated the date of Consummation of the
               Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf
               Registration Statement, as the case may be, of counsel for the
               Company, covering matters customarily covered in opinions
               requested in Underwritten Offerings and dated the date of
               effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or the date of
               Consummation of the Exchange Offer, as the case may be; and

                    (3) a customary comfort letter, dated as of the date of
               effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or the date of
               Consummation of the Exchange Offer, as the case may be, from the
               Company's independent accountants, in the customary form and
               covering matters of the type customarily covered in comfort
               letters to underwriters in connection with Underwritten
               Offerings, and affirming the matters set forth in the comfort
               letters delivered pursuant to Section 9(g) of the Purchase
               Agreement, without exception;



                                       10
<PAGE>
 
               (B) set forth in full or incorporate by reference in the
          underwriting agreement, if any, in connection with any sale or resale
          pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement the indemnification
          provisions and procedures of Section 8 hereof with respect to all
          parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section; and

               (C) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be
          reasonably requested by the selling Holders or the underwriter(s), if
          any, to evidence compliance with clause (A) above and with any
          customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other
          agreement entered into by the Company pursuant to this clause (x).

          The above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting or
     similar agreement, as and to the extent required thereunder, and if at any
     time the representations and warranties of the Company contemplated in
     (A)(1) above cease to be true and correct, the Company shall so advise the
     underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders promptly and if requested by
     such Persons, shall confirm such advice in writing;

          (x) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Notes,
     cooperate with the selling Holders, the underwriter(s), if any, and their
     respective counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of
     the Transfer Restricted Notes under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
     jurisdictions as the selling Holders or underwriter(s), if any, may request
     and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable
     the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Notes
     covered by the applicable Registration Statement; provided, however, that
     the Company shall not be required to register or qualify as a foreign
     corporation where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that
     would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation, other
     than as to matters and transactions relating to the Registration Statement,
     in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject;

          (xi) issue, upon the request of any Holder of Series A Notes covered
     by any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement, Series
     B Notes, having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate
     principal amount of Series A Notes surrendered to the Company by such
     Holder in exchange therefor or being sold by such Holder; such Series B
     Notes to be registered in the name of such Holder or in the name of the
     purchaser(s) of such Notes, as the case may be; in return, the Series A
     Notes held by such Holder shall be surrendered to the Company for
     cancellation;

          (xii) in connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted Notes that
     will result in such securities no longer being Transfer Restricted Notes,
     cooperate with the selling Holders and the underwriter(s), if any, to
     facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing
     Transfer Restricted Notes to be sold and not bearing any restrictive
     legends; and to register such Transfer Restricted Notes in such
     denominations and such names as the Holders or the underwriter(s), if any,
     may request at least two Business Days prior to such sale of Transfer
     Restricted Notes;

          (xiii) use its reasonable efforts to cause the disposition of the
     Transfer Restricted Notes covered by the Registration Statement to be
     registered with or approved by such other U.S. governmental agencies or
     authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or
     the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition of such Transfer
     Restricted Notes, subject to the proviso contained in clause (xi) above;



                                       11
<PAGE>
 
          (xiv) subject to Section 6(c)(i), if any fact or event contemplated by
     Section 6(c)(iii)(D) above shall exist or have occurred, prepare a
     supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or
     related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or
     file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the
     purchasers of Transfer Restricted Notes, the Prospectus will not contain an
     untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
     necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
     under which they were made, not misleading;

          (xv) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted Notes not
     later than the effective date of a Registration Statement covering such
     Transfer Restricted Notes and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with
     printed certificates for the Transfer Restricted Notes that are in a form
     eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company;

          (xvi) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with the
     NASD and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any
     underwriter (including any "qualified independent underwriter") that is
     required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
     NASD, and use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement
     to become effective and approved by such governmental agencies or
     authorities as may be necessary to enable the Holders selling Transfer
     Restricted Notes to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted
     Notes;

          (xvii) otherwise use its reasonable efforts to comply with all
     applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally
     available to its security holders with regard to any applicable
     Registration Statement, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings
     statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 (which need not be audited)
     covering a twelve-month period beginning after the effective date of the
     Registration Statement (as such term is defined in paragraph (c) of Rule
     158 under the Act);

          (xviii) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later
     than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by
     this Agreement and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and
     the Holders of Notes to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be
     required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms
     of the TIA; and execute and use its reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee
     to execute, all documents that may be required to effect such changes and
     all other forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to
     enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner; and

          (xix) provide promptly to each Holder upon request each document filed
     with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or Section
     15(d) of the Exchange Act.

     (d) Restrictions on Holders. Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a
Transfer Restricted Note that, upon receipt of the notice referred to in Section
6(c)(i) or any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of the kind
described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue
disposition of Transfer Restricted Notes pursuant to the applicable Registration
Statement until such Holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or
amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xv) hereof, or until it is
advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed,
and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (the "Advice"). If so directed by
the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company (at the Company's expense)
all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder's possession,
of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Notes that was current at
the


                                       12
<PAGE>
 
time of receipt of either such notice. In the event the Company shall give any
such notice, the time period regarding the effectiveness of such Registration
Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended
by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the
giving of such notice pursuant to Section 6(c)(i) or Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof
to and including the date when each selling Holder covered by such Registration
Statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended
Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xv) hereof or shall have received the
Advice.

7.   REGISTRATION EXPENSES

     (a) All expenses incident to the Company's performance of or compliance
with this Agreement will be borne by the Company, regardless of whether a
Registration Statement becomes effective, including without limitation: (i) all
registration and filing fees and expenses (including filings made with the NASD
and counsel fees in connection therewith); (ii) all fees and expenses of
compliance with federal securities and state Blue Sky or securities laws; (iii)
all printing expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the
Series B Notes and printing of Prospectuses); (iv) all fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company and, in accordance with Section 7(b) below, the Holders
of Transfer Restricted Notes; and (v) all fees and disbursements of independent
certified public accountants of the Company (including the expenses of any
special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such performance).

     The Company will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including,
without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees
performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the
fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the
Company.

     (b) In connection with any Shelf Registration Statement required by this
Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Holders of Transfer Restricted Notes
the distribution of which is being registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel
chosen by the Holders of a majority of the principal amount of such Transfer
Restricted Notes, which counsel shall be satisfactory to the Company in its sole
discretion.

8.   INDEMNIFICATION

     (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless (i) each Holder and
(ii) each person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) any Holder (any of the persons referred
to in this clause (ii) being hereinafter referred to as a "con trolling person")
and (iii) the respective officers, directors, partners, employees,
representatives and agents of any Holder or any controlling person (any person
referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) may hereinafter be referred to as an
"Indemnified Holder"), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and judgments caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or caused by any omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments (i) are caused by any such
untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon
information relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing to the Company
by or on behalf of any of the Holders expressly for use therein, (ii) with
respect to the preliminary prospectus, result from the fact that the Holder sold
Transfer Restricted Notes to a person to whom there was not sent or given, at or
prior to the written confirmation of such sale, a copy of the prospectus, as
amended or supplemented, if the


                                       13
<PAGE>
 
Company shall have previously furnished copies thereof to the Holder in
accordance with this Agreement and the prospectus, as amended or supplemented,
would have corrected such untrue statement or omission or (iii) are a result of
the use by the Indemnified Holder of any prospectus, when, upon receipt of a
notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of the kind described in
Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof contemplated by the last paragraph of Section 6
hereof, the Indemnified Holder was not permitted to do so.

     In case any action or proceeding shall be brought against any of the
Indemnified Holders with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the
Company, such Indemnified Holder (or the Indemnified Holder controlled by such
controlling person) shall promptly notify the Company in writing (provided, that
the failure to give such notice shall not relieve the Company of its obligations
pursuant to this Agreement). Such Indemnified Holder shall have the right to
employ its own counsel in any such action but the fees and expenses of such
counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnified Holder or such controlling
person unless (i) the employment of such counsel shall have been specifically
authorized in writing by the Company, (ii) the Company shall have failed to
assume the defense and employ counsel or (iii) the named parties to any such
action (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnified Holder or
such controlling person and the Company and the Indemnified Holder or such
controlling person shall have been advised in writing by such counsel that there
may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or
additional to those available to the Company (in which case the Company shall
not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of the
Indemnified Holder or such controlling person), it being understood, however,
that the Company shall not, in connection with any one such action or proceeding
or separate but substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the
same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances,
be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of
attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for such Indemnified
Holders, which firm shall be designated by the Holders and be reasonably
satisfactory to the Company. The Company shall not be liable for any settlement
of any such action or proceeding effected without the Company's prior written
consent, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably, but if settled with
the Company's written consent, and the Company agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless any Indemnified Holder from and against any loss or liability by reason
of such settlement. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of
each Indemnified Holder effect any settlement of any pending or threatened
proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Holder is or could have been a
party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Holder,
unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified
Holder from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such
proceeding.

     (b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes agrees, severally and not
jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless (i) the Company, (ii) any person
controlling the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section
20 of the Exchange Act) and (iii) the directors, officers, partners, employees,
representatives, and agents of the Company to the same extent as the foregoing
indemnity from the Company to each of the Indemnified Holders, but only with
respect to information relating to such Holder furnished in writing by such
Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement. In case any action or
proceeding shall be brought against the Company or its directors or officers or
any such controlling person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against
a Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes, such Holder shall have the rights and
duties given the Company, and the Company or its directors or officers or such
controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to each Holder by the
preceding paragraph. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder
hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds received
by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such
indemnification obligation.



                                       14
<PAGE>
 
     (c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to
an indemnified party under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b) hereof (other than by
reason of exceptions provided in those Sections) in respect of any losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to therein, then each
applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party,
shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a
result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments (i) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the
Company on the one hand and the Holders on the other hand from their sale of
Transfer Restricted Notes or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above
is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnified
Holder on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which
resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments, as well as
any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company
on the one hand and of the Indemnified Holder on the other shall be determined
by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Company or by the Indemnified Holder and the
parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a
party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments
referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set
forth in the second paragraph of Section 8(a), any legal or other fees or
expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or
defending any action or claim.

     The Company and each Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(c)
were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one
entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not
take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph. The losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments
referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 8, none of the Holders (and their related Indemnified Holders) shall be
required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by
which the dollar amount of proceeds received by any such Holder upon the sale of
Transfer Restricted Notes exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The Holders' obligations to con tribute pursuant to this
Section 8(c) are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of
Series A Notes held by each of the Holders hereunder and not joint.

9.   RULE 144A

     The Company hereby agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer
Restricted Notes remain outstanding and during any period in which the Company
is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, to make
available, upon request of any Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes, to any
Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Notes in connection with any
sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Notes
designated by such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule
144A(d)(4) under the Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted
Notes pursuant to Rule 144A.


                                       15
<PAGE>
 
10.  UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS

     No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless
such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's Transfer Restricted Notes on the
basis provided in customary underwriting arrangements entered into in connection
therewith and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers
of attorney, lock-up letters and other documents required under the terms of
such underwriting arrangements.

11.  SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS

     Subject to the Company's consent, for any Underwritten Offering, the
investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers for any
Underwritten Offering that will administer such offering will be selected by the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted
Notes included in such offering. Such investment bankers and managers are
referred to herein as the "underwriters."

12.  MISCELLANEOUS

     (a) Remedies. Each Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all
rights provided herein, in the Indenture, the Purchase Agreement or granted by
law, including recovery of liquidated or other damages, will be entitled to
specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees that
monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by
reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agrees
to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law
would be adequate.

     (b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company will not, on or after the date
of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that
is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The Company has not previously
entered into any agreement granting any registration rights with respect to its
securities to any Person. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in
any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the
holders of the Company's securities under any agreement in effect on the date
hereof.

     (c) Adjustments Affecting the Notes. The Company will not take any action,
or voluntarily permit any change to occur, with respect to the Notes that would
materially and adversely affect the ability of the Holders to Consummate any
Exchange Offer.

     (d) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be
amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has obtained the
written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of
Transfer Restricted Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to
departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of
Holders whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and
that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other Holders whose
securities are not being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer may be given
by the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Notes subject to such Exchange Offer.



                                       16
<PAGE>
 
     (e) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted
hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail
(registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air
courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

          (i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the
     Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the
     Indenture; and

          (ii) if to the Company:

                         GFSI, Inc.
                         9700 Commerce Parkway
                         Lenexa, KS  66219
                         Telecopier No.: (913) 752-3346
                         Attention:  director of finance

               With copies to:

                         The Jordan Company
                         9 West 57th Street
                         40th Floor
                         New York, NY  10019
                         Telecopier No.: (212) 755-5263
                         Attention: Richard Caputo, Jr.

                         Mayer, Brown & Platt
                         1675 Broadway
                         New York, NY  10019
                         Telecopier No.: (212) 262-1910
                         Attention:  James B. Carlson, Esq.

     All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business
Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt
acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next business day, if timely delivered
to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

     Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address specified in the Indenture.

     (f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including
without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent
Holders of Transfer Restricted Notes; provided, however, that this Agreement
shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of a
Holder unless and to the extent such successor or assign acquired Transfer
Restricted Notes directly from such Holder at a time when such Holder could not
transfer such Transfer Restricted Notes pursuant to a Shelf Registration
Statement.

     (g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.


                                       17
<PAGE>
 
     (h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

     (i) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF.

     (j) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

     (k) Entire Agreement. This Agreement together with the other Operative
Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) is intended by the parties as a
final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein
with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to
the Transfer Restricted Notes. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements
and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter



                          [NEXT PAGE IS SIGNATURE PAGE]


                                       18
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first written above.

                                      GFSI, INC.


                                      By: /s/ Illegible
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:




DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
  SECURITIES CORPORATION

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


JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.

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

<PAGE>
 
                     SUBSCRIPTION AND STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT


     THIS SUBSCRIPTION AND STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as
of the 27th day of February, 1997, is made and entered into by and among GFSI
HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation whose address is 9 West 57th Street,
Suite 4000, New York, New York 10019 (the "Company"), and the Persons whose
names are set forth at the end of this Agreement.

     In order to capitalize the Company and to set forth certain rights and
restrictions relating to the ownership of its securities, the parties hereto
desire to enter into this Agreement.

     In consideration of the agreements, representations, warranties and
indemnities hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE 1

                                   DEFINITIONS

     Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have
the meaning given such terms below:

     1.1 "Acquisition" means GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation which shall be,
immediately after consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Acquisition Agreement, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and its
successors.

     1.2 "Acquisition Agreement" means the Agreement for Purchase and Sale of
Stock, dated January 24, 1997 (including all schedules and exhibits thereto) by
and among the Company, Acquisition and all the shareholders of Winning Ways.

     1.3 "Affiliate" means with respect to any Person (a) any Person which,
directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, (b) any member of
such Person's family or any individual who is a director or an executive officer
(i) of such Person, (ii) of any subsidiary of such Person or (iii) of any Person
described in clause (a) above, or with respect to any Stockholder, the Company;
provided, however, that any Affiliate of a corporation shall be deemed an
Affiliate of such corporation's stockholders. For purposes of this definition,
"control" of a Person shall mean the power, direct or indirect, (x) to vote or
direct the voting of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting stock of
such Person or (y) to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise.
<PAGE>
 
     1.4 "Bona Fide Offer" means a written offer from a Person (the "Offeror")
to purchase some or all of the shares of Common Stock owned by a Stockholder. If
the Offeror is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, all Persons
having more than a 10 percent direct or beneficial ownership interest in such
entity shall be identified in the offer. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in the Bona Fide Offer, in connection with any proposed
Transfer pursuant to a Bona Fide Offer, the Stockholder shall require the
Offeror (i) to consummate the proposed Transfer no earlier than 60, nor later
than 180, days following the date of the Bona Fide Offer and (ii) to furnish
reasonable evidence of the Offeror's financial ability to consummate the terms
of the proposed transaction.

     1.5 "By-Laws" means the Company's By-Laws in the form of Exhibit A attached
hereto.

     1.6 "Cause" means (a) fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty committed by any
Manager or a Manager's conviction of any felony or crime or other criminal
offense involving monies or other property; (b) a Manager's engagement, directly
or indirectly, in any business enterprise that conducts business with the
Company or any Affiliate of the Company without the written consent of the
Company's Board of Directors; (c) a Manager's violation of any non-competition
agreement with the Company or with any Affiliate of the Company; (d) a Manager's
breach of any of his or her fiduciary duties of loyalty or the making of a
willful misrepresentation or omission, which breach, misrepresentation or
omission reasonably might be expected to adversely affect the business,
properties, assets or condition (financial or other) of the Company or any
Affiliate of the Company; (e) a Manager's habitual intoxication which impairs
his or her ability to perform his or her duties to the Company or any Affiliate
of the Company; (f) the continued failure by a Manager to substantially perform
his or her duties to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company (other than any
such failure resulting from the Manager's incapacity due to illness or accident)
provided that the Manager shall have received 30 days' written notice from the
Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes
the Manager has not substantially performed his or her duties and the Manager
shall not have corrected such failure during such 30-day period; or (g) a
Manager's repeated insubordination.

     1.7 "Certificate of Incorporation" means the Company's Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended to date, in the form of Exhibit B
attached hereto.

     1.8 "Closing" means the Company's purchase of shares of Common Stock held
by a Manager or a Manager Trust pursuant to (i) the Company's exercise of its
"call" rights or (ii) a Manager's or Manager Trust's exercise of his, her or its
"put" rights and the payment by the Company of the purchase price of such shares
of





                                        2
<PAGE>
 
Common Stock required thereby, whether paid in cash or by the delivery of a
Junior Note.

     1.9 "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other
federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.

     1.10 "Common Stock" means the Series A Common Stock and the Series B Common
Stock.

     1.11 "Company Notice" means the written notice delivered by the Company to
a Manager or Manager Trust to "call" the shares of Common Stock held by such
Manager or Manager Trust, as set forth in Article 7.

     1.12 "Cost" means the price actually paid, or the value of the
consideration received by the Company, for the shares of Common Stock at the
time such Common Stock was issued by the Company.

     1.13 "Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement between Acquisition and
The First National Bank of Chicago, as agent, dated as of the date hereof, as
amended from time to time.

     1.14 "Disability" means the inability of a Manager to substantially perform
his or her duties and responsibilities to Acquisition by reason of a physical or
mental disability or infirmity (a) for a continuous period of six months or (b)
at such earlier time as a Manager submits satisfactory medical evidence that he
or she has a physical or mental disability or infirmity which will likely
prevent him or her from returning to the performance of his or her work duties
for six months or longer. The effective date of such Disability shall be the
last day of such six-month period or the date upon which the Manager submits
such satisfactory medical evidence, as the case may be. A determination of
Disability shall be made by an independent medical professional selected by the
Board of Directors of Acquisition, whose decision shall be final, binding and
non-appealable.

     1.15 "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
or any similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

     1.16 "Fair Market Value" means the Fair Market Value Per Share multiplied
by the number of shares of Common Stock being "called" or "put," as the case may
be, pursuant to the provisions of Article 7.

     1.17 "Fair Market Value Per Share" means the per share value of the Common
Stock (which shall be the same value for both the Series A Common Stock and the
Series B Common Stock) that is





                                        3
<PAGE>
 
determined by the affirmative vote of at least five members of the Board of
Directors of the Company, which value shall be evidenced by the execution of a
certificate (the "Certificate of Fair Market Value") that will be included in
the minute book of the Company. Such determination may be made every year at the
annual meeting of the Board of Directors, with the first such determination
being made on the date hereof, or at such other times as the Board of Directors
of the Company deems necessary. If a Certificate of Fair Market Value is not
executed for any year, the Fair Market Value Per Share shall be equal to the
amount set forth in the most recent Certificate of Fair Market Value. The
Stockholders agree that the Certificate of Fair Market Value that is executed by
the Board of Directors on the date hereof shall be effective until December 31,
1998, or such later date as a new Certificate of Fair Market Value may be
executed.

     1.18 "FASB" means the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

     1.19 "Financing Agreements" means each of the Credit Agreement, the
Purchase Agreement and any and all of the Company's and Acquisition's
agreements, instruments and documents executed in connection with the borrowing
of money, whether executed before, on or after the date of this Agreement, as
such agreements may be amended from time to time.

     1.20 "Institutional Investors" means each of MCIT (Existing Pool) Limited
and MCIT (New Pool) Limited, each a public company incorporated in England and a
wholly owned subsidiary of MCIT, and shall include any Permitted Transferee(s)
of an Institutional Investor.

     1.21 "Junior Note" means the non-negotiable promissory note issued by the
Company in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto.

     1.22 "JZCC" means Jordan/Zalaznick Capital Company, a general partnership
whose business address is 9 W. 57th Street, Suite 4000, New York, New York
10019.

     1.23 "Lien" means any lien, mortgage, security interest, claim,
restriction, encumbrance, pledge, hypothecation or interest of any Person, of
any kind or nature.

     1.24 "Management Consulting Agreement" means the Management Consulting
Agreement, dated the date hereof, between TJC Management Corporation and the
Company in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto.

     1.25 "Manager" means each of the individuals listed on Exhibit E attached
hereto, and shall include any Permitted Transferee(s) of such individuals.





                                        4
<PAGE>
 
     1.26 "Manager Noncompetition Agreement" means the noncompetition agreement
in the form of Exhibit F attached hereto.

     1.27 "Manager Notice" means the written notice delivered by a Manager, his
or her estate or a Manager Trust, as the case may be, to the Company to "put"
the shares of Common Stock owned by such Manager or Manager Trust, as set forth
in Article 7.

     1.28 "Manager Trust" means a trust created by a Manager for his or her
benefit or any immediate family member of such Manager.

     1.29 "MCIT" means MCIT PLC.

     1.30 "Permitted Transferee" means (a) in the case of any Series A Holder,
the Company or any other Series A Holder, (b) in the case of any Series A
Holder, any voting trust created, or agreement executed, for the purpose of
voting the shares of Series A Common Stock held by such holder, (c) in the case
of any Series B Holder, any other Series B Holder and any Person listed on
Exhibit G attached hereto, (d) in the case of any individual Stockholder, any
member of such Stockholder's immediate family (as defined in the regulations
promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act), including any child of a
deceased or living spouse of a Stockholder or the child or children of any such
child, (e) in the case of any individual Stockholder, any trust created for the
benefit of such Stockholder or any of his or her family members, (f) in the case
of any individual Stockholder, any legal representative and the testate or
intestate distributee(s) to whom such Stockholder shall transfer any Common
Stock at any time or from time to time, (g) in the case of any Stockholder that
is an Affiliate of The Jordan Company, any Person listed on Exhibit G attached
hereto and any other Person that is an Affiliate of The Jordan Company
(including Jordan Industries, Inc. and its officers and directors) or any of its
Affiliates, (h) with respect to JZCC, the Persons listed on Exhibit G attached
hereto, (i) in the case of any Institutional Investor, any other Person that is
an Affiliate of MCIT, and (j) in the case of any Institutional Investor, any
Person to whom such Institutional Investor may grant a Lien by way of a pledge
of the shares of Common Stock held by the Institutional Investor in connection
with the borrowing of money from such Person.

     1.31 "Person" means any individual, partnership, limited liability company,
corporation, association, joint stock company, trust, joint venture,
organization, and any governmental entity or any department, agency or
subdivision thereof.

     1.32 "Preferred Stock" means the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B
Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock.





                                        5
<PAGE>
 
     1.33 "Public Offering" means one, or the last in a series of, bona fide
public offerings by the Company of its Common Stock pursuant to a registration
statement or registration statements filed by the Company with the Commission,
where the aggregate gross proceeds to the Company from such public offering, or
from such series of public offerings, shall be not less than $50,000,000.

     1.34 "Purchase Agreement" means the Purchase Agreement between the Company
and MCIT, dated as of February 27, 1997, as amended from time to time.

     1.35 "Registration Expenses" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3.

     1.36 "Restricted Stock" means all of the Common Stock of the Company. As to
any particular Restricted Stock, such securities shall cease to be Restricted
Stock after issuance when (a) a registration statement with respect to the sale
of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such
securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with such registration
statement, (b) such securities shall have been distributed to the public
pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor provision) or are saleable pursuant to
Rule 144(k) (or any successor provision) under the Securities Act, (c) such
securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for them not
bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the
Company and subsequent disposition of them shall not require registration or
qualification of them under the Securities Act or any similar state law then in
force, or (d) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding.

     1.37 "Retirement" means the retirement by a Manager from employment with
Acquisition after such Manager has reached the age of 65, or such lower age as
may be set by the Board of Directors of the Company from time to time.

     1.38 "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any
similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

     1.39 "Senior Manager" means Robert M. Wolff, John L. Menghini, Robert G.
Shaw, Larry D. Graveel and Michael H. Gary, as provided in the context of the
Agreement.

     1.40 "Series A Common Stock" means the Company's Series A Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share, having the terms set forth in the Certificate of
Incorporation.

     1.41 "Series A Holder" means each Stockholder who holds any shares of
Series A Common Stock and shall include any Permitted





                                        6
<PAGE>
 
Transferee(s) of a Series A Holder. On the date hereof, all Series A Holders
shall be a Manager or a Manager Trust.

     1.42 "Series A Preferred Stock" means the Company's Series A 12% Cumulative
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, having the terms set forth in the
Certificate of Incorporation.

     1.43 "Series B Common Stock" means the Company's Series B Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share, having the terms set forth in the Certificate of
Incorporation.

     1.44 "Series B Holder" means each Stockholder who holds any shares of
Series B Common Stock and shall include any Permitted Transferee(s) of a Series
B Holder.

     1.45 "Series B Preferred Stock" means the Company's Series B 12% Cumulative
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, having the terms set forth in the
Certificate of Incorporation.

     1.46 "Series C Holder" means each Stockholder who holds any shares of
Series C Common Stock and shall include any Permitted Transferee(s) of a Series
C Holder.

     1.47 "Series C Preferred Stock" means the Company's Series C 12% Cumulative
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, having the terms set forth in the
Certificate of Incorporation.

     1.48 "Shares" means, with respect to each Stockholder, the shares of Stock
owned or held by such Stockholder.

     1.49 "Stock" means the Common Stock and the Preferred Stock.

     1.50 "Stockholder" means each of the parties to this Agreement and any
Permitted Transferee(s) of such parties.

     1.51 "Subscription Note" means the non-recourse promissory note executed by
a Manager or Manager Trust and issued to the Company, as holder, in connection
with such Manager's or Manager Trust's subscription of Stock hereunder.

     1.52 "Subsidiary" means, as to any Person, a corporation of which the
outstanding shares of stock having ordinary voting power (other than stock
having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a
majority of the board of directors of such corporation are at the time owned,
directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such
Person.

     1.53 "Tax Sharing Agreement" means the Tax Sharing Agreement, dated the
date hereof, by and between the Company and Acquisition in the form of Exhibit H
attached hereto.





                                        7
<PAGE>
 
     1.54 "Transfer" means any sale, transfer, assignment, pledge,
hypothecation, gift, bequest, granting of a Lien, or other disposition or event
of any kind that would (or could), directly or indirectly, by operation of law
or otherwise, change in any manner the actual or beneficial ownership of any
shares of Stock. Each Transfer must comply with all of the terms of this
Agreement.

     1.55 "Winning Ways" means Winning Ways, Inc., a Missouri corporation.

                                    ARTICLE 2

                               STOCK SUBSCRIPTIONS

     2.1 Subscription for Stock. Each Stockholder hereto hereby subscribes for
and agrees to purchase the number, series and type of shares of Stock set forth
opposite his, her or its name on Exhibit I attached hereto, and herewith tenders
to the Company for such Shares the consideration in the amount and type set
forth opposite his, her or its name on Exhibit I against delivery of a
certificate or certificates registered in the name of such Stockholder,
respectively, for the shares of Stock hereby subscribed. The Stockholders
acknowledge that the consideration for some of the shares of Stock will consist
of (i) shares of common stock of Winning Ways and/or (ii) a Subscription Note.

     2.2 Issuances of Shares. The Company hereby accepts the subscription of
each Stockholder and agrees to issue and deliver to each of them, against
payment by such Stockholder of the subscription price, a certificate or
certificates registered in the name of such Stockholder evidencing the shares of
Stock subscribed for by such Stockholder herein.

                                    ARTICLE 3

                          STOCKHOLDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

     3.1 Risk. Each Stockholder acknowledges to the Company and the other
Stockholders that he, she or it understands and agrees as follows:

          THE STOCK HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES
     LAWS. THE STOCK IS VERY SPECULATIVE AND RISKY. THERE IS NO PUBLIC OR OTHER
     MARKET FOR THE STOCK NOR IS ANY LIKELY TO DEVELOP. THE COMPANY HAS NO
     PREVIOUS FINANCIAL HISTORY AND HAS BORROWED SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE FUNDS
     AVAILABLE TO IT TO COMMENCE ITS BUSINESS. EACH STOCKHOLDER ACKNOWLEDGES
     THAT HE, SHE OR IT MAY AND CAN AFFORD TO LOSE HIS, HER OR ITS ENTIRE
     INVESTMENT AND THAT HE, SHE OR IT UNDERSTANDS THAT HE, SHE OR IT MAY HAVE
     TO HOLD THIS INVESTMENT INDEFINITELY.





                                        8
<PAGE>
 
     3.2 Review of Documents. Each Stockholder acknowledges that he, she or it
has had an ample opportunity to review and understand the current form of each
of the following documents and has requested and received a copy of each such
document, if so requested:

     (a)  the Certificate of Incorporation and the organizational resolutions of
          the Board of Directors of the Company;

     (b)  the By-Laws;

     (c)  the Junior Note;

     (d)  the Manager Noncompetition Agreement;

     (e)  the Management Consulting Agreement;

     (f)  the Tax Sharing Agreement;

     (g)  the Subscription Note;

     (h)  the Purchase Agreement; and

     (i)  the Credit Agreement.

     3.3 Information. Each Stockholder acknowledges that he, she or it has had
the opportunity, prior to signing this Agreement and the purchase of any Stock
hereunder, to ask questions of the officers of the Company concerning all
aspects of the sale of the Stock and to obtain any additional information, to
the extent the Company possesses such information or can acquire it without
unreasonable effort or expense, desired by the Stockholder.

     3.4 Other. Each Stockholder acknowledges that (i) in addition to the
restrictions against Transfer contained in this Agreement, certain of the
Financing Agreements may contain provisions which will result in an event of
default under such instrument if any of the shares of Common Stock are
Transferred to a transferee that is not a Permitted Transferee and (ii) shares
of Series A Common Stock that are reserved for issuance to employees of
Acquisition at such time as the Board of Directors may determine will, if such
shares are issued, dilute each Stockholder's economic and equity interest in the
Company in an amount equal to not more than five (5) percent of the total number
of shares of Common Stock currently outstanding.

     3.5 Employment. Each Stockholder who is a Manager or the settlor or
beneficiary of a Manager Trust (other than Robert Wolff) acknowledges that he or
she is an "at-will" employee of Acquisition and that as such, the employment of
such person by





                                        9
<PAGE>
 
Acquisition is terminable by Acquisition at any time without notice and with or
without Cause.


                                    ARTICLE 4

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

     As a material inducement to the Stockholders to purchase shares of the
Company's capital stock and to enter into and perform their obligations under
this Agreement, the Company makes the representations and warranties set forth
in this Article 4.

     4.1 Organization, etc. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware.
Since its date of incorporation, the Company has not engaged in any activities
of any nature, except as contemplated by this Agreement, the Acquisition
Agreement and the Financing Agreements. The Company has all requisite corporate
power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to
be conducted.

     4.2 Capital Stock.

          (a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 1,105
     shares of Series A Common Stock, 1,000 shares of which are currently issued
     and outstanding, 1,000 shares of Series B Common Stock, all of which are
     currently issued and outstanding, 13,500 shares of Series A Preferred
     Stock, all of which are issued and outstanding, 11,000 shares of Series B
     Preferred Stock, all of which are issued and outstanding, and 2,500 shares
     of Series C Preferred Stock, all of which are issued and outstanding. All
     of the shares of outstanding Stock have been duly authorized and are
     validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

          (b) The delivery by the Company of the certificate(s) to each
     Stockholder representing the shares of Stock to be issued to such
     Stockholder transfers and conveys to such Stockholder good and marketable
     title to such shares of Stock, free and clear of all Liens, except for the
     restrictions against Transfer set forth in this Agreement and in the legend
     set forth on the shares of Stock, and any restrictions arising under
     federal and state securities laws.

          (c) The Company has not issued, nor is there outstanding, any capital
     stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its
     capital stock.

     4.3 Authority Relative to Agreement. The execution, delivery and
performance by the Company of this Agreement and each agreement contemplated
hereby and the issuance of the shares of





                                       10
<PAGE>
 
Stock have been duly authorized by the Company, and the Company has all
necessary corporate power and authority to issue the shares of Stock and to
execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and each agreement contemplated
hereby to which the Company will be a party. This Agreement and each agreement
contemplated hereby to which the Company will be a party constitutes a legal and
valid obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
with its respective terms.

     4.4 No Breach; Consents. The execution, delivery and performance by the
Company of this Agreement and each agreement contemplated hereby, the issuance
of the shares of Stock, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby do not and will not (i) conflict with or result in any breach
of any of the provisions of, (ii) constitute a default under or (iii) result in
a violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of
the Company, any indenture, mortgage, lease, loan agreement or other agreement
or instrument to which the Company or its properties are subject, or any law,
statute, rule or regulation to which the Company or its properties are subject.
The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and
each agreement contemplated hereby, the issuance of the shares of Stock, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will
not result in the creation of any Lien upon the Stock or the assets of the
Company (other than the pledge by the Company of its stock in Acquisition), or
require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption or other action by or
notice (other than filings or notices, if applicable, pursuant to applicable
"blue sky" or state securities laws) to any court or other governmental body.


                                    ARTICLE 5

                       REPRESENTATIONS OF EACH STOCKHOLDER

     As a material inducement to the Company to issue the Stock to each
Stockholder, each Stockholder (except in Section 5.1 below) severally, and not
jointly, represents and warrants to the Company for himself, herself or itself
as follows:

     5.1 Offering Memorandum. Each of the Senior Managers has reviewed the
Offering Memorandum, dated February 20, 1997 (the "Offering Memorandum"), of
Acquisition. Based on such review, none of the Senior Managers knows of any
material misstatements or omissions in the Offering Memorandum, including but
not limited to (i) any material transaction between Winning Ways and the Senior
Manager or any Affiliate of such Senior Manager not already included in the
section of the Offering Memorandum entitled "Certain Transactions" and (ii) any
material risk factors relating to the operating history, financial position or
the nature of the existing and planned business of Winning Ways that are not
already





                                       11
<PAGE>
 
set forth in the section of the Offering Memorandum entitled "Risk Factors."

     5.2 Investment Experience; Risk Factors. The Stockholder has such knowledge
and experience in financial, investment and business matters that he, she or it
is capable of evaluating the merits, risks and advisability of an investment in
the Stock. The Stockholder acknowledges and understands that (a) the Company is
newly formed and has no operating history, (b) the Company is unlikely to pay
dividends in respect of the Stock, (c) payment of dividends and distributions in
respect of the Stock is restricted by applicable law and by the Financing
Agreements and may be restricted by future agreements or instruments binding on
the Company or its properties, and (d) the Company will be significantly
leveraged. The Stockholder has carefully reviewed Article 7 and acknowledges
that the shares of Common Stock to be issued will be subject to the Transfer
restrictions and provisions set forth in that Article.

     5.3 Information. The Company has made available to the Stockholder its
Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws and all other documents and information
that such Stockholder has requested relating to an investment in the Company.
The Company has afforded such Stockholder the opportunity to discuss an
investment in the Stock and to ask questions of representatives of the Company
concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of the Stock, and such
representatives have provided answers to all such questions concerning the
offering of the Stock. Such Stockholder has examined or has had the opportunity
to examine before the date hereof all information that he, she or it deems to be
material to an understanding of the Company and Acquisition, the proposed
business of the Company and Acquisition, and the offering of the Stock and has
consulted with his, her or its financial advisors, accountants and his, her or
its attorneys as he, she or it deemed appropriate with respect to an
understanding of the Company and Acquisition, the proposed business of the
Company and Acquisition and the offering of the Stock.

     5.4 Investment. The Stockholder acknowledges that the Stock will be
acquired solely by and for the account of such Stockholder for investment
purposes only, and is not being purchased for subdivision, fractionalization,
resale or distribution. Such Stockholder has no contract, undertaking, agreement
or arrangement to Transfer any of the Stock which such Stockholder has acquired
hereunder. Such Stockholder has no present plans or intentions to enter into any
such contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement. The Stockholder
acknowledges that the Stock has not been registered or qualified for resale
under applicable federal and state securities laws, and may not be sold except
pursuant to a registration or qualification thereunder or an exemption
therefrom. The Stockholder is capable of bearing the economic risk of investing
in the Stock, can afford





                                       12
<PAGE>
 
a total loss of such investment, and the financial condition of such Stockholder
is such that he, she or it has no need for liquidity with respect to his, her or
its investment in the Stock and no present or foreseeable need to dispose of any
portion of the Stock to satisfy any existing or contemplated undertaking or
indebtedness. Such Stockholder has adequate means of providing for his, her or
its current needs and possible contingencies.

     5.5 Legend. Each certificate for shares of Stock will be imprinted with a
legend in substantially the following form:

     THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
     UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
     THE TRANSFER OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT IS SUBJECT TO
     TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS, OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE
     SUBSCRIPTION AND STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT, DATED FEBRUARY 27, 1997 AMONG THE
     COMPANY, THE HOLDER HEREOF AND THE COMPANY'S STOCKHOLDERS. A COPY OF SUCH
     SUBSCRIPTION AND STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED BY THE COMPANY
     WITHOUT CHARGE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST ADDRESSED TO THE COMPANY'S OFFICES AT 9
     WEST 57TH STREET, SUITE 4000, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019, ATTENTION: A.
     RICHARD CAPUTO, JR.

     Each Stockholder acknowledges that the effect of this legend, among other
things, is or may be to limit or destroy the value of the certificate for
purposes of sale or for use as loan collateral. Each Stockholder consents that
"stop transfer" instructions may be noted against the Stock.

     5.6 Independent Decision. The decision of the Stockholder to acquire the
Stock hereunder has been made by such Stockholder independent of any other
Stockholder and independent of any statements, disclosures or judgments as to
the properties, business, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the
Company which may have been made or given by any Stockholder or other Person.
The Stockholder agrees and acknowledges that no other Stockholder or any Person
has acted, is expected to act, or will act as the agent or representative of
such Stockholder in connection with making, closing or monitoring of his, her or
its investment hereunder. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Institutional Investors have and will rely on the advice of Jordan/Zalaznick
Advisers, Inc. as contemplated by the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated
December 19, 1994.

     5.7 Binding Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal and binding
obligation of such Stockholder, enforceable against such Stockholder in
accordance with its terms.





                                       13
<PAGE>
 
                                    ARTICLE 6

                         OTHER AGREEMENTS AND COVENANTS

     6.1 Survival. All representations and warranties contained herein or
otherwise made in writing by any party in connection herewith will survive the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, regardless of any investigation made by any party or on
his, her or its behalf.

     6.2 Voting Agreements and Rights. Until such time as the Company shall
consummate a Public Offering and except as otherwise provided below, each
Stockholder agrees to vote all shares of Common Stock owned of record or
beneficially by such Stockholder, and to otherwise use his, her or its best
efforts, to (i) maintain a Board of Directors of the Company and Acquisition
consisting of seven members, three of whom shall be nominated and elected by the
holders of the Series A Common Stock (the "Series A Directors"), three of whom
shall be nominated and elected by the holders of the Series B Common Stock (the
"Series B Directors") and one of whom shall be nominated and elected by all the
holders of the Common Stock (the "Common Director"); (ii) not remove or permit
the removal of any Series A Director from the Board of Directors of the Company
or Acquisition without the consent of the holders who hold a majority of the
number of shares of Series A Common Stock held by all the holders of Series A
Common Stock; (iii) not remove or permit the removal of any Series B Director
from the Board of Directors of the Company or Acquisition without the consent of
the holders of a majority of the number of shares of Series B Common Stock and
(iv) not remove or permit the removal of the Common Director from the Board of
Directors of the Company or Acquisition without the consent of the holders of a
majority of the number of shares of Common Stock.

     6.3 Corporate Transactions.

          (a) Each Stockholder agrees that without the affirmative vote of at
     least five directors, neither the Board of Directors of the Company or
     Acquisition will:

               (i) recommend to the Stockholders the dissolution of the Company
          or Acquisition or cause or effect any other change to the Certificate
          of Incorporation or ByLaws of the Company or the certificate of
          incorporation or By-laws of Acquisition;

               (ii) increase the Board of Directors of the Company or
          Acquisition to more than seven members;





                                       14
<PAGE>
 
               (iii) recommend to the Stockholders the merger or consolidation
          of the Company or Acquisition with or into, or the sale of
          substantially all of the assets of the Company or Acquisition, to any
          Person;

               (iv) authorize or approve (A) the issuance of any additional
          equity securities of the Company or Acquisition (including the
          issuance of any securities pursuant to a Public Offering) or options,
          warrants, rights, contracts, commitments, understandings or
          arrangements by which the Company or Acquisition may be bound to issue
          any additional securities or options to purchase securities of the
          Company or Acquisition, (B) the Company's or Acquisition's issuance of
          any indebtedness for borrowed money outside the ordinary course of
          business or (C) the execution by the Company or Acquisition of any
          capital lease outside the ordinary course of business;

               (v) authorize or approve the Company's or Acquisition's entry
          into any transactions with any Affiliate of the Company or
          Acquisition, as the case may be (excluding the Management Consulting
          Agreement and the Tax Sharing Agreement);

               (vi) other than as may be required by FASB, authorize or approve
          any change in accounting policies or methodologies;

               (vii) authorize or approve any change in the fiscal year from
          July 1 to June 30 of the following year;

               (viii) declare, cause to be declared, issue, or cause to be
          issued, any dividends or distributions, whether payable in stock, cash
          or other property;

               (ix) authorize or approve the acquisition of any capital stock or
          equity interests of any Person;

               (x) authorize or approve the acquisition of substantially all of
          the assets of any Person;

               (xi) guarantee any obligation of any Person, other than the
          obligations of Acquisition or any other Subsidiary;

               (xii) authorize or approve the termination or dismissal of
          Donnelly Meiners Jordan Kline PC or Deloitte & Touche LLP as the
          principal accounting firms of the Company or Acquisition;





                                       15
<PAGE>
 
               (xiii) authorize or approve any change in the annual base
          compensation of any Series A Director who is an employee of the
          Company, Acquisition or any Subsidiary of the Company, or authorize or
          approve any change in the annual base compensation of the Common
          Director if he or she is an employee of the Company, Acquisition or
          any Subsidiary of the Company;

               (xiv) approve (A) the annual capital expenditure budget or (B) or
          authorize any capital expenditure in an amount greater than the amount
          set forth on such capital expenditure budget; or

               (xv) lower the age of Retirement to a year less than 65.

          (b) Each Stockholder agrees that, without the affirmative vote of (i)
     at least three directors who are not Series B Directors and (ii) two of the
     Series B Directors, neither the Board of Directors of the Company or
     Acquisition will, in any instance, terminate the employment of any Series A
     Director or the Common Director.

          (c) Each Stockholder agrees that, without the written approval of the
     Stockholders who hold at least 75 percent of the shares of Common Stock,
     the Stockholders will not in any instance:

               (i) approve the dissolution of the Company or any change to the
          Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws;

               (ii) approve the merger or consolidation of the Company with or
          into, or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company
          to, any Person; or

               (iii) approve the expansion of the Board of Directors of the
          Company to more than seven members.

     6.4 Non-Disclosure. Each Stockholder agrees that he, she or it will not,
any time or in any manner, directly or indirectly, use or disclose to any party
other than the Company or Acquisition any trade secrets or other Confidential
Information (as defined below) learned or obtained by such Stockholder while a
stockholder, officer, director or employee of the Company, Acquisition or
Winning Ways. As used herein, the term "Confidential Information" means
information disclosed to or known by a Stockholder as a consequence of such
Stockholder's position with the Company or Acquisition or such Stockholder's
previous position with Winning Ways and not generally known in the industry in
which the Company, Acquisition or Winning Ways is engaged and that in any way
relates to the Company's, Acquisition's or Winning Ways' products, processes,
services, inventions (whether patentable or





                                       16
<PAGE>
 
not), formulas, techniques or know-how, including, but not limited to,
information relating to distribution systems and methods, research, development,
manufacturing, purchasing, accounting, engineering, marketing, merchandising and
selling. Each Stockholder acknowledges that the release of any Confidential
Information of the Company, Acquisition or Winning Ways to unauthorized persons
would be extremely detrimental to the Company and Acquisition and each
Stockholder agrees to use such Stockholder's best efforts to safeguard such
Confidential Information from unauthorized persons. Upon termination of
employment, or whenever any of the Company, Acquisition or Winning Ways shall
request, each Stockholder shall deliver and return promptly to Acquisition all
tangible embodiments (including all copies) of the Confidential Information in
the possession or under the control of such Stockholder.

     6.5 Inventions. Each Stockholder agrees that all inventions conceived of or
developed by such Stockholder during the term of such Stockholder's employment
with Acquisition, whether alone or jointly with others and whether during
working hours or otherwise, which relate to the business currently conducted by
the Company, Acquisition or Winning Ways, or any business or other company in
which the Company or Acquisition, directly or indirectly, now or hereafter has
an ownership interest, shall be Acquisition's exclusive property. Each
Stockholder shall (i) promptly disclose in writing to Acquisition each invention
conceived or developed by such Stockholder during the term of such Stockholder's
employment with Acquisition, (ii) assign all rights to such inventions to
Acquisition and (iii) assist Acquisition in every way to obtain and protect any
patents on such inventions.

     6.6 Affiliate Transactions. Except for the agreements between Winning Ways
and each of Impact Design and Kansas Custom Embroidery, each Stockholder agrees
that, for so long as such Stockholder or any member of such Stockholder's family
is the beneficial owner of any Stock, neither such Stockholder, any member of
such Stockholder's family, any Affiliate of such Stockholder nor any Permitted
Transferee of such Stockholder shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any
business transaction with the Company, Acquisition or any of their Affiliates
without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors of the Company.


                                    ARTICLE 7

                       DISPOSITION RESTRICTIONS; CO-SALE;
                              PUTS AND CALLS; ETC.

     7.1 Restrictions on Sale of Stock. The terms of this Article 7 shall
terminate upon consummation of a Public Offering. Any Shares included in a
public offering shall not be subject to the restrictions set forth in this
Article 7.





                                       17
<PAGE>
 
          (a) Each Stockholder agrees that all shares of Common Stock and all
     other securities of the Company convertible into, exchangeable for or
     entitling the holder thereof to acquire shares of Common Stock now or
     hereafter owned by him, her or it or in which the Stockholder has any
     interest, legally or beneficially, shall be subject to the terms and
     conditions of this Article 7. No Stockholder may Transfer any shares of
     Common Stock unless (i) such Stockholder is in receipt of a Bona Fide Offer
     and (ii) all the terms and conditions of this Agreement have been
     satisfied. Any purported Transfer in violation of this Agreement shall be
     void.

          (b) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the
     contrary, the shares of Common Stock held by a Stockholder may be
     Transferred to any Permitted Transferee, but the restrictions herein shall
     apply to any further Transfer by any such Permitted Transferee. It shall be
     a condition precedent to any Transfer permitted under the preceding
     sentence that the Permitted Transferee execute and deliver an agreement
     acknowledging that all shares so Transferred have been acquired for
     investment and not for distribution and are and shall remain subject to
     this Agreement. All references in this Agreement to shares of Common Stock
     held by a Stockholder shall include, without duplication, shares of Common
     Stock, if any, held by his, her or its Permitted Transferee. Whenever a
     Stockholder shall be obligated to sell shares of Common Stock held by him,
     her or it under this Agreement (as opposed to the right of a Stockholder to
     "put" shares of Common Stock to the Company), each Permitted Transferee of
     such Stockholder shall be obligated to sell all the shares of Common Stock
     which the Permitted Transferee holds, to the same purchaser(s) and on the
     same terms and conditions.

     7.2 Company Termination.

          (a) If Acquisition terminates the employment of any Manager for Cause,
     the Company may elect, at its option, to repurchase all of the Common Stock
     owned by such Manager or the Manager Trust of which such Manager is the
     settlor or beneficiary. The Company's "call" option granted under this
     Section 7.2(a) shall be exercised by delivery of the Company Notice to such
     Manager within three hundred sixty (360) days from the date on which
     Acquisition terminated such Manager's employment for Cause. The "call"
     price of the Common Stock shall be an amount equal to the greater of (i)
     one-half of the Fair Market Value or (ii) two-thirds of the Cost; provided,
     however, if such Manager executes a Manager Noncompetition Agreement at the
     Closing, the "call" price shall be an amount equal to the Fair Market
     Value. The Closing for the Company's purchase of the shares of Common Stock
     held by a Manager or





                                       18
<PAGE>
 
     Manager Trust pursuant to this Section 7.2(a) shall occur no later than
     sixty (60) days following the date the "call" option is exercised by the
     Company.

          (b) If Acquisition terminates the employment of any Manager for any
     reason other than Cause or Disability, including death, such Manager, his
     or her estate or the Manager Trust of which such Manager is the settlor or
     beneficiary, as the case may be, may elect, at his, her or its option, to
     have the Company repurchase all of the Common Stock owned by such Manager
     or Manager Trust. The "put" option granted under this Section 7.2(b) shall
     be exercised by delivery of the Manager Notice to the Company within thirty
     (30) days from the date on which Acquisition terminated such Manager's
     employment without Cause. The "put" price of the Common Stock owned by a
     Manager or Manager Trust shall be an amount equal to the Fair Market Value.
     The Closing for the Company's purchase of the shares of Common Stock held
     by a Manager or Manager Trust pursuant to this Section 7.2(b) shall occur
     no later than sixty (60) days following the date the "put" option is
     exercised by a Manager or Manager Trust.

          (c) If Acquisition terminates the employment of any Manager for
     Disability, such Manager, his or her estate or the Manager Trust of which
     such Manager is the settlor or beneficiary, as the case may be, may elect,
     at his, her or its option, to have the Company repurchase all of the Common
     Stock owned by such Manager or Manager Trust. The "put" option granted
     under this Section 7.2(b) shall be exercised by delivery of the Manager
     Notice to the Company within thirty (30) days from the date on which
     Acquisition terminated such Manager's employment without Cause. The "put"
     price of the Common Stock shall be an amount equal to the greater of (i)
     one-half of the Fair Market Value or (ii) two-thirds of the Cost; provided,
     however, if such Manager executes a Manager Noncompetition Agreement at the
     Closing, the "put" price shall be an amount equal to the Fair Market Value.
     The Closing for the Company's purchase of the shares of Common Stock held
     by a Manager or Manager Trust pursuant to this Section 7.2(c) shall occur
     no later than sixty (60) days following the date the "put" option is
     exercised by a Manager or Manager Trust.

     7.3 Manager Termination. Subject to Section 7.4, if any Manager voluntarily
terminates his or her employment with Acquisition for any reason or for no
reason, the Company may elect, at its option, to repurchase all of the Common
Stock owned by such Manager or the Manager Trust of which such Manager is the
settlor or beneficiary. The Company's "call" option granted under this Section
7.3 shall be exercised by delivery of the Company Notice to such Manager within
three hundred sixty (360) days from the date on which such Manager voluntarily
terminated his or her employment with Acquisition. The "call" price of the
Common Stock shall be an





                                       19
<PAGE>
 
amount equal to the greater of (i) one-half of the Fair Market Value or (ii)
two-thirds of the Cost; provided, however, if the Manager executes a Manager
Noncompetition Agreement at the Closing, the "call" price shall be an amount
equal to the Fair Market Value. The Closing for the Company's purchase of the
shares of Common Stock held by a Manager or Manager Trust pursuant to this
Section 7.3 shall occur no later than sixty (60) days following the date of the
exercise of the "call" option by the Company.

     7.4 Retirement. Upon the Retirement of any Manager, such Manager may elect,
as his or her option, to have the Company repurchase all of his or her Common
Stock or the Common Stock held by a Manager Trust of which such Manager is the
settlor or beneficiary. A Manager's or Manager Trust's "put" option granted
under this Section 7.4 shall be exercised by delivery of the Manager Notice to
the Company within thirty (30) days from the date of the Retirement of such
Manager. In the event of the Retirement of any Manager, the "put" price of the
Common Stock owned by a Manager or a Manager Trust shall be an amount equal to
the greater of (i) one-half of the Fair Market Value or (ii) two-thirds of the
Cost; provided, however, if such Manager executes a Manager Noncompetition
Agreement at the Closing, the "put" price shall be an amount equal to the Fair
Market Value. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section to the
contrary, the Company shall have no obligation to purchase any shares of Common
Stock held by a Manager or Manager Trust until such time as such Manager
executes a Manager Noncompetition Agreement. The Closing for the Company's
purchase of the shares of Common Stock held by a Manager or Manager Trust
pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall occur no later than sixty (60) days following
the date of such Manager's Retirement from the Company, on a date to be set by
the Company.

     7.5 Payment. Any amounts payable to a Manager or Manager Trust pursuant to
Sections 7.2, 7.3 or 7.4 shall be paid in cash and shall be delivered to the
Manager or Manager Trust at the Closing; provided, however, the Company may
elect, at its option, to defer payment of 75 percent of the "call" price or
"put" price to be paid to such Manager or Manager Trust by executing and
delivering a Junior Note to such Manager or Manager Trust at the Closing.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section, the Company
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make such payment in cash.

     7.6 Restrictions on Payments by Company. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Agreement, all payments and installments pursuant to
this Article 7 shall be subject to (a) applicable restrictions contained in any
applicable law, (b) restrictions contained in the Company's and its
subsidiaries' debt and equity financing agreements and (c) the availability of
cash to make any lump sum cash payments. If any such restrictions or
unavailability prohibit any such payments or installments which the Company is
otherwise entitled or required to





                                       20
<PAGE>
 
make, the time periods for making such payments or installments shall be tolled
and the Company shall make such payments and installments as soon as it is
permitted to do so under such restrictions.

     7.7 Right of First Refusal.

          (a) Except for Transfers to a Permitted Transferee, if at any time any
     Stockholder receives and desires to accept a Bona Fide Offer to sell Common
     Stock (such Stockholder receiving the Bona Fide Offer is hereafter referred
     as a "Selling Stockholder"), then such Selling Stockholder shall deliver
     written notice of the Bona Fide Offer (the "ROFR Notice"), within 30 days
     of receipt of the Bona Fide Offer, to each of the other Stockholders and to
     the Company setting forth the number and series of shares of Common Stock
     proposed to be purchased in the Bona Fide Offer (the "Offered Securities")
     and the price and the other terms contained in the Bona Fide Offer.

          (b) Upon receipt of the ROFR Notice, the Company and the other
     Stockholders then shall have the right to purchase at the price and on the
     terms contained in the ROFR Notice all or, subject to Section 7.7(c), a
     portion of the Offered Securities in the following order of priority: (i)
     if the Selling Stockholder is a Series A Holder, then the other Series A
     Holders shall have the right to purchase the Offered Securities, pro rata
     among those Series A Holders so electing on the basis of the respective
     number of shares of Series A Common Stock owned by such Series A Holders
     (or in such other proportion as the Series A Holders may agree), then the
     Series B Holders shall have the second right to purchase the Offered
     Securities, pro rata among those Series B Holders so electing on the basis
     of the respective number of shares of Series B Common Stock owned by such
     Series B Holders (or in such other proportion as the Series B Holders may
     agree) and thereafter, the Company shall have the right to purchase the
     Offered Securities; and (ii) if the Selling Stockholder is a Series B
     Holder, the other Series B Holders shall have the first right to purchase
     the Offered Securities, pro rata among those Series B Holders so electing
     on the basis of the respective number of shares of Series B Common Stock
     owned by such Series B Holders (or in such other proportion as the other
     Series B Holders may agree), then the Series A Holders shall have the
     second right to purchase the Offered Securities, pro rata among those
     Series A Holders so electing on the basis of the respective number of
     shares of Series A Common Stock owned by such Series A Holders (or in such
     other proportion as the Series A Holders may agree) and thereafter, the
     Company shall have the right to purchase the Offered Securities. The rights
     of the parties pursuant to this Section 7.7(b) shall be exercisable by the
     delivery of written notice to the Selling





                                       21
<PAGE>
 
     Stockholder (the "Notice of Exercise") within 30 calendar days from the
     date of delivery of the ROFR Notice. The Notice of Exercise shall state the
     number of shares and series of the Offered Securities each party is willing
     to purchase without regard to whether any other party purchases any shares
     of the Offered Securities. A copy of such Notice of Exercise also shall be
     delivered by each party to the Company. The rights of the parties pursuant
     to this Section 7.7(b) shall terminate if unexercised 30 calendar days
     after the date of delivery of the ROFR Notice.

          (c) If all notices required to be given pursuant to paragraphs (a) and
     (b) of this Section 7.7 have been duly given and the parties do not
     exercise their respective options to purchase all of the Offered Securities
     at the price and on the terms set forth in the Bona Fide Offer, and the
     Selling Stockholder does not desire to sell less than all of the Offered
     Securities, then the Selling Stockholder shall have the right, subject to
     compliance by the Selling Stockholder with all the other provisions of this
     Agreement, including, without limitation, the terms of Section 7.8, to
     consummate such transaction on the terms contemplated by the Bona Fide
     Offer.

          (d) Subject to Section 1.4 hereof, the closing of the purchase of the
     Offered Securities shall occur at the time and place (i) specified in the
     Bona Fide Offer in the event that the Offered Securities are purchased by
     the Offeror or (ii) mutually agreed upon by the Selling Stockholder and the
     Company and/or one or more other purchasers in the event that the Offered
     Securities are purchased pursuant to Section 7.7(b) hereof.

     7.8 Right of Co-Sale.

          (a) Subject in each case to the rights of the parties set forth in
     Section 7.7 above, in the event a Selling Stockholder proposes to Transfer
     for value pursuant to a Bona Fide Offer any of the Common Stock owned of
     record or beneficially by him, her or it (the "Transfer Stock") to any
     Person (other than a Permitted Transferee) (a "Stockholder Transferee"),
     the Selling Stockholder shall require the Stockholder Transferee, as a
     condition precedent to the consummation of the Transfer of the Transfer
     Stock to the Stockholder Transferee, to irrevocably offer to acquire from
     each Stockholder, including the Selling Stockholder (collectively, the
     "Tag-Along Stockholders"), on the same terms as the proposed Transfer of
     the Transfer Stock, that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the
     product of (A) the total number of shares of Common Stock that constitute
     Transfer Stock multiplied by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the
     number of shares of Common Stock owned by such





                                       22
<PAGE>
 
     Tag-Along Stockholder and the denominator of which is the total number of
     shares of Common Stock owned by all of the Tag-Along Stockholders (with
     respect to each Tag-Along Stockholder, such number of shares is hereinafter
     referred to as "Allocation Stock").

          (b) The Selling Stockholder shall give written notice (the "Co-Sale
     Notice") to each other Stockholder which shall describe the material terms
     of the proposed Transfer, the number of shares of Transfer Stock to be
     transferred, the total number of shares of Common Stock held by such
     Selling Stockholder, the name and address of the Stockholder Transferee and
     the proposed closing date of the Transfer. Each other Stockholder shall
     have 30 days after receipt of the Co-Sale Notice to accept such offer as to
     all or a portion of the Allocation Stock and notify the Selling Stockholder
     in writing of the number of shares of Allocation Stock, if any, such other
     Stockholder wishes to Transfer to the Stockholder Transferee. The Selling
     Stockholder may not consummate the proposed Transfer to the Stockholder
     Transferee, except on the terms set forth in the Co-Sale Notice and unless
     (x) the sale of Allocation Stock pursuant to the right of co-sale of each
     other Stockholder who timely accepts the offer of the Stockholder
     Transferee is consummated simultaneously, or (y) each other Stockholder
     waives the right of co-sale as to all or part of the Allocation Stock, or
     (z) the irrevocable offer expires without acceptance by any other
     Stockholder during the 30 day period.

     7.9 Obligation to Sell Stock. Notwithstanding any of the rights granted
elsewhere in this Agreement, in the event Stockholders holding 75 percent of the
Common Stock of the Company (the "Section 7.9 Holders") agree, in a bona fide
arm's length transaction with an independent Person who is not an Affiliate of
the Section 7.9 Holders, to Transfer for value all of the shares of Common Stock
then held by them, then upon the written demand of the Section 7.9 Holders,
which shall be given not less than 30 calendar days prior to the date of such
proposed Transfer, all the other Stockholders shall Transfer all of the shares
of Common Stock held by each of them as is proposed to be Transferred by the
Section 7.9 Holders, at the same price and on the same terms and conditions as
those set forth in the Section 7.9 Holders' written demand, to the buyer or
transferee designated in the written demand. At the date set forth in the
written demand from the Section 7.9 Holders, the other Stockholders shall (i)
execute such documents as reasonably may be requested in the Section 7.9
Holders' demand notice and (ii) deliver certificate(s) for the shares of Common
Stock to be sold, duly endorsed for transfer in the form required, with
signatures guaranteed, to the Section 7.9 Holders or the buyer or other
transferee at the Company's principal office or such other place as the Company
or the Section 7.9 Holders shall select, and the Section 7.9 Holders shall cause
the purchase price to be paid to





                                       23
<PAGE>
 
the other Stockholders in the same form and species as paid to the Section 7.9
Holders. In the event that any Stockholder fails to deliver the shares of Common
Stock held by him, her or it, said Stockholder shall for all purposes be deemed
no longer to be a stockholder of the Company, shall have no voting rights, shall
not be entitled to any dividends or other distributions with respect to shares
of Common Stock held by him, her or it, and shall have none of the rights or
privileges granted to stockholders of the Company under this or any other
agreement. If the Section 7.9 Holders fail to make demand on the other
Stockholders to sell their shares of Common Stock, such other Stockholders shall
have the rights set forth under Sections 7.7 and 7.8.

     7.10 Failure to Give Notice; Waiver. For purposes of this Article 7, any
Stockholder who has failed to give notice of the election of a right or option
hereunder within the specified time period will be deemed to have waived his,
her or its rights on the day after the last day of such period. Each Stockholder
agrees and acknowledges that the Company may purchase or acquire shares of
Common Stock pursuant to this Article 7, and approves such purchases and
acquisitions, and waives any objection or claim relating thereto, whether
against the Company, its Board of Directors or otherwise.


                                    ARTICLE 8

                               REGISTRATION RIGHTS

     8.1 Piggyback Registration. If the Company, at any time after consummation
of a Public Offering, proposes to register any of its Common Stock under the
Securities Act for sale to the public (other than pursuant to a registration
statement on forms S-4 or S- 8, or any successor forms), each such time the
Company will give written notice to each Stockholder of its intention to do so.
Upon the written request of a Stockholder received by the Company within 30 days
after the giving of any such notice by the Company, to register such number of
shares of Restricted Stock owned of record or beneficially by such Stockholder
specified in such written request, the Company will use its best efforts to
cause the Restricted Stock as to which registration shall have been so requested
to be included in the shares of Common Stock to be covered by the registration
statement proposed to be filed by the Company, all to the extent requisite to
permit the Transfer by each Stockholder (in accordance with his, her or its
written request) of such Restricted Stock once so registered. In the event that
any registration pursuant to this Section 8.1 shall be, in whole or in part, an
underwritten public offering of Common Stock, the number of shares of Restricted
Stock requested to be included in such an underwriting may be reduced if and to
the extent that the managing underwriter shall be of the opinion that such
inclusion would adversely affect the marketing of the shares of Common Stock to
be





                                       24
<PAGE>
 
sold by the Company or any other Person therein. In the event such a reduction
is necessary, (1) the Stockholders requesting to sell Restricted Stock in the
public offering shall bear the reduction on a pro rata basis, based on the
number of shares of Restricted Stock each such Stockholder requested to offer
for sale in the underwritten public offering, or (2) a Stockholder may elect to
withdraw from such registration all shares of Restricted Stock held by him, her
or it as to which registration was requested. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions, the Company may withdraw any registration statement referred to in
this Section 8.1 without thereby incurring any liability to any Stockholder.

     8.2 Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company is required by the
provisions of Section 8.1 hereof to use its best efforts to effect the
registration of any shares of Restricted Stock under the Securities Act, the
Company will promptly:

          (a) prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement
     (which shall be on any form of general applicability satisfactory to the
     managing underwriter with respect to such securities);

          (b) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
     supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in
     connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration
     statement effective for the period of distribution and comply with the
     provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all
     Restricted Stock covered by such registration statement in accordance with
     the intended method of disposition set forth in such registration statement
     for such period;

          (c) furnish to each selling Stockholder and to each underwriter such
     number of copies of the registration statement and the prospectus included
     therein (including each preliminary prospectus) as such Persons reasonably
     may request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of
     the Restricted Stock covered by such registration statement;

          (d) use its best efforts to register or qualify the Restricted Stock
     covered by such registration statement under the securities or "blue sky"
     laws of such jurisdictions as each selling Stockholder, or, in the case of
     an underwritten public offering, the managing underwriter reasonably shall
     request; provided, however, that the Company shall not for any such purpose
     be required to qualify generally to transact business as a foreign
     corporation in any jurisdiction where it is not so qualified or to consent
     to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;





                                       25
<PAGE>
 
          (e) use its best efforts to list the Restricted Stock that is Common
     Stock covered by such registration statement with any securities exchange
     or the NASDAQ Stock Market National Market on which the Common Stock of the
     Company is then listed or quoted;

          (f) notify each selling Stockholder at any time when a prospectus
     relating to Restricted Stock is required to be delivered under the
     Securities Act of the happening of any event as a result of which the
     prospectus included in such registration statement contains an untrue
     statement of a material fact or omits any fact necessary to make the
     statements therein not misleading, and the Company will prepare a
     supplement or amendment to such prospectus (at the expense of the party
     making or omitting such material fact) so that, as thereafter delivered to
     the purchasers of such Restricted Stock, such prospectus will not contain
     an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any fact necessary
     to make the statements therein not misleading; provided that the 180-day
     period described below will be tolled from the time a prospectus contains
     such a statement or omission until a prospectus correcting such statement
     or omission has been delivered to the Stockholder and may be delivered to
     the purchasers of such Restricted Stock in compliance with the Securities
     Act;

          (g) notify each selling Stockholder immediately, and confirm the
     notice in writing, (1) when the registration statement becomes effective,
     (2) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of the
     initiation, or the written threat, of any proceedings for that purpose, (3)
     of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the
     suspension of qualification of the Restricted Stock for sale in any
     jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the written threat, of any
     proceedings for that purpose, and (4) of the receipt of any comments, or
     requests for additional information, from the Commission or any state
     regulatory authority. If the Commission or any state regulatory authority
     shall enter such a stop order or order suspending qualification at any
     time, the Company will promptly use its best efforts to obtain the lifting
     of such order; and

          (h) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable rules
     and regulations of the Commission, and make available to its security
     holders as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than 15 months
     after the effective date of the registration statement, an earnings
     statement covering a period of at least 12 months beginning after the
     effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement
     shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.





                                       26
<PAGE>
 
          For purposes hereof, the period of distribution of Restricted Stock in
     a firm commitment underwritten public offering shall be deemed to extend
     until each underwriter has completed the distribution of all securities
     purchased by it, and the period of distribution of Restricted Stock in any
     other registration shall be deemed to extend until the earlier of the sale
     of all Restricted Stock covered thereby or 180 days after the effective
     date thereof.

          In connection with each registration hereunder, each Stockholder will
     furnish to the Company in writing such information with respect to it as a
     stockholder as shall be necessary in order to assure compliance with
     federal and applicable state securities laws.

          In connection with each registration pursuant to Section 8.1 hereof
     covering an underwritten public offering, the Company and each selling
     Stockholder agree to enter into a written agreement with the managing
     underwriter in such form and containing such provisions as are customary in
     the securities business for such an arrangement between such underwriter
     and companies of the Company's size and investment stature.

     8.3 Expenses. All reasonable expenses incurred by the Company in complying
with Section 8.1 or 8.2 hereof, including, without limitation, all registration
and filing fees, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel and
independent public accountants for the Company, fees and expenses (including
counsel fees) incurred in connection with complying with state securities or
"blue sky" laws, fees of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
transfer taxes, fees of transfer agents and registrars, costs of insurance, and
fees and disbursements of one counsel for the sellers of Restricted Stock, but
excluding any Selling Expenses (as defined below), are called "Registration
Expenses." All underwriting discounts and selling commissions applicable to the
sale of Restricted Stock are called "Selling Expenses."

          (a) The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses attributable to
     the shares of Restricted Stock of the Stockholder included in the
     registration in connection with each registration statement under Section
     8.1 or 8.2 hereof.

          (b) All Selling Expenses in connection with each registration
     statement under Section 8.1 or 8.2 hereof shall be borne by the selling
     Stockholder in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock sold by
     each Stockholder.





                                       27
<PAGE>
 
     8.4 Indemnification and Contribution.

          (a) In the event of a registration of any of the Restricted Stock
     under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 8.1 or 8.2 hereof, the Company
     will indemnify and hold harmless each Stockholder (provided any such
     Stockholder is a seller of Restricted Stock thereunder), each underwriter
     of such Restricted Stock thereunder, and each other Person, if any, who
     controls such Stockholder, its directors and its officers or underwriters
     within the meaning of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims,
     damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such Stockholder, such
     underwriter or such Person may become subject under the Securities Act or
     otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
     actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue
     statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any
     registration statement under which any shares of Restricted Stock were
     registered under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 8.1 or 8.2 hereof,
     any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any
     amendment or supplement thereof, or arise out of or are based upon the
     omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
     be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
     misleading, or any violation by the Company of the Securities Act or any
     rule or regulation thereunder applicable to the Company (other than a
     violation arising from any action or inaction required of the Company by
     any applicable regulatory authority in connection with any registration,
     qualification or compliance), and will reimburse each such Stockholder,
     each such underwriter and each such Person for any legal or other expenses
     reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with investigating or
     defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided,
     however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case if and to the
     extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is
     based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
     alleged omission so made in conformity with information furnished by such
     Stockholder, such underwriter or such Person in writing specifically for
     use in such registration statement or prospectus.

          (b) In the event of a registration of any of the shares of Restricted
     Stock under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 8.1 or 8.2 hereof, each
     Stockholder including shares of Restricted Stock in such registration,
     severally but not jointly, will indemnify and hold harmless the Company,
     each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the
     Securities Act, each officer of the Company who signs the registration
     statement, each director of the Company, each underwriter, and each Person
     who controls any underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act,
     against





                                       28
<PAGE>
 
     all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such
     Person may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as
     such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
     arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
     statement of any material fact contained in the registration statement
     under which any shares of Restricted Stock were registered under the
     Securities Act pursuant to Section 8.1 or 8.2 hereof, any preliminary
     prospectus, or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment hereof
     or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or
     alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
     therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and
     will reimburse the Company and each such officer, director, underwriter and
     controlling Person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
     them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim,
     damage, liability or action; provided, however, that each such Stockholder
     will be liable hereunder in any such case only to the extent that any such
     loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue
     statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made
     in reliance upon and in conformity with information pertaining to such
     Stockholder, as such, respectively, furnished in writing to the Company by
     such Stockholder specifically for use in such registration statement or
     prospectus. In no event will any Stockholder be required to enter into any
     agreement or undertaking in connection with any registration under this
     Agreement providing for any indemnification or contribution obligation on
     the part of such Stockholder greater than any other Stockholder's
     obligation under this Section 8.4(b).

          (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party hereunder of notice
     of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim
     in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party hereunder,
     notify the indemnifying party in writing thereof, but the omission so to
     notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which
     it may have to such indemnified party other than under this Article 8 and
     shall only relieve it from any liability which it may have to such
     indemnified party under this Article 8 if and to the extent the
     indemnifying party is prejudiced by such omission. In case any such action
     shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the
     indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party
     shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it shall wish, to
     assume and undertake the defense thereof with counsel satisfactory to such
     indemnified party, and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such
     indemnified party of its election so to assume and undertake the defense
     thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be





                                       29
<PAGE>
 
     liable to such indemnified party under this Article 8 for any legal
     expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
     the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation and of
     liaison with counsel so selected; provided, however, that, if the
     defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the
     indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably
     concluded that there may be reasonable defenses available to it which are
     different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party
     or if the interests of the indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to
     conflict with the interests of the indemnifying party, the indemnified
     party shall have the right to select a separate counsel and to assume such
     legal defenses and otherwise to participate in the defense of such action,
     with the reasonable expenses and fees of such separate counsel and other
     expenses related to such participation to be reimbursed by the indemnifying
     party as incurred.

          (d) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution to joint
     liability under the Securities Act in any case in which either (1) any
     holder of Restricted Stock exercising rights under this Agreement, or any
     controlling Person of any such holder, makes a claim for indemnification
     pursuant to this Article 8 but it is judicially determined (by the entry of
     a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the
     expiration for time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal)
     that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding
     the fact that this Article 8 provides for indemnification in such case, or
     (2) contribution under the Securities Act may be required on the part of
     any such selling holder of Restricted Stock or any such controlling Person
     in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under this Article
     8; then, and in each such case, the Company and such holder will contribute
     to the aggregate losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which they may
     be subject (after contribution from others) in such proportion so that such
     holder is responsible for the portion represented by the percentage that
     the public offering proceeds of its Restricted Stock offered by the
     registration statement bears to the public offering proceeds of all
     securities offered by such registration statement, and the Company shall be
     responsible for the remaining portion; provided, however, that, in any such
     case, (A) no such holder will be required to contribute any amount in
     excess of the proceeds received from the sale of Restricted Stock offered
     by such holder pursuant to such registration statement; and (B) no Person
     guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f)
     of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any Person who
     was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.





                                       30
<PAGE>
 
     8.5 Changes in Capital Structure. If, and as often as, there is any change
in the capital structure of the Company by way of a stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification, or through a merger, consolidation,
reorganization or recapitalization, or by any other means, appropriate
adjustment shall be made in the provisions hereof so that the registration
rights granted in this Article 8 shall continue with respect to the capital
structure of the Company as so changed.

     8.6 Rule 144 Reporting. With a view to making available the benefits of
certain rules and regulations of the Commission which may at any time permit the
sale of a Stockholder's Common Stock to the public without registration, at all
times after 90 days after any registration statement covering a public offering
of securities of the Company under the Securities Act shall have become
effective, the Company agrees to:

          (a) make and keep public information available, as those terms are
     understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

          (b) use its best efforts to file with the Commission in a timely
     manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the
     Securities Act and the Exchange Act; and

          (c) furnish to each holder of Restricted Stock forthwith upon request
     a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting
     requirements of Rule 144 and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, a
     copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and such
     other reports as such Stockholder may reasonably request in availing itself
     of any rule or regulation of the Commission allowing such Stockholder to
     sell any Restricted Stock without registration.


                                    ARTICLE 9

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     9.1 Ratification of Prior Acts of Board of Directors of Company. Each of
the Stockholders hereby adopts, ratifies and confirms all of the actions
heretofore taken by the Board of Directors of the Company in all respects,
including, without limitation, in respect to the Acquisition Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby.

     9.2 Amendments and Waivers. Each Stockholder agrees that no purported
amendment of this Agreement, or waiver, discharge or termination of any
obligation under it, shall be enforceable or admissible unless, and only to the
extent, expressly set forth in





                                       31
<PAGE>
 
a writing signed by Stockholders who hold at least 66.67 percent of the shares
of Common Stock then outstanding; provided, however, no purported amendment of
Section 7.9 or Section 6.3(c) of this Agreement shall be enforceable unless
expressly set forth in a writing signed by Stockholders who hold at least 75
percent of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding. The failure of any party
hereto to enforce at any time any provision of this Agreement shall not be
construed to be a waiver of such provision. No waiver of any breach of this
Agreement shall be held to constitute a waiver of any other or subsequent
breach.

     9.3 Notices. Any and all notices, designations, consents, offers,
acceptances, or any other communications provided for in this Agreement
("Notice") shall be given in writing by personal delivery, by facsimile with
confirming original, by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested)
or by overnight mail or courier service maintaining a record of receipt and
delivery, which shall be addressed, in the case of the Company, c/o The Jordan
Company, 9 West 57th Street, Suite 4000, New York, New York 10019, Attention: A.
Richard Caputo, Jr.; and in the case of a Stockholder, to his, her or its
address included on the signature page hereto, or in either case, to such other
Persons or addresses as shall be furnished in writing by any party to the other
parties hereto. A Notice shall be deemed to have been given as of the date (i)
when personally delivered, (ii) when actually received, if by mail, (iii) when
receipt of a Notice sent by an overnight delivery service is confirmed by such
overnight delivery service, or (iv) when receipt of the telecopy is confirmed,
as the case may be, unless the sending party has actual knowledge that a Notice
was not received by the intended recipient.

     9.4 Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof will be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and Permitted Transferees, except that neither this Agreement nor any
of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder may be assigned by a
Stockholder (except to another Stockholder or Stockholders) without the prior
written consent of the Company. This Section 9.4 shall not be deemed to
supersede or modify, in any manner, the provisions of Article 7.

     9.5 Conflicts. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws, the terms and provisions of this
Agreement shall control.

     9.6 Severability, Etc. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed,
applied and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of New York,
except that no doctrine of choice of law shall be used to apply any law other
than that of the state of New York, and no defense, counterclaim or right of
set-off given or allowed by the laws of any other state or jurisdiction, or
arising out of the enactment, modification or repeal of any law,





                                       32
<PAGE>
 
regulation, ordinance or decree of any foreign jurisdiction, shall be interposed
in any action hereon. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that in
the event of any breach of this Agreement, the non-breaching party would be
irreparably harmed and could not be made whole by monetary damages. It is
accordingly agreed that (i) in any action for specific performance the parties
hereto waive the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate and (ii) in
addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity,
the parties hereto shall be entitled to compel specific performance of this
Agreement. Each party waives personal service of process and agrees that a
summons and complaint commencing an action or proceeding shall be properly
served and shall confer personal jurisdiction if served by registered or
certified mail to the party at the address set forth in this Agreement, or as
otherwise provided by the laws of the state of New York or the United States.

     9.7 No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be
deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual
intent, and no rule of strict construction will be applied against any Person.

     9.8 Captions. The captions used in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement and will not be
deemed to limit, characterize or in any way affect any provision of this
Agreement, and all provisions of this Agreement will be enforced and construed
as if no caption had been used in this Agreement.

     9.9 Complete Agreement. This document and the documents referred to herein
contain the complete agreement among the parties and supersedes any prior
understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written
or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

     9.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one
party, but all such counterparts taken together will constitute one and the same
instrument.

     9.11 Attorneys' Fees. If any legal action or other proceeding is commenced
to enforce or interpret any provision of, or otherwise relating to, this
Agreement, the losing party shall pay the prevailing party's reasonable expenses
incurred in the investigation of any claim leading to the proceeding,
preparation for and participation in the proceeding, any appeal or other post
judgment motion, and any action to enforce or collect the judgment, including
contempt, garnishment, levy, discovery and bankruptcy. "Expenses" shall include,
without limitation, court or other proceeding costs and experts' and attorneys'
fees and their expenses. The phrase "prevailing party" shall mean the party who





                                       33
<PAGE>
 
is determined in the proceeding to have prevailed and who prevails by dismissal,
default or otherwise.

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


                                          GFSI HOLDINGS, INC.


                                          By: /s/ A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                              Vice President


                  STOCKHOLDER SIGNATURES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES
<PAGE>
 
                                             MCIT PLC

                                             By /s/ James E. Jordan
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             James E. Jordan, Director
                                             c/o Jordan/Zalaznick Advisers, Inc.
                                             9 West 57th Street, Suite 4000
                                             New York, New York 10019

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     [EXECUTION]

                       DEFERRED LIMITED INTEREST GUARANTY


     THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT, dated as of February 27, 1997, by GFSI, INC., a
Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor"), to MCIT PLC (the "Purchaser"), for the
benefit of itself, its Nominees and all other holders of Notes (such and all
other capitalized terms being used herein with the meanings set forth in Article
I) issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement,


                              W I T N E S S E T H:


     WHEREAS, the Guarantor was organized and is being capitalized by, and is a
direct wholly-owned Subsidiary of, GFSI Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"); and

     WHEREAS, the Company has on the date hereof

          (a) pursuant to a purchase agreement, dated as of February 27, 1997
     (together with all amendments and other modifications, if any, from time to
     time hereafter made thereto, the "Purchase Agreement"), between the Company
     and the Purchaser, obtained $36,050,000 in cash in the aggregate
     representing the proceeds from the sale by the Company to the Purchaser of
     the Notes for a purchase price of $25,000,000, Preferred Shares for a
     purchase price of $11,000,000 and Common Shares for a purchase price of
     $50,000, and

          (b) contributed all of such $36,050,000 in the aggregate of proceeds
     to the Guarantor as capital; and

     WHEREAS, as a condition to the Purchaser's making such purchases under the
Purchase Agreement, the Guarantor is required to execute and deliver this
Guaranty; and

     WHEREAS, the Guarantor has, in consideration of, among other things,
receiving such capital contribution, duly authorized the execution, delivery and
performance of this Guaranty;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants herein contained, the Guarantor hereby agrees as follows:
<PAGE>
 
                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

     SECTION 1.1. Certain Terms. Except as otherwise provided herein or as the
context otherwise requires, the following terms (whether or not underscored)
when used in this Guaranty shall have the following meanings (such definitions
to be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms thereof):

     "Company" is defined in the first recital hereto.

     "Guarantor" is defined in the preamble hereto.

     "Interest Obligations" means all obligations of the Company to make payment
of interest accrued from time to time on the Notes in accordance with the terms
of the Purchase Agreement.

     "Note" shall mean each Note executed and delivered pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement and each other promissory note of the Company accepted from time to
time in substitution or replacement therefor.

     "Payment Default" is defined in of Section 2.2.2.

     "Performance Default" is defined in Section 2.2.3.

     "Performance Default Notice" is defined in Section 2.2.3.

     "Post-Petition Interest" means, relative to any Senior Indebtedness, all
interest accrued or accruing on such Senior Indebtedness after the commencement
of any insolvency or liquidation proceeding against the obligor under such
Senior Indebtedness in accordance with and at the contract rate, including any
rate applicable upon default, specified in the Instrument creating, evidencing
or governing such Senior Indebtedness, whether or not, pursuant to applicable
law or otherwise, the claim for such interest is allowed as a claim in such
insolvency or liquidation proceeding.

     "Purchase Agreement" is defined in the second recital hereto.

     "Purchaser" is defined in the preamble hereto.

     "Senior Agent" means The First National Bank of Chicago (or any other
financial institution succeeding to its responsibilities) as the contractual
representative for the Senior Lenders pursuant to the Senior Credit Agreement.


                                        2
<PAGE>
 
     "Senior Credit Agreement" means the credit agreement, dated as of February
27, 1997, among the Guarantor, the Senior Lenders and the Senior Agent as so
originally executed. At all times after the date hereof, "Senior Credit
Agreement" also means the Senior Credit Agreement as originally executed and
delivered, together with

          (a) each successor Instrument pursuant to which the Guarantor obtains
     from other financial institutions loans to refinance Indebtedness
     outstanding and commitments to lend existing under the Senior Credit
     Agreement as in effect on the date of such refinancing; and

          (b) all amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions and
     renewals hereafter made to the Senior Credit Agreement or such successor
     Instrument;

provided, however, that without the consent of the Required Noteholders, no such
amendment or modification shall be made which

          (c) increases the maximum principal amount of Indebtedness permitted
     to be incurred pursuant thereto above the maximum principal amount of
     Indebtedness permitted by clause (c) of Section 6.2.2 of the Purchase
     Agreement to be outstanding pursuant thereto;

          (d) amends Section 6.2(M) or 6.3(F) of the Senior Credit Agreement or
     any other provision thereof as in effect on the date hereof in a manner
     adversely affecting the Guarantor's ability to make payments to the Company
     or adds any provisions thereto of a substantially duplicative nature;

          (e) extends the stated maturity of the Senior Loans or the
     effectiveness of the Senior Credit Agreement to a date less than 90 days
     prior to April 30, 2008 without amending Section 6.3(F) of the Senior
     Credit Agreement so that the Company may receive in accordance therewith
     "Restricted Payments" (as defined therein) in an amount sufficient to make
     all payments of principal of the Notes when due on such date; or

          (f) amends, supplements or otherwise modifies any other agreement,
     covenant or undertaking of the Senior Credit Agreement or any other Senior
     Loan Document applicable to the Company if the cumulative effect of such
     amendment or modification and all other such amendments and modifications,
     if any, becoming effective concurrently therewith shall make the Senior
     Credit Agreement or such


                                        3
<PAGE>
 
     other Senior Loan Document materially more burdensome to the Company.

     "Senior Indebtedness" means all indebtedness, obligations and liabilities
of the Guarantor

          (a) to the Senior Lenders, whether now existing or hereafter created
     arising out of or under the Senior Credit Agreement, including (x) all
     principal, interest (including Post-Petition Interest) and other amounts
     payable under any letter of credit reimbursement agreement, bankers
     acceptance, note or instrument issued thereunder and (y) all Hedging
     Liabilities owing to a Senior Lender or an Affiliate thereof; provided,
     however, that the aggregate principal amount of Senior Indebtedness under
     or in respect of the Senior Credit Agreement (excluding, however, the
     amount of all such Hedging Liabilities owing to a Senior Lender or an
     Affiliate thereof) shall not at any time exceed the maximum principal
     amount of Indebtedness permitted by clause (c) of Section 6.2.2 of the
     Purchase Agreement to be outstanding pursuant thereto; and

          (b) to the Senior Noteholders, whether now existing or hereafter
     created, arising out of or under the Senior Indenture, including all
     principal of and interest (including Post-Petition Interest) on the Notes
     and other amounts payable under the Senior Indenture; provided, however,
     that the aggregate principal amount of Senior Indebtedness under or in
     respect of the Senior Indenture shall not at any time exceed the maximum
     principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by clause (d) of Section 6.2.2
     of the Purchase Agreement to be outstanding pursuant thereto.

     "Senior Indenture" means the indenture, dated as of February 20, 1997,
between the Guarantor and the Senior Indenture Trustee. At all times after the
date hereof, "Senior Indenture" also means the Senior Indenture as so originally
executed and delivered, together with all amendments, supplements,
modifications, extensions, and renewals; provided, however, that without the
consent of the Required Noteholders, no such amendment or modification shall be
made which

          (a) increases the maximum principal amount of Indebtedness permitted
     to be incurred and at any time be outstanding pursuant thereto above the
     maximum aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness then permitted to be
     outstanding thereunder by clause(d) of Section 6.2.2 of the Purchase
     Agreement;


                                        4
<PAGE>
 
          (b) amends Section 4.05 of the Senior Indenture in a manner adversely
     affecting the Guarantor's ability to make payments to the Company; or

          (c) extend the stated maturity of the Senior Notes to a date less than
     365 days prior to April 30, 2008 without amending Section 4.05 of the
     Senior Indenture so that the Company may receive in accordance therewith
     "Restricted Payments" (as defined therein) in an amount sufficient to make
     all payments of principal of the Notes when due on such date.

     "Senior Lender" means collectively all of the lending institutions which
are or become parties to the Senior Credit Agreement.

     "Senior Indenture Trustee" means Fleet National Bank, as trustee under the
Senior Indenture.

     "Senior Note" means each 9 5/8% note of the Guarantor issued pursuant to
the Senior Indenture and each other note of the Guarantor accepted from time to
time in substitution or replacement therefor.

     "Senior Noteholder" means each Person registered pursuant to the Senior
Indenture as the holder of a Senior Note.

     SECTION 1.2. Purchase Agreement Terms. Except as otherwise provided herein
or as the context otherwise requires, terms for which meanings are provided in
the Purchase Agreement (including "Required Noteholders") shall have the same
meanings when used in this Guaranty.


                                   ARTICLE II

                                    GUARANTY

     SECTION 2.1. Guaranty of Payment. The Guarantor hereby absolutely,
unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the full and prompt payment and
performance on demand and all times thereafter of all Interest Obligations.

     The Guarantor also agrees to reimburse the Purchaser and the Noteholders
for all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and
disbursements, which the Purchaser expends or incurs in collecting, compromising
or enforcing this Guaranty, whether or not suit is filed, expressly including
all costs, expenses, reasonable attorneys' fees and other charges incurred in
connection with any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation,
dissolution, arrangement or other similar


                                        5
<PAGE>
 
proceedings involving the Guarantor which in any way affect the exercise of
rights, powers, remedies and privileges with respect to this Guaranty or the
interest accrued and unpaid on the outstanding principal amount of the Notes.

     SECTION 2.2. Subordination. All indebtedness and liability of the Guarantor
pursuant to this Guaranty shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to
Senior Indebtedness in the manner and with the effect provided in Sections 2.2.1
through 2.2.11, and each holder of a Note, by its acceptance thereof, agrees to
be bound by such terms of subordination.

     SECTION 2.2.1. Payment Over Upon Dissolution, etc. In the event of any
distribution, division or application, partial or complete, voluntary or
involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, of all or any part of the
property, assets or business of the Guarantor, or the proceeds thereof, to any
creditor or creditors of the Guarantor or upon any indebtedness of the
Guarantor, by reason of any liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the
Guarantor or its business or by reason of any sale, receivership, insolvency or
bankruptcy proceedings or assignment for the benefit of creditors or any
proceeding by or against the Guarantor for any relief under any bankruptcy,
reorganization or insolvency law or laws, federal or state, or any law, federal
or state, relating to the relief of debtors, readjustment of indebtedness,
reorganization, composition or extension, then, and in any such event, any
payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or
securities which, but for the subordination provisions of this Guaranty, would
otherwise be payable or deliverable upon or in respect of this Guaranty, shall
instead be paid over or delivered (x) if any Senior Indebtedness is outstanding
under the Senior Credit Agreement, to the Senior Agent for application to such
Senior Indebtedness (y) after the payment in full of the Senior Indebtedness
under the Senior Credit Agreement, to the Senior Agent and Senior Indenture
Trustee for application to Senior Indebtedness in respect of the Senior Notes,
and until the Senior Indebtedness has been repaid in full in cash, the Purchaser
and the Noteholders shall not receive any such payment or distribution or
benefit therefrom. The Senior Agent (and, in the event that the Senior Agent
shall fail to file a proof of claim relating to the Interest Obligations within
five days of the date required to be filed, the Senior Indenture Trustee) may in
the name of the Noteholders or otherwise file, prove and vote in any such
proceedings with respect to any and all claims of the Noteholders relating to
the Interest Obligations.

     SECTION 2.2.2. Payment Block Upon Payment Defaults. Upon a default (a
"Payment Default") in the payment of principal of, interest on, premium of or
any other amount due under or in respect of any Senior Indebtedness referred to
in clause (a) of


                                        6
<PAGE>
 
the definition thereof (or, after the payment in full in cash of any such Senior
Indebtedness, the Senior Indebtedness referred to in clause (b) of the
definition thereof) when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity
or at a date fixed for prepayment or otherwise, then, no direct or indirect
payment in cash, property or securities by set-off or otherwise, shall be made
or agreed to be made by the Guarantor on account of the Interest Obligations;
provided, however, that if the maturity of the applicable Senior Indebtedness
has not been accelerated prior to the expiration of the 180 day period referred
to in clause (a) below (or if any such acceleration has been rescinded or
annulled), such payments may be made on account of the Interest Obligations on
or after

          (a) a date which is 180 consecutive days following the date on which
     such Payment Default shall have occurred (and without regard to whether one
     or more other Payment Defaults or any Performance Default shall have
     occurred and be continuing); or

          (b) if earlier, such Payment Default shall have been cured or waived
     or shall have ceased to exist.

     SECTION 2.2.3. Payment Block Upon Performance Defaults. Upon a default (a
"Performance Default") by the Guarantor in the performance of any obligation
(other than a Payment Default) with respect to any Senior Indebtedness under the
Senior Credit Agreement as the result of which the holders thereof are entitled
to accelerate the maturity thereof, then, if written notice of such Performance
Default is given in the manner provided in the Senior Credit Agreement by the
Senior Agent to the Guarantor (a "Performance Default Notice"), no direct or
indirect payment in cash, property or securities, by set-off or otherwise, shall
be made or agreed to be made by the Guarantor on account of any Interest
Obligation unless and until

          (a) a date which is 180 consecutive days following the date on which
     such Performance Default shall have occurred (and without regard to whether
     one or more other Performance Defaults or any Payment Default shall have
     occurred and be continuing); or

          (b) if earlier, such Performance Default shall have been cured or
     waived or shall have ceased to exist.

     SECTION 2.2.4. Standstill. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation
of any Performance Default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness as to which a
Performance Default Notice shall have been given in accordance with Section
2.2.3 or of any Payment Default, neither the Purchaser nor any other Noteholder
shall be entitled to


                                        7
<PAGE>
 
          (a) demand payment of any Interest Obligation under this Guaranty, or

          (b) commence, pursue or participate in any judicial proceeding or take
     any other action to enforce any obligations of the Guarantor under or in
     respect of this Guaranty

unless and until

          (c) a date which is 180 consecutive days following the date on which
     such Performance Default Notice shall have been given or 180 consecutive
     days following the date on which such Payment Default shall have occurred,
     or

          (d) if earlier, such Performance Default or Payment Default shall have
     been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist, or

          (e) if earlier, the maturity of all or any part of the principal
     amount of any Senior Indebtedness shall have been accelerated in accordance
     with its terms.

     SECTION 2.2.5. Turnover. In the event that, notwithstanding the provisions
of Section 2.2.1, 2.2.2 or 2.2.3, any such direct or indirect payment or
distribution shall be received by the Purchaser, its Nominees or any other
Noteholder from the Guarantor in contravention of the provisions of any such
Section, such payments and distributions shall be held in trust for the benefit
of, and upon receipt by such holder of written notice that such payment of
distribution has been made in violation of such Section, shall be immediately
paid over to, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness at the time outstanding or
their representative for application to the pro rata payment of all such Senior
Indebtedness until all such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full in
cash, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

     SECTION 2.2.6. Unconditional Obligation, etc. Nothing contained in this
Section 2.2 or elsewhere in this Guaranty is intended to or shall impair, as
between the Guarantor, its creditors (other than the holders of Senior
Indebtedness) and the Purchaser, its Nominees and the other Noteholders, the
obligation of the Guarantor, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the
Purchaser, its Nominees and the other Noteholders all amounts owing under this
Guaranty as and when such amounts become due and payable in accordance with the
terms hereof, or to in any way affect the relative rights of the Purchaser, its
Nominees or the other Noteholders and creditors of the Guarantor other than the
holders of Senior Indebtedness. Subject to the payment in full


                                        8
<PAGE>
 
of all Senior Indebtedness, the Purchaser, its Nominees and the other
Noteholders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holder of Senior
Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of assets of the Guarantor
made on the Senior Indebtedness until all Interest Obligations shall be paid in
full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to
the Senior Lenders of any cash, property or securities to which the Purchaser,
its Nominees and the other Noteholders would be entitled except for these
provisions shall, as between the Guarantor, its creditors (other than the Senior
Lenders and the Purchaser, its Nominees and the other Noteholders, be deemed to
be a payment by the Guarantor to or on account of Senior Indebtedness, it being
understood that these provisions are and are intended solely for the purpose of
defining the relative rights of the Purchaser, its Nominees and the other
Noteholders, on the one hand, and the Senior Lenders on the other hand.

     SECTION 2.2.7. Waivers, etc. The Purchaser hereby waives any and all notice
of renewal, extension or accrual of any of Senior Indebtedness, present or
future, and agrees and consents that without notice to or assent by the
Purchaser, its Nominees and the other Noteholders:

          (a) subject to the provisions of Sections 6.2.7 and 6.2.8 of the
     Purchase Agreement, the obligations and liabilities of the Guarantor or any
     other party or parties for or upon the Senior Indebtedness (and/or any
     promissory note(s), security document or guaranty evidencing or securing
     the same) may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed,
     extended, modified, amended, accelerated, compromised, supplemented,
     terminated, sold, exchanged, waived or released,

          (b) the Senior Lenders and Senior Noteholders may exercise or refrain
     from exercising any right, remedy or power granted by the applicable Senior
     Indebtedness Instrument or any other document creating, evidencing or
     otherwise related to Senior Indebtedness or at law, in equity or otherwise,
     with respect to Senior Indebtedness or any collateral security or lien
     (legal or equitable) held, given or intended to be given therefor
     (including the right to perfect any lien or security interest created in
     connection therewith),

          (c) subject to the provisions of Sections 6.2.7 and 6.2.8 of the
     Purchase Agreement, any and all collateral security and/or liens (legal or
     equitable) at any time, present or future, held, given or intended to be
     given for Senior Indebtedness, and any rights or remedies of the Senior
     Lenders in respect thereof, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be
     exchanged, sold, surrendered,


                                        9
<PAGE>
 
     released, modified, waived or extended by the Senior Lenders or Senior
     Noteholders, and

          (d) any balance or balances of funds with the Senior Lenders at any
     time standing to the credit of the Guarantor or any guarantor of any Senior
     Indebtedness may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be surrendered or
     released,

all as the Senior Lenders may deem advisable and all without impairing,
abridging, diminishing, releasing or affecting the subordination to Senior
Indebtedness provided for herein. Neither the Senior Lenders nor the Senior
Noteholders shall be prejudiced in their right to enforce the subordination
contained herein in accordance with the terms hereof by any act or failure to
act on the part of the Guarantor.

     SECTION 2.2.8. Amendment of Subordination Provisions. The subordination
provisions contained herein are for the benefit of the holders of Senior
Indebtedness and may not be rescinded, cancelled, amended or modified in any way
without the prior written consent thereto of the Senior Agent and Senior
Indenture Trustee.

     SECTION 2.2.9. Notice to the Noteholders. The Guarantor shall give prompt
written notice to the Purchaser, its Nominees and each other Noteholder of any
fact known to the Guarantor which would prohibit the making of any payment to
the Purchaser, its Nominees or any other Noteholder under this Guaranty.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 2.2 or any other provision of
this Guaranty, the Purchaser

          (a) shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts
     which would prohibit the making of any payment to the Purchaser, its
     Nominees or any other Noteholder under this Guaranty in respect of this
     Guaranty, unless and until the Purchaser, its Nominees or any other
     Noteholder shall have received written notice thereof from the Guarantor,
     the Senior Agent or a holder of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee
     therefor (and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the
     Purchaser, its Nominees and each other Noteholder shall be entitled in all
     respects to assume that no such facts exist); and

          (b) shall be entitled to receive and retain all payments made by or on
     behalf of the Guarantor prior to receipt by the Purchaser under this
     Guaranty of any such written notice.

All notices and other communications provided to the Purchaser under this
Guaranty shall be in writing or by telecopy and addressed or delivered to it c/o
Jordan/Zalaznick Advisers, Inc.,


                                       10
<PAGE>
 
at 9 West 57th Street, New York, New York, 10019, Attn: James E. Jordan, Jr., or
at such other address as may be designated by the Purchaser. Any notice, if
mailed and properly addressed with postage prepaid, shall be deemed given when
received; any notice, if transmitted by telecopy, shall be deemed given when
transmitted.

     SECTION 2.2.10. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating
Agent. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Guarantor referred to
in this Section 2.2, the Purchaser, its Nominees and each other Noteholder shall
be entitled to rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent
jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation,
reorganization, dissolution, winding up or similar case or proceeding is
pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating
trustee, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other Person
making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Purchaser, its Nominees
and each other Noteholder, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled
to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior
Indebtedness and other Indebtedness of the Guarantor, the amount thereof or
payable therein, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other
facts pertinent thereto or to this Section 2.2.

     SECTION 2.3. Obligations Absolute, Unconditional, etc. The Guarantor agrees
that its obligations hereunder shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable,
irrespective of the genuineness, validity, legality or enforceability of the
Interest Obligations, the Notes, the Purchase Agreement or any other Purchase
Document, or any other Instrument or collateral relating to or securing the
payment, performance or observance thereof or any other circumstance which could
otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor,
and the Purchaser may, in its discretion or at the direction of the Required
Noteholders, proceed to enforce this Guaranty in respect of any Interest
Obligations as and to the extent provided in Section 2.1. Neither the Purchaser,
its Nominees nor any other Noteholder shall have any obligation to protect,
secure, perfect or insure any collateral security document or property subject
thereto at any time held as security for the Interest Obligations or this
Guaranty. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, the Guarantor hereby
absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert or
take advantage of:

          (a) any right to require the Purchaser, its Nominees or any other
     Noteholder to proceed against the Company or any other Person, or to
     proceed against or exhaust any other security or collateral for the
     payment, performance or observance of the Interest Obligations, or to
     pursue any


                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     other remedy whatsoever before proceeding against the Guarantor hereunder;

          (b) any defense that may arise by reason of the incapacity, lack of
     authority, death or disability of any Person, or the failure of the
     Purchaser, its Nominees or any other Noteholder to file or enforce a claim
     against any estate (in administration, bankruptcy or any other proceedings)
     of any Person;

          (c) any defense based upon an election of remedies by the Purchaser,
     its Nominees or any other Noteholder, including an election to proceed by
     non-judicial rather than judicial foreclosure, which destroys or impairs
     any right of subrogation of the Guarantor or the right of the Guarantor to
     proceed against the Company or any other Person for reimbursement or both;

          (d) any other defense of the Company, or the cessation of the
     liability of the Company for any cause whatsoever, with respect to any
     Interest Obligations;

          (e) any other defense of any kind, whether now existing or arising
     hereafter, of the Guarantor to any action, suit or judicial or legal
     proceeding that may be instituted with respect to this Guaranty;

          (f) presentment, demand, protest and notice of any kind, including
     notice of the creation or non-payment or non-performance of all or any
     Interest Obligations, notice of dishonor or protest, notice of acceptance
     by the Purchaser, its Nominees or any other Noteholder of this Guaranty,
     notice of the existence, creation or incurrence of any new or additional
     indebtedness, obligation or other liability, and notice of action or
     non-action on the part of the Purchaser, its Nominees or any other
     Noteholder, the Company or the Guarantor or any other Person in connection
     with the Interest Obligations or otherwise; and

          (g) any duty on the part of the Purchaser, its Nominees or any other
     Noteholder or other Person to disclose to the Guarantor any facts or
     information any such Person may now or hereafter know or possess regarding
     the Company, the Interest Obligations or any other matter whatsoever,
     regardless of whether such Person has reason to believe that such facts or
     other information may materially increase the risk which the Guarantor
     intends to assume or has reason to believe that such facts or other
     information are unknown to the Guarantor or has a reasonable opportunity to
     communicate such facts or other information, it being understood and agreed
     that the Guarantor is fully and solely responsible


                                       12
<PAGE>
 
     for being and keeping informed of the financial condition of the Company
     and of all other circumstances bearing on the risk of non-payment of any
     Interest Obligations.

     This Guaranty shall in all respects be a continuing, absolute,
unconditional and irrevocable Guaranty of payment, and shall remain in full
force and effect until all Interest Obligations have been fully paid, and may
not be amended, modified or supplemented except in accordance with Section 8.1
of the Purchase Agreement and Section 2.2.8. This Guaranty shall continue to be
effective, or to be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment,
in whole or in part, of any Interest Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise
be restored or returned by the Purchaser, its Nominees or any other Noteholder
upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of
the Guarantor or the Company, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a
custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect
to the Guarantor or the Company or any part of either of its property, or
otherwise, all as though such payments had never been made.

     SECTION 2.4. Waiver of All Defenses. Except as otherwise specified herein,
the Purchaser, its Nominees or any other Noteholder may, from time to time, in
their sole discretion and without notice to the Guarantor, take any or all of
the following actions, all without in any way diminishing, impairing, releasing
or affecting the liability or obligations of the Guarantor under or with respect
to this Guaranty, and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably consents to any or all of
the following actions by the Purchaser, its Nominees or any other Noteholder:

          (a) retain or obtain a security interest in any property to secure any
     Interest Obligation or any obligation hereunder;

          (b) retain or obtain the primary or secondary obligations with respect
     to any Interest Obligation;

          (c) extend or renew for one or more periods (whether or not longer
     than the original period), or alter or exchange, any Interest Obligation,
     or release or compromise any obligation of the Guarantor hereunder or any
     obligation of any nature of any other Person with respect to any Interest
     Obligation or amend or modify in any respect the Purchase Agreement or any
     Purchase Document;

          (d) waive, modify, subordinate, compromise or release its security
     interest in, or surrender, release or permit any substitution or exchange
     for, all or any part of any property securing any Interest Obligation or
     any obligation hereunder, or extend or renew for one or more periods


                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     (whether or not longer than the original period) or waive, release,
     subordinate, compromise, modify, alter or exchange any guaranty or other
     obligations of any nature of any obligor with respect to any such property;
     and

          (e) resort to the Guarantor for payment of any Interest Obligation,
     whether or not the Purchaser, its Nominees or any other Noteholder shall
     have resorted to or exhausted any other remedy or any other security or
     collateral for any obligation hereunder or shall have proceeded against the
     Company or any other Person primarily or secondarily obligated with respect
     to any Interest Obligation.

     The Guarantor absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that, as
long as any Interest Obligation has not been paid in full, the Guarantor shall
not have and shall not enforce any right of subrogation, and the Guarantor
waives any right to enforce any remedy which the Purchaser, its Nominees or any
other Noteholder now has or may hereafter have against the Company or any other
Person hereunder or pursuant hereto or under or pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement, the Notes or any other Purchase Document, and any benefit of, and any
right to participate in, any security for any Interest Obligation now or
hereafter held by the Purchaser, its Nominees or any other Noteholder, as the
case may be.

     The Guarantor absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that the
liability of the Guarantor hereunder, and the remedies for the enforcement of
such liability, shall in no way be diminished or affected by:

          (f) the release or discharge of the Company or any other Person
     responsible for the payment, performance or observance of any Interest
     Obligation in any creditors', receivership, bankruptcy, reorganization,
     insolvency or other proceeding;

          (g) the rejection or disaffirmance in any such proceeding of any
     Instrument evidencing, securing, or executed in connection with, any
     Interest Obligation; or

          (h) the impairment, limitation or modification of any Interest
     Obligation resulting from the operation of any present or future provision
     of the federal bankruptcy code or any other statute or law of any kind or
     from the decision or order of any court.

     The Guarantor absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably further agrees
that the creation from time to time of any Interest Obligation and the
application or allocation of amounts


                                       14
<PAGE>
 
received by the Purchaser, its Nominees or any Noteholder or any other Person to
the payment of such Interest Obligation, and the creation, existence or
enforcement from time to time of any security for the Interest Obligation, and
the application and allocation of the proceeds of such security, shall in no way
affect or impair the rights, remedies, powers and privileges of the Purchaser,
its Nominees or any other Noteholder or the holder of any Note or the obligation
of the Guarantor under this Guaranty.

     The Guarantor hereby expressly waives notice of the creation of all
Interest Obligations and all diligence in collection or protection of or
realization upon the Interest Obligations or any thereof, any obligation
hereunder, or any security for or guaranty of any of the foregoing.


                                   ARTICLE III

                               THE MEZZANINE AGENT

     SECTION 3.1. Actions. Each Noteholder authorizes the Mezzanine Agent to act
at the direction of the Required Noteholders on behalf of such Noteholder under
this Agreement, and to exercise such powers hereunder and thereunder as are
specifically delegated to or required of the Mezzanine Agent by the terms hereof
and thereof, together with such powers as may be reasonably incidental thereto.
Each Noteholder agrees to reimburse the Mezzanine Agent ratably for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by the
Mezzanine Agent hereunder or in connection herewith or therewith or in enforcing
the obligations of the Company hereunder and for which the Mezzanine Agent is
not reimbursed by the Company. The Mezzanine Agent shall not be required to take
any action hereunder, or to prosecute or defend any suit in respect hereof,
unless indemnified to its satisfaction by each Noteholder against loss, costs,
liability and expense. If any indemnity furnished to the Mezzanine Agent shall
become impaired, it may call for additional indemnity and cease to do the acts
indemnified against until such additional indemnity is given.

     SECTION 3.2. Exculpation. Neither the Mezzanine Agent nor any of its
directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable to any Noteholder for
any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under this Agreement, or
in connection herewith or therewith, except for its own willful misconduct or
gross negligence, nor responsible for any recitals or warranties herein or
therein, nor for the effectiveness, enforceability, validity or due
authorization, execution or delivery of this Agreement, nor to make any inquiry
respecting the performance by the Guarantor of its obligations hereunder. The
Mezzanine Agent


                                       15
<PAGE>
 
shall be entitled to rely upon advice of counsel concerning legal matters and
upon any notice, consent, certificate, statement or writing which it believes to
be genuine and to have been presented by a proper Person.

     SECTION 3.3. Status as Purchaser. The Mezzanine Agent shall have the same
rights and powers with respect to the Notes held by it as any Noteholder and may
exercise the same as if it were not the Mezzanine Agent, and the term
"Noteholder" shall include the Mezzanine Agent in its individual capacity.

     SECTION 3.4. Credit Decisions. Each Noteholder acknowledges that it has,
independently of the Mezzanine Agent and each other Noteholder and based on the
financial information referred to in Section 5.4 of the Purchase Agreement and
such other documents, information and investigations as it has deemed
appropriate, made its own credit decision to purchase its Notes. Each Noteholder
also acknowledges that it will, independently of the Mezzanine Agent and each
other Noteholder and based on such other documents, information and
investigations as it shall deem appropriate at any time, continue to make its
own credit decisions as to exercising or not exercising from time to time any
rights and privileges available to it under this Agreement, any Note or any
other Purchase Document.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     SECTION 4.1. Purchase Document. This Guaranty is a Purchase Document for
purposes of the Purchase Agreement and shall (unless otherwise expressly
indicated herein) be construed, administered and applied in accordance with the
terms and provisions thereof, including Article VIII thereof.

     SECTION 4.2. Successors and Assigns; Assignment. This Guaranty shall be
binding upon the Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the
benefit of the Purchaser, its Nominees and each other Noteholder and their
respective successors and assigns, including any assignee of any Note and be
enforceable by the Purchaser at the direction of the Required Noteholders;
provided, however, that the Guarantor may not assign any of its obligations
hereunder without the prior written consent of all Noteholders. Each Noteholder
may, subject to the provisions of Section 4.6 of the Purchase Agreement, from
time to time, without notice to the Guarantor assign or transfer any Note or any
interest therein, and, notwithstanding any such transfer or assignment or any
subsequent transfer or assignment thereof, such Note shall be and remain a Note
for purposes of this Guaranty, and each and every immediate and successive
transferee


                                       16
<PAGE>
 
or assignee of any Note or any interest therein shall, to the extent of the
interest of such transferee or assignee in the Note, be entitled to the benefits
of this Guaranty.


                                       17
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor has caused this Guaranty to be executed
and delivered by its authorized officer as of the date first above written.


                                                   GFSI, INC.


                                                   By /s/ A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                                     Vice President


In connection with the merger of 
the Guarantor with Winning Ways, 
Inc., an Missouri, on this 27th day 
of February, 1997, GFSI Inc., the 
Delaware corporation surviving such 
merger, hereby absolutely and 
unconditionally assumes and agrees 
to pay, perform, observe and 
discharge all of the obligations of 
the Guarantor under the foregoing 
Guaranty.


GFSI, INC.


By /s/ A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
   ---------------------------
   A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
   Vice President


                                       18

<PAGE>
 
                     [LETTERHEAD OF MAYER, BROWN & PLATT]


                                                                       EXHIBIT 5
                                                                       ---------

                                             March 28, 1997

GFSI, INC.
9700 Commerce Parkway
Lenexa, Kansas 66219

     Re:   9 5/8% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as special counsel to GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), in connection with the proposed exchange offering (the "Exchange
Offering") of $125,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 9 5/8%
Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Series B Notes") for any and
all of its outstanding 9 5/8% Series A Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007. In
this connection, we have examined such corporate and other records, instruments,
certificates and documents as we have considered necessary to enable us to
express this opinion.

     Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that upon completion of the
Exchange Offering, the Series B Notes will have been duly authorized for
issuance. The Series B Notes, when delivered in accordance with the terms of the
indenture in substantially the form filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration
Statement (the "Indenture") and the Purchase Agreement for the Exchange Offering
in substantially the form filed as Exhibit 1 to the Registration Statement will
be validly issued and enforceable in accordance with the Indenture.

     We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration 
Statement and to the reference to us under the caption "Legal Matters".

                                             Very truly yours,


                                             /s/ Mayer, Brown & Platt

                                             MAYER, BROWN & PLATT

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT 8

                     [LETTERHEAD OF MAYER, BROWN & PLATT]




                                                March 28, 1997

GFSI, Inc.
9700 Commerce Parkway
Lenexa, Kansas 66219

        Re:     9 5/8% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have acted as special counsel and special tax counsel to GFSI, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the proposed exchange
offering (the "Exchange Offering") of $125,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
the Company's 9 5/8% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 for any and all
of its outstanding 9 5/8% Series A Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007. In this
connection, we have examined such corporate and other records, instruments,
certificates and documents as we have considered necessary to enable us to
express this opinion.

        Based on the foregoing, we hereby confirm our opinion as to certain 
matters of law or legal conclusions as set forth under "Federal Income Tax 
Consequences" in the prospectus (the "Prospectus") forming a part of the 
registration statement (the "Registration Statement") prepared by the Company 
in connection with the Exchange Offering, and we consent to the filing of this 
opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to us
under the headings "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus forming a part of the 
Registration Statement.

                                                Very truly yours,


                                                /s/ Mayer, Brown & Platt

                                                MAYER, BROWN & PLATT

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXECUTION COPY


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

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT
                          Dated as of February 27, 1997

                                      among


                                   GFSI, INC.


                       THE INSTITUTIONS FROM TIME TO TIME
                            PARTIES HERETO AS LENDERS

                                       and

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                                    as Agent

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                              <C>
ARTICLE I:  DEFINITIONS...........................................................................................1
         1.2       References....................................................................................36
         1.3       Supplemental Disclosure.......................................................................36

ARTICLE II:  THE CREDITS.........................................................................................37
         (a) Term Loan A.........................................................................................37
                  (i)  Amount of Term Loan A.....................................................................37
                  (ii)  Borrowing Notice.........................................................................37
                  (iii)  Making of Term Loans....................................................................37
                  (iv)  Repayment of the A Term Loans............................................................37
         (b) Term Loan B.........................................................................................39
                  (i)  Amount of Term Loan B.....................................................................39
                  (ii)  Borrowing Notice.........................................................................39
                  (iii)  Making of Term Loans....................................................................39
                  (iv)  Repayment of the B Term Loans............................................................39
         2.2  Revolving Loans....................................................................................41
         2.3  Swing Line Loans...................................................................................41
         2.4  Rate Options for all Advances......................................................................43
         2.5  Optional Payments; Mandatory Prepayments...........................................................43
                  (A)  Optional Payments.........................................................................43
                  (B)  Mandatory Prepayments.....................................................................43
         2.6  Reduction of Commitments...........................................................................45
         2.7  Method of Borrowing................................................................................46
         2.8  Method of Selecting Types and Interest Periods for Advances........................................46
         2.9  Minimum Amount of Each Advance.....................................................................46
         2.10  Method of Selecting Types and Interest Periods for Conversion and
                  Continuation of Advances.......................................................................46
                  (A)  Right to Convert..........................................................................46
                  (B)  Automatic Conversion and Continuation.....................................................46
                  (C)  No Conversion Post-Default or Post-Unmatured Default......................................47
                  (D)  Conversion/Continuation Notice............................................................47
         2.11  Default Rate......................................................................................47
         2.12  Collections Account Arrangements..................................................................47
         2.13  Method of Payment.................................................................................47
         2.14  Notes, Telephonic Notices.........................................................................48
         2.15  Promise to Pay; Interest and Fees; Interest Payment Dates; Interest and Fee Basis;
                   Taxes; Loan and Control Accounts..............................................................48
                  (A)  Promise to Pay............................................................................48
                  (B)  Interest Payment Dates....................................................................48
                  (C)  Commitment Fees...........................................................................49
</TABLE>


                                     - i -
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                              <C>
                  (D)  Interest and Fee Basis; Applicable Eurodollar Margin; Applicable Floating
                           Rate Margin and Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage..................................49
                  (E)  Taxes.....................................................................................51
                  (F)  Loan Account..............................................................................54
                  (G)  Control Account...........................................................................54
                  (H)  Entries Binding...........................................................................54
         2.16  Notification of Advances, Interest Rates, Prepayments and Aggregate Revolving
                   Loan Commitment Reductions....................................................................54
         2.17  Lending Installations.............................................................................54
         2.18  Non-Receipt of Funds by the Agent.................................................................54
         2.19  Termination Date..................................................................................55
         2.20  Replacement of Certain Lenders....................................................................55
         2.21  Letter of Credit Facility.........................................................................56
         2.22  Letter of Credit Participation....................................................................57
         2.23  Reimbursement Obligation..........................................................................58
         2.24  Cash Collateral...................................................................................58
         2.25  Letter of Credit Fees.............................................................................59
         2.26  Indemnification; Exoneration......................................................................59
         2.27  Issuing Lender Reporting Requirements.............................................................60

ARTICLE III:  CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES............................................................................60
         3.1  Yield Protection...................................................................................60
         3.2  Changes in Capital Adequacy Regulations............................................................61
         3.3  Availability of Types of Advances..................................................................62
         3.4  Funding Indemnification............................................................................62
         3.5  Lenders' Duty to Mitigate; Lender Statements; Survival of Indemnity................................63

ARTICLE IV:  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT................................................................................63
         4.1  Initial Advances and Letters of Credit.............................................................63
         4.2  Each Advance and Letter of Credit..................................................................65

ARTICLE V:  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.......................................................................65
         5.1   Organization; Corporate Powers....................................................................65
         5.2   Authority.........................................................................................66
         5.3   No Conflict; Governmental Consents................................................................66
         5.4   Financial Statements..............................................................................67
         5.5   No Material Adverse Change........................................................................67
         5.6   Taxes.............................................................................................68
                  (A)  Tax Examinations..........................................................................68
                  (B)  Payment of Taxes..........................................................................68
         5.7   Litigation; Loss Contingencies and Violations.....................................................68
         5.8   Subsidiaries......................................................................................69
         5.9   ERISA.............................................................................................69
         5.10  Accuracy of Information...........................................................................70
         5.11  Securities Activities.............................................................................70
         5.12  Material Agreements...............................................................................71
</TABLE>


                                                     - ii -
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                              <C>
         5.13  Compliance with Laws..............................................................................71
         5.14  Assets and Properties.............................................................................71
         5.15  Statutory Indebtedness Restrictions...............................................................71
         5.16  Post-Retirement Benefits..........................................................................71
         5.17  Insurance.........................................................................................71
         5.18  Indebtedness of Target; Refinanced Indebtedness; Contingent Obligations...........................72
         5.19  Labor Matters.....................................................................................72
         5.20  The Stock Acquisition; Minimum Equity Contributions...............................................73
         5.21  Environmental Matters.............................................................................73
         5.22  Capitalization....................................................................................74
         5.23  The Offering and Sale of the Senior Subordinated Notes............................................74
         5.24  Solvency..........................................................................................75

ARTICLE VI:  COVENANTS...........................................................................................75
         6.1  Reporting..........................................................................................75
                  (A)  Financial Reporting.......................................................................75
                  (B)  Notice of Default.........................................................................77
                  (C)  Lawsuits..................................................................................77
                  (D)  Insurance.................................................................................78
                  (E)  ERISA Notices.............................................................................78
                  (F)  Labor Matters.............................................................................79
                  (G)  Other Indebtedness........................................................................79
                  (H)  Other Reports.............................................................................80
                  (I)  Environmental Notices.....................................................................80
                  (J)  Borrowing Base Certificate................................................................80
                  (K)  Other Information.........................................................................80
         6.2  Affirmative Covenants..............................................................................81
                  (A)  Corporate Existence, Etc..................................................................81
                  (B)  Corporate Powers; Conduct of Business.....................................................81
                  (C)  Compliance with Laws, Etc.................................................................81
                  (D)  Payment of Taxes and Claims; Tax Consolidation............................................81
                  (E)  Insurance.................................................................................81
                  (F)  Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions....................................82
                  (G)  Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds.......................................................82
                  (H)  ERISA Compliance..........................................................................83
                  (I)  Maintenance of Property...................................................................83
                  (J)  Environmental Compliance..................................................................84
                  (K)  Use of Proceeds...........................................................................84
                  (L)  Hedging Agreements........................................................................84
                  (M)  Separate Corporate Existence..............................................................84
                  (N)  Future Liens on Real Property.............................................................85
                  (O)  Appraisals; Title Policy Endorsements.....................................................86
         6.3  Negative Covenants.................................................................................86
                  (A)  Indebtedness..............................................................................86
                  (B)  Sales of Assets...........................................................................88
                  (C)  Liens.....................................................................................90
</TABLE>


                                                     - iii -
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
                  (D)  Investments...............................................................................91
                  (E)  Contingent Obligations....................................................................92
                  (F)  Restricted Payments.......................................................................93
                  (G)  Conduct of Business; Subsidiaries; Acquisitions...........................................96
                  (H)  Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates.............................................98
                  (I)  Restriction on Fundamental Changes........................................................99
                  (J)  Sales and Leasebacks; Off Balance Sheet Liabilities.......................................99
                  (K)  Margin Regulations........................................................................99
                  (L)  ERISA.....................................................................................99
                  (M)  Issuance of Capital Stock................................................................100
                  (N)  Corporate Documents......................................................................100
                  (O)  Other Indebtedness.......................................................................101
                  (P)  Fiscal Year..............................................................................102
                  (Q)  Subsidiary Covenants.....................................................................102
                  (R)  Hedging Obligations......................................................................102
                  (S)  Change of Deposit Accounts...............................................................102
         6.4  Financial Covenants...............................................................................102
                  (A)  Defined Terms for Financial Covenants....................................................102
                  (B)  Interest Expense Coverage Ratio..........................................................104
                  (C)  Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio..............................................................105
                  (D)  Maximum Leverage Ratio...................................................................106

ARTICLE VII:  DEFAULTS..........................................................................................107
         7.1  Defaults..........................................................................................107

ARTICLE VIII:  ACCELERATION, DEFAULTING LENDERS; WAIVERS,
         AMENDMENTS AND REMEDIES................................................................................112
         8.1  Termination of Commitments; Acceleration..........................................................112
         8.2  Defaulting Lender.................................................................................112
         8.3  Amendments........................................................................................114
         8.4  Preservation of Rights............................................................................115

ARTICLE IX:  GENERAL PROVISIONS.................................................................................115
         9.1  Survival of Representations.......................................................................115
         9.2  Governmental Regulation...........................................................................115
         9.3  Performance of Obligations........................................................................115
         9.4  Headings..........................................................................................116
         9.5  Entire Agreement..................................................................................116
         9.6  Several Obligations; Benefits of this Agreement...................................................116
         9.7  Expenses; Indemnification.........................................................................116
                  (A)  Expenses.................................................................................116
                  (B)  Indemnity................................................................................117
                  (C)  Waiver of Certain Claims; Settlement of Claims...........................................118
                  (D)  Survival of Agreements...................................................................118
         9.8   Accounting.......................................................................................118
         9.9   Severability of Provisions.......................................................................118
</TABLE>


                                                     - iv -
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
         9.10 Nonliability of Lenders...........................................................................118
         9.11 GOVERNING LAW.....................................................................................118
         9.12 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS; WAIVER
                  OF BOND.......................................................................................119
                  (A)  EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION...................................................................119
                  (B)  OTHER JURISDICTIONS......................................................................119
                  (C)  SERVICE OF PROCESS; WAIVERS..............................................................119
                  (D)  WAIVER OF BOND...........................................................................120
         9.13 JURY TRIAL WAIVER; ADVICE OF COUNSEL..............................................................120
                  (A)  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.....................................................................120
                  (B)  ADVICE OF COUNSEL........................................................................120
         9.14  Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness.......................................................120
         9.15  No Strict Construction...........................................................................121

ARTICLE X:  THE AGENT...........................................................................................122
         10.1   Appointment; Nature of Relationship.............................................................122
         10.2   Powers..........................................................................................122
         10.3   General Immunity................................................................................122
         10.4   No Responsibility for Loans, Creditworthiness, Collateral, Recitals, Etc........................122
         10.5   Action on Instructions of Lenders...............................................................123
         10.6   Employment of Agents and Counsel................................................................123
         10.7   Reliance on Documents; Counsel..................................................................123
         10.8   The Agent's Reimbursement and Indemnification...................................................123
         10.9   Rights as a Lender..............................................................................124
         10.10  Lender Credit Decision..........................................................................124
         10.11  Successor Agent.................................................................................124
         10.12  Collateral Documents............................................................................124

ARTICLE XI:  SETOFF; RATABLE PAYMENTS...........................................................................125
         11.1  Setoff...........................................................................................125
         11.2  Ratable Payments.................................................................................125
         11.3  Application of Payments..........................................................................126
         11.4  Relations Among Lenders..........................................................................127

ARTICLE XII:  BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENTS;
          PARTICIPATIONS........................................................................................127
         12.1  Successors and Assigns...........................................................................127
         12.2  Participations...................................................................................128
                  (A)  Permitted Participants; Effect...........................................................128
                  (B)  Voting Rights............................................................................128
                  (C)  Benefit of Setoff........................................................................128
         12.3  Assignments......................................................................................129
                  (A)  Permitted Assignments....................................................................129
                  (B)  Effect; Effective Date...................................................................129
                  (C)  The Register.............................................................................130
         12.4  Confidentiality..................................................................................130
</TABLE>


                                                     - v -
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
         12.5  Dissemination of Information.....................................................................130

ARTICLE XIII:  NOTICES..........................................................................................131
         13.1  Giving Notice....................................................................................131
         13.2  Change of Address................................................................................131

ARTICLE XIV:  COUNTERPARTS......................................................................................131
</TABLE>



                                                     - vi -
<PAGE>
 
                             EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES


                                    Exhibits


EXHIBIT A         --       Borrowing Base Certificate
                           (Definitions)

EXHIBIT B         --       Commitments
                           (Definitions)

EXHIBIT C         --       Form of Revolving Note
                           (Definitions)

EXHIBIT C-1       --       Form of Swing Line Note
                           (Definitions)

EXHIBIT D         --       Stock Purchase Agreement for Stock Acquisition
                           (Definitions)

EXHIBIT E         --       Form of Term Loan A Note
                           (Definitions)

EXHIBIT F         --       Form of Term Loan B Note
                           (Definitions)

EXHIBIT G         --       Form of Assignment Agreement
                           (ss.ss. 2.19, 12.3)

EXHIBIT H         --       Form of Borrower's Counsel's Opinion
                           (ss. 4.1)

EXHIBIT I         --       List of Closing Documents
                           (ss. 4.1)

EXHIBIT J         --       Form of Officer's Certificate
                           (ss.ss. 4.2, 6.1(A)(iv))


EXHIBIT K         --       Pro Forma Financial Statements
                           (ss. 5.4(A))

EXHIBIT L         --       Money Transfer Instructions
                           (ss. 4.1)
EXHIBIT M         --       Deferred Limited Interest Guaranty


                                     - vii -
<PAGE>
 
EXHIBIT N         --       MCIT Turnover Agreement

EXHIBIT O         --       Jordan Management Agreement

EXHIBIT P         --       Tax Sharing Agreement

EXHIBIT Q         --       Form of Guaranty

EXHIBIT R         --       Form of Restricted Subsidiary Security Agreement

EXHIBIT S         --       Form of Pledge Agreement

EXHIBIT T         --       Holdings Turnover Agreement


                                    - viii -
<PAGE>
 
                                    Schedules


Schedule 1.1.1    --     Permitted Existing Contingent Obligations (Definitions)

Schedule 1.1.2    --     Permitted Existing Indebtedness (Definitions)

Schedule 1.1.3    --     Permitted Existing Investments (Definitions)

Schedule 1.1.4    --     Permitted Existing Liens (Definitions)

Schedule 1.1.5    --     Refinanced Indebtedness (Definitions)

Schedule 5.3      --     Conflicts; Governmental Consents (ss.5.3)

Schedule 5.7      --     Litigation; Loss Contingencies (ss.5.7)

Schedule 5.8      --     Subsidiaries (ss.5.8)

Schedule 5.17     --     Insurance (ss.ss.5.17, 6.2(E))

Schedule 5.18     --     Contingent Obligations (ss.ss.5.7, 5.18)

Schedule 5.19     --     Labor Matters; Compensation Agreements
                         (ss. 5.19)

Schedule 5.21     --     Environmental Matters (ss.5.21)

Schedule 6.3(H)   --     Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates


                                     - ix -
<PAGE>
 
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


     This Credit Agreement dated as of February 27, 1997 is entered into among
GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the institutions from time to time parties
hereto as Lenders, whether by execution of this Agreement or an assignment and
acceptance pursuant to Section 12.3, and The First National Bank of Chicago, in
its capacity as contractual representative for itself and the other Lenders. The
parties hereto agree as follows:


ARTICLE I:  DEFINITIONS

     1.1 Certain Defined Terms. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in
this Agreement, the following terms used in this Agreement shall have the
following meanings, applicable both to the singular and the plural forms of the
terms defined.

     As used in this Agreement:

     "Accommodation Obligations" is defined in the definition "Contingent
Obligation" below.

     "Account Debtor" means the account debtor or obligor with respect to any of
the Receivables and/or the prospective purchaser with respect to any contract
right, and/or any party who enters into or proposes to enter into any contract
or other arrangement with the Borrower.

     "Acquisition" means any transaction, or any series of related transactions,
consummated on or after the date of this Agreement, by which the Borrower or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) acquires any going business or all or
substantially all of the assets of any firm, corporation or division thereof,
whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise or (ii) directly or
indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent transaction in a
series of transactions at least a majority (in number of votes) of the
securities of a corporation which have ordinary voting power for the election of
directors (other than securities having such power only by reason of the
happening of a contingency), a majority (by percentage of voting power), of the
membership, ownership or other equity interests in a limited liability company
or a majority (by percentage of voting power) of the outstanding partnership
interests of a partnership.

     "Acquisition Documents" means the Stock Purchase Agreement and all other
documents, instruments and agreements entered into by the Borrower or any of its
Affiliates in connection with the Stock Acquisition.

     "Advance" means a borrowing hereunder consisting of the aggregate amount of
the several Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower of the same Type and, in
the case of Eurodollar Rate Advances, for the same Interest Period.

     "Affected Lender" is defined in Section 2.20 hereof.
<PAGE>
 
     "Affiliate" of any Person means any of the following: (i) any other Person
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect
common control with such Person; (ii) any spouse, immediate family member or
other relative who has the same principal residence as such Person or as any
other affiliate of such Person; and (iii) any trust in which any such Persons
described in clauses (i) or (ii) above has a beneficial interest. A Person shall
be deemed to control another Person if the controlling Person is the "beneficial
owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of
greater than fifteen percent (15%) or more of any class of voting securities (or
other voting interests) of the controlled Person or possesses, directly or
indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or
policies of the controlled Person, whether through ownership of Capital Stock,
by contract or otherwise.

     "Affiliate Notes" means collectively, (i) that certain promissory note in
the original principal amount of $700,000, dated August 12, 1996, between Impact
Design, Inc. and the Target, together with accrued interest thereon, and (ii)
that certain promissory note in the original principal amount of $150,000, dated
August 12, 1996, between Kansas Custom Embroidery and the Target, together with
all accrued interest thereon.

     "Agent" means First Chicago in its capacity as contractual representative
for itself and the Lenders pursuant to Article X hereof and any successor Agent
appointed pursuant to Article X hereof.

     "Aggregate Acquisition and Investment Basket" means an initial amount equal
to $15,000,000; provided, that if the Borrower shall have a Leverage Ratio of
less than 4.25 to 1.0 for two consecutive fiscal quarters (as reflected in the
financial statements (and corresponding compliance certificate) delivered
pursuant to Section 6.1(A)(ii) or 6.1(A)(iii)), the Aggregate Acquisition and
Investment Basket shall be increased effective as of the date of delivery of
such financial statements to $30,000,000.

     "Aggregate Indebtedness Basket" means an initial amount equal to
$7,500,000; provided if the Borrower shall have a Leverage Ratio of less than
4.25 to 1.0 for two consecutive fiscal quarters (as reflected in the financial
statements (and corresponding compliance certificate) delivered pursuant to
Section 6.1(A)(ii) or 6.1(A)(iii)), the Aggregate Indebtedness Basket shall be
increased effective as of the date of delivery of such financial statements to
$20,000,000.

     "Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment" means the aggregate of the Revolving
Loan Commitments of all the Lenders, as reduced from time to time pursuant to
the terms hereof. The initial Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment is Fifty
Million and 00/100 Dollars ($50,000,000.00).

     "Aggregate Term Loan A Commitment" means the aggregate of the Term Loan A
Commitments of all the Lenders. The Aggregate Term Loan A Commitment is Forty
Million and 00/100 Dollars ($40,000,000.00).


                                       -2-
<PAGE>
 
     "Aggregate Term Loan B Commitment" means the aggregate of the Term Loan B
Commitments of all the Lenders. The Aggregate Term Loan B Commitment is
Twenty-Five Million and 00/100 Dollars ($25,000,000.00).

     "Agreement" means this Credit Agreement, as it may be amended, restated or
otherwise modified and in effect from time to time.

     "Agreement Accounting Principles" means generally accepted accounting
principles in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that
used in preparing the financial statements referred to in Section 5.4(B)(1)
hereof; provided, however, that with respect to the calculation of financial
ratios and other financial tests (and each of the components thereof) utilized
in or required by this Agreement, "Agreement Accounting Principles" means
generally accepted accounting principles as in effect as of the date of this
Agreement, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the
financial statements referred to in Section 5.4(B)(1) hereof.

     "Alternate Base Rate" means, for any day, a fluctuating rate of interest
per annum equal to the higher of (i) the Corporate Base Rate for such day and
(ii) the sum of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day and (b)
one-half of one percent (0.5%) per annum.

     "Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage" means, as at any date of
determination, the rate per annum then applicable in the determination of the
amount payable under Section 2.15(C)(i) hereof determined in accordance with the
provisions of Section 2.15(D)(ii) hereof.

     "Applicable Eurodollar Margin" means, as at any date of determination, the
rate per annum then applicable to Eurodollar Rate Loans determined in accordance
with the provisions of Section 2.15(D)(ii) hereof.

     "Applicable Floating Rate Margin" means, as at any date of determination,
the rate per annum then applicable to Floating Rate Loans determined in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.15(D)(ii) hereof.

     "Applicable L/C Fee Percentage" means, as at any date of determination, a
rate per annum: (i) for standby Letters of Credit, equal to the Applicable
Eurodollar Margin for Revolving Loans in effect on such date and (ii) for
commercial letters of credit, equal to the lesser of (y) one-half of the
Applicable Eurodollar Margin for Revolving Loans in effect on such date and (z)
one percent (1.00%) per annum.

     "Asset Sale" means, with respect to any Person, the sale, lease,
conveyance, assignment, disposition or other transfer by such Person of any of
its assets, whether owned as of the Closing Date or thereafter acquired
(including by way of a sale-leaseback transaction and including the sale or
other transfer of any of the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of such Person).

     "A Term Loans" is defined in Section 2.1(a) hereof.


                                       -3-
<PAGE>
 
     "Authorized Officer" means any of the Chairman, President, any Vice
President, Treasurer, Controller and Secretary of the Borrower or, if
applicable, any Restricted Subsidiary , and any other Person designated to the
Agent in writing by any of the foregoing, acting individually on behalf of the
Borrower.

     "Backstop Letter of Credit" means that certain Letter of Credit issued by
First Chicago to Boatmen's National Bank on the Closing Date.

     "Benefit Plan" means a defined benefit plan as defined in Section 3(35) of
ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) in respect of which the Borrower or any
other member of the Controlled Group is, or within the immediately preceding six
(6) years was, an "employer" as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

     "Borrower" means GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors and
assigns, including a debtor-in-possession on behalf of the Borrower.

     "Borrowing Base" means, as of any date of calculation, an amount, as set
forth on the most current Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Agent,
equal to: (i) eighty-five percent (85%) of the Gross Amount of Eligible
Receivables; plus (ii) sixty-five percent ( 65%) of the Gross Amount of Eligible
Inventory; minus (iii) such reserves as the Agent reasonably deems appropriate.
The Agent shall give the Borrower commercially reasonable prior written notice,
taking into account all facts and circumstances known by the Agent at such time,
of the establishment by the Agent of any reserves hereunder which, in any such
case, might decrease the amount of the Borrowing Base.

     "Borrowing Base Certificate" means a certificate, in substantially the form
of Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof, setting forth the Borrowing
Base and the component calculations thereof.

     "Borrowing Date" means a date on which an Advance or Swing Line Loan is
made hereunder.

     "Borrowing Notice" is defined in Section 2.8 hereof.

     "B Term Loans" is defined in Section 2.1(b) hereof.

     "Business Activity Report" means (A) a Notice of Business Activities Report
from the State of Minnesota, Department of Revenue, (B) a Notice of Business
Activities Report from the State of New Jersey, Division of Taxation, or (C) any
similar report required by any other State relating to the ability of the
Borrower or its Subsidiaries to enforce their accounts receivable claims against
account debtors located in any such state.

     "Business Day" means (i) with respect to any borrowing, payment or rate
selection of Loans bearing interest at the Eurodollar Rate, a day (other than a
Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for business in Chicago, Illinois
and New York, New York and on which dealings in Dollars are carried on in the
London interbank market and (ii) for all other purposes a


                                       -4-
<PAGE>
 
day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for business in
Chicago, Illinois and New York, New York.

     "Capital Expenditures" is defined in Section 6.4(A) hereof.

     "Capitalized Lease" of a Person means any lease of property by such Person
as lessee which would be capitalized on a balance sheet of such Person prepared
in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.

     "Capitalized Lease Obligations" of a Person means the amount of the
obligations of such Person under Capitalized Leases which would be capitalized
on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with Agreement
Accounting Principles.

     "Capital Stock" means (i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock,
(ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares,
interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of
corporate stock, (iii) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests
(whether general or limited) and (iv) any other interest or participation that
confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of,
or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

     "Cash Equivalents" means (i) marketable direct obligations issued or
unconditionally guaranteed by the United States government and backed by the
full faith and credit of the United States government; (ii) domestic and
Eurodollar certificates of deposit and time deposits, bankers' acceptances and
floating rate certificates of deposit issued by any commercial bank organized
under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of
Columbia, any foreign bank, or its branches or agencies (fully protected against
currency fluctuations for any such deposits with a term of more than ten (10)
days); (iii) shares of money market, mutual or similar funds having assets in
excess of $100,000,000 and the investments of which are limited to investment
grade securities (i.e., securities rated at least Baa by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. or at least BBB by Standard & Poor's Corporation); (iv) commercial
paper of United States banks and bank holding companies and their subsidiaries
and United States finance, commercial industrial or utility companies which, at
the time of acquisition, are rated A-1 (or better) by Standard & Poor's Ratings
Group or P-1 (or better) by Moody's Investors Services, Inc.; (v) time deposits
maturing no more than thirty (30) days from the date of creation thereof with
commercial banks having membership in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
in amounts not exceeding the lesser of $100,000 or the maximum amount of
insurance applicable to the aggregate amount of Borrower's deposits at such
institution; (vi) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than thirty
days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (i), (ii) and
(iv) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the
qualifications specified in clause (iv) above; (vii) securities with maturities
of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by
any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or by any political
subdivision or taxing authority of any such date, commonwealth or territory, the
securities of which states, commonwealth, territory, political subdivision or
taxing authority (as the case may be) are rated at least A by Standard & Poor's
Corporation or A by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.; and (viii) securities with
maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby
letters of credit issued by any Lender or any commercial


                                       -5-
<PAGE>
 
bank satisfying the requirements of clause (iv) above; provided that (other than
as set forth in clause (iii)) the maturities of such Cash Equivalents shall not
exceed 365 days.

     "Cash Flow Period" means each 12-month period ending on June 30 of each
calendar year commencing with the year ending June 30, 1998.

     "Change" is defined in Section 3.2 hereof.

     "Change of Board" means any transaction or event as a result of which any
Person or group (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities and Exchange
Act of 1934 and the regulations promulgated thereunder) other than the holders
as of the Closing Date of the Voting Stock of Holdings and their "Permitted
Transferees" (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) shall be entitled, by
virtue of ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise, to
nominate directors of Holdings having, in the aggregate, at least a majority of
the voting power at the time represented by all members of the Board of
Directors of Holdings.

     "Change of Control" means any transaction or event as a result of which (i)
the Jordan Stockholders shall cease to own of record and beneficially, in the
aggregate, at least twenty percent (20%) of the shares of the issued and
outstanding Voting Stock (measured by voting power rather than number of shares)
of Holdings, (ii) the Management Stockholders, collectively, shall cease to own
of record and beneficially , in the aggregate, at least twenty percent (20%) of
the shares of the issued and outstanding Voting Stock (measured by voting power
rather than number of shares) of Holdings, (iii) the Jordan Stockholders and the
Management Stockholders shall cease to own, in the aggregate, more than fifty
percent (50%) of the shares of the issued and outstanding Voting Stock (measured
by voting power rather than number of shares) of Holdings, (iv) after the first
sale of Voting Stock by Holdings pursuant to a registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933 that results in at least twenty percent (20%) of the then
issued and outstanding Voting Stock of Holdings being held by the public, any
Person or any group of affiliated Persons shall own, of record and beneficially,
in the aggregate, an equal or greater percentage of the total shares of the
issued and outstanding Voting Stock (measured by voting power rather than number
of shares) of Holdings then owned, of record and beneficially, by the Jordan
Stockholders and by the Management Stockholders, (v) a Change of Board shall
have occurred, (vi) Holdings shall cease to own, of record and beneficially,
with sole voting and dispositive power, 100% of the outstanding shares of Voting
Stock of the Borrower or shall cease to have the power, directly or indirectly,
to elect a majority of the board of directors of the Borrower, or (vii) any
other event occurs which would constitute a Change of Control under and as
defined in the Indenture or the Purchase Agreement with respect to the Holdings
Subordinated Notes, each as in effect as of the date hereof or as amended.

     "Closing Date" means the date on which the Term Loans and the initial
Revolving Loans are advanced hereunder.

     "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, reformed or
otherwise modified from time to time or any successor statute.


                                       -6-
<PAGE>
 
     "Collateral" means all property and interests in property now owned or
hereafter acquired by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in or
upon which a security interest, lien or mortgage is granted to the Agent, for
the benefit of the Holders of Secured Obligations, or to the Agent, for the
benefit of the Lenders, whether under the Security Agreement, under any of the
other Collateral Documents or under any of the other Loan Documents.

     "Collateral Documents" means all agreements, instruments and documents
executed in connection with this Agreement that are intended to create or
evidence Liens to secure the Secured Obligations, including, without limitation,
the Security Agreement, the Collection Account Agreement(s), the Guaranties, the
Restricted Subsidiary Security Agreements, the Pledge Agreements, the
Intellectual Property Agreements, the Mortgage and all other security
agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, guarantees, subordination agreements,
pledges, assignments, leases and financing statements whether heretofore, now,
or hereafter executed by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries and delivered to the Agent or any of the Lenders, together with all
agreements and documents referred to therein or contemplated thereby.

     "Collection Account" means each lock-box and blocked depository account
maintained by the Borrower, subject to a Collection Account Agreement, for the
collection of Receivables and other proceeds of Collateral.

     "Collection Account Agreement" means a written agreement among the
Borrower, the Agent or any Restricted Subsidiary, and, as applicable, each of
the banks at which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary maintains a
Collection Account, in form and substance acceptable to the Agent.

     "Collection Account Blockage Date" means the date, following the occurrence
of a Default on which the Agent or the Required Lenders, in the Agent's or the
Required Lenders' sole discretion, instruct(s) any financial institution party
to a Collection Account Agreement as described in the application Collection
Account Agreement to remit, during the continuance of such Default, all amounts
deposited in the Collection Account to the Agent or as the Agent shall direct.

     "Commission" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and
any Person succeeding to the functions thereof.

     "Commitment" means, for each Lender, collectively, such Lender's Revolving
Loan Commitment and Term Loan Commitments.

     "Contaminant" means any waste, pollutant, hazardous substance, toxic
substance, hazardous waste, special waste, petroleum or petroleum-derived
substance or waste, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs"), or any
constituent of any such substance or waste, and includes but is not limited to
these terms as defined in Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements of Law.


                                       -7-
<PAGE>
 
     "Contingent Obligation", as applied to any Person, means any Contractual
Obligation, contingent or otherwise, of that Person with respect to any
Indebtedness of another, including, without limitation, any such Indebtedness of
another directly or indirectly guaranteed, endorsed (otherwise than for
collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), co-made or discounted
or sold with recourse by that Person, or in respect of which that Person is
otherwise directly or indirectly liable, including Contractual Obligations
(contingent or otherwise) arising through any agreement to purchase, repurchase,
or otherwise acquire such Indebtedness or any security therefor, or to provide
funds for the payment or discharge thereof (whether in the form of loans,
advances or otherwise), or to maintain solvency, assets, level of income, or
other financial condition, or to make payment other than for value received
(such obligations under this definition being sometimes referred to as
"Accommodation Obligations"). The amount of any Contingent Obligation or
Accommodation Obligation with respect to any Person shall be limited to an
amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of such Person's share of the
obligation in respect of such Contingent Obligation or Accommodation Obligation
is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum liability in respect
thereof (assuming such Person is required to fully perform thereunder).

     "Contractual Obligation", as applied to any Person, means any provision of
any equity or debt securities issued by that Person or any indenture, mortgage,
deed of trust, security agreement, pledge agreement, guaranty, contract,
undertaking, agreement or instrument, in any case in writing, to which that
Person is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound, or to which
it or any of its properties is subject.

     "Controlled Group" means the group consisting of (i) any corporation which
is a member of the same controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of
Section 414(b) of the Code) as the Borrower; (ii) a partnership or other trade
or business (whether or not incorporated) which is under common control (within
the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code) with the Borrower; and (iii) a member
of the same affiliated service group (within the meaning of Section 414(m) of
the Code) as the Borrower, any corporation described in clause (i) above or any
partnership or trade or business described in clause (ii) above.

     "Conversion/Continuation Notice" is defined in Section 2.10(D) hereof.

     "Corporate Base Rate" means the corporate base rate of interest announced
by First Chicago from time to time, changing when and as said corporate base
rate changes.

     "Cure Loan" is defined in Section 8.2(iii) hereof.

     "Customary Permitted Liens" means:

          (i) Liens (other than Environmental Liens and Liens in favor of the
     IRS or the PBGC) with respect to the payment of taxes, assessments or
     governmental charges in all cases which are not yet due or (if foreclosure,
     distraint, sale or other similar proceedings shall not have been commenced)
     which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings properly
     instituted and diligently conducted and with respect to which


                                       -8-
<PAGE>
 
     adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being maintained in
     accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles;

          (ii) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of suppliers, mechanics,
     carriers, materialmen, warehousemen or workmen and other similar Liens
     imposed by law created in the ordinary course of business for amounts not
     yet due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate
     proceedings properly instituted and diligently conducted and with respect
     to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being
     maintained in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles;

          (iii) Liens (other than Environmental Liens and Liens in favor of the
     IRS or the PBGC) incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of
     business in connection with worker's compensation, unemployment insurance
     or other types of social security benefits or to secure the performance of
     bids, tenders, sales, contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed
     money), surety, appeal and performance bonds; provided that (A) all such
     Liens do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of the
     Borrower's or such Restricted Subsidiary's assets or property taken as a
     whole or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of the
     businesses taken as a whole, and (B) all Liens securing bonds to stay
     judgments or in connection with appeals do not secure at any time an
     aggregate amount exceeding $2,500,000;

          (iv) Liens arising with respect to zoning restrictions, easements,
     licenses, reservations, covenants, rights-of-way, utility easements,
     building restrictions and other similar charges or encumbrances on the use
     of real property which do not in any case or in the aggregate materially
     detract from the value of the property subject thereto or interfere with
     the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any of its
     Restricted Subsidiaries;

          (v) Liens of attachment or judgment with respect to judgments, writs
     or warrants of attachment, or similar process against the Borrower or any
     of its Restricted Subsidiaries which do not constitute a Default under
     Section 7.1(h);

          (vi) any interest or title of the lessor in the property subject to
     any operating lease entered into by the Borrower or any of its Restricted
     Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

          (vii) Liens arising from leases or subleases granted to others which
     do not interfere in any material respect with the business of the Borrower
     and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and

          (viii) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a
     matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the
     importation of goods.

     "Decision Period" is defined in Section 6.2(G) hereof.

     "Decision Reserve" is defined in Section 6.2(G) hereof.


                                       -9-
<PAGE>
 
     "Default" means an event described in Article VII hereof.

     "Deferred Limited Interest Guaranty" means that certain Deferred Limited
Interest Guaranty, dated as of February 27, 1997, executed by the Borrower for
the benefit of the holders of the Holdings Subordinated Notes and to which each
Restricted Subsidiary shall become a party, a copy of which is attached hereto
as Exhibit M.

     "Designated Default" means Default under Sections 7.1(a), 7.1(e), 7.1(f),
7.1(g), 7.1(m), 7.1(r), 7.1(t), 7.1(u) or 7.1(v) or any breach by the Borrower
of any of the terms or provisions of Sections 6.3(A) (Indebtedness), 6.3(B)
(Sales of Assets), 6.3(D) (Investments), 6.3(F) (Distributions), 6.3(H)
(Transactions with Affiliates), 6.3(O) (Other Indebtedness) or 6.4 (Financial
Covenants).

     "Designated Prepayment" is defined in Section 2.5(B)(i)(e) hereof.

     "DOL" means the United States Department of Labor and any Person succeeding
to the functions thereof.

     "Dollar" and "$" means dollars in the lawful currency of the United States.

     "EBITDA" is defined in Section 6.4(A) hereof.

     "Eligible Inventory" means Inventory of the Borrower which is held for sale
or lease or furnished under any contract of service by or under the direction of
the Borrower other than the Inventory described in the next sentence. The
following inventory is not Eligible Inventory: (i) Inventory which is obsolete,
not in good condition, not either currently usable or currently saleable in the
ordinary course of the Borrower's business or does not meet all material
standards imposed by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over
such item of Inventory, its use or its sale; (ii) Inventory consisting of
packaging material, supplies, raw materials involved in the embroidery, silk
screening or other finishing of blank items of clothing and work in process;
(iii) Inventory which (a) is consigned to a third party for sale, unless the
Agent shall have received from such consignee a lien waiver agreement in
substantially the form attached to the Security Agreement, or such other
documentation (including UCC-1 financing statements naming such consignee as
debtor/consignee, the Borrower as secured party/consignor and reflecting the
assignment of such UCC to the Agent as secured party) reasonably deemed
necessary by the Agent, so that the Agent has a valid and perfected first
priority security interest in such consigned Inventory, or (b) is on consignment
from a third party to the Borrower for sale; (iv) Inventory which consists of
goods in transit, but only to the extent such Inventory exceeds in the aggregate
$7,500,000; (v) Inventory which is subject to a Lien in favor of any Person
other than the Agent other than Customary Permitted Liens; (vi) Inventory with
respect to which the Agent does not have a first and valid fully-perfected
security interest; (vii) Inventory (other than Inventory which consists of goods
in transit) which is not located either (a) on the Borrower's owned premises in
the United States listed on Schedule 2 to the Security Agreement or (b) in other
owned or leased premises, warehouses or with bailees in the United States not
listed on Schedule 2 to the Security Agreement permitted to be established under
the Security Agreement or in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, in
connection with which the


                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
Agent shall have received to the extent required by the Security Agreement
landlord, mortgagee, bailee and/or warehousemen's access and lien waiver
agreements, as applicable, in each case in form and substance acceptable to the
Agent, but only to the extent such Inventory exceeds in the aggregate $500,000;
(viii) Inventory which is evidenced by a Receivable; and (ix) Inventory which is
not in conformity in all material respects with the representations and
warranties made by the Borrower to the Agent with respect thereto whether
contained in this Agreement or the Security Agreement.

     Without limiting the foregoing, Inventory of the Borrower which is acquired
pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition shall be treated as Eligible Inventory
unless the Agent, after concluding any due diligence it reasonably deems
necessary prior to the closing of the Permitted Acquisition (it being understood
and agreed that the Borrower shall permit the Agent and/or its authorized
representatives to conduct such due diligence no later than thirty (30) days
prior to the closing of any such Permitted Acquisition), shall not be reasonably
satisfied as to the condition thereof and that such Inventory would otherwise be
ineligible under the ineligibility standards set forth herein (including,
without limitation, each of perfection and priority of the Agent's security
interests in such Inventory) but for the fact that they were acquired by the
Borrower outside the ordinary course of business.

     "Eligible Receivables" means Receivables created by the Borrower in the
ordinary course of its business arising out of the sale of goods or rendition of
services by the Borrower other than the Receivables described in the next
sentence. The following Receivables are not Eligible Receivables:

          (i) Receivables which remain unpaid (a) ninety (90) days after the
     date such Receivables are due or (b) one-hundred and twenty (120) days
     after the date of the original applicable invoice;

          (ii) all Receivables owing by a single Account Debtor (including a
     Receivable which remains unpaid fewer than ninety (90) days after the date
     such Receivables are due or one-hundred and twenty (120) days after the
     date of the original applicable invoice) if thirty percent (30%) of the
     balance owing by such Account Debtor calculated without taking into account
     any credit balances of such Account Debtor, remains unpaid (a) ninety (90)
     days after the date such Receivables are due or (b) one-hundred and twenty
     (120) days after the date of the original applicable invoice or has
     otherwise become, or has been determined by the Agent to be ineligible, but
     only if the aggregate of all such Receivables exceeds $500,000;

          (iii) with respect to Receivables from any single Account Debtor and
     its Affiliates which otherwise constitute Eligible Receivables, the excess
     of such Receivables over twenty percent (20%) of all Eligible Receivables;

          (iv) Receivables with respect to which the Account Debtor is a
     director, officer, employee, Subsidiary or Affiliate (other than
     Receivables arising under an arm's length transaction with an Affiliate) of
     the Borrower;


                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
          (v) Receivables with respect to which the Account Debtor is any
     federal Governmental Authority, the United States of America, or, in each
     case, any department, agency or instrumentality thereof, unless with
     respect to any such Account, the Borrower has complied to the Agent's
     satisfaction with the provisions of the Federal Assignment of Claims Act or
     other applicable statutes, including, without limitation, executing and
     delivering to Agent all statements of assignment and/or notification which
     are in form and substance acceptable to Agent and which are deemed
     necessary by Agent to effectuate the assignment to the Agent of such
     Accounts on behalf of the Lenders; provided, however, notwithstanding the
     foregoing such Receivables up to an aggregate amount not to exceed
     $7,500,000 shall be Eligible Receivables provided no Default has occurred
     and is continuing; provided, further, however, after the occurrence and
     during the continuance of a Default, all such Receivables in connection
     with which the Borrower has not so complied with the Federal Assignment of
     Claims Act or other applicable statutes shall not be Eligible Receivables;

          (vi) Receivables with respect to which the Account Debtor is any state
     or municipal Governmental Authority or any agency or instrumentality
     thereof, unless with respect to any such Account, the Borrower has complied
     to the Agent's satisfaction with the provisions of any applicable state or
     local assignment of claims act or other applicable statutes, including,
     without limitation, executing and delivering to Agent all statements of
     assignment and/or notification which are in form and substance acceptable
     to Agent and which are deemed necessary by Agent to effectuate the
     assignment to the Agent of such Accounts on behalf of the Lenders;
     provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing such Receivables up to an
     aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 shall be Eligible Receivables
     provided no Default has occurred and is continuing; provided, further,
     however, after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default, all
     such Receivables in connection with which the Borrower has not so complied
     with the applicable state or local assignment of claims act or other
     applicable statutes shall not be Eligible Receivables;

          (vii) Receivables not denominated in U.S. Dollars or Receivables with
     respect to which the Account Debtor is neither a resident of the United
     States nor one of the Provinces of Canada other than Quebec (other than
     Receivables from Account Debtors located in Quebec up to an aggregate
     amount not to exceed $1,000,000), but only to the extent such Receivables
     exceed in the aggregate $1,000,000, unless the Account Debtor has supplied
     the Borrower with an irrevocable letter of credit, issued by a financial
     institution satisfactory to the Agent, sufficient to cover such Receivable
     in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent;

          (viii) Receivables with respect to which the Account Debtor has (a)
     asserted a counterclaim, (b) a right of setoff or (c) a receivable owing
     from the Borrower but only to the extent of such counterclaim, setoff or
     receivable and only to the extent such counterclaims, setoffs or
     receivables exceed, in the aggregate, $250,000;

          (ix) Receivables with respect to which the Agent does not have a first
     and valid fully perfected and enforceable security interest unless the
     Account Debtor has supplied


                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
     the Borrower with an irrevocable standby letter of credit, issued by a
     financial institution satisfactory to the Agent, sufficient to cover such
     Receivable in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and such letter
     of credit has been delivered to the Agent;

          (x) Receivables with respect to which the Account Debtor is the
     subject of bankruptcy or a similar insolvency proceeding or has made an
     assignment for the benefit of creditors or whose assets have been conveyed
     to a receiver, trustee or assignee for the benefit of creditors;

          (xi) Receivables with respect to which the Account Debtor's obligation
     to pay the Receivable is conditional upon the Account Debtor's approval or
     is otherwise subject to any repurchase obligation or return right, as with
     sales made on a bill-and-hold, guaranteed sale, sale-and-return, sale on
     approval (except with respect to Receivables in connection with which
     Account Debtors are entitled to return Inventory on the basis of the
     quality of such Inventory) or consignment basis;

          (xii) Receivables with respect to which the Account Debtor is located
     in New Jersey or Minnesota (or any other jurisdiction which adopts a
     statute or other requirement with respect to which any Person that obtains
     business from within such jurisdiction or is otherwise subject to such
     jurisdiction's tax law requiring such Person to file a Business Activity
     Report or make any other required filings in a timely manner in order to
     enforce its claims in such jurisdiction's courts or arising under such
     jurisdiction's laws); provided, however, such Receivables shall nonetheless
     be eligible if the Borrower has filed a Business Activity Report (or other
     applicable report) with the applicable state office or is qualified to do
     business in such jurisdiction and, within ninety (90) days of the date the
     Receivable was created, was qualified to do business in such jurisdiction
     or had on file with the applicable state office a current Business Activity
     Report (or other applicable report);

          (xiii) Receivables with respect to which the Account Debtor's
     obligation does not constitute its legal, valid and binding obligation,
     enforceable against it in accordance with its terms;

          (xiv) Receivables with respect to which the Borrower has not yet
     shipped the applicable goods, performed the applicable service or issued
     the applicable invoice;

          (xv) any Receivable which is not in conformity in all material
     respects with the representations and warranties made by the Borrower to
     the Agent with respect thereto whether contained in this Agreement or the
     Security Agreement;

          (xvi) Receivables in connection with which the Borrower has not
     complied with all material requirements contained in the charter and
     by-laws or other organizational or governing documents of the Borrower, and
     any law, rule or regulation, or determination of an arbitrator or a court
     or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon
     the Borrower or any of its property or to which the Borrower or any of its
     property is subject, including, without limitation, all laws, rules,
     regulations and orders of


                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
     any Governmental Authority or judicial authority relating to truth in
     lending, billing practices, fair credit reporting, equal credit
     opportunity, debt collection practices and consumer debtor protection,
     applicable to such Receivable (or any related contracts) or affecting the
     collectibility of such Receivables; and

          (xvii) Receivables in connection with which the Borrower or any other
     party to such Receivable, is in default in the performance or observance of
     any of the terms thereof in any material respect.

Without limiting the foregoing, Receivables of the Borrower which are acquired
pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition shall be treated as Eligible Receivables
unless the Agent, after concluding any due diligence it reasonably deems
necessary prior to the closing of the Permitted Acquisition (it being understood
and agreed that the Borrower shall permit the Agent and/or its authorized
representatives to conduct such due diligence no later than thirty (30) days
prior to the closing of any such Permitted Acquisition), shall not be reasonably
satisfied as to the quality and creditworthiness thereof and that such
Receivables would otherwise be ineligible under the ineligibility standards set
forth herein (including, without limitation, lack of perfection and priority of
the Agent's security interests in such Receivables) but for the fact that they
were acquired by the Borrower outside of the ordinary course of business.

     "Employment Agreements" means each of (i) that certain Employment
Agreement, dated as of February 27, 1997, between the Borrower and Robert M.
Wolff, and (ii) that certain Noncompetition Agreement, dated as of February 27,
1997, between Holdings and Robert M. Wolff, respectively, as in effect on the
date hereof.

     "Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements of Law" means all
Requirements of Law derived from or relating to federal, state and local laws or
regulations relating to or addressing pollution or protection of the
environment, or protection of worker health or safety, including, but not
limited to, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 9601 et seq., the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970,
29 U.S.C. ss. 651 et seq., and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of
1976, 42 U.S.C. ss. 6901 et seq., in each case including any amendments thereto,
any successor statutes, and any regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder,
and any state or local equivalent thereof.

     "Environmental Lien" means a lien in favor of any Governmental Authority
for (a) any liability under Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements of Law,
or (b) damages arising from, or costs incurred by such Governmental Authority in
response to, a Release or threatened Release of a Contaminant into the
environment.

     "Environmental Property Transfer Act" means any applicable requirement of
law that conditions, restricts, prohibits or requires any notification or
disclosure triggered by the closure of any property or the transfer, sale or
lease of any property or deed or title for any property for environmental
reasons, including, but not limited to, any so-called "Industrial Site Recovery
Act" or "Responsible Property Transfer Act."


                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
     "Equipment" means all of the Borrower's present and future (i) equipment,
including, without limitation, machinery, manufacturing, distribution, selling,
data processing and office equipment, assembly systems, tools, molds, dies,
fixtures, appliances, furniture, furnishings, vehicles, vessels, aircraft,
aircraft engines, and trade fixtures, (ii) other tangible personal property
(other than the Borrower's Inventory), and (iii) any and all accessions, parts
and appurtenances attached to any of the foregoing or used in connection
therewith, and any substitutions therefor and replacements, products and
proceeds thereof.

     "Equity Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other
rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding (i) any debt security that is
convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock and (ii) any other
Indebtedness or Obligation); provided, however, that Equity Interests will not
include any Incentive Arrangements or any obligations or payments thereunder.

     "Equity Offering" means, with respect to any Person, a public or private
offering by such Person for cash of Equity Interests and all warrants, options
or other rights to acquire Capital Stock, other than an offering of Redeemable
Stock or Incentive Arrangements or obligations or payments thereunder.

     "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time including (unless the context otherwise requires) any
rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

     "Eurodollar Base Rate" means, with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan for
the relevant Interest Period, the rate determined by the Agent to be the rate at
which deposits in Dollars are offered by First Chicago to first-class banks in
the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two
Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, in the approximate
amount of First Chicago's relevant Eurodollar Rate Loan and having a maturity
approximately equal to such Interest Period, as adjusted for Reserves.

     "Eurodollar Rate" means, with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan for the
relevant Interest Period, the Eurodollar Base Rate applicable to such Interest
Period plus the then Applicable Eurodollar Margin, changing when and as the
Applicable Eurodollar Margin changes. The Eurodollar Rate shall be rounded to
the next higher multiple of 1/16 of 1% if the rate is not such a multiple.

     "Eurodollar Rate Advance" means an Advance which bears interest at the
Eurodollar Rate.

     "Eurodollar Rate Loan" means a Loan, or portion thereof, which bears
interest at the Eurodollar Rate.

     "Excess Cash Flow" means, for any Cash Flow Period, an amount, calculated
without duplication, equal to the Borrower's and its Subsidiaries' consolidated
(i) Net Income for such period plus (ii) non-cash amortization expense for such
period, to the extent deducted in computing Net Income, including, without
limitation, amortization of goodwill and other


                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
intangible assets, plus (iii) depreciation for such period, to the extent
deducted in computing Net Income, plus (iv) all other non-cash charges
(including without limitation, those charges relating to purchase accounting
adjustments), to the extent deducted in computing Net Income for such period,
minus (v) Capital Expenditures, whether paid in cash or accrued during such
period, minus (vi) payments made during such period in connection with Permitted
Acquisitions, minus (vii) Investments during such period permitted pursuant to
Section 6.3(D)(ix), minus (viii) principal payments made on the Term Loans
(excluding mandatory prepayments made from Excess Cash Flow) and principal
payments made on all other Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
(other than the Obligations) and principal prepayments on all Indebtedness of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (except to the extent Net Income is increased
by such prepayment) during such period, plus (ix) the net reduction, if any, in
Working Capital as of the last day of the applicable period from the Working
Capital as of the end of the preceding fiscal year, minus (x) the net increase,
if any, in Working Capital as of the last day of the applicable period from the
Working Capital as of the end of the preceding fiscal year, minus (xi) the
aggregate amount (without duplication) of (y) cash dividends or cash redemptions
paid during such period with respect to the Borrower's Capital Stock, and (z)
Restricted Payments paid during such period pursuant to Section 6.3(F). All such
amounts shall be calculated in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles
and assuming that the Borrower has conducted its business in the ordinary course
and in accordance with past practices.

     "Excluded Asset Sales" means Asset Sales permitted under clauses (i)
through (xv) of Section 6.3(B) and, solely with respect to assets acquired after
the Closing Date which do not constitute replacements or substitutions for
assets existing on the Closing Date, Asset Sales permitted under clause (xvi) of
Section 6.3(B).

     "Excluded Proceeds" is defined in Section 6.2(G) hereof.

     "Existing First Chicago Hedging Agreement" is defined in Section 6.3(R)
hereof.

     "Existing Letters of Credit" is defined in Section 2.21(b).

     "Federal Funds Effective Rate" means, for any day, an interest rate per
annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds
transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal
funds brokers on such day, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a
Business Day, for the immediately 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 at approximately 10:00 a.m. (Chicago
time) on such day on such transactions received by the Agent from three Federal
funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Agent in its sole
discretion.

     "Fees" is defined in Section 6.4(A) hereof.

     "Financing" means, with respect to any Person, the consummation by such
Person of an Equity Offering or the issuance or sale by such Person of any
Indebtedness consisting of debt securities of such Person pursuant to a
registered offering or private placement.


                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
     "First Chicago" means The First National Bank of Chicago, in its individual
capacity, and its successors.

     "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" is defined in Section 6.4(C) hereof.

     "Floating Rate" means, for any day for any Loan, a rate per annum equal to
(i) the Alternate Base Rate for such day plus (ii) the then Applicable Floating
Rate Margin applicable to such Loan, changing when and as the Alternate Base
Rate and/or Applicable Floating Rate Margin changes.

     "Floating Rate Advance" means an Advance which bears interest at the
Floating Rate.

     "Floating Rate Loan" means a Loan, or portion thereof, which bears interest
at the Floating Rate.

     "Foreign Employee Benefit Plan" means a plan which would be a Benefit Plan
except that such plan is maintained or contributed to by an entity which is not
a U.S. business entity.

     "Governmental Acts" is defined in Section 2.26(a) hereof.

     "Governmental Authority" means any nation or government, any federal,
state, local or other political subdivision thereof, any self-regulatory
authority and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory
or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

     "Gross Amount of Eligible Inventory" means Eligible Inventory valued at the
lower of cost determined on a first-in-first-out basis (determined in accordance
with Agreement Accounting Principles, consistently applied) or market value.

     "Gross Amount of Eligible Receivables" means the outstanding face amount of
Eligible Receivables, determined in accordance with Agreement Accounting
Principles, consistently applied, less fifty percent (50%) of the amount of all
accrued advertising incentives.

     "Gross Negligence" means the absence of care or the disregard of
consequences. Gross Negligence does not mean the absence of ordinary care or
diligence, or an inadvertent act or inadvertent failure to act. If the term
"gross negligence" is used with respect to the Agent or any Lender or any
Indemnitee in any of the other Loan Documents, it shall have the meaning set
forth herein.

     "Guaranty" means each of those certain Guaranties executed from time to
time by each of the Restricted Subsidiaries in favor of the Agent for the
benefit of itself and the Holders of Secured Obligations and in favor of the
Trustee for the benefit of itself and the holders of the Senior Subordinated
Notes, pursuant to Section 6.3(G)(ii) of this Agreement as amended, restated or
otherwise modified from time to time in substantially the form of Exhibit P
attached hereto.


                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
     "Hedging Agreements" is defined in Section 6.3(R) hereof.

     "Hedging Obligations" of a Person means any and all obligations of such
Person, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created,
arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and
modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (i) any and all
agreements, devices or arrangements designed to protect at least one of the
parties thereto from the fluctuations of interest rates, exchange rates or
forward rates applicable to such party's assets, liabilities or exchange
transactions, including, but not limited to, dollar-denominated or
cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements, forward currency exchange
agreements, interest rate cap or collar protection agreements, forward rate
currency, interest rate options, puts and warrants or any similar derivative
agreement, and (ii) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals,
terminations or assignments of any of the foregoing.

     "Holders of Secured Obligations" means the holders of the Secured
Obligations from time to time and shall refer to (i) each Lender in respect of
its Loans, (ii) the Issuing Lender in respect of Reimbursement Obligations,
(iii) the Agent, the Lenders, the Swing Line Bank and the Issuing Lender in
respect of all other present and future obligations and liabilities of the
Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Holdings of every type and description
arising under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document,
(iv) each Indemnitee in respect of the obligations and liabilities of the
Borrower to such Person hereunder, (v) each Lender (or affiliate thereof), in
respect of all Hedging Obligations of the Borrower to such Lender (or such
affiliate) as exchange party or counterparty under any Hedging Agreement, and
(vi) their respective successors, transferees and assigns.

     "Holdings" means GSFI Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its
successors and assigns, including a debtor-in-possession on behalf of Holdings.

     "Holdings Subordinated Debt" means all indebtedness represented by the
Holdings Subordinated Notes.

     "Holdings Subordinated Notes" means the 12.0% Subordinated Notes due April
30, 2008 of Holdings issued as of the date of this Agreement to MCIT in the
original aggregate principal amount of Twenty-Five Million and 00/100 Dollars
($25,000,000.00) issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated as of February
27, 1997, between Holdings and MCIT, and all substitutions, modifications and
renewals therefor provided such substitutions, modifications or renewals would
be permitted under the terms of Section 6.3(O) as if such Section were
applicable thereto (with all references therein to the Borrower and the
Restricted Subsidiaries being instead to Holdings, the Borrower and the
Restricted Subsidiaries).

     "Holdings Turnover Agreement" means the Holdings Turnover Agreement, dated
as of February 27, 1997 executed by Holdings in favor of the Agent and Holders
of Secured Obligations and the Trustee and the holders of the Senior
Subordinated Notes in the form of Exhibit T hereto.

     "Incentive Arrangements" means any earn-out agreements, stock appreciation
rights, "phantom" stock plans, employment agreements, non-competition
agreements, subscription and


                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
stockholders agreements and other incentive and bonus plans and similar
arrangements made in connection with acquisitions of Persons by the Borrower or
the Restricted Subsidiaries or the retention of consultants, executives,
officers or employees by Holdings, the Borrower or any such Restricted
Subsidiary.

     "Incentive Compensation Plan" means the incentive compensation plan for
providing annual cash bonuses that the Borrower expects to adopt following
consummation of the Stock Acquisition.

     "Indebtedness" of any Person means without duplication: (i) any
indebtedness of such Person, contingent or otherwise, in respect of borrowed
money including all principal, interest, fees and expenses with respect thereto
(whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such
Person or only to a portion thereof provided, that if the amount of recourse to
such Person is determinable, such Indebtedness shall be limited to the lesser of
recourse to such Person or the amount of such Indebtedness), or evidenced by
bonds, notes, acceptances, debentures or other instruments or letters of credit
(or reimbursement obligations with respect thereto, including, in the case of
the Borrower, Reimbursement Obligations under the Letters of Credit) or
representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any
property (including pursuant to Capitalized Leases) or services, if and to the
extent any of the foregoing indebtedness would appear as a liability upon a
balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with Agreement Accounting
Principles (except that any such balance that constitutes a trade payable and/or
an accrued liability arising in the ordinary course of business shall not be
considered Indebtedness); (ii) to the extent not otherwise included, (a)
interest accruing after the commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or similar proceedings and other interest that would have accrued
but for the commencement of such proceedings, (b) any Capitalized Lease
Obligations, (c) the maximum fixed repurchase price of any Redeemable Stock, (d)
obligations, whether or not assumed, secured by Liens or payable out of the
proceeds or production from property now or hereafter owned or acquired by such
Person, (e) Contingent Obligations (whether or not such items would appear upon
such balance sheet) and (f) Hedging Obligations. For purposes of the preceding
sentence, the maximum fixed repurchase price of any Redeemable Stock which does
not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the
terms of such Redeemable Stock as if such Redeemable Stock were repurchased on
any date on which Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to
this Agreement, provided that if such Redeemable Stock is not then permitted to
be repurchased, the repurchase price shall be the book value of such Redeemable
Stock. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be without
duplication (i) the lesser of (x) the outstanding balance at such date of all
unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability of any
such Contingent Obligations, and (y) if determinable, the amount of Indebtedness
for which such Person is liable at such date and (ii) in the case of
Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien to which the property or assets owned
or held by such Person is subject, the lesser of the fair market value at such
date of any asset subject to a Lien securing the Indebtedness of others and the
amount of the Indebtedness secured.

     "Indemnified Matters" is defined in Section 9.7(B) hereof.

     "Indemnitees" is defined in Section 9.7(B) hereof.


                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
     "Indenture" means that certain Indenture dated as of February 27, 1997,
between the Borrower and Fleet National Bank, as Trustee, as amended,
supplemented or modified in accordance with Section 6.3(O) hereof.

     "Intellectual Property Agreements" means the Trademark Security Agreement
of even date herewith executed by the Borrower in favor of the Agent for the
benefit of the Holders of Secured Obligations and each trademark, patent,
copyright or other intellectual property agreement executed from time to time by
any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the
Holders of Secured Obligations, in each case as amended, restated or otherwise
modified from time to time.

     "Interest Expense" is defined in Section 6.4(A) hereof.

     "Interest Expense Coverage Ratio" is defined in Section 6.4(B) hereof.

     "Interest Period" means, with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, a period
of one (1), two (2), three (3) months, six (6) months or such other period as
may be agreed to by the Borrower, the Agent and all of the Lenders commencing on
a Business Day selected by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement; provided,
however, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary for the
period from the Closing Date to the earlier of (y) the date that is 90 days
after the Closing Date and (z) the date upon which the Agent confirms that the
loan syndication process has been complete (the "Syndication Period"), "Interest
Period" means, with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, a period of seven (7)
days. Other than during the Syndication Period, such Interest Period shall end
on (but exclude) the day which corresponds numerically to such date one, two,
three, six months or such other agreed upon period thereafter; provided,
however, that if there is no such numerically corresponding day in such next,
second, third or sixth succeeding month, such Interest Period shall end on the
last Business Day of such next, second, third or sixth succeeding month or the
end of such other agreed upon period. If an Interest Period would otherwise end
on a day which is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall end on the next
succeeding Business Day, provided, however, that if said next succeeding
Business Day falls in a new calendar month, such Interest Period shall end on
the immediately preceding Business Day.

     "Inventory" shall mean any and all goods, including, without limitation,
goods in transit, wheresoever located, whether now owned or hereafter acquired
by the Borrower, which are held for sale or lease, furnished under any contract
of service or held as raw materials, work in process or supplies, and all
materials used or consumed in the Borrower's business, and shall include all
right, title and interest of Borrower in any property the sale or other
disposition of which has given rise to Receivables and which has been returned
to or repossessed or stopped in transit by the Borrower.

     "Investment" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any purchase or other
acquisition by that Person of any Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other
securities, or of a beneficial interest in any Indebtedness, Equity Interests or
other securities, issued by any other Person, (ii) any purchase by that Person
of all or substantially all of the assets of a business conducted by another
Person, and (iii) any loan, advance (other than deposits with financial
institutions available for


                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
withdrawal on demand, prepaid expenses, accounts receivable, advances to
employees and similar items made or incurred in the ordinary course of business)
or capital contribution by that Person to any other Person, including all
Indebtedness to such Person arising from a sale of property by such Person other
than in the ordinary course of its business.

     "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service and any Person succeeding to the
functions thereof.

     "Issuing Lender" is defined in Section 2.21 hereof.

     "Jordan Stockholders" means The Jordan Company, Jordan/Zalaznick Capital
Corporation and MCIT, and their respective affiliates, principals, employees,
and partners, family members of any of the foregoing, and trusts for the benefit
of any of the foregoing (including, without limitation, Leucadia National
Corporation and Jordan Industries, Inc. and their respective subsidiaries.

     "Jordan Management Agreement" means that certain Management Consulting
Agreement, dated as of February 27, 1997 between TJC Management Corporation, a
Delaware corporation and Holdings in the form attached hereto as Exhibit O.

     "Knowledge" means, at anytime and relative to any matter, knowledge which
the Authorized Officers of Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary
would reasonably be expected to have regarding such matter.

     "L/C Documents" is defined in Section 2.21.

     "L/C Draft" means a draft drawn on an Issuing Lender pursuant to a Letter
of Credit.

     "L/C Interest" is defined in Section 2.22.

     "L/C Obligations" means, without duplication, an amount equal to the sum of
(i) the aggregate of the amount then available for drawing under each of the
Letters of Credit, (ii) the face amount of all outstanding L/C Drafts
corresponding to the Letters of Credit, which L/C Drafts have been accepted by
the applicable Issuing Lender, (iii) the aggregate outstanding amount of all
Reimbursement Obligations at such time and (iv) the aggregate face amount of all
Letters of Credit requested by the Borrower but not yet issued (unless the
request for an unissued Letter of Credit has been denied).

     "Lenders" means the lending institutions listed on the signature pages of
this Agreement and their respective successors and assigns.

     "Lending Installation" means, with respect to a Lender or the Agent, any
office, branch, subsidiary or affiliate of such Lender or the Agent.

     "Letter of Credit" means the letters of credit issued by the Issuing
Lenders pursuant to Section 2.21 hereof.


                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
     "Leverage Ratio" is defined in Section 6.4(D) below.

     "Lien" means any lien (statutory or other), mortgage, pledge,
hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance or preference,
priority or security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature
whatsoever (including, without limitation, the interest of a vendor or lessor
under any conditional sale, Capitalized Lease or other title retention
agreement).

     "Loan(s)" means, with respect to a Lender, such Lender's portion of any
Advance made pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2, as applicable, and in the
case of the Swing Line Bank, any Swing Line Loan made pursuant to Section 2.23
hereof, and collectively all Term Loans, Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans,
whether made or continued as or converted to Floating Rate Loans or Eurodollar
Rate Loans.

     "Loan Account" is defined in Section 2.15(F) hereof.

     "Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranty, the L/C
Documents, the Collateral Documents and all other documents, instruments and
agreements executed in connection therewith or contemplated thereby, as the same
may be amended, restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time.

     "Management" means those employees or former employees of the Target
holding Equity Interests of Holdings or the Borrower as of the Closing Date and
from time to time thereafter.

     "Management Notes" means those certain promissory notes in the original
aggregate principal amount not to exceed $900,000 and all accrued interest
thereon issued by certain members of Management to Holdings in connection with
the Acquisition.

     "Management Stockholders" means the officers, directors and employees of
the Borrower on the Closing Date and their family members and trusts for the
benefit of any of the foregoing.

     "Margin Stock" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Regulation
U.

     "Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect upon (a) the
business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance,
properties or prospects of the Borrower, or the Borrower and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to perform their respective obligations under the Loan
Documents in any material respect, or (c) the ability of the Lenders or the
Agent to enforce in any material respect the Obligations or their rights with
respect to the Collateral.

     "Maximum Revolving Credit Amount" means, at any particular time: (i) the
lesser of (A) the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment at such time minus the
aggregate outstanding L/C Obligations at such time and (B) the Borrowing Base at
such time minus the aggregate outstanding L/C Obligations in respect of standby
Letters of Credit at such time minus (ii) the amount of any Decision Reserve in
effect at such time.


                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
     "MCIT" means MCIT PLC, a public company incorporated in England.

     "MCIT Turnover Agreement" means the Turnover Agreement, dated as of
February 27, 1997, executed by the holders of the Holdings Subordinated Debt in
favor of the Agent and Holders of Secured Obligations and the Trustee and the
holders of the Senior Subordinated Notes in the form of Exhibit N hereto.

     "Merger" means the merger of the Target with and into the Borrower with the
Borrower as the surviving corporation.

     "Minimum Equity Contributions" is defined in Section 5.22 hereof.

     "Mortgage" means that certain Mortgage, Security Agreement, Financing
Statement and Assignment of Rents and Leases of even date herewith executed by
the Borrower in favor of the Agent as amended, restated or otherwise modified
from time to time.

     "Multiemployer Plan" means a "Multiemployer Plan" as defined in Section
4001(a)(3) of ERISA which is, or within the immediately preceding six (6) years
was, contributed to by either the Borrower or any member of the Controlled
Group.

     "Net Cash Proceeds" means, with respect to any Asset Sale of any Person,
(a) cash (freely convertible into U.S. Dollars) received by such Person or any
Subsidiary of such Person from such Asset Sale (including cash received as
consideration for the assumption or incurrence of liabilities incurred in
connection with or in anticipation of such Asset Sale), after (i) provision for
all income or other taxes measured by or resulting from such Asset Sale, (ii)
payment of all reasonable and customary brokerage commissions, sales
commissions, legal, accounting, management, investment banking, advisory and
other fees and expenses related to such Asset Sale, (iii) all amounts used to
repay Indebtedness secured by a Lien on any asset disposed of in such Asset Sale
or which is or may be required (by the express terms of the instrument governing
such Indebtedness) to be repaid in connection with such Asset Sale (including
payments made to obtain or avoid the need for the consent of any holder of such
Indebtedness), (iv) deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by such
Person or a Subsidiary of such Person as a reserve, determined in good faith in
accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles, against any liabilities
associated with the assets sold or disposed of in such Asset Sale and retained
by such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person after such Asset Sale, including,
without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and
liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification and
other contractual obligations associated with the assets sold or disposed of in
such Asset Sale, (v) deduction of cash expenses, including the payment of
principal, interest and premium on Indebtedness (other than the Obligations or
the Senior Subordinated Notes) required to be paid as a result of such Asset
Sale, and relocation and other similar expenses incurred in connection with such
Asset Sale and (vi) deduction of amounts payable by such Person with respect to
relocation expenses and pension, severance and shutdown costs incurred as a
result of such Asset Sale; and (b) cash payments in respect of any Indebtedness,
Capital Stock or other consideration received by such Person or any Subsidiary
of such Person from such Asset Sale upon receipt of such cash payments by such
Person or such Subsidiary.


                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
     "Net Income" is defined in Section 6.4(A) hereof.

     "New Subsidiary" is defined in Section 6.3(G)(ii) hereof.

     "Non Pro Rata Loan" is defined in Section 8.2 hereof.

     "Non-Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Borrower other than
a Restricted Subsidiary.

     "Notes" means the Revolving Notes, the Term Notes, and the Swing Line Note.

     "Notice of Assignment" is defined in Section 12.3(B) hereof.

     "Obligations" means all Loans, advances, debts, liabilities, obligations,
covenants and duties owing by the Borrower to the Agent, any Lender, any
Affiliate of the Agent or any Lender, or any Indemnitee, of any kind or nature,
present or future, arising under this Agreement, the Notes, the L/C Documents,
the Collateral Documents, any other Loan Document, whether or not evidenced by
any note, guaranty or other instrument, whether or not for the payment of money,
whether arising by reason of an extension of credit, loan, guaranty,
indemnification, or in any other manner, whether direct or indirect (including
those acquired by assignment), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now
existing or hereafter arising and however acquired. The term includes, without
limitation, all interest (including any interest accruing subsequent to the
filing of a petition of bankruptcy at the rate provided for in the documentation
with respect thereto), charges, expenses, fees, attorneys' fees and
disbursements, paralegals' fees (in each case whether or not allowed), and any
other sum chargeable to the Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document.

     "Off Balance Sheet Liabilities" of a Person means (a) any repurchase
obligation or liability of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries with respect
to accounts or notes receivable sold by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries,
(b) any liability under any so-called "synthetic" lease transaction, or (c) any
obligations arising with respect to any other transaction which is the
functional equivalent of or takes the place of borrowing but which does not
constitute a liability on the consolidated balance sheets of such Person and its
Subsidiaries.

     "Offering Memorandum" shall mean the Offering Memorandum, dated February
20, 1997, relating to the Borrower's offering and placement of the Senior
Subordinated Notes.

     "Officer's Certificate" is defined in Section 6.1(A)(iv) hereof.

     "Other Taxes" is defined in Section 2.15(E)(ii) hereof.

     "Parent" is defined in Section 6.2(M) hereof.

     "Participants" is defined in Section 12.2(A) hereof.

     "Payment Date" means the last Business Day of each calendar quarter.


                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
     "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any successor
thereto.

     "Permitted Acquisition" is defined in Section 6.3(G).

     "Permitted Existing Contingent Obligations" means the Contingent
Obligations of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries identified as such
on Schedule 1.1.1 to this Agreement.

     "Permitted Existing Indebtedness" means the Indebtedness of the Borrower
and its Restricted Subsidiaries identified as such on Schedule 1.1.2 to this
Agreement.

     "Permitted Existing Investments" means the Investments of the Borrower and
its Restricted Subsidiaries identified as such on Schedule 1.1.3 to this
Agreement.

     "Permitted Existing Liens" means the Liens on assets of the Borrower or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries identified as such on Schedule 1.1.4 to this
Agreement.

     "Permitted Holdings Indebtedness" means the following Indebtedness of
Holdings:

          (a) the Holdings Subordinated Debt (which, for purposes of this
     definition, includes all indebtedness represented by promissory notes
     issued by Holdings in favor of the holders of the Holdings Subordinated
     Notes in lieu of any payment of accrued interest on the Holding
     Subordinated Notes in cash, which promissory notes are in an amount not
     exceeding the amount of such accrued interest in the form of the Holdings
     Subordinated Notes);

          (b) Indebtedness in respect of taxes, assessments, and governmental
     charges, to the extent that non-payment thereof does not result in a
     Default under Section 7.1(w).

          (c) Indebtedness with respect to dividends due on the Preferred Stock
     at rates no higher than the rates in effect on the Closing Date;

          (d) Indebtedness with respect to directors' fees not to exceed
     $150,000 plus out-of-pocket expenses in any fiscal year of Borrower and
     other obligations of Holdings under the Jordan Management Agreement;

          (e) Indebtedness with respect to Transaction Costs;

          (f) Indebtedness with respect to the Employment Agreements as in
     effect on the Closing Date;

          (g) Indebtedness to any shareholder of Holdings incurred at a time
     when no Default has occurred and is continuing in connection with the
     repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any
     Equity Interests of Holdings ("Repurchase Indebtedness") owned by any
     member of the Borrower's management, pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement
     as in effect on the Closing Date or any similar agreement entered into
     after the Closing Date with members of the management of the


                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
     Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Closing Date,
     provided, that such Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Secured
     Obligations and Indebtedness evidenced by the Senior Subordinated Notes on
     terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to the Agent and the Required
     Lenders (it being understood and agreed that the subordination terms
     contained in the Non-Negotiable Promissory Notes attached as Exhibit C to
     the Stockholders Agreement as in effect as of the date hereof shall be
     acceptable);

          (h) Indebtedness in respect of Plans maintained by Holdings which are
     established and maintained in accordance with the covenants set forth in
     this Agreement;

          (i) Indebtedness under the Holdings Turnover Agreement; and

          (j) other Indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing amounts
     payable in respect of Indebtedness permitted under clauses (a) through (j)
     above, the payment of which is subordinated to the payment of the Secured
     Obligations to the written satisfaction of the Agent and the Required
     Lenders and the terms (including, without limitation, with respect to
     amount, maturity, amortization, interest rate, premiums, fees, covenants,
     subordination terms, events of default and remedies) of which are
     reasonably acceptable to the Agent and the Required Lenders;

     provided, however, no such Indebtedness shall constitute Permitted Holdings
     Indebtedness unless such Indebtedness is nonrecourse to the Borrower and
     its Restricted Subsidiaries and the Borrower and its Restricted
     Subsidiaries have no direct or Contingent Obligations with respect to such
     Indebtedness.

     "Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness" is defined in Section 6.3(A)(x)
hereof.

     "Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness" means any replacement, renewal,
refinancing or extension of any Indebtedness (other than the Senior Subordinated
Notes) permitted by this Agreement that (i) does not exceed the aggregate
principal amount including unused commitments, of the Indebtedness being
replaced, renewed, refinanced or extended (plus accrued interest and any
applicable premium and associated fees and expenses), (ii) does not have a
Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time of such replacement, renewal,
refinancing or extension that is less than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity
of the Indebtedness being replaced, renewed, refinanced or extended, (iii) does
not rank at the time of such replacement, renewal, refinancing or extension
senior to the Indebtedness being replaced, renewed, refinanced or extended, and
(iv) does not contain terms (including, without limitation, terms relating to
security, amortization, interest rate, premiums, fees, covenants, subordination,
events of default and remedies) materially less favorable to the Borrower, taken
as a whole, or less favorable in any respect to the interests of the Lenders
than those applicable to the Indebtedness being replaced, renewed, refinanced or
extended.

     "Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness" means Subordinated Indebtedness
permitted pursuant to Section 6.3(A)(v).


                                      -26-
<PAGE>
 
     "Person" means any natural person, corporation, firm, joint venture,
partnership, limited liability company, association, enterprise, trust or other
entity or organization, or any government or political subdivision or any
agency, department or instrumentality thereof.

     "Plan" means an employee benefit plan defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA in
respect of which the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group is, or
within the immediately preceding six (6) years was, an "employer" as defined in
Section 3(5) of ERISA.

     "Pledge Agreements" means the Pledge Agreements to be executed by the
Borrower (or if such Restricted Subsidiary is to be acquired or established by
another Restricted Subsidiary, executed by the applicable Restricted Subsidiary)
as of the acquisition or establishment of any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to
the terms of Section 6.3(G)(ii), in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the
Holders of Secured Obligations as amended, restated or otherwise modified from
time to time, pursuant to which the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries
will pledge to the Agent, for the benefit of the Holders of Secured Obligations,
all of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of each Restricted Subsidiary of
the Borrower.

     "Preferred Stock" means (a) the Series A 12% Cumulative Preferred Stock,
$0.01 par value of Holdings issued to each of the holders of the Series A 12%
Cumulative Preferred Stock listed on Schedule 5.8 attached hereto and (b) the
Series B 12% Cumulative Preferred Stock $0.01 par value of Holdings issued to
each of the holders of the Series B 12% Cumulative Preferred Stock listed on
Schedule 5.8 attached hereto.

     "Pro Rata Share" means, with respect to any Lender, (i) at any time prior
to the Closing Date, the percentage obtained by dividing (A) such Lender's
Commitments at such time (in each case, as adjusted from time to time in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement) by (B) the sum of the
Aggregate Term Loan A Commitments, Aggregate Term Loan B Commitments and the
Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitments at such time and (ii) at any time after the
Closing Date, the percentage obtained by dividing (A) the sum of such Lender's
Term Loans and Revolving Loan Commitment at such time (in each case, as adjusted
from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement) by (B)
the sum of the aggregate amount of all of the Term Loans and the Aggregate
Revolving Loan Commitment at such time; provided, however, if all of the
Commitments are terminated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, then "Pro
Rata Share" means the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the sum of such
Lender's Term Loans, Revolving Loans and participations in any outstanding
Letters of Credit and, in the case of the Swing Line Bank, Swing Line Loans, by
(y) the aggregate amount of all Term Loans, Revolving Loans, Swing Line Loans
and L/C Obligations.

     "Purchasers" is defined in Section 12.3(A) hereof.

     "Rate Option" means the Eurodollar Rate or the Floating Rate.

     "Receivable(s)" means and includes all of the Borrower's presently existing
and hereafter arising or acquired accounts, accounts receivable, and all present
and future rights of the Borrower to payment for goods sold or leased or for
services rendered (except those evidenced by instruments or chattel paper),
whether or not they have been earned by performance, and all


                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
rights in any merchandise or goods which any of the same may represent, and all
rights, title, security and guaranties with respect to each of the foregoing,
including, without limitation, any right of stoppage in transit.

     "Redeemable 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, matures or is mandatorily
redeemable (other than in connection with an Equity Offering), in whole or in
part, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, prior to the maturity
of the Obligations (including any extensions thereof contemplated by this
Agreement), or is, by its terms or upon the happening of any event, redeemable
pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, at the option of the holder
thereof, in whole or in part, prior to the maturity of the Obligations
(including any extensions thereof contemplated by this Agreement).

     "Refinanced Indebtedness" means the all of the outstanding Indebtedness of
the Target as of the Closing Date which is being discharged as of the Closing
Date as more specifically set forth on Schedule 1.1.5 hereto.

     "Register" is defined in Section 12.3(C) hereof.

     "Regulation G" means Regulation G of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor or other
regulation or official interpretation of said Board of Governors relating to the
extension of credit by nonbank, nonbroker lenders for the purpose of purchasing
or carrying margin stock (as defined therein).

     "Regulation T" means Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor or other
regulation or official interpretation of said Board of Governors relating to the
extension of credit by and to brokers and dealers of securities for the purpose
of purchasing or carrying margin stock (as defined therein).

     "Regulation U" means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor or other
regulation or official interpretation of said Board of Governors relating to the
extension of credit by banks for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin
Stock applicable to member banks of the Federal Reserve System.

     "Regulation X" means Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor or other
regulation or official interpretation of said Board of Governors relating to the
obtaining of credit by borrowers for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
margin stock (as defined therein).

     "Reimbursement Obligation" is defined in Section 2.23 hereof.

     "Release" means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, injection,
deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into the indoor
or outdoor environment,


                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
including the movement of Contaminants through or in the air, soil, surface
water or groundwater.

     "Replacement Lender" is defined in Section 2.20 hereof.

     "Reportable Event" means a reportable event as defined in Section 4043 of
ERISA and the regulations issued under such section, with respect to a Plan,
excluding, however, such events as to which the PBGC by regulation waived the
requirement of Section 4043(a) of ERISA that it be notified within 30 days after
such event occurs, provided, however, that a failure to meet the minimum funding
standards of Section 412 of the Code and of Section 302 of ERISA shall be a
Reportable Event regardless of the issuance of any such waiver of the notice
requirement in accordance with either Section 4043(a) of ERISA or Section 412(d)
of the Code.

     "Repurchase Indebtedness" is defined in the definitions of Permitted
Holdings Indebtedness above.

     "Required Lenders" means Lenders whose Pro Rata Shares, in the aggregate,
are equal to or greater than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%);
provided, however, that, if any of the Lenders shall have failed to fund its Pro
Rata Share of any Revolving Loan requested by the Borrower, or any Swing Line
Loan as requested by the Agent, which such Lenders are obligated to fund under
the terms of this Agreement and any such failure has not been cured, then for so
long as such failure continues, "Required Lenders" means Lenders (excluding all
Lenders whose failure to fund their respective Pro Rata Shares of such Revolving
Loans or Swing Line Loans has not been so cured) whose Pro Rata Shares represent
sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) or greater of the aggregate Pro Rata
Shares of such Lenders; provided, further, however, that, if the Commitments
have been terminated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, "Required Lenders"
means Lenders (without regard to such Lenders' performance of their respective
obligations hereunder) whose ratio of (x) the sum of such Lenders' Term Loans,
Revolving Loans and participations in outstanding Letters of Credit, and, in the
case of the Swing Line Bank, the Swing Line Loans to (y) the aggregate amount of
all Term Loans, Revolving Loans, Swing Line Loans and L/C Obligations is equal
to or greater than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%).

     "Requirements of Law" means, as to any Person, the charter and by-laws or
other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, rule or
regulation, or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental
Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its
property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject including,
without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, Regulations G, T, U and X, ERISA, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Worker
Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990, and any certificate of occupancy, zoning ordinance, building,
environmental or land use requirement or Permit or environmental, labor,
employment, occupational safety or health law, rule or regulation, including
Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements of Law.

     "Reserves" shall mean the maximum reserve requirement, as prescribed by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) with respect
to "Eurocurrency


                                      -29-
<PAGE>
 
liabilities" or in respect of any other category of liabilities which includes
deposits by reference to which the interest rate on Eurodollar Rate Loans is
determined or category of extensions of credit or other assets which includes
loans by a non-United States office of any Lender to United States residents.

     "Restricted Payment" means:

          (i) any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account
     of any now or hereafter outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower or any
     Restricted Subsidiary, except a dividend payable solely in shares of that
     class of Equity Interest or in any junior class of Equity Interest to the
     holders of that class;

          (ii) any redemption, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment,
     purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any Equity
     Interests of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries now or
     hereafter outstanding;

          (iii) any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or
     interest, fees or other charges on or with respect to, and any redemption,
     purchase, retirement, defeasance, sinking fund or similar payment and any
     claim for rescission with respect to any Permitted Subordinated
     Indebtedness and the Indebtedness evidenced by the Senior Subordinated
     Notes;

          (iv) any payment made to redeem, purchase, repurchase or retire, or to
     obtain the surrender of, any outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower
     or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding;

          (v) any payment of a claim for the rescission of the purchase or sale
     of, or for material damages arising from the purchase or sale of any
     Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness, any Indebtedness evidenced by the
     Senior Subordinated Notes, any Holdings Subordinated Debt or any Equity
     Interests of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Borrower's Restricted
     Subsidiaries or of a claim for reimbursement, indemnification or
     contribution arising out of or related to any such claim for damages or
     rescission; and

          (vi) any payment of management, consulting or investment banking fees
     (or other fees of a similar nature) (A) by the Borrower or any Restricted
     Subsidiary to Holdings or (B) by the Borrower to any Jordan Stockholder, or
     MCIT, or any of their respective Affiliates, any holder of any Senior
     Subordinated Note, any holder of the Holdings Subordinated Debt or Equity
     Interests of Holdings or any member of Management or their Affiliates.

     "Restricted Subsidiary" means:

          (a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower incorporated under the laws of one
     of the states of the United States and all of the assets and operations of
     which are in the United States or which generated EBITDA during the
     immediately preceding twelve months in


                                      -30-
<PAGE>
 
     excess of an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the Borrower's EBITDA
     during the immediately preceding twelve months;

          (b) any other Subsidiary of the Borrower incorporated under the laws
     of one of the states of the United States resulting from a Permitted
     Acquisition after the Closing Date substantially all the assets and
     operations of which are in the United States and that is designated a
     "Restricted Subsidiary" by the Borrower pursuant to a resolution approved
     by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower and delivered to
     the Agent and the Lenders.

     "Restricted Subsidiary Security Agreements" shall mean each of those
certain Security Agreements substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
R executed by each Restricted Subsidiary in favor of the Agent for the benefit
of the Holders of Secured Obligations, executed pursuant to Section 6.3(G)(ii)
of this Agreement, in each case as they may be amended, modified, supplemented
or restated and in effect from time to time.

     "Revolving Credit Availability" means, at any particular time, the lesser
of (a) (i) the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment at such time minus (ii) the
Revolving Credit Obligations outstanding at such time and (b) (i) the Borrowing
Base at such time, minus (ii) the principal amount of the Revolving Loans
outstanding at such time, minus (iii) the principal amount of Swing Line Loans
outstanding at such time and minus (iv) the L/C Obligations with respect to
standby Letters of Credit (other than the Backstop Letter of Credit) outstanding
at such time.

     "Revolving Credit Obligations" means, at any particular time, the sum of
(i) the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans at such time, plus
(ii) the outstanding principal amount of the Swing Line Loans at such time, plus
(iii) the L/C Obligations at such time.

     "Revolving Loan" is defined in Section 2.2.

     "Revolving Loan Commitment" means, for each Lender, the obligation of such
Lender to make Revolving Loans and to purchase participations in Letters of
Credit not exceeding the amount set forth on Exhibit B to this Agreement
opposite its name thereon under the heading "Revolving Loan Commitment" or on
Schedule 1 to the Assignment and Acceptance by which it became a Lender, as such
amount may be modified from time to time pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
or to give effect to any applicable Assignment and Acceptance.

     "Revolving Loan Termination Date" means December 31, 2002.

     "Revolving Note" means a promissory note, in substantially the form of
Exhibit C hereto, duly executed by the Borrower and payable to the order of a
Lender in the amount of its Revolving Loan Commitment, including any amendment,
restatement modification, renewal or replacement of such Revolving Note.

     "Risk-Based Capital Guidelines" is defined in Section 3.2 hereof.


                                      -31-
<PAGE>
 
     "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means any sale or other transfer of
Property by any Person with intent to lease such Property as lessee.

     "Secured Obligations" means, collectively, (i) the Obligations and (ii) all
Hedging Obligations owing under Hedging Agreements to any Lender or any
affiliate of any Lender.

     "Security Agreement" means that certain Security Agreement of even date
herewith executed by the Borrower in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the
Holders of Secured Obligations as amended, restated or otherwise modified from
time to time.

     "Sellers" is defined in the definition of Stock Acquisition below.

     "Senior Subordinated Notes" means those certain 9 5/8% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2007, issued by the Borrower in the aggregate principal amount of
$125,000,000 pursuant to the Indenture, as amended, supplemented or modified in
accordance with Section 6.3(O) hereof.

     "Single Employer Plan" means a Plan maintained by the Borrower or any
member of the Controlled Group for employees of the Borrower or any member of
the Controlled Group.

     "Solvent", when used with respect to any Person, means that at the time of
determina tion: (i) the fair market value (i.e., the value of the consideration
obtainable in a sale of assets on a going-concern basis in the open market,
assuming a sale by a willing seller to a willing purchaser dealing at arm's
length and arranged in an orderly manner over a reasonable period of time, each
having reasonable knowledge of the nature and characteristics of such assets,
neither being under any compulsion to act, determined in good faith) of its
assets is in excess of the total amount of its liabilities (including, without
limitation, contingent liabilities); (ii) the present fair saleable value of its
assets (as determined on a going-concern basis) is greater than its probable
liability on its existing debts as such debts become absolute and matured; (iii)
it is then able and expects to be able to pay its debts (including, without
limitation, contingent debts and other commitments) as they mature; and (iv) it
has capital sufficient to carry on its business as conducted and as proposed to
be conducted.

     "Stock Acquisition" means the acquisition by the Borrower of all of the
issued and outstanding Capital Stock of the Target on the terms and conditions
set forth in that certain Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Stock ("Stock
Purchase Agreement") dated as of January 24, 1997 by and among the Borrower,
Holdings and all of the shareholders of the Target (collectively, the "Sellers",
and each individually being sometimes referred to herein as "Seller"), in the
form attached as Exhibit D hereto.

     "Stock Purchase Agreement" is defined in the definition of Stock
Acquisition above.

     "Stockholders Agreement" means that certain Subscription and Stockholders
Agreement, dated as of February 27, 1997, among Holdings and each of the
"Stockholders" parties thereto, as in effect on the Closing Date.


                                      -32-
<PAGE>
 
     "Subordinated Indebtedness" means (a) the Indebtedness evidenced by the
Senior Subordinated Notes and (b) any other Indebtedness of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary of the Borrower, the payment of which is subordinated to payment of
the Secured Obligations to the written satisfaction of the Agent and the
Required Lenders.

     "Subsidiary" of a Person means (i) any corporation more than 50% of the
outstanding securities having ordinary voting power of which shall at the time
be owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more
of its Subsidiaries or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, or
(ii) any partnership, association, joint venture or similar business
organization more than 50% of the ownership interests having ordinary voting
power of which shall at the time be so owned or controlled. Unless otherwise
expressly provided, all references herein to a "Subsidiary" shall mean a
Subsidiary of the Borrower.

     "Swing Line Bank" means the Agent or any successor Agent.

     "Swing Line Commitment" means the obligation of the Swing Line Bank to make
Swing Line Loans up to a maximum principal amount of Two Million and 00/100
Dollars ($2,000,000) at any one time outstanding.

     "Swing Line Loan" means a loan made available to the Borrower by the Swing
Line Bank pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof.

     "Swing Line Note" means a promissory note, in substantially the form of
Exhibit C-1 hereto, duly executed by the Borrower and payable to the order of
the Swing Line Bank in the amount of its Swing Line Commitment, including any
amendment, restatement, modification, renewal or replacement of such Swing Line
Note.

     "Syndication Period" is defined in the definition of Interest Period above.

     "Target" means Winning Ways, Inc., a Missouri corporation, prior to the
consummation of the Merger.

     "Tax Sharing Agreement" means that certain Tax Sharing Agreement, dated as
of February 27, 1997 initially between Holdings and the Borrower and to which
each Restricted Subsidiary shall become a party in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit P.

     "Taxes" is defined in Section 2.15(E)(i) hereof.

     "Termination Date" means the earlier of (a) the Revolving Loan Termination
Date and (b) the date of termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.6
or Section 8.1.

     "Termination Event" means (i) a Reportable Event with respect to any
Benefit Plan; (ii) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any member of the
Controlled Group from a Benefit Plan during a plan year in which the Borrower or
such Controlled Group member was a "substantial employer" as defined in Section
4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (iii) the imposition of an obligation on the Borrower or
any member of the Controlled Group under Section 4041 of ERISA to provide


                                      -33-
<PAGE>
 
affected parties written notice of intent to terminate a Benefit Plan in a
distress termination described in Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (iv) the institution
by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Benefit Plan; (v) any event or
condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the
termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Benefit Plan;
or (vi) the partial or complete withdrawal of the Borrower or any member of the
Controlled Group from a Multiemployer Plan.

     "Term Loan A" is defined in Section 2.1(a).

     "Term Loan A Commitment" means, for each Lender, the obligation of such
Lender to make its Term Loan A pursuant to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, and which shall not exceed the principal amount set forth on Exhibit
B to this Agreement opposite its name thereon under the heading "Term Loan A
Commitment", as such amount may be modified from time to time pursuant to the
terms hereof.

     "Term Loan A Note" means a promissory note, in substantially the form of
Exhibit E hereto, duly executed by the Borrower and payable to the order of a
Lender in the amount of its Term Loan A Commitment, including any amendment,
restatement modification, renewal or replacement of such Term Loan A Note.

     "Term Loan A Termination Date" means December 31, 2002.

     "Term Loan B" is defined in Section 2.1(b).

     "Term Loan B Commitment" means, for each Lender, the obligation of such
Lender to make its Term Loan B pursuant to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, and which shall not exceed the principal amount set forth on Exhibit
B to this Agreement opposite its name thereon under the heading "Term Loan B
Commitment", as such amount may be modified from time to time pursuant to the
terms hereof.

     "Term Loan B Note" means a promissory note, in substantially the form of
Exhibit F hereto, duly executed by the Borrower and payable to the order of a
Lender in the amount of its Term Loan B Commitment, including any amendment,
restatement modification, renewal or replacement of such Term Loan B Note.

     "Term Loan B Termination Date" means March 31, 2004.

     "Term Loans" means, collectively, the A Term Loans and B Term Loans.

     "Term Notes" means collectively the Term Loan A Notes and Term Loan B
Notes, including any amendment, restatement modification, renewal or replacement
of such Term Notes.

     "The Jordan Company" means The Jordan Company, a New York general
partnership.


                                      -34-
<PAGE>
 
     "Transaction Costs" means the fees, costs and expenses payable by the
Borrower in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the
Transaction Documents, the consummation of the Stock Acquisition and the offer
and sale of the Senior Subordinated Notes.

     "Transaction Documents" means the Loan Documents, the Indenture, the Senior
Subordinated Notes, the documents evidencing the Holdings Subordinated Debt,
including, without limitation, the Deferred Limited Interest Guaranty, the MCIT
Turnover Agreement, the Holdings Turnover Agreement, the Management Notes, the
Jordan Management Agreement, the Tax Sharing Agreement and the Acquisition
Documents.

     "Transferee" is defined in Section 12.5 hereof.

     "Type" means, with respect to any Loan, its nature as a Floating Rate Loan
or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

     "Unfunded Liabilities" means (i) in the case of Single Employer Plans, the
amount (if any) by which the present value of all vested nonforfeitable benefits
under all Single Employer Plans exceeds the fair market value of all such Plan
assets allocable to such benefits, all determined as of the then most recent
valuation date for such Plans, and (ii) in the case of Multiemployer Plans, the
withdrawal liability that would be incurred by the Controlled Group if all
members of the Controlled Group completely withdrew from all Multiemployer
Plans.

     "Unmatured Default" means an event which, but for the lapse of time or the
giving of notice, or both, would constitute a Default.

     "Voting Stock" means any class or classes of Capital Stock pursuant to
which the holders thereof have, at the time of determination, the general voting
power under ordinary circumstances to elect the board of directors (or similar
governing body).

     "Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means when applied to any Indebtedness
at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the
products 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, by (ii) the then outstanding principal
amount of such Indebtedness.

     "Working Capital" means, as at any date of determination, the excess, if
any, of (i) the Borrower's and its Restricted Subsidiaries' consolidated current
assets, except cash and Cash Equivalents, over (ii) the Borrower's and its
Restricted Subsidiaries' consolidated current liabilities, except current
maturities of long-term debt and Revolving Credit Obligations as of such date
and all accrued interest, associated costs and fees in connection therewith as
of such date.

     The foregoing definitions shall be equally applicable to both the singular
and plural forms of the defined terms. Any accounting terms used in this
Agreement which are not


                                      -35-
<PAGE>
 
specifically defined herein shall have the meanings customarily given them in
accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.

     1.2 References. The existence throughout the Agreement of references to the
Borrower's Subsidiaries is for a matter of convenience only. Any references to
Subsidiaries of the Borrower set forth herein shall not shall not in any way be
construed as consent by the Agent or any Lender to the establishment,
maintenance or acquisition of any Subsidiary. All representations and warranties
made on and as of the Closing Date to the Borrower shall also be and be deemed
to include a reference to the Target after taking into effect the consummation
of the Merger.

     1.3 Supplemental Disclosure. At any time at the reasonable request of the
Agent and at such additional times as the Borrower determines, the Borrower
shall supplement each schedule or representation herein or in the other Loan
Documents with respect to any matter hereafter arising which, if existing or
occurring at the date of this Agreement, would have been required to be set
forth or described in such schedule or as an exception to such representation or
which is necessary to correct any information in such schedule or representation
which has been rendered inaccurate thereby. Unless any such supplement to such
schedule or representation discloses the existence or occurrence of events,
facts or circumstances which are not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement
or any other Loan Documents, such supplement to such schedule or representation
shall not be deemed an amendment thereof unless expressly consented to in
writing by Agent and the Required Lenders, and no such amendments, except as the
same may be consented to in a writing which expressly includes a waiver, shall
be or be deemed a waiver by the Agent or any Lender of any Default disclosed
therein. Any items disclosed in any such supplemental disclosures shall be
included in the calculation of any baskets, limits or similar restrictions
contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document.


ARTICLE II:  THE CREDITS

     2.1. Term Loans. (a) Term Loan A.

          (i) Amount of Term Loan A. Subject to the terms and conditions set
     forth in this Agreement, each Lender on the Closing Date severally and not
     jointly agrees to make on the Closing Date, a term loan, in Dollars, to the
     Borrower in an amount equal to such Lender's Term Loan A Commitment (each
     individually, a "Term Loan A" and, collectively, the "A Term Loans"). All A
     Term Loans shall be made by the Lenders on the Closing Date simultaneously
     and proportionately to their respective Pro Rata Shares, it being
     understood that no Lender shall be responsible for any failure by any other
     Lender to perform its obligation to make any Term Loan A hereunder nor
     shall the Term Loan A Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as
     a result of any such failure.

          (ii) Borrowing Notice. The Borrower shall deliver to the Agent a
     Borrowing Notice, signed by it, on the Closing Date. Such Borrowing Notice
     shall specify (i) the aggregate amount of the A Term Loans and (ii)
     instructions for the disbursement of the proceeds of the A Term Loans. The
     A Term Loans shall initially be Floating Rate Loans


                                      -36-
<PAGE>
 
     (unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders) and
     thereafter may be continued as Floating Rate Loans or converted into
     Eurodollar Rate Loans in the manner provided in Section 2.10 and subject to
     the other conditions and limitations therein set forth and set forth in
     this Article II. Any Borrowing Notice given pursuant to this Section
     2.1(a)(ii) shall be irrevocable.

          (iii) Making of Term Loans. Promptly after receipt of the Borrowing
     Notice under Section 2.1(a)(ii) in respect of the A Term Loans, the Agent
     shall notify each Lender by telex or telecopy, or other similar form of
     transmission, of the proposed Advance. Each Lender shall deposit an amount
     equal to its Pro Rata Share of the A Term Loans with the Agent at its
     office in Chicago, Illinois, in immediately available funds, on the Closing
     Date specified in the Borrowing Notice. Subject to the fulfillment of the
     conditions precedent set forth in Sections 4.1 and 4.2, the Agent shall
     make the proceeds of such amounts received by it available to the Borrower
     at the Agent's office in Chicago, Illinois on such Closing Date and shall
     disburse such proceeds in accordance with the Borrower's disbursement
     instructions set forth in such Borrowing Notice. The failure of any Lender
     to deposit the amount described above with the Agent on the Closing Date
     shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder to make its
     Term Loan A on the Closing Date.

          (iv) Repayment of the A Term Loans.

               (A) The A Term Loans shall be repaid in twenty-two (22)
          consecutive quarterly installments payable on the last day of each
          calendar quarter commencing September 30, 1997 and continuing
          thereafter until the Term Loan A Termination Date, and the A Term
          Loans shall be permanently reduced by the amount of each installment
          on the date payment thereof is required to be made hereunder. The
          installments shall be in the aggregate amounts set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Installment Date                   Installment Amount
                  ----------------                   ------------------
                  <S>                                <C>       
                  September 30, 1997                 $1,062,500
                  December 31, 1997                  $1,062,500

                  March 31, 1998                     $1,062,500
                  June 30, 1998                      $1,062,500
                  September 30, 1998                 $1,187,500
                  December 31, 1998                  $1,187,500

                  March 31, 1999                     $1,187,500
                  June 30, 1999                      $1,187,500
                  September 30, 1999                 $1,562,500
                  December 31, 1999                  $1,562,500

                  March 31, 2000                     $1,562,500
                  June 30, 2000                      $1,562,500
</TABLE>


                                      -37-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
                  <S>                                <C>       
                  September 30, 2000                 $1,937,500
                  December 31, 2000                  $1,937,500

                  March 31, 2001                     $1,937,500
                  June 30, 2001                      $1,937,500
                  September 30, 2001                 $2,437,500
                  December 31, 2001                  $2,437,500

                  March 31, 2002                     $2,437,500
                  June 30, 2002                      $2,437,500
                  September 30, 2002                 $3,625,000
                  December 31, 2002                  $3,625,000
</TABLE>

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the final installment shall be in the
          amount of the then outstanding principal balance of the A Term Loans.
          In addition, the then outstanding principal balance of the A Term
          Loans, if any, shall be due and payable on the Termination Date. No
          installment of any Term Loan A shall be reborrowed once repaid.

               (B) In addition to the scheduled payments on the A Term Loans,
          the Borrower (i) may make the voluntary prepayments described in
          Section 2.5(A) for credit against the scheduled payments on the A Term
          Loans pursuant to Section 2.5(A) and (ii) shall make the mandatory
          prepayments prescribed in Section 2.5(B), for credit against such
          scheduled payments on the A Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.5(B).

     (b) Term Loan B.

          (i) Amount of Term Loan B. Subject to the terms and conditions set
     forth in this Agreement, each Lender on the Closing Date severally and not
     jointly agrees to make on the Closing Date, a term loan, in Dollars, to the
     Borrower in an amount equal to such Lender's Term Loan B Commitment (each
     individually, a "Term Loan B" and, collectively, the "B Term Loans"). All B
     Term Loans shall be made by the Lenders on the Closing Date simultaneously
     and proportionately to their respective Pro Rata Shares, it being
     understood that no Lender shall be responsible for any failure by any other
     Lender to perform its obligation to make any Term Loan B hereunder nor
     shall the Term Loan B Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as
     a result of any such failure.

          (ii) Borrowing Notice. The Borrower shall deliver to the Agent a
     Borrowing Notice, signed by it, on the Closing Date. Such Borrowing Notice
     shall specify (i) the aggregate amount of the B Term Loans and (ii)
     instructions for the disbursement of the proceeds of the B Term Loans. The
     B Term Loans shall initially be Floating Rate Loans (unless otherwise
     agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders) and thereafter may be
     continued as Floating Rate Loans or converted into Eurodollar Rate Loans in
     the manner provided in Section 2.10 and subject to the other conditions and
     limitations therein set


                                      -38-
<PAGE>
 
     forth and set forth in this Article II. Any Borrowing Notice given pursuant
     to this Section 2.1(b)(ii) shall be irrevocable.

          (iii) Making of Term Loans. Promptly after receipt of the Borrowing
     Notice under Section 2.1(b)(ii) in respect of the B Term Loans, the Agent
     shall notify each Lender by telex or telecopy, or other similar form of
     transmission, of the proposed Advance. Each Lender shall deposit an amount
     equal to its Pro Rata Share of the B Term Loans with the Agent at its
     office in Chicago, Illinois, in immediately available funds, on the Closing
     Date specified in the Borrowing Notice. Subject to the fulfillment of the
     conditions precedent set forth in Sections 4.1 and 4.2, the Agent shall
     make the proceeds of such amounts received by it available to the Borrower
     at the Agent's office in Chicago, Illinois on such Closing Date and shall
     disburse such proceeds in accordance with the Borrower's disbursement
     instructions set forth in such Borrowing Notice. The failure of any Lender
     to deposit the amount described above with the Agent on the Closing Date
     shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder to make its
     Term Loan B on the Closing Date.

          (iv) Repayment of the B Term Loans.

               (A) The B Term Loans shall be repaid in twenty-seven (27)
          consecutive quarterly installments payable on the last day of each
          calendar quarter commencing September 30, 1997 and continuing
          thereafter until the Term Loan B Termination Date, and the B Term
          Loans shall be permanently reduced by the amount of each installment
          on the date payment thereof is required to be made hereunder. The
          installments shall be in the aggregate amounts set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Installment Date                   Installment Amount
                  ----------------                   ------------------
                  <S>                                <C>        
                  September 30, 1997                 $    62,500
                  December 31, 1997                  $    62,500

                  March 31, 1998                     $    62,500
                  June 30, 1998                      $    62,500
                  September 30, 1998                 $    62,500
                  December 31, 1998                  $    62,500

                  March 31, 1999                     $    62,500
                  June 30, 1999                      $    62,500
                  September 30, 1999                 $    62,500
                  December 31, 1999                  $    62,500

                  March 31, 2000                     $    62,500
                  June 30, 2000                      $    62,500
                  September 30, 2000                 $    62,500
                  December 31, 2000                  $    62,500
</TABLE>


                                      -39-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
                  <S>                                <C>        
                  March 31, 2001                     $    62,500
                  June 30, 2001                      $    62,500
                  September 30, 2001                 $    62,500
                  December 31, 2001                  $    62,500

                  March 31, 2002                     $    62,500
                  June 30, 2002                      $    62,500
                  September 30, 2002                 $    62,500
                  December 31, 2002                  $    62,500

                  March 31, 2003                     $ 3,562,500
                  June 30, 2003                      $ 3,562,500
                  September 30, 2003                 $ 4,125,000
                  December 31, 2003                  $ 4,125,000

                  March 31, 2004                     $ 8,250,000
</TABLE>

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the final installment shall be in the
          amount of the then outstanding principal balance of the B Term Loans.
          In addition, the then outstanding principal balance of the B Term
          Loans, if any, shall be due and payable on the Termination Date. No
          installment of any Term Loan B shall be reborrowed once repaid.

               (B) In addition to the scheduled payments on the B Term Loans,
          the Borrower (i) may make the voluntary prepayments described in
          Section 2.5(A) for credit against the scheduled payments on the B Term
          Loans pursuant to Section 2.5(A) and (ii) shall make the mandatory
          prepayments prescribed in Section 2.5(B), for credit against such
          scheduled payments on the B Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.5(B).

     2.2 Revolving Loans. Upon the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set
forth in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 hereof, from and including the date of this
Agreement and prior to the Termination Date, each Lender severally and not
jointly agrees, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, to make
revolving loans to the Borrower from time to time, in Dollars, in an amount not
to exceed such Lender's Pro Rata Share of Revolving Credit Availability at such
time (each individually, a "Revolving Loan" and, collectively, the "Revolving
Loans"). Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay
and reborrow Revolving Loans at any time prior to the Termination Date. The
Revolving Loans made on the Closing Date shall initially be Floating Rate Loans
(unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders) and thereafter
may be continued as Floating Rate Loans or converted into Eurodollar Rate Loans
in the manner provided in Section 2.10 and subject to the other conditions and
limitations therein set forth and set forth in this Article II. On the
Termination Date, the Borrower shall repay in full the outstanding principal
balance of the Revolving Loans. Each Advance under this Section 2.2 shall
consist of Revolving Loans made by each Lender ratably in proportion to such
Lender's respective Pro Rata Share. Each Advance under this


                                      -40-
<PAGE>
 
Section 2.2 shall consist of Revolving Loans made by each Lender ratably in
proportion to such Lender's respective Pro Rata Share.

     2.3 Swing Line Loans. (a) Amount of Swing Line Loans. Upon the satisfaction
of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.1 and 4.2, from and including
the date of this Agreement and prior to the Termination Date, the Swing Line
Bank agrees, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, to make
loans to the Borrower from time to time, in Dollars, in an amount not to exceed
the lesser of (a) the Swing Line Commitment minus the outstanding principal
amount of all Swing Line Loans (after giving effect to any concurrent repayment
of Loans) and (b) Revolving Credit Availability at such time (each,
individually, a "Swing Line Loan" and collectively, the "Swing Line Loans");
provided, however, at no time shall the Revolving Credit Obligations exceed the
Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment, and, provided, further, that at no time
shall the Revolving Credit Obligations (other than L/C Obligations in respect of
commercial Letters of Credit) exceed the Borrowing Base; and provided, further,
that at no time shall the sum of (a) the outstanding amount of the Swing Line
Loans, plus (b) the outstanding amount of Revolving Loans made by the Swing Line
Bank pursuant to Section 2.2 (after giving effect to any concurrent repayment of
Loans), exceed the Swing Line Bank's Revolving Loan Commitment at such time.
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay and
reborrow Swing Line Loans (including from the proceeds of another Swing Line
Loan) at any time prior to the Termination Date.

     (b) Borrowing Notice. The Borrower shall deliver to the Agent and the Swing
Line Bank a Borrowing Notice, signed by it, not later than 11:00 a.m. (Chicago
time) on the Borrowing Date of each Swing Line Loan, specifying (i) the
applicable Borrowing Date (which shall be a Business Day), and (ii) the
aggregate amount of the requested Swing Line Loan. The Swing Line Loans shall at
all times be Floating Rate Loans, which shall be an amount not less than $10,000
(and in multiples of $10,000 if in excess thereof). The Agent shall promptly
notify each Lender of such request.

     (c) Making of Swing Line Loans. Promptly after receipt of the Borrowing
Notice under Section 2.3(b) in respect of Swing Line Loans, the Agent shall
notify the Swing Line Lender by telex or telecopy, or other similar form of
transmission, of the requested Swing Line Loan. Not later than 2:00 p.m.
(Chicago time) on the applicable Borrowing Date, the Swing Line Bank shall make
available its Swing Line Loan, in funds immediately available in Chicago to the
Agent at its address specified pursuant to Article XIII. The Agent will promptly
make the funds so received from the Swing Line Bank available to the Borrower at
the Agent's aforesaid address.

     (d) Repayment of Swing Line Loans. The Swing Line Loans shall be evidenced
by the Swing Line Note, and each Swing Line Loan shall be paid in full by the
Borrower on or before the fifth Business Day after the Borrowing Date for such
Swing Line Loan. The Borrower may at any time pay, without penalty or premium,
all outstanding Swing Line Loans or, in a minimum amount of $10,000, any portion
of the outstanding Swing Line Loans, upon notice to the Agent and the Swing Line
Bank. In addition, the Agent (i) may at any time in its sole discretion with
respect to any outstanding Swing Line Loan, or (ii) shall on the fifth Business
Day after the Borrowing Date of any Swing Line Loan, require each Lender
(including the


                                      -41-
<PAGE>
 
Swing Line Bank) with a Revolving Loan Commitment greater than zero to make a
Revolving Loan in the amount of such Lender's Pro Rata Share of such Swing Line
Loan, for the purpose of repaying such Swing Line Loan. Not later than 2:00 p.m.
(Chicago time) on the date of any notice received pursuant to this Section
2.3(d), each Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment greater than zero shall
make available its required Revolving Loan or Revolving Loans, in funds
immediately available in Chicago to the Agent at its address specified pursuant
to Article XIII. Revolving Loans made pursuant to this Section 2.3(d) shall
initially be Floating Rate Loans and thereafter may be continued as Floating
Rate Loans or converted into Eurodollar Rate Loans in the manner provided in
Section 2.10 and subject to the other conditions and limitations therein set
forth and set forth in this Article II. Unless a Lender shall have notified the
Swing Line Bank, prior to its making any Swing Line Loan, that any applicable
condition precedent set forth in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 had not then been
satisfied, such Lender's obligation to make Revolving Loans pursuant to this
Section 2.3(d) to repay Swing Line Loans shall be unconditional, continuing,
irrevocable and absolute and shall not be affected by any circumstances,
including, without limitation, (A) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Agent, the Swing
Line Bank or any other Person, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or
Unmatured Default, (C) any adverse change in the condition (financial or
otherwise) of the Borrower, or (D) any other circumstances, happening or event
whatsoever. In the event that any Lender fails to make payment to the Agent of
any amount due under this Section 2.3(d), the Agent shall be entitled to
receive, retain and apply against such obligation the principal and interest
otherwise payable to such Lender hereunder until the Agent receives such payment
from such Lender or such obligation is otherwise fully satisfied. In addition to
the foregoing, if for any reason any Lender fails to make payment to the Agent
of any amount due under this Section 2.3(d), such Lender shall be deemed, at the
option of the Agent, to have unconditionally and irrevocably purchased from the
Swing Line Bank, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and
participation in the applicable Swing Line Loan in the amount of such Revolving
Loan, and such interest and participation may be recovered from such Lender
together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate for each day
during the period commencing on the date of demand and ending on the date such
amount is received. On the Termination Date, the Borrower shall repay in full
the outstanding principal balance of the Swing Line Loans.

     2.4 Rate Options for all Advances. The Advances may be Floating Rate
Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances, or a combination thereof, selected by the
Borrower in accordance with Section 2.10. The Borrower may select, in accordance
with Section 2.10, Rate Options and Interest Periods applicable to portions of
the Revolving Loans and the Term Loans; provided that there shall be no more
than ten (10) Interest Periods in effect with respect to all of the Loans at any
time and; provided, further, however, notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, the Borrower may not select Interest Periods for Eurodollar Rate
Advances made during the Syndication Period which exceed seven days and the
Interest Periods with respect to all such Eurodollar Rate Advances made during
the Syndication Period shall be required to expire on the same date. The Swing
Line Loans shall at all times be Floating Rate Loans.


                                      -42-
<PAGE>
 
     2.5 Optional Payments; Mandatory Prepayments.

     (A) Optional Payments. The Borrower may from time to time repay or prepay,
without penalty or premium all or any part of outstanding Floating Rate
Advances, provided that the Borrower may not so prepay Floating Rate Advances
consisting of Term Loans unless it shall have provided to the Agent of such
prepayment at least one Business Day prior to the making thereof. Eurodollar
Rate Advances may be voluntarily repaid or prepaid prior to the last day of the
applicable Interest Period, subject to the indemnification provisions contained
in Section 3.4, provided, that the Borrower may not so prepay Eurodollar Rate
Advances unless it shall have provided at least three Business Days' written
notice to the Agent of such prepayment. Unless the aggregate outstanding
principal balance thereof is being paid in full, repayments or prepayments of
Floating Rate Advances (including as a result of any reduction of the Aggregate
Revolving Loan Commitment pursuant to Section 2.6) shall be in an aggregate
minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof.
Unless the aggregate outstanding principal balance thereof is being paid in
full, prepayments of Eurodollar Rate Advances (including as a result of any
reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment pursuant to Section 2.6)
shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of
$100,000 in excess thereof. Each voluntary prepayment of the Term Loans shall be
applied pro rata to the unpaid installments of the Term Loans, on a ratable
basis based on the respective amounts of such installments.

     (B) Mandatory Prepayments.

     (i) Mandatory Prepayments of Term Loans.

          (a) Within one-hundred and eighty (180) days after the Borrower's or
     any Restricted Subsidiary's receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds from any Asset
     Sale (other than Excluded Asset Sales) which when aggregated with the Net
     Cash Proceeds from other Asset Sales (other than Excluded Asset Sales)
     consummated during the preceding twelve-month period are greater than
     $500,000, the Borrower shall make or cause to be made a mandatory
     prepayment of the Obligations in an amount equal to one hundred percent
     (100%) of such Net Cash Proceeds in excess of $500,000 for such
     twelve-month period; provided, however, that the Net Cash Proceeds which
     the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary shall, within one-hundred and
     eighty (180) days of the receipt thereof, use to acquire assets of a like
     nature to those sold in such Asset Sale in replacement thereof shall not be
     included in determining the Net Cash Proceeds for such Fiscal Year.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the existence of a Default, if the
     Borrower or any Subsidiary shall consummate any Asset Sale (other than an
     Excluded Asset Sale) in which the sale price exceeds $100,000, or shall not
     have so reinvested proceeds of any such Asset Sale consummated prior to the
     occurrence of such a Default, then the Borrower shall immediately make or
     cause to be made a mandatory prepayment in an amount equal to 100% of such
     Net Cash Proceeds.

          (b) Within thirty (30) days after the required date for delivery of
     the annual audited financial statements required to be delivered pursuant
     to Section 6.1(A)(iii) for each Cash Flow Period, the Borrower shall
     calculate Excess Cash Flow for such Cash


                                     - 43 -
<PAGE>
 
     Flow Period and shall make a mandatory prepayment in an amount equal to (i)
     seventy-five percent (75%) of such Excess Cash Flow in excess of $250,000
     if Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 pricing shall be applicable as of the end of
     such Cash Flow Period determined by reference to the table set forth in
     Section 2.15(D)(ii), and (ii) fifty percent (50%) of such Excess Cash Flow
     in excess of $250,000 if Level 4, Level 5 or Level 6 pricing shall be
     applicable as of the end of such Cash Flow Period determined by reference
     to the table set forth in Section 2.15(D)(ii).

          (c) Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing Section
     2.5(B)(i)(a), upon the consummation of any Financing by any Restricted
     Subsidiary, the Borrower shall immediately upon such Restricted
     Subsidiary's receipt of Net Cash Proceeds from such Financing, make a
     mandatory prepayment of the Obligations in an amount equal to the lesser of
     (1) one hundred percent (100%) of such Net Cash Proceeds minus amounts from
     such Net Cash Proceeds utilized to repay or prepay Indebtedness of such
     Restricted Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness which is subordinated to the
     claims of the Lenders with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary) minus the
     fair market value of any assets acquired with the proceeds of such
     Financing and (2) the amount of the Borrower's Investment in such
     Restricted Subsidiary minus the fair market value of any assets acquired
     with the proceeds of such Financing.

          (d) Nothing in this Section 2.5(B)(i) shall be construed to constitute
     the Lenders' consent to any transaction referred to in clause (a) above
     which is not expressly permitted by Section 6.3(B).

          (e) Each mandatory prepayment required by clauses (a), (b) and (c) of
     this Section 2.5(B) and Section 6.2(G) shall be referred to herein as a
     "Designated Prepayment". Designated Prepayments shall be allocated and
     applied to the Obligations as follows:

               (I) the amount of each Designated Prepayment shall be applied pro
          rata to the unpaid installments of the Term Loans, on a ratable basis
          based upon the respective amounts of such installments; and

               (II) following the payment in full of the Term Loans, the amount
          of each Designated Prepayment shall be applied to repay all
          outstanding Swing Line Loans and then to repay Revolving Loans and
          following the payment in full of the Revolving Loans, the amount of
          each Designated Prepayment shall be applied first to interest on the
          Reimbursement Obligations, then to principal on the Reimbursement
          Obligations, then to fees on account of Letters of Credit and then, to
          the extent any L/C Obligations are contingent, deposited with the
          Agent as cash collateral in respect of such L/C Obligations; and

               (III) following the payment in full of the amounts set forth in
          clauses (I) and (II) above, the excess remaining amount, if any, shall
          be returned to the Borrower.


                                     - 44 -
<PAGE>
 
     (ii) Mandatory Prepayments of Revolving Loans. In addition to repayments
under Section 2.5(B)(i)(e)(II), if at any time and for any reason (A) the
Revolving Credit Obligations are greater than the Aggregate Revolving Loan
Commitment or (B) the Revolving Credit Obligations (other than L/C Obligations
in respect of commercial Letters of Credit) are greater than the Borrowing Base,
the Borrower shall immediately make a mandatory prepayment of the Obligations in
an amount equal to such excess.

     (iii) Subject to the preceding provisions of this Section 2.5(B), all of
the mandatory prepayments made under this Section 2.5(B) shall be applied first
to Floating Rate Loans and to any Eurodollar Rate Loans maturing on such date.
The Agent shall hold the remaining portion of such mandatory prepayment as cash
collateral in an interest bearing deposit account and shall apply funds from
such account to subsequently maturing Eurodollar Rate Loans in order of
maturity.

     2.6 Reduction of Commitments. The Borrower may permanently reduce the
Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment in whole, or in part ratably among the
Lenders, in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of
$100,000 in excess of that amount (unless the Aggregate Revolving Loan
Commitment is reduced in whole), upon at least three Business Days' written
notice to the Agent, which notice shall specify the amount of any such
reduction; provided, however, that the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Loan
Commitment may not be reduced below the aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations; and provided, further, that in
addition to the minimum amounts and integrals stated above, if as a result of
any such reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment prepayments of the
Revolving Loans must be made then unless all of the Revolving Credit Obligations
are being paid in full, such prepayments of Floating Rate Advances shall be in
an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in
excess thereof and such prepayments of Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be in an
aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in
excess thereof.

     2.7 Method of Borrowing. Not later than 12:00 p.m. (Chicago time) on each
Borrowing Date, each Lender shall make available its Revolving Loan or Revolving
Loans, in funds immediately available in Chicago to the Agent at its address
specified pursuant to Article XIII hereof. The Agent will promptly make the
funds so received from the Lenders available to the Borrower at the Agent's
aforesaid address.

     2.8 Method of Selecting Types and Interest Periods for Advances. The
Borrower shall select the Type of Advance and, in the case of each Eurodollar
Rate Advance, the Interest Period applicable to each Advance from time to time.
The Borrower shall give the Agent irrevocable notice (a "Borrowing Notice") not
later than 11:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the Borrowing Date of each Floating Rate
Advance and not later than 11:00 a.m. (Chicago time) three Business Days before
the Borrowing Date for each Eurodollar Rate Advance, specifying: (i) the
Borrowing Date (which shall be a Business Day) of such Advance; (ii) the
aggregate amount of such Advance; (iii) the Type of Advance selected; and (iv)
in the case of each Eurodollar Rate Advance, the Interest Period applicable
thereto. Each Floating Rate Advance and all Obligations other than Loans shall
bear interest from and including the date of the making of such Advance to (but
not including) the date of repayment thereof at the Floating Rate, changing when
and as


                                     - 45 -
<PAGE>
 
such Floating Rate changes. Changes in the rate of interest on that portion of
any Advance maintained as a Floating Rate Loan will take effect simultaneously
with each change in the Alternate Base Rate. Each Eurodollar Rate Advance shall
bear interest from and including the first day of the Interest Period applicable
thereto to (but not including) the last day of such Interest Period at the
interest rate determined as applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Advance, changing
(only as to the Applicable Eurodollar Margin portion thereof) with each change
in the Applicable Eurodollar Margin.

     2.9 Minimum Amount of Each Advance. Each Eurodollar Rate Advance shall be
in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 (and in multiples of $100,000 if in excess
thereof), and each Floating Rate Advance (other than an Advance to repay Swing
Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.3(d) or a Reimbursement Obligation pursuant to
Section 2.23) shall be in the minimum amount of $100,000 (and in multiples of
$100,000 if in excess thereof), provided, however, that any Floating Rate
Advance may be in the amount of the unused Revolving Credit Availability.

     2.10 Method of Selecting Types and Interest Periods for Conversion and
Continuation of Advances.

     (A) Right to Convert. The Borrower may elect from time to time, subject to
the provisions of Section 2.4 and this Section 2.10, to convert all or any part
of a Loan of any Type into any other Type or Types of Loans; provided that any
conversion of any Eurodollar Rate Advance shall be made on, and only on, the
last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

     (B) Automatic Conversion and Continuation. Floating Rate Loans shall
continue as Floating Rate Loans unless and until such Floating Rate Loans are
converted into Eurodollar Rate Loans. Eurodollar Rate Loans shall continue as
Eurodollar Rate Loans until the end of the then applicable Interest Period
therefor, at which time such Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be automatically
converted into Floating Rate Loans unless the Borrower shall have given the
Agent notice in accordance with Section 2.10(D) requesting that, at the end of
such Interest Period, such Eurodollar Rate Loans continue as a Eurodollar Rate
Loan.

     (C) No Conversion Post-Default or Post-Unmatured Default. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in Section 2.10(A) or Section 2.10(B), no
Loan may be converted into or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan (except with
the consent of the Required Lenders) when any Default or Unmatured Default has
occurred and is continuing.

     (D) Conversion/Continuation Notice. The Borrower shall give the Agent
irrevocable notice (a "Conversion/Continuation Notice") of each conversion of a
Floating Rate Loan into a Eurodollar Rate Loan or continuation of a Eurodollar
Rate Loan not later than 11:00 a.m. (Chicago time) three Business Days prior to
the date of the requested conversion or continuation, specifying: (1) the
requested date (which shall be a Business Day) of such conversion or
continuation; (2) the amount and Type of the Loan to be converted or continued;
and (3) the amount of Eurodollar Rate Loan(s) into which such Loan is to be
converted or continued and the duration of the Interest Period applicable
thereto.


                                     - 46 -
<PAGE>
 
     2.11 Default Rate. After the occurrence and during the continuance of a
Default, at the option of the Agent or at the direction of the Required Lenders,
the interest rate(s) applicable to any outstanding Loan shall be the greater of
(i) two percent (2.0%) per annum above the Alternate Base Rate in effect from
time to time and (ii) the Eurodollar Rate applicable to such Loans at such time
plus two percent (2.0%) per annum.

     2.12 Collections Account Arrangements. All collections of Receivables
included in the Collateral and other proceeds of Collateral shall be deposited
in a Collection Account which is subject to a Collection Account Agreement or
pursuant to another similar arrangement for the collection of such amounts
established by the Borrower and Agent and shall be transferred in accordance
with the provisions of the respective Collection Account Agreements. On or prior
to the Closing Date, the Borrower shall have entered into and shall thereafter
maintain lock-box services agreements with banks which are parties to Collection
Account Agreements and to which lock-boxes Account Debtors shall directly remit
all payments on Receivables. Any of the foregoing collections received by the
Borrower and not so deposited, shall be deemed to have been received by the
Borrower as the Agent's trustee and, upon the Borrower's receipt thereof, the
Borrower shall immediately transfer all such amounts into a Collection Account
in their original form. Such deposits shall be remitted to the Agent, the
Borrower or as the Agent may direct, all in accordance with the provisions of
the Collection Account Agreements; provided, however, that any provision in any
Loan Document (including the Collection Account Agreements) to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Agent shall not give Notice (as defined under the
Collection Account Agreements) or exercise any remedies under the Collection
Account Agreements unless a Designated Default shall have occurred and be
continuing.

     2.13 Method of Payment. All payments of principal, interest, and fees
hereunder shall be made, without setoff, deduction or counterclaim, in
immediately available funds to the Agent at the Agent's address specified
pursuant to Article XIII, or at any other Lending Installation of the Agent
specified in writing by the Agent to the Borrower, by 2:00 p.m. (Chicago time)
on the date when due and shall be made ratably among the Lenders (unless such
amount is not to be shared ratably in accordance with the terms hereof).
Payments received by the Agent after such time shall be deemed to have been
received on the next Business Day. Each payment delivered to the Agent for the
account of any Lender shall be delivered promptly by the Agent to such Lender in
the same type of funds which the Agent received at its address specified
pursuant to Article XIII or at any Lending Installation specified in a notice
received by the Agent from such Lender. The Borrower authorizes the Agent to
charge the account of the Borrower maintained with First Chicago for each
payment of principal, interest, fees and other Obligations as it becomes due
hereunder.

     2.14 Notes, Telephonic Notices. Each Lender is authorized to record the
principal amount of each of its Loans and each repayment with respect to its
Loans on the schedule attached to its respective Notes; provided, however, that
the failure to so record shall not affect the Borrower's obligations under any
such Note. The Borrower authorizes the Lenders and the Agent to extend Advances,
effect selections of Types of Advances and to transfer funds based on telephonic
notices made by any person or persons the Agent or any Lender in good faith
believes to be acting on behalf of the Borrower. The Borrower agrees to deliver
promptly to the Agent a written confirmation, signed by an Authorized Officer,
if such confirmation is requested by the


                                     - 47 -
<PAGE>
 
Agent or any Lender, of each telephonic notice. If the written confirmation
differs in any material respect from the action taken by the Agent and the
Lenders, (i) the telephonic notice shall govern absent manifest error and (ii)
the Agent or the Lender, as applicable, shall promptly notify the Authorized
Officer who provided such confirmation of such difference.

     2.15 Promise to Pay; Interest and Fees; Interest Payment Dates; Interest
and Fee Basis; Taxes; Loan and Control Accounts.

     (A) Promise to Pay. The Borrower unconditionally promises to pay when due
the principal amount of each Loan and all other Obligations incurred by it, and
to pay all unpaid interest accrued thereon, in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement and the Notes.

     (B) Interest Payment Dates. Interest shall accrue on each Floating Rate
Loan and shall be payable on each Payment Date, commencing with the first such
date to occur after the date hereof, on any date on which the Floating Rate Loan
is prepaid, whether due to acceleration or otherwise, and at maturity (whether
by acceleration or otherwise). Interest shall accrue on each Eurodollar Rate
Loan and shall be payable on the last day of its applicable Interest Period, on
any date on which the Eurodollar Rate Loan is prepaid, whether by acceleration
or otherwise, and at maturity. Interest accrued on each Eurodollar Rate Loan
having an Interest Period longer than three months shall also be payable on the
last day of each three-month interval during such Interest Period. Interest
accrued on the principal balance of all other Obligations shall be payable in
arrears (i) on the last day of each calendar month, commencing on the first such
day following the incurrence of such Obligation, (ii) upon repayment thereof in
full or in part, and (iii) if not theretofore paid in full, at the time such
other Obligation becomes due and payable (whether by acceleration or otherwise).

     (C) Commitment Fees. (i) The Borrower shall pay to the Agent, for the
account of the Lenders in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares, (a) with
respect to the Term Loan A Commitments and Term Loan B Commitments, from and
after the date of this Agreement until the date on which the Term Loans are
funded and (b) with respect to the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitments, from
and after the date of this Agreement until the date on which the Aggregate
Revolving Loan Commitment shall be terminated in whole, a commitment fee
accruing at the rate of the then Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage, on (1)
the Term Loan A Commitments and Term Loan B Commitments and (2) the amount by
which (A) the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment in effect from time to time
exceeds (B) the Revolving Credit Obligations in effect from time to time. All
such commitment fees payable under this clause (C) shall be payable quarterly in
arrears on the last day of each calendar quarter occurring after the Closing
Date.

     (ii) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent for the sole account of the
Agent and its affiliates the fees set forth in the letter agreement between the
Agent and the Borrower dated January 3, 1997, as amended, payable at the times
and in the amounts set forth therein.

     (D) Interest and Fee Basis; Applicable Eurodollar Margin; Applicable
Floating Rate Margin and Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage.


                                     - 48 -
<PAGE>
 
     (i) All computations of interest based on the Alternate Base Rate which are
computed by reference to the Corporate Base Rate shall be calculated on the
basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and all other
computations of interest and fees shall be calculated for actual days elapsed on
the basis of a 360-day year. Interest shall be payable for the day an Obligation
is incurred but not for the day of any payment on the amount paid if payment is
received prior to 2:00 p.m. (Chicago time) at the place of payment. If any
payment of principal of or interest on a Loan or any payment of any other
Obligations shall become due on a day which is not a Business Day, such payment
shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and, in the case of a
principal payment, such extension of time shall be included in computing
interest in connection with such payment.

     (ii) The Applicable Eurodollar Margin, Applicable Floating Rate Margin and
Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage shall be determined from time to time by
reference to the table set forth below, on the basis of the then applicable
Leverage Ratio as described in this Section 2.15(D)(ii):


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================

                                              APPLICABLE MARGINS/FEES FOR OBLIGATIONS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              LEVERAGE RATIO        APPLICABLE          APPLICABLE           APPLICABLE      APPLICABLE         APPLICABLE
                                    FLOATING            EURODOLLAR           FLOATING        EURODOLLAR         COMMITMENT
                                    RATE MARGIN         RATE MARGIN          RATE            RATE MARGIN        FEE
                                    FOR                 FOR                  MARGIN          FOR B TERM         PERCENTAGE
                                    OBLIGATIONS         OBLIGATIONS          FOR B           LOANS
                                    OTHER THAN B        OTHER THAN B         TERM
                                    TERM LOANS          TERM LOANS           LOANS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>           <C>                       <C>                 <C>                <C>              <C>                <C>  
LEVEL 1       > 5.0 to 1.0              1.25%               2.25%              1.75%            2.75%               0.50%
              -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              > 4.50 to 1.00
              -
LEVEL 2       and < 5.00 to             1.00%               2.00%              1.50%            2.50%              0.375%
              1.00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              > 4.00 to 1.00
              -
LEVEL 3       and < 4.50 to             0.75%               1.75%              1.25%            2.25%              0.375%
              1.00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              > 3.50 to 1.00
              -
LEVEL 4       and < 4.00 to             0.50%               1.50%              1.25%            2.25%               0.25%
              1.00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              > 3.00 to 1.00
              -
LEVEL 5       and < 3.50 to             0.25%               1.25%              1.25%            2.25%               0.25%
              1.00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LEVEL 6       < 3.00 to 1.00            0.00%               1.00%              1.25%            2.25%               0.25%
====================================================================================================================================

</TABLE>


                                     - 49 -
<PAGE>
 
Except as set forth in clause (iii) below, for purposes of this Section
2.15(D)(ii), the Leverage Ratio shall be determined as of the last day of each
fiscal quarter on a basis consistent with the calculation under Section 6.4.
Upon receipt of the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section
6.1(A)(ii), the Applicable Eurodollar Margin, Applicable Floating Rate Margin
and Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage shall be adjusted, such adjustment
being effective five (5) Business Days following the Agent's receipt of such
financial statements and the Officer's Certificate required to be delivered in
connection therewith pursuant to Section 6.1(A)(iv); provided, that if the
Borrower shall not have timely delivered its financial statements in accordance
with Section 6.1(A)(ii), then commencing on the date upon which such financial
statements should have been delivered and continuing until such financial
statements are actually delivered, it shall be assumed for purposes of
determining the Applicable Eurodollar Margin, Applicable Floating Rate Margin
and Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage that the Leverage Ratio was greater
than 5.0 to 1.0 and the Level 1 pricing shall be applicable.

     (iii) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the initial
Applicable Eurodollar Margin, Applicable Floating Rate Margin and Applicable
Commitment Fee Percentage shall be at the Level 1 pricing level and no
adjustment which would otherwise be made during the period from the Closing Date
through August 27, 1997 shall be made but the Level 1 pricing shall remain in
effect for such period. On August 27, 1997, the Applicable Eurodollar Margin,
Applicable Floating Rate Margin and Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage shall
be based upon the Borrower's Leverage Ratio as at the end of the fiscal quarter
ended June 30, 1997, which Applicable Eurodollar Margin, Applicable Floating
Rate Margin and Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage shall remain in effect
until adjusted pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.15 set forth above.

     (E) Taxes.

          (i) Except as provided below, any and all payments by the Borrower
     hereunder shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and
     all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or
     withholdings or any liabilities with respect thereto including those
     arising after the date hereof as a result of the adoption of or any change
     in any law, treaty, rule, regulation, guideline or determination of a
     Governmental Authority or any change in the interpretation or application
     thereof by a Governmental Authority but excluding, in the case of each
     Lender and the Agent, such taxes (including income taxes, franchise taxes
     and branch profit taxes) as are imposed on or measured by such Lender's or
     Agent's, as the case may be, net income by the United States of America or
     any Governmental Authority of the jurisdiction under the laws of which such
     Lender or Agent, as the case may be, is organized (all such non-excluded
     taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings, and liabilities
     which the Agent or a Lender determines to be applicable to this Agreement,
     the other Loan Documents, the Revolving Loan Commitments, the Loans or the
     Letters of Credit being hereinafter referred to as "Taxes"). If the
     Borrower shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of
     any sum payable hereunder or under the other Loan Documents to any Lender
     or the Agent, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as may be necessary so
     that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable
     to additional sums payable under this Section 2.15(E)) such Lender or the
     Agent (as the case may be)


                                     - 50 -
<PAGE>
 
     receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such
     deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions, and
     (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant
     taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable law. If
     a withholding tax of the United States of America or any other Governmental
     Authority shall be or become applicable (y) after the date of this
     Agreement, to such payments by the Borrower made to the Lending
     Installation or any other office that a Lender may claim as its Lending
     Installation, or (z) after such Lender's selection and designation of any
     other Lending Installation, to such payments made to such other Lending
     Installation, such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to make, fund and
     maintain its Loans through another Lending Installation of such Lender in
     another jurisdiction so as to reduce the Borrower's liability hereunder, if
     the making, funding or maintenance of such Loans through such other Lending
     Installation of such Lender does not, in the judgment of such Lender,
     otherwise adversely affect such Loans, or obligations under the Revolving
     Loan Commitments or such Lender.

          (ii) In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay any present or future
     stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges,
     or similar levies which arise from any payment made hereunder, from the
     issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, or from the execution, delivery or
     registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement, the other
     Loan Documents, the Revolving Loan Commitments, the Loans or the Letters of
     Credit (hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").

          (iii) The Borrower indemnifies each Lender and the Agent for the full
     amount of Taxes and Other Taxes (including, without limitation, any Taxes
     or Other Taxes imposed by any Governmental Authority on amounts payable
     under this Section 2.15(E)) paid by such Lender or the Agent (as the case
     may be) and any liability (including penalties, interest, and expenses)
     arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes or
     Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. This indemnification shall
     be made within thirty (30) days after the date such Lender or the Agent (as
     the case may be) makes written demand therefor. If the Taxes or Other Taxes
     with respect to which an indemnification payment has been made hereunder
     are subsequently refunded to the Lenders, the Lenders will return to the
     Borrower an amount equal to the lesser of the indemnification payment or
     the refunded amount. A certificate as to any additional amount payable to
     any Lender or the Agent under this Section 2.15(E) submitted to the
     Borrower and the Agent (if a Lender is so submitting) by such Lender or the
     Agent shall show in reasonable detail the amount payable and the
     calculations used to determine such amount and shall, absent manifest
     error, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto. With
     respect to such deduction or withholding for or on account of any Taxes and
     to confirm that all such Taxes have been paid to the appropriate
     Governmental Authorities, the Borrower shall promptly (and in any event not
     later than thirty (30) days after receipt) furnish to each Lender and the
     Agent such certificates, receipts and other documents as may be required
     (in the judgment of such Lender or the Agent) to establish any tax credit
     to which such Lender or the Agent may be entitled.


                                     - 51 -
<PAGE>
 
          (iv) Within thirty (30) days after the date of any payment of Taxes or
     Other Taxes by the Borrower, the Borrower shall furnish to the Agent the
     original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof.

          (v) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the
     Borrower hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Borrower
     contained in this Section 2.15(E) shall survive the payment in full of
     principal and interest hereunder, the termination of the Letters of Credit
     and the termination of this Agreement.

          (vi) Without limiting the obligations of the Borrower under this
     Section 2.15(E), each Lender that is not created or organized under the
     laws of the United States of America or a political subdivision thereof
     shall deliver to the Borrower and the Agent on or before the Closing Date,
     or, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender pursuant to
     Section 12.3 hereof, a true and accurate certificate executed in duplicate
     by a duly authorized officer of such Lender, in a form satisfactory to the
     Borrower and the Agent, to the effect that such Lender is capable under the
     provisions of an applicable tax treaty concluded by the United States of
     America (in which case the certificate shall be accompanied by two executed
     copies of Form 1001 of the IRS) or under Section 1442 of the Code (in which
     case the certificate shall be accompanied by two copies of Form 4224 of the
     IRS) of receiving payments of interest hereunder without deduction or
     withholding of United States federal income tax. Each such Lender further
     agrees to deliver to the Borrower and the Agent from time to time a true
     and accurate certificate executed in duplicate by a duly authorized officer
     of such Lender substantially in a form satisfactory to the Borrower and the
     Agent, before or promptly upon the occurrence of any event requiring a
     change in the most recent certificate previously delivered by it to the
     Borrower and the Agent pursuant to this Section 2.15(E)(vi). Further, each
     Lender which delivers a certificate accompanied by Form 1001 of the IRS
     covenants and agrees to deliver to the Borrower and the Agent within
     fifteen (15) days prior to January 1, 1998, and every third (3rd)
     anniversary of such date thereafter on which this Agreement is still in
     effect, another such certificate and two accurate and complete original
     signed copies of Form 1001 (or any successor form or forms required under
     the Code or the applicable regulations promulgated thereunder), and each
     Lender that delivers a certificate accompanied by Form 4224 of the IRS
     covenants and agrees to deliver to the Borrower and the Agent within
     fifteen (15) days prior to the beginning of each subsequent taxable year of
     such Lender during which this Agreement is still in effect, another such
     certificate and two accurate and complete original signed copies of IRS
     Form 4224 (or any successor form or forms required under the Code or the
     applicable regulations promulgated thereunder). Each such certificate shall
     certify as to one of the following:

               (a) that such Lender is capable of receiving payments of interest
          hereunder without deduction or withholding of United States of America
          federal income tax;

               (b) that such Lender is not capable of receiving payments of
          interest hereunder without deduction or withholding of United States
          of America federal income tax as specified therein but is capable of

                                     - 52 -
<PAGE>
 
          recovering the full amount of any such deduction or withholding from a
          source other than the Borrower and will not seek any such recovery
          from the Borrower; or

               (c) that, as a result of the adoption of or any change in any
          law, treaty, rule, regulation, guideline or determination of a
          Governmental Authority or any change in the interpretation or
          application thereof by a Governmental Authority after the date such
          Lender became a party hereto, such Lender is not capable of receiving
          payments of interest hereunder without deduction or withholding of
          United States of America federal income tax as specified therein and
          that it is not capable of recovering the full amount of the same from
          a source other than the Borrower.

          To the extent that any Lender shall receive a refund of any Taxes or
     Other Taxes, or its shall be determined by such Lender that the amount of
     any Taxes or other Taxes paid by the Borrower was greater than the amount
     payable by such Lender to the Applicable Governmental Authority, such
     Lender shall promptly remit such refund, or such excess, as applicable, to
     the Borrower.

          Each Lender shall promptly furnish to the Borrower and the Agent such
     additional documents as may be reasonably required by the Borrower or the
     Agent to establish any exemption from or reduction of any Taxes or Other
     Taxes required to be deducted or withheld and which may be obtained without
     undue expense to such Lender.

     (F) Loan Account. Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual
practice an account or accounts (a "Loan Account") evidencing the Obligations of
the Borrower to such Lender owing to such Lender from time to time, including
the amount of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time
to time hereunder and under the Notes.

     (G) Control Account. The Register maintained by the Agent pursuant to
Section 12.3(C) shall include a control account, and a subsidiary account for
each Lender, in which accounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the date
and amount of each Advance made hereunder, the type of Loan comprising such
Advance and any Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the effective date and
amount of each assignment and acceptance delivered to and accepted by it and the
parties thereto pursuant to Section 12.3, (iii) the amount of any principal or
interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each
Lender hereunder or under the Notes, (iv) the amount of any sum received by the
Agent from the Borrower hereunder and each Lender's share thereof, and (v) all
other appropriate debits and credits as provided in this Agreement, including,
without limitation, all fees, charges, expenses and interest.

     (H) Entries Binding. The entries made in the Register and each Loan Account
shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, unless
the Borrower objects to information contained in the Register and each Loan
Account within thirty (30) days of the Borrower's receipt of such information.


                                     - 53 -
<PAGE>
 
     2.16 Notification of Advances, Interest Rates, Prepayments and Aggregate
Revolving Loan Commitment Reductions. Promptly after receipt thereof, the Agent
will notify each Lender of the contents of each Aggregate Revolving Loan
Commitment reduction notice, Borrowing Notice, Continuation/Conversion Notice,
and repayment notice received by it hereunder. The Agent will notify each Lender
of the interest rate applicable to each Eurodollar Rate Loan promptly upon
determination of such interest rate and will give each Lender prompt notice of
each change in the Alternate Base Rate.

     2.17 Lending Installations. Each Lender may book its Loans at any Lending
Installation selected by such Lender and may change its Lending Installation
from time to time. All terms of this Agreement shall apply to any such Lending
Installation and the Notes shall be deemed held by each Lender for the benefit
of such Lending Installation. Each Lender may, by written or facsimile notice to
the Agent and the Borrower, designate a Lending Installation through which Loans
will be made by it and for whose account Loan payments are to be made.

     2.18 Non-Receipt of Funds by the Agent. Unless the Borrower or a Lender, as
the case may be, notifies the Agent prior to the date on which it is scheduled
to make payment to the Agent of (i) in the case of a Lender, the proceeds of a
Loan or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, a payment of principal, interest or
fees to the Agent for the account of the Lenders, that it does not intend to
make such payment, the Agent may assume that such payment has been made. The
Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make the amount of such payment
available to the intended recipient in reliance upon such assumption. If such
Lender or the Borrower, as the case may be, has not in fact made such payment to
the Agent, the recipient of such payment shall, on demand by the Agent, repay to
the Agent the amount so made available together with interest thereon in respect
of each day during the period commencing on the date such amount was so made
available by the Agent until the date the Agent recovers such amount at a rate
per annum equal to (i) in the case of payment by a Lender, the Federal Funds
Effective Rate for such day or (ii) in the case of payment by the Borrower, the
interest rate applicable to the relevant Loan.

     2.19 Termination Date. This Agreement shall be effective until the payment
in full of all Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations)
including without limitation, all principal, interest and fees due under this
Agreement. Notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement on the Termination
Date, until all of the Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations)
shall have been fully paid and satisfied, all financing arrangements among the
Borrower and the Lenders shall have been terminated and all of the Letters of
Credit shall have expired, been canceled or terminated, all of the rights and
remedies under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall survive and the
Agent shall be entitled to retain its security interest in and to all existing
and future Collateral for the benefit of itself and the Holders of Secured
Obligations.

     2.20 Replacement of Certain Lenders. In the event a Lender ("Affected
Lender") shall have: (i) failed to fund its Pro Rata Share of any Advance
requested by the Borrower, or to fund a Revolving Loan in order to repay Swing
Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.3(d), which such Lender is obligated to fund
under the terms of this Agreement and which failure has not been cured, (ii)
requested compensation from the Borrower under Sections 2.15(E), 3.1 or 3.2 to
recover Taxes, Other Taxes or other additional costs incurred by such Lender
which are not


                                     - 54 -
<PAGE>
 
being incurred generally by the other Lenders, (iii) delivered a notice pursuant
to Section 3.3 claiming that such Lender is unable to extend Eurodollar Rate
Loans to the Borrower for reasons not generally applicable to the other Lenders
or (iv) has invoked Section 9.2, then, in any such case, the Borrower or the
Agent may make written demand on such Affected Lender (with a copy to the Agent
in the case of a demand by the Borrower and a copy to the Borrower in the case
of a demand by the Agent) for the Affected Lender to assign, and such Affected
Lender shall use its best efforts to assign pursuant to one or more duly
executed assignment and acceptance agreements in substantially the form of
Exhibit G five (5) Business Days after the date of such demand, to one or more
financial institutions that comply with the provisions of Section 12.3(A) (and,
if selected by the Borrower is reasonably acceptable to the Agent) which the
Borrower or the Agent, as the case may be, shall have engaged for such purpose
("Replacement Lender"), all of such Affected Lender's rights and obligations
under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without
limitation, its Revolving Loan Commitment, all Loans owing to it, all of its
participation interests in existing Letters of Credit, and its obligation to
participate in additional Letters of Credit hereunder) in accordance with
Section 12.3. The Agent agrees, upon the occurrence of such events with respect
to an Affected Lender and upon the written request of the Borrower, to use its
reasonable efforts to obtain the commitments from one or more financial
institutions to act as a Replacement Lender. The Agent is authorized to execute
one or more of such assignment agreements as attorney-in-fact for any Affected
Lender failing to execute and deliver the same within five (5) Business Days
after the date of such demand. Further, with respect to such assignment the
Affected Lender shall have concurrently received, in cash, all amounts due and
owing to the Affected Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document,
including, without limitation, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the
Loans owed to such Lender, together with accrued interest thereon through the
date of such assignment, amounts payable under Sections 2.15(E), 3.1, and 3.2
with respect to such Affected Lender and compensation payable under Section
2.15(C) in the event of any replacement of any Affected Lender under clause (ii)
or clause (iii) of this Section 2.20; provided that upon such Affected Lender's
replacement, such Affected Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall
continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15(E), 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, and
9.7, as well as to any fees accrued for its account hereunder and not yet paid,
and shall continue to be obligated under Section 10.8. Upon the replacement of
any Affected Lender pursuant to this Section 2.20, the provisions of Section 8.2
shall continue to apply with respect to Borrowings which are then outstanding
with respect to which the Affected Lender failed to fund its Pro Rata Share and
which failure has not been cured.

     2.21 Letter of Credit Facility. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement and in reliance upon the representations, warranties and
covenants set forth herein, (i) First Chicago shall issue commercial letters of
credit and (ii) First Chicago shall issue or any other Lender, in its sole
discretion, may issue standby letters of credit, in each case for the account of
the Borrower (First Chicago and each such other Lender in such capacity being
referred to as an "Issuing Lender"), on terms as are satisfactory to such
Issuing Lender upon three (3) days' notice and receipt of duly executed
applications for such Letter of Credit, and such other customary documents,
instructions and agreements as may be required pursuant to the terms thereof
(all such applications, documents, instructions, and agreements being referred
to herein as the "L/C Documents") as the applicable Issuing Lender may require;
provided, however, that no Letter of Credit will be issued (or amended) for the
account of the Borrower by an Issuing


                                     - 55 -
<PAGE>
 
Lender if on the date of issuance, before or after taking such Letter of Credit
into account, (A) the Revolving Loan Obligations at such time would exceed the
Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment at such time, (B) the Revolving Loan
Obligations (other than L/C Obligations in respect of commercial Letters of
Credit) at such time would exceed the Borrowing Base at such time, (C) aggregate
outstanding amount of the L/C Obligations in respect of standby Letters of
Credit exceeds $5,000,000 plus the amount outstanding under the Backstop Letter
of Credit only so long as the Backstop Letter of Credit remains outstanding, or
(C) the aggregate outstanding amount of the L/C Obligations in respect of
commercial Letters of Credit exceeds $40,000,000; and provided, further, that no
Letter of Credit shall be issued (or amended) which has an expiration date later
than the date which is the earlier of one (1) year after the date of issuance
thereof or five (5) Business Days immediately preceding the Termination Date.
There shall be no Issuing Lender other than the Agent with respect to commercial
Letters of Credit. The designation of any Lender as an Issuing Lender after the
date hereof with respect to standby Letters of Credit shall be subject to the
prior written consent of the Agent. If the Borrower applies for a standby Letter
of Credit from any Lender other than First Chicago, the Borrower shall
simultaneously notify the Agent of the proposed amount, expiration date and
nature of such Letter of Credit. The Agent shall promptly notify the Lender to
which such application has been made and the Borrower whether the issuance of
such Letter of Credit would comply with the terms of this Section 2.21. Each
Issuing Lender shall be entitled to assume that the applicable conditions set
forth in Article IV hereof have been satisfied unless it shall have received
notice to the contrary from the Agent or such Issuing Lender has knowledge that
the applicable conditions have not been met. To the extent that any provision of
any L/C Document cannot reasonably be construed to be consistent with this
Agreement, requires greater collateral security or imposes additional
obligations not reasonably related to customary letter of credit arrangements,
such provision shall be invalid and this Agreement shall control. All references
in the expense, indemnity and similar provisions of this Agreement to the
Lenders shall include First Chicago and any other Lender in its capacity as an
Issuing Lender. No Issuing Lender shall extend or amend any Letter of Credit
unless the requirements of this Section 2.21 are met as though a new Letter of
Credit was being requested and issued.

     (b) Schedule 2.21(b) contains a schedule of certain letters of credit
issued for the account of the Borrower prior to the Closing Date by First
Chicago (the "Existing Letters of Credit"). Subject to the satisfaction of the
conditions contained in Sections 4.1 and 4.2, from and after the Closing Date
the Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to be Letters of Credit issued
pursuant to Section 2.21(a).

     2.22 Letter of Credit Participation. On the Closing Date with respect to
the Existing Letters of Credit and immediately upon the issuance of each other
Letter of Credit hereunder, each Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment greater
than zero shall be deemed to have automatically, irrevocably and unconditionally
purchased and received from the applicable Issuing Lender an undivided interest
and participation in and to such Letter of Credit, the obligations of the
Borrower in respect thereof, and the liability of the applicable Issuing Lender
thereunder (collectively, an "L/C Interest") in an amount equal to the amount
available for drawing under such Letter of Credit multiplied by such Lender's
Pro Rata Share. The Agent will notify each Lender (or in the case of an Issuing
Lender other than First Chicago, such Issuing Lender shall notify the Agent who
in turn will notify each Lender) with a Revolving Loan


                                     - 56 -
<PAGE>
 
Commitment greater than zero promptly upon presentation to it of an L/C Draft or
upon any other draw under a Letter of Credit. On or before the Business Day on
which the applicable Issuing Lender makes payment of each such L/C Draft or, in
the case of any other draw on a Letter of Credit, on demand of the Agent, each
Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment greater than zero shall make payment to
the Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, in immediately
available funds, in an amount equal to such Lender's Pro Rata Share of the
amount of such payment or draw. Any Issuing Lender may direct the Agent to make
such a request with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender.
Upon the Agent's receipt of funds as a result of an Issuing Lender's payment on
an L/C Draft or any other draw on a Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing
Lender, the Agent shall promptly pay such funds to the Issuing Lender. If an
Issuing Lender has not directed the Agent to make such a request and the
Borrower fails to repay the amount of any draft in accordance with Section 2.23,
then, upon direction from the Issuing Lender, the Agent shall notify each Lender
with a Revolving Loan Commitment greater than zero of such failure, and each
such Lender shall promptly make payment to the Agent, in immediately available
funds, in an amount equal to such Lender's Pro Rata Share of the amount of such
payment or draw. The obligation of each such Lender to reimburse the Agent under
this Section 2.22 shall be unconditional, continuing, irrevocable and absolute.
In the event that any Lender fails to make payment to the Agent of any amount
due under this Section 2.22, the Agent shall be entitled to receive, retain and
apply against such obligation the principal and interest otherwise payable to
such Lender hereunder until the Agent receives such payment from such Lender or
such obligation is otherwise fully satisfied; provided, however, that nothing
contained in this sentence shall relieve such Lender of its obligation to
reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender for such amount in accordance with this
Section 2.22.

     2.23 Reimbursement Obligation. The Borrower agrees unconditionally,
irrevocably and absolutely to pay immediately to the Agent, for the account of
the applicable Issuing Lenders or the account of Lenders, as the case may be,
the amount of each advance which may be drawn under or pursuant to a Letter of
Credit issued for its account or an L/C Draft related thereto (such obligation
of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Lender or the Agent for an advance made
under a Letter of Credit or L/C Draft being hereinafter referred to as a
"Reimbursement Obligation" with respect to such Letter of Credit or L/C Draft).
If the Borrower at any time fails to repay a Reimbursement Obligation pursuant
to this Section 2.23, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to borrow a
Revolving Loan from the Lenders with a Revolving Loan Commitment greater than
zero, as of the date of the advance giving rise to the Reimbursement Obligation
equal in amount to the amount of the unpaid Reimbursement Obligation. Such
Revolving Loan shall be made as of the date of the payment giving rise to such
Reimbursement Obligation, automatically, without notice and without any
requirement to satisfy the conditions precedent otherwise applicable to an
Advance of Revolving Loans. Such Revolving Loan shall constitute a Floating Rate
Advance, the proceeds of which Advance shall be used to repay such Reimbursement
Obligation. If, for any reason, the Borrower fails to repay a Reimbursement
Obligation on the day such Reimbursement Obligation arises and, for any reason,
the Lenders are unable to make or have no obligation to make a Revolving Loan,
then such Reimbursement Obligation shall bear interest from and after such day,
until paid in full, at the interest rate applicable to a Floating Rate Advance.


                                     - 57 -
<PAGE>
 
     2.24 Cash Collateral. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in
any application for a Letter of Credit, after the occurrence and during the
continuance of a Default, the Borrower shall, at the request of the Required
Lenders, deliver to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and the Issuing
Lenders, cash, or other collateral of a type satisfactory to the Required
Lenders, having a value, as determined by such Lenders, equal to the aggregate
outstanding L/C Obligations. Any such collateral shall be held by the Agent in a
separate interest bearing account appropriately designated as a cash collateral
account in relation to this Agreement and the Letters of Credit and retained by
the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders as collateral
security for the Borrower's obligations in respect of this Agreement and each of
the Letters of Credit and L/C Drafts. Such amounts (plus interest which has
accrued thereon) shall be applied to reimburse the Agent or each Issuing Lender,
as the case may be, for drawings or payments under or pursuant to Letters of
Credit or L/C Drafts, or if no such reimbursement is required, to payment of
such of the other Obligations as the Agent shall determine. If no Default shall
be continuing, amounts remaining in any cash collateral account established
pursuant to this Section 2.24 which are not to be applied to reimburse the Agent
for amounts actually paid or to be paid by the Agent in respect of a Letter of
Credit or L/C Draft, shall be returned promptly to the Borrower (after deduction
of the Agent's expenses incurred in connection with such cash collateral
account).

     2.25 Letter of Credit Fees. (a) The Borrower shall pay to the Agent, for
the ratable account of the Lenders, based upon the Lenders' respective Pro Rata
Shares, a fee with respect to each Letter of Credit, for the period from the
issuance date thereof to and including the final expiration date thereof, at a
rate per annum equal to the Applicable L/C Fee Percentage on the average daily
outstanding face amount available for drawing under all Letters of Credit during
such period. The Letter of Credit fees shall be due and payable in arrears on
each Payment Date and, to the extent any such fees are then due and unpaid, on
the Termination Date. The Agent shall promptly remit such Letter of Credit fees,
when paid, to the other Lenders in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares
thereof.

     (b) The Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the benefit of each Issuing
Lender, all reasonable out-of-pocket costs of issuing and servicing Letters of
Credit, any and all customary fees and other issuance, amendment, document
examination, negotiation and presentment expenses and related charges and
commissions in connection with the issuance, amendment, and presentation of
Letters of Credit (and L/C Drafts related thereto) and the like, customarily
charged by such Issuing Lenders with respect to standby and commercial Letters
of Credit, payable at the time of invoice of such amounts.

     2.26 Indemnification; Exoneration. (a) In addition to amounts payable as
elsewhere provided in this Agreement, the Borrower agrees to protect, indemnify,
pay and save harmless the Agent, each Issuing Lender and each Lender from and
against any and all liabilities and costs which the Agent, such Issuing Lender
or any Lender may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect,
of (i) the issuance of any Letter of Credit other than, in the case of the
issuer thereof, as a result of its Gross Negligence or willful misconduct, as
determined by the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, or (ii)
the failure of the applicable Issuing Lender to honor a drawing under such
Letter of Credit as a result of any act or omission, whether


                                     - 58 -
<PAGE>
 
rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto Governmental
Authority (all such acts or omissions herein called "Governmental Acts").

     (b) As among the Borrower, the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Agent,
the Borrower assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of such
Letter of Credit by, the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit. In furtherance and
not in limitation of the foregoing, subject to the provisions of the Letter of
Credit applications and Letter of Credit reimbursement agreements executed by
the Borrower at the time of request for any Letter of Credit, neither the Agent,
any Issuing Lenders nor any of the Lenders shall be responsible (in the absence
of Gross Negligence or willful misconduct in connection therewith, as determined
by the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction): (i) for the form,
validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document
submitted by any party in connection with the application for and issuance of
the Letters of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all
respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (ii) for the
validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or
purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits
thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be
invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) for failure of the beneficiary of a
Letter of Credit to comply duly with conditions required in order to draw upon
such Letter of Credit; (iv) for errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in
transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex, or
other similar form of teletransmission or otherwise; (v) for errors in
interpretation of technical trade terms; (vi) for any loss or delay in the
transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing
under any Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) for the
misapplication by the beneficiary of a Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any
drawing under such Letter of Credit; and (viii) for any consequences arising
from causes beyond the control of the Agent, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders
including, without limitation, any Governmental Acts. None of the above shall
affect, impair, or prevent the vesting of any Issuing Lenders' rights or powers
under this Section 2.26.

     (c) In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific
provisions hereinabove set forth, any action taken or omitted by any Issuing
Lender under or in connection with the Letters of Credit or any related
certificates shall not, in the absence of Gross Negligence or willful
misconduct, as determined by the final judgment of a court of competent
jurisdiction, put the applicable Issuing Lender, the Agent or any Lender under
any resulting liability to the Borrower or relieve the Borrower of any of its
obligations hereunder to any such Person.

     (d) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the
Borrower hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Borrower contained in
this Section 2.26 shall survive the payment in full of all principal and
interest hereunder, the termination of the Letters of Credit and the termination
of this Agreement.

     2.27 Issuing Lender Reporting Requirements. Each Issuing Lender other than
the Agent shall give the Agent written or telex notice, or telephonic notice
confirmed promptly thereafter in writing, of the issuance of any Letter of
Credit, provided, however, that the failure to provide such notice shall not
result in any liability on the part of such Issuing Lender. Each Issuing Lender
shall, no later than the tenth Business Day following the last day of each
month, provide to the Agent, upon the Agent's request, schedules, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory


                                     - 59 -
<PAGE>
 
to the Agent, showing the date of issue, account party, amount, expiration date
and the reference number of each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender
and outstanding at any time during such month and the aggregate amount payable
by the Borrower during such month. In addition, upon the request of the Agent,
each Issuing Lender shall furnish to the Agent copies of any Letter of Credit
and any application for or reimbursement agreement with respect to a Letter of
Credit to which the Issuing Lender is party and such other documentation as may
reasonably be requested by the Agent. Upon the request of any Lender, the Agent
will provide to such Lender information concerning such Letters of Credit.


ARTICLE III:  CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES

     3.1 Yield Protection. If any law or any governmental or quasi-governmental
rule, regulation, policy, guideline or directive (whether or not having the
force of law) adopted after the date of this Agreement and having general
applicability to all banks within the jurisdiction in which such Lender operates
(excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the effect of and phasing in of capital
requirements or other regulations or guidelines passed prior to the date of this
Agreement), or any interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental
Authority charged with the interpretation or application thereof, or the
compliance of any Lender therewith,

          (i) subjects any Lender or any applicable Lending Installation to any
     tax, duty, charge or withholding on or from payments due from the Borrower
     (excluding federal taxation of the overall net income of any Lender or
     applicable Lending Installation and any state taxation based on the income
     of any Lender assessed by the State in which the Lender maintains its
     principal office), or changes the basis of taxation of payments to any
     Lender in respect of its Loans, its L/C Interests, the Letters of Credit or
     other amounts due it hereunder, or

          (ii) imposes or increases or deems applicable any reserve, assessment,
     insurance charge, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of,
     deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender or
     any applicable Lending Installation (other than reserves and assessments
     taken into account in determining the interest rate applicable to
     Eurodollar Rate Loans) with respect to its Loans, L/C Interests or the
     Letters of Credit, or

          (iii) imposes any other condition the result of which is to increase
     the cost to any Lender or any applicable Lending Installation of making,
     funding or maintaining the Loans, the L/C Interests or the Letters of
     Credit or reduces any amount received by any Lender or any applicable
     Lending Installation in connection with Loans or Letters of Credit, or
     requires any Lender or any applicable Lending Installation to make any
     payment calculated by reference to the amount of Loans or L/C Interests
     held or interest received by it or by reference to the Letters of Credit,
     by an amount deemed material by such Lender;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to that Lender of
making, renewing or maintaining its Loans, L/C Interests or Letters of Credit or
to reduce any amount received


                                     - 60 -
<PAGE>
 
under this Agreement, then, within 15 days after receipt by the Borrower of
written demand by such Lender pursuant to Section 3.5, the Borrower shall pay
such Lender that portion of such increased expense incurred or reduction in an
amount received which such Lender determines is attributable to making, funding
and maintaining its Loans, L/C Interests, Letters of Credit and its Revolving
Loan Commitment. A certificate as to an additional amount payable to any Lender
or the Agent under this Section 3.1 submitted to the Borrower and the Agent (if
a Lender is so submitting) by such Lender or the Agent shall show in reasonable
detail the amount payable and the calculations used to determine such amount and
shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties
hereto.

     3.2 Changes in Capital Adequacy Regulations. If a Lender determines (i) the
amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by such Lender, any
Lending Installation of such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender
is increased as a result of a "Change" (as defined below), and (ii) such
increase in capital will result in an increase in the cost to such Lender of
maintaining its Loans, L/C Interests, the Letters of Credit or its obligation to
make Loans hereunder, then, within 15 days after receipt by the Borrower of
written demand by such Lender pursuant to Section 3.5, the Borrower shall pay
such Lender the amount necessary to compensate for any shortfall in the rate of
return on the portion of such increased capital which such Lender determines is
attributable to this Agreement, its Loans, its L/C Interests, the Letters of
Credit or its obligation to make Loans hereunder (after taking into account such
Lender's policies as to capital adequacy). A certificate as to an additional
amount payable to any Lender or the Agent under this Section 3.2 submitted to
the Borrower and the Agent (if a Lender is so submitting) by such Lender or the
Agent shall show in reasonable detail the amount payable and the calculations
used to determine such amount and shall, absent manifest error, be final,
conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto. "Change" means (i) any change
after the date of this Agreement in the "Risk-Based Capital Guidelines" (as
defined below) excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the effect of any phasing
in of such Risk-Based Capital Guidelines or any other capital requirements
passed prior to the date hereof, or (ii) any adoption of or change in any other
law, governmental or quasi-governmental rule, regulation, policy, guideline,
interpretation, or directive (whether or not having the force of law) after the
date of this Agreement and having general applicability to all banks and
financial institutions within the jurisdiction in which such Lender operates
which affects the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by any
Lender or any Lending Installation or any corporation controlling any Lender.
"Risk-Based Capital Guidelines" means (i) the risk-based capital guidelines in
effect in the United States on the date of this Agreement, including transition
rules, and (ii) the corresponding capital regulations promulgated by regulatory
authorities outside the United States implementing the July 1988 report of the
Basle Committee on Banking Regulation and Supervisory Practices Entitled
"International Convergence of Capital Measurements and Capital Standards,"
including transition rules, and any amendments to such regulations adopted prior
to the date of this Agreement.

     3.3 Availability of Types of Advances. If (i) any Lender determines that
maintenance of its Eurodollar Rate Loans at a suitable Lending Installation
would violate any applicable law, rule, regulation or directive, whether or not
having the force of law, or (ii) the Required Lenders determine that (x)
deposits of a type and maturity appropriate to match fund Eurodollar Rate
Advances are not available or (y) the interest rate applicable to a Type of
Advance does not


                                     - 61 -
<PAGE>
 
accurately reflect the cost of making or maintaining such an Advance, then the
Agent shall suspend the availability of the affected Type of Advance and, in the
case of any occurrence set forth in clause (i) require any Advances of the
affected Type to be repaid.

     3.4 Funding Indemnification. If any payment of a Eurodollar Rate Advance
occurs on a date which is not the last day of the applicable Interest Period,
whether because of acceleration, prepayment, or otherwise, or a Eurodollar Rate
Advance is not made on the date specified by the Borrower for any reason other
than default by the Lenders, the Borrower indemnifies each Lender for any loss
or cost incurred by it resulting therefrom, including, without limitation, any
loss or cost in liquidating or employing deposits acquired to fund or maintain
the Eurodollar Rate Advance. In connection with any assignment by First Chicago
of any portion of the Loans made during the Syndication Period and if,
notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.4, the Borrower has requested and
the Agent has consented to the use of an Interest Period in excess of seven days
or the expiration of which does not correspond to expiration date of the other
Eurodollar Rate Advances, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have repaid all
outstanding Eurodollar Rate Advances as of the effective date any such
assignment and reborrowed such amount as a Floating Rate Advance and/or
Eurodollar Rate Advance (chosen in accordance with the provisions of Section
2.4) and the indemnification provisions under this Section 3.4 shall apply.

     3.5 Lenders' Duty to Mitigate; Lender Statements; Survival of Indemnity. If
reasonably possible, each Lender shall (subject to overall policy considerations
of such Lender) designate an alternate Lending Installation with respect to its
Eurodollar Rate Loans to reduce any liability of the Borrower to such Lender
under Sections 3.1 and 3.2 or to avoid the unavailability of a Type of Advance
under Section 3.3; provided that such designation is made on such terms that
such Lender and its Lending Installation suffer no economic, legal or regulatory
disadvantage. Each Lender requiring compensation pursuant to Section 2.15(E) or
to this Article III shall use its best efforts to notify the Borrower and the
Agent in writing of any Change, law, policy, rule, guideline or directive giving
rise to such demand for compensation not later than ninety (90) days following
the date upon which the responsible account officer of such Lender knows or
should have known of such Change, law, policy, rule, guideline or directive. Any
demand for compensation pursuant to this Article III shall be in writing and
shall state the amount due, if any, under Section 3.1, 3.2 or 3.4 and shall set
forth in reasonable detail the calculations upon which such Lender determined
such amount. Such written demand shall be rebuttably presumed correct for all
purposes. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the
Borrower shall not be obligated to pay any amount or amounts under Section
2.15(E) or this Article III to the extent such amount or amounts result from a
Change, law, policy, rule, guideline or directive which took effect more than
ninety (90) days prior to the date of delivery of the notice described above;
provided, that such ninety (90) day period shall run from the date of passage of
such Change, law, policy, rule, guideline or directive without giving effect to
any retroactive application thereof. Determination of amounts payable under such
Sections in connection with a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be calculated as though
each Lender funded its Eurodollar Rate Loan through the purchase of a deposit of
the type and maturity corresponding to the deposit used as a reference in
determining the Eurodollar Rate applicable to such Loan, whether in fact that is
the case or not. The obligations of the Borrower under Sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.4
shall survive payment of the Obligations and termination of this Agreement.


                                     - 62 -
<PAGE>
 
ARTICLE IV:  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     4.1 Initial Advances and Letters of Credit. The Lenders shall not be
required to make the initial Loans, issue any Letters of Credit or purchase any
participations therein unless:

     (a) such Loans are made not later than March 31, 1997;

     (b) the Stock Acquisition has been consummated and all documents necessary
to consummate the Merger have been signed and submitted for filing;

     (c) all of the conditions precedent set forth in that certain Term Sheet,
dated January 3, 1997 among First Chicago, First Chicago Capital Markets, Inc.,
Holdings and the Borrower shall have been met to the satisfaction of the Agent
and each of the Lenders;

     (d) the Senior Subordinated Notes have been issued and the Borrower has
received the net proceeds thereof;

     (e) the Holdings Subordinated Notes have been issued and Holdings has
received the net proceeds thereof;

     (f) the Borrower shall have received from Holdings a capital contribution
to the common equity of the Borrower in an amount not less than $51,300,000;

     (g) the Borrower shall have made all necessary arrangements for the payment
in full of all Indebtedness and liabilities in connection with the Refinanced
Indebtedness and release of all Liens in connection therewith pursuant to
payoff, estoppel and release documentation reasonably acceptable to the Agent;
and

     (h) the Borrower has furnished to the Agent each of the following, with
sufficient copies for the Lenders:

          (1) Copies of the Certificate of Incorporation for each of Holdings,
     the Borrower and the Target (including, without limitation, the proposed
     articles of merger with respect to the Merger), together with all
     amendments and a certificate of good standing, both certified by the
     appropriate governmental officer in its jurisdiction of incorporation;

          (2) Copies, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of
     Holdings, the Borrower and the Target, of its By-Laws and of its Board of
     Directors' resolutions (and resolutions of other bodies, if any are deemed
     necessary by counsel for any Lender) authorizing the execution of the
     Transaction Documents;

          (3) An incumbency certificate, executed by the Secretary or Assistant
     Secretary of Holdings, the Borrower and the Target, which shall identify by
     name and title and bear the signature of the officers of such entities
     authorized to sign the Transaction Documents and, with respect to the
     Borrower, to make borrowings hereunder, upon


                                     - 63 -
<PAGE>
 
     which certificate the Lenders shall be entitled to rely until informed of
     any change in writing by the Borrower;

          (4) An Officer's Certificate, in form and substance satisfactory to
     the Agent, signed by the chief financial officer of the Borrower, stating
     that on Closing Date no Default or Unmatured Default has occurred and is
     continuing;

          (5) A written opinion of the Borrower's counsel, addressed to the
     Lenders addressing the issues identified in Exhibit H hereto containing
     such assumptions and qualifications and otherwise in form and substance
     reasonably acceptable to the Agent and the Lenders;

          (6) Notes payable to the order of each of the Lenders;

          (7) Written money transfer instructions in substantially the form of
     Exhibit L hereto, addressed to the Agent and signed by an Authorized
     Officer, together with such other related money transfer authorizations as
     the Agent may have reasonably requested; and

          (8) Such other documents as the Agent or any Lender or its counsel may
     have reasonably requested, including, without limitation all of the
     documents reflected on the List of Closing Documents attached as Exhibit I
     to this Agreement.

     4.2 Each Advance and Letter of Credit. The Lenders shall not be required to
make any Advance, issue any Letter of Credit or purchase any participation
therein, unless on the applicable Borrowing Date, or in the case of a Letter of
Credit, the date on which the Letter of Credit is to be issued:

          (i) There exists no Default or Unmatured Default; and

          (ii) The representations and warranties contained in Article V are
     true and correct as of such Borrowing Date except for changes in the
     Schedules to this Agreement reflecting transactions permitted by this
     Agreement as set forth in Section 1.3 above.

     Each Borrowing Notice with respect to each such Advance and the letter of
credit application with respect to a Letter of Credit shall constitute a
representation and warranty by the Borrower that the conditions contained in
Sections 4.2(i) and (ii) have been satisfied. The Agent may require a duly
completed Officer's Certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit J hereto as
a condition to making an Advance.


ARTICLE V:  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     In order to induce the Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement
and to make the Loans and the other financial accommodations to the Borrower and
to issue or participate the Letters of Credit described herein, the Borrower
represents and warrants as follows to each


                                     - 64 -
<PAGE>
 
Lender and the Agent as of the Closing Date, giving effect to the Stock
Acquisition and the Merger and the consummation of the other transactions
contemplated by the Transaction Documents, and thereafter on each date as
required by Section 4.2:

     5.1 Organization; Corporate Powers. The Borrower and each of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (i) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) is duly
qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under
the laws of each jurisdiction in which failure to be so qualified and in good
standing could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii)
has filed and maintained effective (unless exempt from the requirements for
filing) a current Business Activity Report with the appropriate Governmental
Authority in the States in which it is required to do so and (iv) has all
requisite corporate power and authority to own, operate and encumber its
property and to conduct its business as presently conducted giving effect to the
Stock Acquisition and the Merger and as proposed to be conducted in connection
with and following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

     5.2 Authority.

     (A) The Borrower and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries has the requisite
corporate power and authority (i) to execute, deliver and perform each of the
Transaction Documents which are to be executed by it in connection with the
Stock Acquisition and the Merger or which have been executed by it as required
by this Agreement on or prior to Closing Date and (ii) to file the Transaction
Documents which must be filed by it in connection with the Stock Acquisition and
Merger or which have been filed by it as required by this Agreement on or prior
to the Closing Date with any Governmental Authority.

     (B) The execution, delivery, performance and filing, as the case may be, of
each of the Transaction Documents which must be executed or filed by the
Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with the Stock
Acquisition or Merger or which have been executed or filed as required by this
Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date and to which the Borrower or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries is party, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated thereby, have been duly approved by the respective boards of
directors and, if necessary, the shareholders of the Borrower and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, and such approvals have not been rescinded. No other corporate
action or proceedings on the part of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries
are necessary to consummate such transactions.

     (C) Each of the Transaction Documents to which the Borrower or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries is a party has been duly executed, delivered or filed,
as the case may be, by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding
obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms (except as
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether
enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law) or, to the extent
imposed by applicable law, by an implied covenant of good faith and fair
dealing), is in full force and effect and no material term or condition thereof
has been amended, modified or waived from the terms and conditions contained in
the Transaction Documents delivered to the Agent pursuant to Section 4.1 without
the prior written consent of


                                     - 65 -
<PAGE>
 
the Required Lenders, and the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries have,
and, to the best of the Borrower's and its Restricted Subsidiaries' Knowledge,
all other parties thereto have, performed and complied with all the terms,
provisions, agreements and conditions set forth therein and required to be
performed or complied with by such parties on or before the Closing Date, and no
unmatured default, default or breach of any covenant by any such party exists
thereunder.

     5.3 No Conflict; Governmental Consents. The execution, delivery and
performance of each of the Loan Documents and, to the Borrower's Knowledge, the
other Transaction Documents to which the Borrower or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries is a party do not and will not (i) conflict with the certificate or
articles of incorporation or by-laws of the Borrower or any such Restricted
Subsidiary, (ii) constitute a tortious interference with any Contractual
Obligation of any Person or conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute
(with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any
Requirement of Law (including, without limitation, any Environmental Property
Transfer Act) or Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any such Restricted
Subsidiary, or require termination of any Contractual Obligation, except such
interference, breach, default or termination which individually or in the
aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
(iii) with respect to the Loan Documents and, to the Borrower's and its
Restricted Subsidiaries' Knowledge with respect to the other Transaction
Documents, result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien
whatsoever upon any of the property or assets of the Borrower or any such
Restricted Subsidiary, other than Liens permitted by the Loan Documents, or (iv)
require any approval of the Borrower's or any such Subsidiary's shareholders
except such as have been obtained. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.3 to this
Agreement, the execution, delivery and performance of each of the Transaction
Documents to which the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party
do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or
notice to, or other action to, with or by any Governmental Authority, including
under any Environmental Property Transfer Act, except (i) filings, consents or
notices which have been made, obtained or given, or which, if not made, obtained
or given, individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) filings necessary to create or perfect
security interests in the Collateral.

     5.4 Financial Statements.

     (A) The pro forma financial statements of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibit K, present on a pro
forma basis the financial condition of the Borrower and such Subsidiaries as of
such date, and reflect on a pro forma basis those liabilities reflected in the
notes thereto and resulting from consummation of the Stock Acquisition, the
offer and sale of the Senior Subordinated Notes and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and the payment or accrual of all Transaction
Costs payable on the Closing Date with respect to any of the foregoing. The
projections and assumptions expressed in the pro forma financials referenced in
this Section 5.4(A) were prepared in good faith and represent management's
opinion based on the information available to the Borrower at the time so
furnished.


                                     - 66 -
<PAGE>
 
     (B) Complete and accurate copies of the following financial statements and
the following related information have been delivered to the Agent: (1) the
audited balance sheets of the Target as at the fiscal years ended June 30, 1996
and 1995 and the related statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity
and cash flow of the Target for such fiscal years and the audit report of
Donnelly Meiners Jordan Kline related thereto; and (2) the unaudited balance
sheets of the Target as at the end of the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1996
and the related statements of income of the Target for such fiscal quarters.

     5.5 No Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 1996 (tested by
reference to the audited financial statements of the Target as of such date)
other than the consummation of the Stock Acquisition, the incurrence of the
Indebtedness under the Indenture and under this Agreement to be incurred in
connection with the Stock Acquisition and the related transactions contemplated
in connection therewith, and the issuance by the Target of cash dividends in an
aggregate amount equal to $20,600,000 to the shareholders of the Target as of
February 25, 1997, there has occurred no change in the business, condition
(financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties or prospects of
the Target, the Borrower, or the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole
which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     5.6 Taxes.

     (A) Tax Examinations. All deficiencies which have been asserted against the
Holdings, Target, Borrower or any of the Borrower's Subsidiaries as a result of
any federal, state, local or foreign tax examination for each taxable year in
respect of which an examination has been conducted have been fully paid or
finally settled or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
properly instituted and diligently conducted, and as of the Closing Date no
issue has been raised by any taxing authority in any such examination which, by
application of similar principles, reasonably can be expected to result in
assertion by such taxing authority of a material deficiency for any other year
not so examined which has not been reserved for in Holdings' or the Borrower's
consolidated financial statements to the extent, if any, required by Agreement
Accounting Principles. Except as permitted pursuant to Section 6.2(D), none of
Holdings, the Borrower nor any of the Borrower's Subsidiaries anticipates any
material tax liability with respect to the years which have not been closed
pursuant to applicable law and which have not been reserved for in accordance
with Agreement Accounting Principles in Holdings' or the Borrower's financial
statements.

     (B) Payment of Taxes. All tax returns and reports of each of, Holdings, the
Target, the Borrower and the Borrower's Subsidiaries required to be filed have
been timely filed, and all taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental
charges thereupon and upon their respective property, assets, income and
franchises which are shown in such returns or reports to be due and payable have
been paid except those items which are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings properly instituted and diligently conducted and have
been reserved for in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles. The
Borrower has no Knowledge of any proposed tax assessment against Holdings, the
Borrower or any of the Borrower's Subsidiaries that will have or could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.


                                     - 67 -
<PAGE>
 
     5.7 Litigation; Loss Contingencies and Violations. Except as set forth in
Schedules 5.7 and 5.18 to this Agreement, there is no action, suit, proceeding,
investigation of which the Borrower has Knowledge or arbitration before or by
any Governmental Authority or private arbitrator pending or, to the Knowledge of
the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, threatened against the
Target, the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any property of
any of them (i) challenging the validity or the enforceability of any material
provision of the Transaction Documents or (ii) which if resolved in a manner
adverse to the Target, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower
will have or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
There is no material loss contingency within the meaning of Agreement Accounting
Principles which has not been reflected in the financial statements delivered
pursuant to Section 5.4 or the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower
prepared and delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(A) for the fiscal period during
which such material loss contingency was incurred. Neither the Borrower nor any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries is (A) in violation of any applicable
Requirements of Law which violation will have or could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect, or (B) subject to or in default with respect to
any final judgment, writ, injunction, restraining order or order of any nature,
decree, rule or regulation of any court or Governmental Authority which will
have or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     5.8 Subsidiaries. Schedule 5.8 to this Agreement (i) contains a description
of the corporate structure of Holdings, the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and any
other Person in which Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries holds an
Equity Interest (in flow chart form) after taking into account the consummation
of the Stock Acquisition; and (ii) accurately sets forth (A) the correct legal
name, the jurisdiction of incorporation and the jurisdictions in which each of
the Borrower and the direct and indirect Subsidiaries of the Borrower is
qualified to transact business as a foreign corporation, (B) the authorized,
issued and outstanding shares of each class of Capital Stock of Holdings, the
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries and the owners of such shares (both as of
the Closing Date and on a fully-diluted basis), and (C) a summary of the direct
and indirect Equity Interests, if any, of Holdings, the Borrower and each
Subsidiary of the Borrower in any Person that is not a corporation. None of the
issued and outstanding Capital Stock of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
is subject to any vesting, redemption, or repurchase agreement, and there are no
warrants or options outstanding with respect to such Capital Stock. The
outstanding Capital Stock of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and is not Margin
Stock. The Borrower has no Subsidiaries other than those permitted to be created
pursuant to Section 6.3(G) in connection with a Permitted Acquisition.

     5.9 ERISA. No Benefit Plan has incurred any accumulated funding deficiency
(as defined in Sections 302(a)(2) of ERISA and 412(a) of the Code) whether or
not waived. Neither the Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group has
incurred any liability to the PBGC which remains outstanding other than the
payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due
which are unpaid. Neither the Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group
after such member became a part of the Controlled Group has (i) failed to make a
required contribution or payment to a Multiemployer Plan or (ii) made a complete
or partial withdrawal under Sections 4203 or 4205 of ERISA from a Multiemployer
Plan which could subject the Borrower to liability, individually or in the
aggregate, together with all other


                                     - 68 -
<PAGE>
 
amounts under this Section 5.9, in excess of $2,500,000. Neither the Borrower
nor any member of the Controlled Group has failed to make a required installment
or any other required payment under Section 412 of the Code on or before the due
date for such installment or other payment. Neither the Borrower nor any member
of the Controlled Group (after such member became a part of the Controlled
Group) is required to provide security to a Benefit Plan under Section
401(a)(29) of the Code due to a Plan amendment that results in an increase in
current liability for the plan year. Each Plan which is intended to be qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Code as currently in effect has been determined by
the IRS to be so qualified or an application for determination of tax-qualified
status will be made to the IRS prior to the applicable remedial amendment period
under Section 401(b) of the Code. The Borrower and all Restricted Subsidiaries
are in compliance in all respects with the responsibilities, obligations and
duties imposed on them by ERISA and the Code with respect to all Plans, except
where such noncompliance could not reasonably be expected to subject the
Borrower to liability, individually or in the aggregate, together with all other
amounts under this Section 5.9, in excess of $2,500,000. Neither the Borrower
nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries nor any fiduciary of any Plan has engaged
in a nonexempt prohibited transaction described in Sections 406 of ERISA or 4975
of the Code which could reasonably be expected to subject the Borrower to
liability, individually or in the aggregate, together with all other amounts
under this Section 5.9, in excess of $2,500,000. Neither the Borrower nor any
member of the Controlled Group has taken or failed to take any action which
would constitute or result in a Termination Event, which could reasonably be
expected to subject the Borrower to liability, individually or in the aggregate,
together with all other amounts under this Section 5.9, in excess of $2,500,000.
Neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary is subject to, and no other
member of the Controlled Group is subject to, any liability under Sections 4063,
4064, 4069, 4204 or 4212(c) of ERISA which could reasonably be expected to
subject the Borrower to liability, individually or in the aggregate, together
with all other amounts under this Section 5.9, in excess of $2,500,000. Neither
the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has, by reason of the
transactions contemplated hereby, any obligation to make any payment to any
employee pursuant to any Plan or existing contract or arrangement which payment,
individually or in the aggregate with all other such payments, together with all
other amounts under this Section 5.9, in excess of $2,500,000.

     5.10 Accuracy of Information. (a) All factual information (other than
projections) heretofore or contemporaneously furnished by or on behalf of the
Target or the Borrower in writing to the Agent or to any Lender for purposes or
in connection with the Loan Documents or any transaction contemplated thereby
(including (i) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries contained in the Loan Documents, (ii) all certificates and
documents delivered to the Agent and the Lenders pursuant to the terms thereof
and (iii) the Offering Memorandum) is collectively, and all other such factual
information (other than projections) hereafter furnished by or on behalf of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Purchaser will be individually, true
and accurate in every material respect on the date as of which such information
is dated or certified, and such information is not, or shall not be, as the case
may be, incomplete by omitting to state any material fact necessary to make such
information not misleading.


                                     - 69 -
<PAGE>
 
     (b) The projections supplied in connection with the factual information
referred to in clause (a) above were or are based on good faith estimates and
assumptions believed to be fair and reasonable at the time made, given
historical financial performance and current and reasonably foreseeable business
conditions, and to the Borrower's knowledge, there are no facts or circumstances
presently existing which singly or in the aggregate, would cause a material
change in such projections, it being recognized and agreed by the Lenders that
such projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that
actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections may
differ from the projected results and that the differences may be material.

     5.11 Securities Activities. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries is engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of
purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.

     5.12 Material Agreements. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is a
party to any agreement or instrument or subject to any charter or other
corporate restriction which will have or could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received notice or has knowledge that (i) it is in default in the performance,
observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or conditions
contained in any Contractual Obligation applicable to it, or (ii) any condition
exists which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would
constitute a default with respect to any such Contractual Obligation, in each
case, except where such default or defaults, if any, will not have or are not
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     5.13 Compliance with Laws. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in
compliance with all Requirements of Law applicable to them and their respective
businesses, in each case where the failure to so comply individually or in the
aggregate will have or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

     5.14 Assets and Properties. The Target, the Borrower and each of the
Borrower's Restricted Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to all of its
assets and properties (tangible and intangible, real or personal) owned by it or
a valid leasehold interest in all of its leased assets (except insofar as
marketability may be limited by any laws or regulations of any Governmental
Authority affecting such assets), and all such assets and property are free and
clear of all Liens, except Liens securing the Secured Obligations and Liens
permitted under Section 6.3(C). Substantially all of the assets and properties
owned by, leased to or used by the Target, the Borrower and/or each such
Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower are in adequate operating condition and
repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted. To the Borrower's and its Restricted
Subsidiary's Knowledge, except for Liens granted to the Agent for the benefit of
the Agent and the Holders of Secured Obligations, neither this Agreement nor any
other Transaction Document, nor any transaction contemplated under any such
agreement, will affect any right, title or interest of the Target, the Borrower
or such Restricted Subsidiary in and to any of such assets in a manner that
would have or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.


                                     - 70 -
<PAGE>
 
     5.15 Statutory Indebtedness Restrictions. Neither the Borrower, nor any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act, the Interstate Commerce Act,
or the Investment Company Act of 1940, or any other federal or state statute or
regulation which limits its ability to incur indebtedness or its ability to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or in connection with Stock
Acquisition.

     5.16 Post-Retirement Benefits. As of the Closing Date the Target, the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries have no expected cost of post-retirement medical
and insurance benefits payable by the Target, the Borrower and its Restricted
Subsidiaries to its employees and former employees, as estimated in accordance
with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 106.

     5.17 Insurance. Schedule 5.17 to this Agreement accurately sets forth as of
the Closing Date all material insurance policies and programs currently in
effect with respect to the respective properties and assets and business of the
Target, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, specifying for each such
policy and program, (i) the amount thereof, (ii) the risks insured against
thereby, (iii) the name of the insurer and each insured party thereunder, (iv)
the policy or other identification number thereof, (v) the expiration date
thereof, (vi) the annual premium with respect thereto and (vii) describes any
reserves, relating to any self-insurance program that is in effect. Such
insurance policies and programs reflect coverage that is reasonably consistent
with prudent industry practice.

     5.18 Indebtedness of Target; Refinanced Indebtedness; Contingent
Obligations. Schedule 1.1.5 sets forth all Indebtedness of the Target and all
Indebtedness to be discharged in connection with the consummation of the Stock
Acquisition under the heading "Refinanced Indebtedness." The Refinanced
Indebtedness and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon has been paid in full
or provision for payment has been made such that, in accordance with the express
provisions of the instruments governing such Indebtedness. The Target has been
or will be upon payment in full of the Refinanced Indebtedness irrevocably
released from all liability and Contractual Obligations with respect thereto
other than customary continuing indemnities provided for in the Contractual
Obligation evidencing such Refinanced Indebtedness, a copy of which has been
delivered to the Lenders. Any and all Liens securing the Refinanced Indebtedness
have been released or provision for release of such Liens satisfactory to the
Agent has been made. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.18 to this Agreement,
neither the Target, the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any Contingent
Obligation, contingent liability, long-term lease or commitment, not reflected
in its audited financial statements delivered to the Agent on or prior to the
Closing Date or otherwise disclosed to the Agent and the Lenders in the other
Schedules to this Agreement, which could reasonably be expected to subject the
Borrower to liability, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $500,000.

     5.19 Labor Matters.

     (A) Except as listed on Schedule 5.19 to this Agreement, there are on the
Closing Date no collective bargaining agreements, other labor agreements or
Multiemployer Plans covering any of the employees of the Target, the Borrower or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries. As of the Closing Date, no attempt to
organize the employees of the Target, the Borrower or any of its


                                     - 71 -
<PAGE>
 
Restricted Subsidiaries, and no labor disputes, strikes or walkouts affecting
the operations of the Target, the Borrower or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, is pending, or, to the Borrower's or its Restricted Subsidiaries'
Knowledge, threatened, planned or contemplated.

     (B) Set forth in Schedule 5.19 to this Agreement is a list, as of the
Closing Date, of all material consulting agreements, executive compensation
plans, deferred compensation agreements, employee pension plans or retirement
plans, employee profit sharing plans, employee stock purchase and stock option
plans, severance plans, group life insurance, hospitalization insurance or other
plans or arrangements of Holdings, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries
providing for benefits for employees of Holdings, the Borrower and its
Restricted Subsidiaries.

     5.20 The Stock Acquisition; Minimum Equity Contributions.

     (A) As of the Closing Date and immediately prior to the making of the
initial Loans:

          (i) the Acquisition Documents are in full force and effect, no
     material breach, default or waiver of any term or provision of any of the
     Acquisition Documents by Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
     or, to the Borrower's Knowledge, the other parties thereto has occurred
     (except for such breaches, defaults and waivers, if any, consented to in
     writing by the Agent and the Required Lenders) and no action has been taken
     by any competent authority which restrains, prevents or imposes any
     material adverse condition upon, or seeks to restrain, prevent or impose
     any material adverse condition upon, the Stock Acquisition;

          (ii) the representations and warranties of each of Holdings, the
     Borrower and the Borrower's Subsidiaries contained in the Acquisition
     Documents, if any, are true and correct in all material respects;

          (iii) all conditions precedent to, and all consents necessary to
     permit, the Stock Acquisition pursuant to the Acquisition Documents have
     been satisfied or waived with the prior written consent of the Agent and
     the Required Lenders, and simultaneously with the funding of the initial
     Loan under this Agreement, the Stock Acquisition will be consummated in
     accordance with the Acquisition Documents and the Borrower will obtain at
     such time good and marketable title to all of the outstanding Equity
     Interests of the Target free and clear of any Liens other than Liens
     permitted under Section 6.3(C).

     (B) As of the Closing Date and immediately prior to the making of the
initial Loans the Minimum Equity Contributions have been made and Holdings and
the Borrower has received the proceeds thereof.


                                     - 72 -
<PAGE>
 
     5.21 Environmental Matters. (a) Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.21 to
this Agreement

          (i) the operations of the Target, the Borrower and its Restricted
     Subsidiaries comply in all material respects with Environmental, Health or
     Safety Requirements of Law;

          (ii) the Target, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries have all
     permits, licenses or other authorizations required under Environmental,
     Health or Safety Requirements of Law and are in material compliance with
     such permits;

          (iii) neither the Target, the Borrower, any of its Restricted
     Subsidiaries nor any of their respective present property or operations,
     or, to the Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' Knowledge, any of their
     respective past property or operations, are subject to or the subject of,
     any investigation of which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has
     Knowledge, any judicial or administrative proceeding, order, judgment,
     decree, settlement or other agreement respecting: (A) any material
     violation of Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements of Law; (B) any
     remedial action; or (C) any material claims or liabilities arising from the
     Release or threatened Release of a Contaminant into the environment;

          (iv) there is not now, nor to the best of the Borrower's or any of its
     Restricted Subsidiaries' Knowledge has there ever been on or in the
     property of the Target, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries any
     landfill, waste pile, underground storage tanks, aboveground storage tanks,
     surface impoundment or hazardous waste storage facility of any kind, any
     polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) used in hydraulic oils, electric
     transformers or other equipment, or any asbestos containing material; and

          (v) neither the Target, the Borrower nor any of its Restricted
     Subsidiaries has any material Contingent Obligation in connection with any
     Release or threatened Release of a Contaminant into the environment.

     (b) For purposes of this Section 5.21 "material" means any noncompliance or
basis for liability which could reasonably be likely to subject the Borrower to
liability, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $1,000,000.

     5.22 Capitalization. As of the Closing Date and immediately prior to the
initial funding of the Loans, (A) the investors listed on Schedule 5.8 have
contributed to the capital of Holdings, in compliance with all applicable
Requirements of Law, not less than $52,200,000 comprised of $27,200,000 with
allocations of cash and non-cash investments for common and preferred stock as
set forth on Schedule 5.8 and $25,000,000 in cash for the Holdings Subordinated
Notes and 11,000 Series B Preferred Shares and 500 Series B Common Shares
purchased by MCIT; and (B) Holdings has contributed to the capital of the
Borrower, in compliance with all applicable Requirements of Law, not less than
$51,300,000 in cash (such contributions, collectively, being referred to herein
as the "Minimum Equity Contributions"). All of the Secured Obligations of the
Borrower to the Lenders (whether in respect of the principal of and interest on
Loans, L/C


                                     - 73 -
<PAGE>
 
Obligations, Hedging Obligations or reimbursement or indemnity Obligations)
constitute "Senior Indebtedness" as such term is defined in each of the Deferred
Limited Interest Guaranty and the Holdings Subordinated Notes and the
subordination provisions of the Holdings Subordinated Notes are enforceable
against the holders of the Holdings Subordinated Notes.

     5.23 The Offering and Sale of the Senior Subordinated Notes.

     (a) As of the Closing Date, the offering and sale of the Senior
Subordinated Notes has been consummated in compliance with the provisions of the
Securities Act, as amended, any other federal securities law, state securities
or "Blue Sky" law or applicable general corporation law, and, in each case, the
rules and regulations thereunder.

     (b) As of the Closing Date, all conditions precedent to, and all consents
necessary to permit, the offering and sale of the Senior Subordinated Notes have
been satisfied or delivered, or, to the extent material to the Lenders, waived
with the prior written consent of the Agent, and no action has been taken by any
competent authority which restrains, prevents or imposes material adverse
conditions upon, or seeks to restrain, prevent or impose material adverse
conditions upon, the offering or sale of the Senior Subordinated Notes.

     (c) As of the Closing Date, the offering and sale of the Senior
Subordinated Notes has been consummated, the Senior Subordinated Notes in an
aggregate original principal amount of $125,000,000 have been issued and the
Borrower has received the proceeds thereof and applied such proceeds as provided
in the Offering Memorandum.

     (d) All of the Secured Obligations of the Borrower to the Holders of
Secured Obligations (whether in respect of the principal of and interest on
Loans, L/C Obligations, Hedging Obligations or reimbursement or indemnity
Obligations) constitute "Senior Indebtedness" as such term is defined in the
Indenture.

     5.24 Solvency. As of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the (i) Loans
to be made on the Closing Date, (ii) the disbursement of the proceeds of such
Loans pursuant to the instructions of the Borrower, (iii) the proceeds received
and disbursed pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, (iv) the proceeds received
and disbursed in connection with the Minimum Equity Contributions, and (v)
consummation of the Stock Acquisition and the Merger, the Borrower is Solvent.


ARTICLE VI:  COVENANTS

     The Borrower covenants and agrees that so long as any Commitments are
outstanding and thereafter until payment in full of all of the Obligations
(other than contingent indemnity obligations), unless the Required Lenders shall
otherwise give prior written consent:

     6.1 Reporting. The Borrower shall maintain a system of accounting
established and administered in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles
and shall:

     (A) Financial Reporting. Furnish to the Lenders:


                                     - 74 -
<PAGE>
 
          (i) Monthly Reports. As soon as practicable, and in any event within
     thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar month, the consolidated and
     consolidating balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the
     end of such period and the related consolidated and consolidating
     statements of income and statement of cash flow of the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries for such calendar month, certified by the chief financial
     officer of the Borrower on behalf of the Borrower as fairly presenting the
     consolidated and consolidating financial position of the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations
     and cash flow for the calendar months indicated in accordance with
     Agreement Accounting Principles, subject to normal year end adjustments.

          (ii) Quarterly Reports. Without in any way limiting the requirements
     set forth in Section 6.1(A)(i), as soon as practicable, and in any event
     within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal
     quarters in each fiscal year, the consolidated and consolidating balance
     sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such period
     and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income, and
     cash flow of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarter and
     for the period from the beginning of the then current fiscal year to the
     end of such fiscal quarter, certified by the chief financial officer of the
     Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on behalf of the Borrower and its
     Restricted Subsidiaries as fairly presenting the consolidated and
     consolidating financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at
     the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flow for
     the periods indicated in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles,
     subject to normal year end adjustments.

          (iii) Annual Reports. As soon as practicable, and in any event within
     ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, (a) 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,
     stockholders' equity and cash flow of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
     such fiscal year, and in comparative form the corresponding figures for the
     previous fiscal year along with consolidating schedules in form and
     substance sufficient to calculate the financial covenants set forth in
     Section 6.4, (b) a schedule from the Borrower setting forth for each item
     in clause (a) hereof, the corresponding figures from the consolidated
     financial budget for the current fiscal year delivered pursuant to Section
     6.1(A)(v), and (c) an audit report on the items listed in clause (a) hereof
     of independent certified public accountants of recognized national
     standing, which audit report shall be unqualified and shall state that such
     financial statements fairly present the consolidated and consolidating
     financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the dates
     indicated and the results of their operations and cash flow for the periods
     indicated in conformity with Agreement Accounting Principles and that the
     examination by such accountants in connection with such consolidated and
     consolidating financial statements has been made in accordance with
     generally accepted auditing standards. The deliveries made pursuant to this
     clause (iii) shall be accompanied by (y) any management letter prepared by
     the above-referenced accountants and (z) a certificate of such accountants
     that, in the course of their examination necessary for their certification
     of the foregoing, they have obtained no knowledge of any Default or
     Unmatured Default, or if,


                                     - 75 -
<PAGE>
 
     in the opinion of such accountants, any Default or Unmatured Default shall
     exist, stating the nature and status thereof.

          (iv) Officer's Certificate. Together with each delivery of any
     financial statement (or otherwise if requested pursuant to the terms of
     Section 4.2) an officer's certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit
     J hereto (an "Officer's Certificate") (a) stating that no Default or
     Unmatured Default exists, or if any Default or Unmatured Default exists,
     stating the nature and status thereof for each such Officer's Certificate
     accompanying the financial statements delivered pursuant to clauses (i),
     (ii) and (iii) of this Section 6.1(A), and (b) in addition for each such
     Officer's Certificate accompanying the financial statements delivered
     pursuant to clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 6.1(A), setting forth
     calculations for the period then ended for Section 2.5(B), if applicable,
     setting forth the Borrower's calculations reflecting the applicable pricing
     level under Section 2.15(D) which the Borrower has determined to be the
     applicable level, and which demonstrate compliance, when applicable, with
     the provisions of Section 6.4, in each case such Officer's Certificate to
     be signed by the Borrower's chief financial officer or treasurer.

          (v) Budgets; Business Plans; Financial Projections. As soon as
     practicable and in any event not later than sixty (60) days after the
     beginning of each fiscal year, a copy of the plan and forecast (including a
     projected balance sheet, income statement and funds flow statement) of the
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year prepared in such detail
     as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

     (B) Notice of Default. Promptly upon any of the chief executive officer,
chief operating officer, chief financial officer, treasurer, controller or other
Authorized Officer of the Borrower obtaining knowledge (i) of any condition or
event which constitutes a Default or an Unmatured Default which is then
continuing, or becoming aware that any Lender or Agent has given any written
notice with respect to a claimed Default or Unmatured Default under this
Agreement, or (ii) that any Person has given any written notice to the Borrower
or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower or taken any other action with
respect to a claimed default or event or condition of the type referred to in
Section 7.1(e), deliver to the Agent and the Lenders an Officer's Certificate
specifying (a) the nature and period of existence of any such claimed default,
Default, Unmatured Default, condition or event, (b) the notice given or action
taken by such Person in connection therewith, and (c) what action the Borrower
has taken, is taking and proposes to take with respect thereto.

     (C) Lawsuits. (i) Promptly upon the Knowledge of the Borrower or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the institution of, or the written threat of, any
action, suit, proceeding, governmental investigation or arbitration against or
affecting the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any property of
the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries not previously disclosed
pursuant to Section 5.7, which action, suit, proceeding, governmental
investigation or arbitration exposes, or in the case of multiple actions, suits,
proceedings, governmental investigations or arbitrations arising out of the same
general allegations or circumstances which expose, in the Borrower's reasonable
judgment, the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to liability,
individually or in the aggregate, in an amount aggregating $1,000,000 or more
(exclusive of claims covered by insurance policies of the Borrower or any of


                                     - 76 -
<PAGE>
 
its Subsidiaries unless the insurers of such claims have disclaimed coverage or
reserved the right to disclaim coverage on such claims and exclusive of claims
covered by the indemnity of a financially responsible indemnitor in favor of the
Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (unless the indemnitor has
disclaimed or reserved the right to disclaim coverage thereof), give written
notice thereof to the Agent and the Lenders and provide such other information
as may be reasonably available to enable each Lender and the Agent and its
counsel to evaluate such matters; and (ii) in addition to the requirements set
forth in clause (i) of this Section 6.1(C), upon request of the Agent or the
Required Lenders, promptly give written notice of the status of any action,
suit, proceeding, governmental investigation or arbitration covered by a report
delivered pursuant to clause (i) above and provide such other information as may
be reasonably available to it that would not violate any attorney-client
privilege by disclosure to the Lenders to enable each Lender and the Agent and
its counsel to evaluate such matters.

     (D) Insurance. As soon as practicable and in any event within ninety (90)
days of the end of each fiscal year commencing with fiscal year ending June 30,
1997, deliver to the Agent and the Lenders (i) a report in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Lenders outlining all material
insurance coverage maintained as of the date of such report by the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries and the duration of such coverage and (ii) an insurance
broker's statement that all premiums with respect to such coverage have been
paid when due.

     (E) ERISA Notices. Deliver or cause to be delivered to the Agent and the
Lenders, at the Borrower's expense, the following information and notices as
soon as reasonably possible, and in any event:

          (i) (a) within ten (10) Business Days after the Borrower or any
     Restricted Subsidiary obtains Knowledge that a Termination Event has
     occurred which could reasonably be expected to subject the Borrower or such
     Restricted Subsidiary to a liability, individually or in the aggregate in
     excess of $1,000,000, a written statement of the chief financial officer of
     the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary describing such Termination
     Event and the action, if any, which the Borrower has taken, is taking or
     proposes to take with respect thereto, and when known, any action taken or
     threatened by the IRS, DOL or PBGC with respect thereto and (b) within ten
     (10) Business Days after any member of the Controlled Group obtains
     Knowledge that a Termination Event has occurred which could reasonably be
     expected to subject the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary to
     liability, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $1,000,000, a
     written statement of the chief financial officer of the Borrower or such
     Restricted Subsidiary describing such Termination Event and the action, if
     any, which the member of the Controlled Group has taken, is taking or
     proposes to take with respect thereto, and when known, any action taken or
     threatened by the IRS, DOL or PBGC with respect thereto;

          (ii) within ten (10) Business Days after the Borrower or any of its
     Subsidiaries obtains Knowledge that a prohibited transaction (defined in
     Sections 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code) has occurred which
     could reasonably be expected to subject the Borrower or such Restricted
     Subsidiary to a liability, individually or in the aggregate in excess of
     $1,000,000, a statement of the chief financial officer of the Borrower


                                     - 77 -
<PAGE>
 
     describing such transaction and the action which the Borrower or such
     Restricted Subsidiary has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect
     thereto;

          (iii) within ten (10) Business Days after the Borrower or any of its
     Subsidiaries receives notice from the IRS that a Plan is being disqualified
     under Section 401(a) of the Code, copies of each such letter; and

          (iv) within ten (10) Business Days after a request by the Agent,
     copies of the most recent annual report (form 5500 series), including
     Schedule B thereto, filed with respect to each Benefit Plan;

          (v) within ten (10) Business Days after a request by the Agent, copies
     of the most recent actuarial report for any Benefit Plan or Multiemployer
     Plan or if later ten (10) Business Days after receipt of such report by
     Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group;

          (vi) within ten (10) Business Days after the filing thereof with the
     IRS, a copy of each funding waiver request filed with respect to any
     Benefit Plan and thereafter all communications received by the Borrower or
     a member of the Controlled Group with respect to such request;

          (vii) within ten (10) Business Days after receipt by the Borrower or
     any member of the Controlled Group of the PBGC's intention to terminate a
     Benefit Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer a Benefit Plan,
     copies of each such notice;

          (viii) within ten (10) Business Days after receipt by the Borrower or
     any member of the Controlled Group of a notice from a Multiemployer Plan
     regarding the imposition of withdrawal liability, copies of each such
     notice;

          (ix) within ten (10) Business Days after the Borrower or any member of
     the Controlled Group fails to make a required installment or any other
     required payment under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code on or
     before the due date for such installment or payment, a notification of such
     failure; and

          (x) within ten (10) Business Days after the Borrower or any member of
     the Controlled Group knows or has reason to know that (a) a Multiemployer
     Plan has been terminated, (b) the administrator or plan sponsor of a
     Multiemployer Plan intends to terminate a Multiemployer Plan, or (c) the
     PBGC has instituted or will institute proceedings under Section 4042 of
     ERISA to terminate a Multiemployer Plan.

For purposes of this Section 6.1(E), the Borrower, any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries and any member of the Controlled Group shall be deemed to know all
facts known by the Administrator of any Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan)
of which the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group or such Subsidiary
is the plan sponsor.


                                     - 78 -
<PAGE>
 
     (F) Labor Matters. Notify the Agent and the Lenders in writing, promptly
upon the Borrower's learning thereof, of (i) any labor disputes to which the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may become a party, including, without
limitation, any strikes, lockouts or other disputes relating to such Persons'
plants and other facilities which individually, or in the aggregate, could be
reasonably expected to have Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) any Worker
Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act liability incurred with respect to
the closing of any plant or other facility of the Borrower or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries.

     (G) Other Indebtedness. Deliver to the Agent (i) a copy of each regular
report, notice or communication regarding potential or actual defaults
(including any accompanying officers' certificate) delivered by or on behalf of
the Borrower to the holders of or trustee for the holders of funded Indebtedness
(including without limitation the Senior Subordinated Notes) pursuant to the
terms of the agreements governing such Indebtedness, such delivery to be made at
the same time and by the same means as such notice or other communication is
delivered to such holders or trustee, and (ii) a copy of each notice or other
communication received by the Borrower from the holders of or trustee for the
holders of funded Indebtedness (including, without limitation, the Senior
Subordinated Notes) pursuant to the terms of such Indebtedness, such delivery to
be made promptly after such notice or other communication is received by the
Borrower.

     (H) Other Reports. Deliver or cause to be delivered to the Agent and the
Lenders copies of all financial statements, reports and notices, if any, sent or
made available generally by the Borrower to its public securities holders
(including without limitation the holders of the Senior Subordinated Notes) or
pursuant to Section 6.1.2(d) of the Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 27,
1997, in respect of the Holdings Subordinated Notes, filed with the Commission
or delivered pursuant to the Indenture by the Borrower, all press releases made
available generally by the Borrower or any of the Borrower's Subsidiaries to the
public concerning material developments in the business of the Borrower or any
such Subsidiary and all notifications received from the Commission by the
Borrower or its Subsidiaries pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
the rules promulgated thereunder.

     (I) Environmental Notices. As soon as possible and in any event within ten
(10) days after receipt by the Borrower, a copy of (i) any notice or claim to
the effect that the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is or may be
liable to any Person as a result of the Release by the Borrower, any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, or any other Person of any Contaminant into the
environment, and (ii) any notice alleging any violation of any Environmental,
Health or Safety Requirements of Law by the Borrower or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries if, in either case, such notice or claim relates to an event which
could reasonably be expected to subject the Borrower or any Restricted
Subsidiary to liability, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of
$1,000,000.

     (J) Borrowing Base Certificate. As soon as practicable, and in any event
within thirty (30) days after the close of each calendar month (and more often
if reasonably requested by the Agent or the Required Lenders), the Borrower
shall provide the Agent and the Lenders with a Borrowing Base Certificate,
together with such supporting documents as the Agent reasonably deems desirable,
all certified as being true and correct by the chief financial officer or
treasurer of the Borrower. The Borrower may update the Borrowing Base
Certificate and supporting


                                     - 79 -
<PAGE>
 
documents more frequently than monthly and the most recently delivered Borrowing
Base Certificate shall be the applicable Borrowing Base Certificate for purposes
of determining the Borrowing Base at any time.

     (K) Other Information. Promptly upon receiving a request therefor from the
Agent, prepare and deliver to the Agent and the Lenders such other information
with respect to Holdings, the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or the
Collateral, including, without limitation, schedules identifying and describing
the Collateral and any dispositions thereof or any Asset Sale (and the use of
the Net Cash Proceeds thereof), as from time to time may be reasonably requested
by the Agent.

     6.2 Affirmative Covenants.

     (A) Corporate Existence, Etc. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of
its Restricted Subsidiaries (if any) to, at all times maintain its corporate
existence and preserve and keep, or cause to be preserved and kept, in full
force and effect its rights and franchises material to its businesses.

     (B) Corporate Powers; Conduct of Business. The Borrower shall, and shall
cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, qualify and remain qualified to do
business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business requires it to
be so qualified and where the failure to be so qualified will have or could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will, and
will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, carry on and conduct its business in
substantially the same manner and in substantially the same fields of enterprise
as it is presently conducted.

     (C) Compliance with Laws, Etc. The Borrower shall, and shall cause its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, (a) comply with all Requirements of Law and all
restrictive covenants affecting such Person or the business, properties, assets
or operations of such Person, and (b) obtain as needed all Permits necessary for
its operations and maintain such Permits in good standing unless failure to
comply or obtain could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

     (D) Payment of Taxes and Claims; Tax Consolidation. The Borrower shall pay
and the Borrower shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, (i) all taxes,
assessments and other governmental charges imposed upon it or on any of its
properties or assets or in respect of any of its franchises, business, income or
property before any penalty or interest accrues thereon, and (ii) all claims
(including, without limitation, claims for labor, services, materials and
supplies) for sums which have become due and payable and which by law have or
may become a Lien (other than a Lien permitted by Section 6.3(C)) upon any of
the Borrower's or such Restricted Subsidiary's property or assets, prior to the
time when any penalty or fine shall be incurred with respect thereto; provided,
however, that no such taxes, assessments and governmental charges referred to in
clause (i) above or claims referred to in clause (ii) above (and interest,
penalties or fines relating thereto) need be paid if being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings diligently instituted and conducted and if such
reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in
conformity with Agreement Accounting Principles shall have been made


                                     - 80 -
<PAGE>
 
therefor. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, file or consent to the filing of any consolidated income tax
return with any Person other than Holdings.

     (E) Insurance. The Borrower shall maintain for itself and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, or shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to maintain in
full force and effect the insurance policies and programs listed on Schedule
5.17 to this Agreement or substantially similar policies and programs or other
policies and programs as reflect coverage that is reasonably consistent with
prudent industry practice. The Borrower shall deliver to the Agent endorsements
(y) to all "All Risk" physical damage insurance policies on all of the
Borrower's' tangible real and personal property and assets and business
interruption insurance policies naming the Agent loss payee, and (z) to all
general liability and other liability policies naming the Agent an additional
insured. In the event the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, at any
time or times hereafter shall fail to obtain or maintain any of the policies or
insurance required herein or to pay any premium in whole or in part relating
thereto, then the Agent, without waiving or releasing any obligations or
resulting Default hereunder, may at any time or times thereafter (but shall be
under no obligation to do so) obtain and maintain such policies of insurance and
pay such premiums and take any other action with respect thereto which the Agent
deems advisable. All sums so disbursed by the Agent shall constitute part of the
Obligations, payable as provided in this Agreement.

     (F) Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions. The Borrower
shall permit, and cause each of the Borrower's Restricted Subsidiaries to
permit, any authorized representative(s) designated by either the Agent or any
Lender having a Pro Rata Share that is equal to or greater than five percent
(5%) to visit and inspect any of the properties of the Borrower or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, to examine, audit, check and make copies of their
respective financial and accounting records, books, journals, orders, receipts
and any correspondence and other data relating to their respective businesses or
the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Stock Acquisition (including,
without limitation, in connection with environmental compliance, hazard or
liability), and to discuss their affairs, finances and accounts with their
officers and independent certified public accountants, all upon reasonable
notice, at reasonable intervals and at such reasonable times during normal
business hours, as often as may be reasonably requested (unless a Default shall
have occurred and be continuing in which case no such prior notice shall be
required); provided that each Lender shall coordinate such visits through the
Agent. The Borrower shall keep and maintain, and cause Holdings and each of the
Borrower's Subsidiaries to keep and maintain, in all material respects, proper
books of record and account in which entries in conformity with Agreement
Accounting Principles shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation
to their respective businesses and activities, including, without limitation,
transactions and other dealings with respect to the Collateral.

     (G) Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds. The Borrower directs (and, if
applicable, shall cause its Restricted Subsidiaries to direct) all insurers
under policies of property damage, boiler and machinery and business
interruption insurance and payors of any condemnation claim or award relating to
the property to pay all proceeds payable under such policies or with respect to
such claim or award for any loss with respect to the Collateral directly to the
Agent, for the benefit of the Agent and the Holders of the Secured Obligations;
provided, however, so long as


                                     - 81 -
<PAGE>
 
no Designated Default shall have occurred and be continuing or unless as a
result thereof the Borrower would be required pursuant to the terms of the
Indenture to make an offer to holders of the Senior Subordinated Notes to
purchase any of the outstanding principal thereunder, the Agent shall remit such
proceeds to the Borrower; provided, however, that for up to 180 days from the
date of any loss, the Borrower shall commit such proceeds to restore, rebuild or
replace the property subject to any insurance payment or condemnation award;
and, provided, further, that at the end of such 180 day period the Borrower
shall remit to the Agent any proceeds (other than proceeds that are less than
$2,500,000 in connection with any single insurable event ("Excluded Proceeds"))
not committed according to the preceding proviso, and the Agent shall, upon
receipt of such proceeds and at the Borrower's direction, either apply the same
to the principal amount of the Loans outstanding at the time of such receipt and
create a corresponding reserve against Revolving Credit Availability in an
amount equal to such application (the "Decision Reserve") or hold them as cash
collateral for the Obligations. Each such policy shall contain a long-form
loss-payable endorsement naming the Agent as loss payee, which endorsement shall
be in form and substance acceptable to the Agent. For up to 180 days from the
date of the Borrower remitting such proceeds to the Agent (the "Decision
Period"), the Borrower may notify the Agent that it intends to restore, rebuild
or replace the property subject to any insurance payment or condemnation award
and shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, provide the Agent detailed
information, including a construction schedule and cost estimates. Should a
Default occur at any time during the Decision Period, should the Borrower notify
the Agent that it has decided not to rebuild or replace such property during the
Decision Period, or should the Borrower fail to notify the Agent of the
Borrower's decision during the Decision Period, then the amounts held as cash
collateral pursuant to this Section 6.2(G) or as the Decision Reserve shall upon
the Required Lenders' direction be applied as a Designated Prepayment of the
Obligations pursuant to Section 2.5(B). Proceeds held as cash collateral
pursuant to this Section 6.2(G) or constituting the Decision Reserve shall be
disbursed as payments for restoration, rebuilding or replacement of such
property become due; provided, however, should a Default occur after the
Borrower has notified the Agent that it intends to rebuild or replace the
property, the Decision Reserve or amounts held as cash collateral may, or shall,
upon the Required Lenders' direction, be applied as a Designated Prepayment of
the Obligations pursuant to Section 2.5(B). In the event the Decision Reserve is
to be applied as a mandatory prepayment to the Obligations, the Borrower shall
be deemed to have requested Revolving Loans in an amount equal to the Decision
Reserve, and such Loans shall be made regardless of any failure of the Borrower
to meet the conditions precedent set forth in Article IV. Upon completion of the
restoration, rebuilding or replacement of such property, the unused proceeds
shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds of an Asset Sale and shall be applied as a
Designated Prepayment of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.5(B).

     (H) ERISA Compliance. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of the
Borrower's Restricted Subsidiaries to, and, to the extent the Borrower has joint
and several liability therefor, shall cause Holdings to establish, maintain and
operate all Plans to comply in all respects with the provisions of ERISA, the
Code, all other applicable laws, and the regulations and interpretations
thereunder and the respective requirements of the governing documents for such
Plans, except where such noncompliance, individually or in the aggregate, could
not reasonably be expected to subject the Borrower to liability in excess of
$2,500,000.


                                     - 82 -
<PAGE>
 
     (I) Maintenance of Property. The Borrower shall cause all property used or
useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Restricted
Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order
(ordinary wear and tear excepted) and supplied with all necessary equipment and
shall cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements,
betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Borrower may
be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be
properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that
nothing in this Section 6.2(I) shall prevent the Borrower from discontinuing the
operation or maintenance of any of such property if such discontinuance is, in
the judgment of the Borrower, desirable in the conduct of its business or the
business of any Restricted Subsidiary and not disadvantageous in any material
respect to the Agent or the Lenders.

     (J) Environmental Compliance. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall
comply with all Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements of Law, except
where noncompliance will not have or is not reasonably likely to subject the
Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to liability, individually or in the
aggregate, in excess of $2,500,000.

     (K) Use of Proceeds. The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Revolving
Loans (i) to effect the Stock Acquisition and the payment of Transaction Costs,
(ii) to provide funds for the repayment of the Refinanced Indebtedness, (iii) to
provide funds for the working capital needs and other general corporate purposes
of the Borrower, (iv) subject to the limitations contained in this Agreement, to
provide funds for the working capital needs and other general corporate purposes
of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (v) to repay outstanding Loans. The Borrower
shall use the proceeds of the Term Loans solely for the purpose of facilitating
the Stock Acquisition and paying Transaction Costs. The Borrower will not, nor
will it permit any Subsidiary to, use any of the proceeds of the Loans to
purchase or carry any "Margin Stock" or to make any Acquisition, other than the
Stock Acquisition and any Permitted Acquisition pursuant to Section 6.3(G).

     (L) Hedging Agreements. Within one-hundred and twenty (120) days after the
Closing Date, the Borrower shall enter into, and shall thereafter maintain,
Hedging Agreements on terms and with counterparties determined by the Borrower
and reasonably acceptable to the Agent by which the Borrower is protected
against increases in interest rates from and after the date of such contracts as
to notional amount not less than forty percent (40%) of the aggregate
outstanding amount of the Term Loans (the notional amount which is the subject
of the First Chicago Hedging Agreement being counted toward such amount so long
as such agreement remains in place) for the first two years during the term of
this Agreement. In addition to the Obligations of the Borrower under the
Existing First Chicago Hedging Agreement, in the event a Lender elects to enter
into any Hedging Agreement with the Borrower required under this Section 6.2(L)
or permitted under the terms of Section 6.3(R), the obligations of the Borrower
with respect to such Hedging Agreement shall be Secured Obligations secured by
the Collateral.


                                     - 83 -
<PAGE>
 
     (M) Separate Corporate Existence. The Borrower shall take all reasonable
steps (including, without limitation, all steps which the Agent may from time to
time reasonably request) to maintain its and its Restricted Subsidiaries'
identity as separate legal entities and to make it apparent to third parties
that Borrower and such Restricted Subsidiaries are each an entity with assets
and liabilities distinct from those of Holdings and any of Holdings' Affiliates
(other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) (each of Holdings and such of
Holdings' Affiliates are referred to in this Section 6.2(M), as the "Parent").
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower shall:

          (i) require that all full-time employees of the Borrower and each of
     its Restricted Subsidiaries identify themselves as such and not as
     employees of its Parent;

          (ii) compensate all employees, consultants, investment bankers,
     accountants, lawyers and agents directly, from the Borrower's or such
     Restricted Subsidiary's applicable bank accounts, for services provided to
     the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary by such employees, consultants,
     investment bankers and agents and, if any employee, consultant, investment
     banker or agent of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is
     also an employee, consultant, investment banker or agent of Parent,
     allocate the compensation of such employee, consultant, investment banker
     or agent between the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable,
     and the Parent on the basis of actual use of the services so rendered to
     the extent practicable and, to the extent such allocation is not practical,
     on a basis reasonably related to actual use of such services;

          (iii) allocate all overhead expenses (including, without limitation,
     telephone and other utility charges and lease and office expenses) for
     items shared between the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
     Borrower and Parent on the basis of actual use to the extent practicable
     and, to the extent such allocation is not practicable, on a basis
     reasonably related to actual use;

          (iv) cause the Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower
     to be named as an insured on the insurance policy covering its property, or
     enter into an agreement with the holder of such policy whereby in the event
     of a loss in connection with such property, proceeds are paid to the
     Borrower or applicable Restricted Subsidiary;

          (v) maintain the Borrower's and its Restricted Subsidiaries' books and
     records complete and separate from those of the Parent;

          (vi) ensure that any of the Borrower's or Parent's consolidated
     financial statements or other public information for the Borrower and its
     Affiliates on a consolidated basis contain appropriate disclosures
     concerning the Borrower's separate existence;


                                     - 84 -
<PAGE>
 
          (vii) not maintain bank accounts or other depository accounts to which
     the Parent is an account party, into which the Parent makes deposits or
     from which the Parent has the power to make withdrawals;

          (viii) not permit the Parent to pay any of the Borrower's operating
     expenses (except when paid and charged pursuant to an allocation based upon
     actual use, to the extent practicable and, to the extent such allocation is
     not practicable, on a basis reasonably related to actual use); and

          (ix) not pay dividends or make distributions, loans or other advances
     to Parent except to the extent duly authorized by its board of directors
     and in accordance with applicable corporate law.

     (N) Future Liens on Real Property. Subject to such exceptions as are set
forth in the Security Agreement with respect to leases, the Borrower shall, and
shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, execute and deliver to the
Agent for the benefit of the Holders of Secured Obligations, contemporaneously
with its acquisition or leasing of any real property after the Closing Date, a
mortgage, deed of trust, collateral assignment or other appropriate instrument
evidencing a Lien upon any such acquired property, lease or interest, to be in
form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agent and subject only to such
Liens as otherwise shall be permitted by this Agreement.

     (O) Appraisals; Title Policy Endorsements. (i) If requested by the Agent at
any time during the Syndication Period, the Borrower shall cooperate with the
Agent in promptly obtaining (and shall reimburse the Agent for all costs and
expenses in connection therewith) written appraisals of all of the Borrower's
property, plant, equipment and fixed assets, which appraisals shall contain such
information and be in such detail as is satisfactory to the Agent and which
appraisals shall meet the guidelines established by the regulatory institutions
having jurisdiction over banks and other financial institutions and shall be
from an appraiser or appraisers satisfactory to the Agent and who meet the
competency and independence guidelines established by such regulatory
institutions.

          (ii) Within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date the Borrower shall
     deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Agent an endorsement to the title
     policy in respect of the Mortgage removing any survey exception contained
     in such title policy.

     6.3 Negative Covenants.

     (A) Indebtedness. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries shall directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or otherwise
become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness
or Off Balance Sheet Liabilities, except:

          (i) the Obligations;

          (ii) the Transaction Costs;


                                     - 85 -
<PAGE>
 
          (iii) the Indebtedness evidenced by the Senior Subordinated Notes;

          (iv) Permitted Existing Indebtedness and Permitted Refinancing
     Indebtedness;

          (v) other Subordinated Indebtedness the terms (including, without
     limitation, with respect to amount, maturity, amortization, interest rate,
     premiums, fees, covenants, subordination terms, events of default and
     remedies) of which are acceptable to the Required Lenders when issued and
     Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof; provided, however,
     the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Subordinated
     Indebtedness together with the aggregate outstanding principal amount of
     Indebtedness permitted under clauses (xv) and (xvi) below shall not at any
     time exceed the then applicable Aggregate Indebtedness Basket;

          (vi) Indebtedness in respect of taxes, assessments, governmental
     charges and claims for labor, materials or supplies, to the extent that
     payment thereof is not required pursuant to Section 6.2(D);

          (vii) Indebtedness constituting Contingent Obligations permitted by
     Section 6.3(E);

          (viii) Indebtedness arising from intercompany loans (a) from any
     Non-Restricted Subsidiary to the Borrower or to any Restricted Subsidiary,
     (b) from any Restricted Subsidiary to another Restricted Subsidiary, and
     (c) from the Borrower to any Restricted Subsidiary provided the aggregate
     amount of such Indebtedness under this clause (c) would constitute an
     Investment permitted under the terms of Section 6.3(D);

          (ix) Indebtedness in respect of Hedging Agreements permitted under
     Section 6.3(R);

          (x) secured or unsecured purchase money Indebtedness (including
     Capitalized Leases) or Indebtedness or Off Balance Sheet Liabilities in
     connection with sale and leaseback transactions, synthetic lease
     transactions, capital expenditures or similar financing transactions
     incurred by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after the
     Closing Date to finance the acquisition of fixed assets, if (1) at the time
     of such incurrence, no Default or Unmatured Default has occurred and is
     continuing or would result from such incurrence, (2) such Indebtedness has
     a scheduled maturity and is not due on demand, (3) all such Indebtedness of
     the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries does not exceed $7,500,000 in
     the aggregate outstanding at any time, and (4) any Lien securing such
     Indebtedness is permitted under Section 6.3(C) (such Indebtedness being
     referred to herein as "Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness");

          (xi) Indebtedness with respect to performance, surety, statutory,
     appeal or similar bonds obtained by the Borrower or any of its Restricted
     Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;


                                     - 86 -
<PAGE>
 
          (xii) Indebtedness incurred for ordinary administrative expenses,
     franchise taxes, accounting expenses, legal expenses, employee expenses,
     lease and office expenses, consultant expenses, investment banker expenses
     incurred by Holdings on behalf of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary
     provided the allocation and payment of which complies with the terms of
     Section 6.2(M) above and Section 6.3(F) below;

          (xiii) unsecured Indebtedness with respect to management fees,
     consulting fees or investment banking fees (or other fees of a similar
     nature), to the extent that payment thereof would not be prohibited by
     Section 6.3(F);

          (xiv) Indebtedness in connection with the Deferred Limited Interest
     Guaranty;

          (xv) Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any Restricted
     Subsidiary to the Seller in any Permitted Acquisition as part of the
     consideration therefor, provided that the aggregate outstanding principal
     amount of such Indebtedness (including any Contingent Obligations incurred
     in connection therewith) together with the aggregate outstanding principal
     amount of Indebtedness permitted under clause (v) above and clause (xvi)
     below shall not at any time exceed the then applicable Aggregate
     Indebtedness Basket;

          (xvi) provided no Default has occurred and is continuing at the time
     of the incurrence thereof, any other Indebtedness which when aggregated
     with the outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness permitted under
     clauses (v) and (xv) above does not exceed the then applicable Aggregate
     Indebtedness Basket in the aggregate at any time;

          (xvii) Indebtedness incurred by any Non-Restricted Subsidiary so long
     as (a) such Indebtedness is nonrecourse to the Borrower and its Restricted
     Subsidiaries and the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries have no
     direct or Contingent Obligations with respect to such Indebtedness and (b)
     the direct or indirect Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation of the
     Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect thereof is permitted
     pursuant to clause (xvi) above;

          (xviii) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other
     financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently
     (except in the case of daylight overdrafts, which will not be, and will not
     be deemed to be, inadvertent) drawn against insufficient funds in the
     ordinary course of business; and

          (xix) Indebtedness in connection with agreements providing for
     indemnification and purchase price adjustments in connection with the sale
     or disposition of any of the Borrower's or any Restricted Subsidiary's
     business, properties or assets permitted under the terms of Section 6.3(B);

provided, however, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall
create, incur, assume or otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly
liable with respect to such Indebtedness if all such Indebtedness plus the
unfunded portion of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment, if funded, would
cause the Borrower to exceed the limitation on Indebtedness contained in Section
4.07 of the Indenture (as amended, waived or modified from time to time) or
which would render


                                     - 87 -
<PAGE>
 
any portion of the Secured Obligations (assuming such Aggregate Revolving Loan
Commitment was fully funded) unqualified as "Senior Indebtedness" as defined in
the Indenture (as amended, waived or modified from time to time).

     (B) Sales of Assets. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries shall consummate any Asset Sale except:

          (i) the sale, lease, conveyance, disposition or other transfer of any
     Inventory in the ordinary course of business;

          (ii) the sale or other disposition of property in respect of ordinary
     course cash management related transactions in the ordinary course of
     business with respect to cash and Cash Equivalents;

          (iii) sale, lease, conveyance, disposition or other transfer of
     Equipment, Receivables or other assets in the ordinary course of the
     Borrower's business consistent with past practice (with reference to the
     Target's past practices for periods prior to the Closing Date);

          (iv) the surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement,
     release or surrender of contract, tort, or other similar claims of any
     kind;

          (v) the grant in the ordinary course of business of any non-exclusive
     license of patents, trademarks, registration therefor and other similar
     intellectual property;

          (vi) subject to the limitations set forth in Section 6.3(D), transfer
     of assets by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to any of the Borrower
     or a Restricted Subsidiary;

          (vii) any Equity Offering by any Restricted Subsidiary, provided, that
     (a) the proceeds therefrom are used to repay the Obligations or any
     Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary and (b) after consummation of
     such Equity Offering, the Borrower shall be the beneficial owner of at
     least eighty percent (80%) of the shares of the issued and outstanding
     Voting Stock (measured by voting power rather than number of shares) of the
     applicable Restricted Subsidiary;

          (viii) the sale or disposition of obsolete equipment or other obsolete
     assets;

          (ix) the exchange of assets for other non-cash assets that (A) are
     useful in the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and
     (B) have a fair market value at least equal to the fair market value of the
     assets being exchanged (as determined by the Board of Directors of the
     Borrower in good faith);

          (x) the disposition of obsolete Equipment in the ordinary course of
     business;

          (xi) transfers of assets (a) from any Non-Restricted Subsidiary to the
     Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (b) from any Restricted Subsidiary
     to another Restricted


                                     - 88 -
<PAGE>
 
     Subsidiary and (c) from the Borrower to any Restricted Subsidiary provided
     the aggregate amount of assets transferred under this clause (c) would
     constitute an Investment permitted under the terms of Section 6.3(D);

          (xii) transfers of assets constituting Investments permitted by
     Section 6.3(D) and Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.3(F);

          (xiii) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or
     substantially all of the assets of a Restricted Subsidiary in connection
     with a transaction permitted under Section 6.3(I);

          (xiv) the sale of the corporate aircraft owned by the Company on the
     Closing Date to Robert M. Wolff or his designees;

          (xv) the sale, transfer and/or termination of the officers' life
     insurance policies in effect as of the Closing Date;

          (xvi) Sale and Leaseback Transactions or other transactions permitted
     pursuant to Section 6.3(J); and

          (xvii) sales, assignments, transfers, leases, conveyances or other
     dispositions of other assets, provided that any such transaction (a) is for
     all cash consideration, (b) is for not less than fair market value (as
     determined by the board of directors of the Borrower in good faith, whose
     determination shall be conclusive evidence thereof and shall be evidenced
     by a resolution of such board of directors set forth in an Authorized
     Officer's certificate delivered to the Agent or such other evidence as
     shall be reasonably acceptable to the Agent), (c) if applicable, the
     provisions of Section 2.5(B)(i) are complied with and (d) when combined
     with all such other transactions pursuant to this clause (xvii) (each such
     transaction being valued at book value) (1) during the immediately
     preceding twelve-month period, represents the disposition of not greater
     than ten percent (10.0%) of the Borrower's and its Restricted Subsidiaries'
     consolidated fixed assets at the end of the fiscal year immediately
     preceding that in which such transaction is proposed to be entered into,
     and (2) during the period from the Closing Date to the date of such
     proposed transaction, represents the disposition of not greater than twenty
     percent (20.0%) of the Borrower's and its Restricted Subsidiaries'
     consolidated fixed assets at the end of the fiscal year immediately
     preceding that in which such transaction is proposed to be entered into.

Not fewer than five (5) Business Days prior to the consummation of any
transaction permitted by clause (xvi) above, the Borrower shall deliver to the
Agent a certificate of an Authorized Officer certifying compliance with the
requirements of clause (xvi) and showing in reasonable detail the calculations
on which such certification is based.

     (C) Liens. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
shall directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien
on or with respect to any of their respective property or assets except:


                                     - 89 -
<PAGE>
 
          (i) Liens created by the Loan Documents or otherwise securing the
     Secured Obligations;

          (ii) Permitted Existing Liens and Liens securing Permitted Refinancing
     Indebtedness (provided such Liens are subordinated to the Liens created by
     the Loan Documents or otherwise securing the Secured Obligations);

          (iii) Customary Permitted Liens;

          (iv) purchase money Liens (including the interest of a lessor under a
     Capitalized Lease and Liens to which any property is subject at the time of
     the Borrower's or any Restricted Subsidiary's acquisition thereof) securing
     Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness; provided that such Liens shall not
     apply to any property of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries other
     than that purchased or subject to such Capitalized Lease;

          (v) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.3(A)(viii)
     provided such Liens are subordinated to the Liens created by the Loan
     Documents or otherwise securing the Secured Obligations;

          (vi) Environmental Liens and Liens in favor of the IRS or the PBGC
     provided the Indebtedness so secured does not at any time exceed $2,500,000
     in the aggregate;

          (vii) Liens with respect to the property or assets of any Restricted
     Subsidiary in favor of the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary; and

          (viii) other Liens securing Indebtedness of the Borrower or its
     Restricted Subsidiaries provided the Indebtedness so secured does not at
     any time exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate.

In addition, neither the Borrower nor any or its Restricted Subsidiaries shall
become a party to any agreement, note, indenture or other instrument, or take
any other action, which would prohibit the creation of a Lien on any of its
properties or other assets in favor of the Agent for the benefit of itself and
the Holders of Secured Obligations, as additional Collateral for the
Obligations; provided that any agreement, note, indenture or other instrument in
connection with Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness (including Leases) may
prohibit the creation of a Lien in favor of the Agent for the benefit of itself
and the Holders of the Secured Obligations on the items of property obtained
with the proceeds of such Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness. Without in any
way limiting the foregoing, other than Liens pursuant to the Pledge Agreement,
no Liens on any Equity Interests of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall be
permitted.


                                     - 90 -
<PAGE>
 
     (D) Investments. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries shall directly or indirectly make or own any Investment except:

          (i) Investments in Cash Equivalents;

          (ii) Permitted Existing Investments in an amount not greater than the
     amount thereof on the Closing Date;

          (iii) Investments constituting securities or instruments received in
     connection with the bankruptcy restructuring or reorganization of suppliers
     and customers and in settlement of delinquent trade or other claims of, and
     other disputes with, customers and suppliers arising in the ordinary course
     of business;

          (iv) Investments consisting of deposit accounts maintained by the
     Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with its cash
     management system, provided funds deposited in such deposit accounts (a)
     are subject to a Collection Account Agreement or (b) do not exceed $150,000
     individually or $250,000 in the aggregate for all such other deposit
     accounts;

          (v) Investments of the Borrower in the Target pursuant to the
     consummation of the Stock Acquisition in an amount not in excess of the
     amounts required to be paid pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement as in
     effect as of the date hereof;

          (vi) Investments by any Non-Restricted Subsidiary in the Borrower or
     any Restricted Subsidiary;

          (vii) Investments by any Restricted Subsidiary in any other Restricted
     Subsidiary;

          (viii) Investments by any Restricted Subsidiary in the Borrower;

          (ix) Investments by the Borrower in any Restricted Subsidiary; and

          (x) Investments by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in other
     Persons which do not in the aggregate exceed the applicable Aggregate
     Acquisition and Investment Basket at any time.

     (E) Contingent Obligations. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries shall directly or indirectly create or become or be liable with
respect to any Contingent Obligation, except:

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

          (ii) Permitted Existing Contingent Obligations and any extensions,
     renewals or replacements thereof, provided that any such extension, renewal
     or replacement is not greater than the Indebtedness under, and shall be on
     terms no less favorable to the


                                     - 91 -
<PAGE>
 
     Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary than the terms of, the Permitted
     Existing Contingent Obligation being extended, renewed or replaced;

          (iii) obligations, warranties, and indemnities, not relating to
     Indebtedness of any Person, which have been or are undertaken or made in
     the ordinary course of business and not for the benefit of or in favor of
     an Affiliate of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary;

          (iv) Contingent Obligations arising under the Transaction Documents;

          (v) Contingent Obligations with respect to surety and performance
     bonds obtained by borrower or any subsidiary in the ordinary course of
     business;

          (vi) Contingent Obligations with respect to the Deferred Limited
     Interest Guaranty;

          (vii) Contingent Obligations pursuant to the Incentive Compensation
     Plan;

          (viii) Contingent Obligations of the Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant
     to the Guaranties; and

          (ix) additional Contingent Obligations, including, without limitation,
     Contingent Obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to
     Section 6.3(A), which do not exceed an amount in the aggregate at any time
     equal to $2,500,000; provided, that if the Borrower shall have a Leverage
     Ratio of less than 4.25 to 1.0 for two consecutive fiscal quarters (as
     reflected in the financial statements (and corresponding compliance
     certificate) delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(A)(ii) or 6.1(A)(iii), such
     amount shall be increased effective as of the date of delivery of such
     financial statements to $5,000,000.

     (F) Restricted Payments. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries shall declare or make any Restricted Payment, except:

          (i) the Borrower may make (a) payments to Holdings sufficient to fund
     Holdings' payments under the Jordan Management Agreement as in effect as of
     the Closing Date for (1) consulting, financial, management and investment
     banking fees plus (2) out of pocket expenses and indemnities, provided that
     the obligations in respect of such fees under the Jordan Management
     Agreement shall be subordinated expressly to the Secured Obligations and
     (b) distributions to Holdings sufficient to fund Holdings' payment of
     directors' fees and indemnities (whether or not Holdings applies the funds
     to the payment of such directors' fees) provided that such Restricted
     Payments shall not exceed $150,000 plus out of pocket expenses in any
     fiscal year of the Borrower;

          (ii) so long as Holdings files consolidated income tax returns that
     include the Borrower, on the Business Day immediately preceding the date on
     which Holdings shall be required to make any tax related payment to any
     Governmental Authority, the Borrower may make distributions to Holdings to
     fund Holdings' payment of tax


                                     - 92 -
<PAGE>
 
     obligations, from funds legally available for such purpose, in an amount
     not to exceed the amount calculated pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement
     attached hereto as Exhibit P; provided, Holdings shall in turn utilize such
     amount thereof as is necessary to pay its consolidated tax obligations;
     provided, further, that after the occurrence and during the continuance of
     any Default or Unmatured Default, the amount permitted to be paid to
     Holdings shall not exceed the lesser of (1) the amount calculated pursuant
     to the Tax Sharing Agreement, (2) the "Consolidated Tax" (as defined in the
     Tax Sharing Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date) and (3) the
     "Calculated Tax" of the "Acquisition Group" (each as defined in the Tax
     Sharing Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date); and provided, further,
     any amount otherwise permitted to be paid under this clause (ii) shall be
     reduced by the amount of any tax related payments made directly by the
     Borrower or any Subsidiary to any Governmental Authority.

          (iii) the Borrower may make distributions to Holdings to fund (a)
     payments required to be made by and actually made by Holdings in respect of
     interest due on an unaccelerated basis on the Holdings Subordinated Debt,
     unless such payments are prohibited by the subordination terms applicable
     to such Indebtedness; provided, however, the Borrower may make such
     distributions with respect to the Holdings Subordinated Debt only on March
     1 and September 1 of each year (or the Business Day immediately prior
     thereto if such date is not a Business Day); (b) (1) payments made by
     Holdings to repurchase its common stock made pursuant to Section 7.2, 7.3
     or 7.4 of the Stockholders Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date and
     (2) payments required to be made by and actually made by Holdings in
     respect of amounts due on an unaccelerated basis on the Repurchase
     Indebtedness unless such payments are prohibited by the subordination terms
     applicable to such Repurchase Indebtedness in an aggregate amount for all
     such payments under clauses (1) and (2) not to exceed $4,000,000, such
     distributions to be made not earlier than one Business Day prior to the
     date on which Holdings is to make such payments; provided, that, Holdings
     shall first satisfy any such payment obligation by canceling Indebtedness
     under the Management Note, if any, of the Person to whom Holdings is
     obligated to make such payment; and (c) mandatory payments of dividends due
     on the Preferred Stock to the extent Indebtedness for such payments is
     Permitted Holdings Indebtedness under clause (c) of the definition thereof,
     such distributions to be made not earlier than one Business Day prior to
     the date on which Holdings is required to make such payments;

          (iv) the Borrower may make payments to Robert M. Wolff or to Holdings
     sufficient to make payment of amounts due under the Employment Agreements
     without taking into account any amendment, modification, supplement or
     restatement thereof or the adjustment of any such amount pursuant to the
     terms thereof resulting from a change of facts and circumstances after the
     date of this Agreement (other than increases in base salary approved
     pursuant to Section 2 of the Employment Agreement) unless the Agent and the
     Required Lenders shall have consented to the terms thereof if the effect of
     such amendment, modification, supplement, restatement or adjustment is to
     increase the amount or accelerate the time of payment of such amounts;


                                     - 93 -
<PAGE>
 
          (v) the Borrower may make mandatory payments of interest, principal or
     premium, if any, when due on the Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness unless
     such payments are prohibited by the terms of such Indebtedness or the
     subordination agreements related thereto;

          (vi) any Restricted Subsidiary may make distributions to the Borrower
     or to a Restricted Subsidiary;

          (vii) the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may defease, redeem or
     repurchase Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness with the net cash proceeds
     from an issuance of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

          (viii) any Restricted Subsidiary may defease, redeem or repurchase
     Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness with the net cash proceeds from the
     substantially concurrent sale (other than to the Borrower or any subsidiary
     of the Borrower) of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary (other
     than Redeemable Stock);

          (ix) payments in connection with the Stock Acquisition and related
     financing transactions as described under the "The Transactions" and "Use
     of Proceeds" provisions contained in the Offering Memorandum;

          (x) payments to Holdings in respect of accounting, legal or other
     professional or administrative expenses or reimbursements or franchise or
     similar taxes and governmental charges (other than income taxes which shall
     be governed by clause (ii) above) incurred by it relating to the business,
     operations or finances of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and
     in respect of fees and related expenses associated with any registration
     statements relating to the Senior Subordinated Notes filed with the United
     States Securities and Exchange Commission and subsequent ongoing public
     reporting requirements with respect to the Notes; and

          (xi) mandatory payments, if any, relating to any purchase price
     adjustment pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement;

provided, however, that:

          (a) the Restricted Payments by the Borrower described in clause
     (iii)(a) above shall not be permitted if at the date of declaration or
     payment thereof either the Borrower was not in compliance with the
     financial covenants set forth in Section 6.4 as of the most recently
     completed fiscal quarter or if a Default under Section 7.1(a) shall have
     occurred and be continuing as of such date;

          (b) the Restricted Payments described in clauses (i)(a)(1), (iii)(b),
     (iii)(c) and (v) above shall not be permitted if either a Default or an
     Unmatured Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the date of
     declaration or payment thereof or would result therefrom;


                                     - 94 -
<PAGE>
 
          (c) if a Restricted Payment described in clause (i) above shall not be
     permitted to be made in the period prescribed above, then it cannot be made
     thereafter until after the Agent's and the Lenders' subsequent receipt of
     the audited financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section
     6.1(A)(iii), which financial statements shall reflect that no Default or
     Unmatured Default existed as of the date of such financial statements and
     the Agent's and the Lender's receipt of quarterly financial statements
     delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(A)(ii), which financial statements shall
     reflect that, for two consecutive quarters subsequent to the period in
     which the Borrower was not permitted to make the Restricted Payment
     described in clause (i) above, no Default or Unmatured Default existed as
     of the date of such financial statements; and

          (d) if a Restricted Payment described in clause (iii)(a) above with
     respect to the Holdings Subordinated Notes shall not be permitted to be
     made as of one of the dates prescribed above, but the Borrower is
     subsequently in compliance with the financial covenants in Section 6.4 (and
     would be in compliance assuming payment of scheduled interest payments on
     the Holdings Subordinated Debt) and is not in Default under Section 7.1(a),
     then Borrower may distribute to Holdings and Holdings may pay the interest
     payments that were not paid when due or a portion of such interest payments
     to the extent that after such payment Borrower would not be in Default
     under Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) with respect to Section 6.4.

     (G) Conduct of Business; Subsidiaries; Acquisitions.

          (i) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall
     engage in any business other than the businesses engaged in by the Borrower
     on the date hereof and any business or activities which are substantially
     similar, related or incidental thereto.

          (ii) The Borrower may create, acquire and/or capitalize any Subsidiary
     organized under the laws of any state of the United States (a "New
     Subsidiary") after the date hereof pursuant to any transaction that is
     permitted by or not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement, provided that:

               (1) each New Subsidiary (other than any Non-Restricted
          Subsidiary) shall execute a Guaranty of the Obligations,

               (2) each New Subsidiary (other than any Non-Restricted
          Subsidiary) shall grant to the Agent, for the benefit of Holders of
          Secured Obligations, Liens on all of its assets, pursuant to
          documentation (including, without limitation, a Restricted Subsidiary
          Security Agreement, the various agreements referenced in the
          Restricted Subsidiary Security Agreement, UCC financing statements
          and, to the extent applicable Mortgages and Intellectual Property
          Agreements) in each case in form and substance satisfactory to the
          Agent,

               (3) all of the Equity Interests in each New Subsidiary owned by
          the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary shall be pledged to
          the Agent, for the


                                     - 95 -
<PAGE>
 
          benefit of Holders of Secured Obligations, pursuant to the Pledge
          Agreement and other documentation in form and substance satisfactory
          to the Agent,

               (4) each New Subsidiary (other than a Non-Restricted Subsidiary)
          shall become a party to a contribution agreement among all of the
          Restricted Subsidiaries, pursuant to which each party thereto shall be
          entitled to contribution and indemnification from, and to be
          reimbursed by, each of the other parties thereto for certain amounts,
          such contribution agreement to be in form and substance satisfactory
          to the Agent,

               (5) the Agent and the Lenders shall have been provided with
          opinions of counsel to the Borrower and the New Subsidiary in
          connection with the Acquisition and the documentation to be executed
          and delivered by the New Subsidiary in scope, form and substance
          reasonably acceptable to the Agent and the Required Lenders,

               (6) each New Subsidiary shall become a party to the Tax Sharing
          Agreement,

               (7) each New Subsidiary (other than a Non-Restricted Subsidiary)
          shall become a party to the Deferred Limited Interest Guaranty,

               (8) upon the creation of any such New Subsidiary, the Borrower
          shall deliver to the Lenders a revised Schedule 5.8 listing such new
          Subsidiary, and such revised Schedule shall replace the old Schedule
          and shall be deemed to have become part of the Agreement, and

               (9) on and after the date the Borrower or any Restricted
          Subsidiary shall create, acquire and/or capitalize any New Subsidiary
          (other than a Non-Restricted Subsidiary), the Borrower or any
          Restricted Subsidiary shall own of record and beneficially, with sole
          voting and dispositive power, at least 80% of the outstanding shares
          of Voting Stock of each such New Subsidiary, and shall have the power,
          directly or indirectly, to elect a majority of the board of directors
          of each such New Subsidiary.

          (iii) Neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall make
     any Acquisitions, other than Acquisitions meeting the following
     requirements (each such Acquisition constituting a "Permitted
     Acquisition"):

               (1) no Default or Unmatured Default shall have occurred and be
          continuing or would result from such Acquisition or the incurrence of
          any Indebtedness in connection therewith;

               (2) in the case of an Acquisition of Equity Interests of an
          entity, such Acquisition shall be of at least eighty percent (80%) of
          the shares of the issued and outstanding Voting Stock (measured by
          voting power rather than number of shares) of such entity;


                                     - 96 -
<PAGE>
 
               (3) the businesses being acquired shall be substantially similar,
          related or incidental to the businesses or activities engaged in by
          the Borrower on the Closing Date;

               (4) the aggregate gross purchase price paid (including cash,
          non-cash consideration and assumption of Indebtedness) in connection
          with all of such Permitted Acquisitions shall not exceed the Aggregate
          Acquisitions and Investment Basket;

               (5) prior to each such Acquisition, the Borrower shall deliver to
          the Agent and the Lenders a certificate from one of the Authorized
          Officers, demonstrating to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent
          and the Required Lenders that after giving effect to such Acquisition
          and the incurrence of any Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.3(A) in
          connection therewith, on a pro forma basis using unadjusted historical
          audited and reviewed unaudited financial statements obtained from the
          seller, broken down by fiscal quarter in the Borrower's reasonable
          judgment, as if the Acquisition and such incurrence of Indebtedness
          had occurred on the first day of the twelve-month period ending on the
          last day of the Borrower's most recently completed fiscal quarter, the
          Borrower would have been in compliance with all of the financial
          covenants contained in Section 6.4 for such four fiscal quarters and
          the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent consolidating pro forma
          projections for the four quarter period including the quarter in which
          such Acquisition is to be consummated for the subsequent 3 fiscal
          quarters which projections shall indicate that the Borrower shall be
          able to meet all of its financial covenants during such period;

               (6) the Acquisition is consummated pursuant to a negotiated
          acquisition agreement and consummated on a non-hostile basis and is
          one for which the board of directors or other governing body of such
          Person being acquired has approved the terms of such Acquisition (if
          such Acquisition is a tender offer for the securities of a Person that
          is required to file periodic reports under the Exchange Act, or if by
          the terms of such Acquisition such board or other governing body
          approval is required) or for which (in any other case) the board of
          directors or other governing body of the Person owning the stock or
          assets being acquired (as the case may be) has approved the terms of
          such Acquisition;

               (7) in the case of the Acquisition by the Borrower or any
          Restricted Subsidiary of assets in connection with any Permitted
          Acquisition, the Borrower or Restricted Subsidiary shall have provided
          to the Agent, prior to the consummation of such Acquisition, updated
          schedules to the Security Agreement or Restricted Subsidiary Security
          Agreement, as applicable, and all UCC financing statements and other
          documentation required pursuant to such Security Agreement or
          Restricted Subsidiary Security Agreement in connection with the
          perfection and priority of the Agent's Liens;

               (8) prior to each such Acquisition, the Borrower shall provide
          the Agent and the Lenders with (a) financial information with respect
          to the target of such Acquisition (including historical financial
          statements, to the extent available) and (b) a description of the
          target of such Acquisition; and


                                     - 97 -
<PAGE>
 
               (9) effective as of the date of each such Acquisition (taking
          into account the effect of such purchase and any Indebtedness incurred
          in connection therewith), the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent a
          Borrowing Base Certificate, which Borrowing Base Certificate shall
          demonstrate that Revolving Credit Availability shall not be less than
          $5,000,000.

     (H) Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates. Except for the
transactions contemplated by the agreements, including performance by the
applicable parties of the Obligations thereunder, set forth on Schedule 6.3(H)
as such agreements are in effect as of the date hereof or any amendment
permitted by the terms of this Agreement(provided any payments thereunder shall
be governed by the terms of Section 6.3(F)) and except as otherwise permitted
herein, neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall
directly or indirectly (i) pay any management fees, consulting fees, investment
banking fees or other similar fees or compensation to any of the Jordan
Stockholders, Management, MCIT or any other holder or holders of the Borrower's
or Holdings' Equity Securities, other than wages, salaries and bonuses of
employees who are also stockholders of the Borrower in the ordinary course and
consistent with past practices or (ii) enter into or permit to exist any
transaction (including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease or
exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any Jordan
Stockholder, Management, MCIT or holder or holders of any of its equity
securities of the Borrower or Holdings, or with any Affiliate of the Borrower
(other than Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) which is not its
Restricted Subsidiary, on terms that are less favorable to the Borrower or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, than those that might be obtained
in an arm's length transaction at the time from Persons who are not such a
holder, Affiliate or MCIT (each such transaction or series of related
transactions that are part of a common plan, an "Affiliate Transaction"), except
to the extent that such Affiliate Transactions involve aggregate payments or
other transfers in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 for all such
transactions from and after the date hereof. Without in any way limiting the
foregoing, without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, the
Borrower shall not agree to any modification of, nor shall it permit, any
modification to be made to the Affiliate Notes, nor shall it forgive any amounts
payable thereunder, delay the date for payment of any amounts payable
thereunder, reduce the interest payable thereunder or accept any non-cash
consideration in payment of amounts payable thereunder.

     (I) Restriction on Fundamental Changes. Except for transactions permitted
under Sections 6.3(B), 6.3(D) and 6.3(G), neither the Borrower nor any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries shall enter into any merger or consolidation, or
liquidate, wind-up or dissolve (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or
convey, lease, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or
series of transactions, all or substantially all of the Borrower's or any such
Restricted Subsidiary's business or property, whether now or hereafter acquired,
except that (i) the Borrower and the Target may consummate the Merger, (ii) a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower may be merged into or consolidated with
the Borrower (in which case the Borrower shall be the surviving corporation) or
another Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower.

     (J) Sales and Leasebacks; Off Balance Sheet Liabilities. The Borrower will
not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into or suffer to
exist any (i) Sale and Leaseback Transaction or (ii) any other transaction
pursuant to which it incurs or has incurred Off Balance


                                     - 98 -
<PAGE>
 
Sheet Liabilities (other than Rate Hedging Obligations permitted to be incurred
under the terms of Section 6.3(R) below) unless the aggregate amount, without
duplication, of Indebtedness and Off Balance Sheet Liabilities incurred in
connection therewith shall be permitted pursuant to Section 6.3(A)(x).

     (K) Margin Regulations. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries,
shall use all or any portion of the proceeds of any credit extended under this
Agreement to purchase or carry Margin Stock.

     (L) ERISA. The Borrower shall not (i) engage, or permit any of its
Subsidiaries to engage, in any prohibited transaction described in Sections 406
of ERISA or 4975 of the Code for which a statutory or class exemption is not
available or a private exemption has not been previously obtained from the DOL
if such prohibited transaction, could result in liability, individually or in
the aggregate, together with all other amounts under this Section 6.3(L) in
excess of $2,500,000;

          (ii) permit to exist any accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in
     Sections 302 of ERISA and 412 of the Internal Revenue Code), with respect
     to any Benefit Plan, that has not been waived and that could give rise to a
     lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA;

          (iii) fail, or permit any Controlled Group member to fail, to pay
     timely required contributions or annual installments due with respect to
     any waived funding deficiency to any Benefit Plan where such failure could
     give rise to a lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA;

          (iv) terminate, or permit any Controlled Group member to terminate in
     a distress termination under Section 4041(c) of ERISA, any Benefit Plan
     which would result in any liability of the Borrower or any Controlled Group
     member under Title IV of ERISA;

          (v) fail to make any contribution or payment to any Multiemployer Plan
     which the Borrower or any Controlled Group member may be required to make
     under any agreement relating to such Multiemployer Plan, or any law
     pertaining thereto if such failure could result in liability, individually
     or in the aggregate, together with all other amounts under this Section
     6.3(L) in excess of $2,500,000;

          (vi) fail, or permit any Controlled Group member to fail, to pay any
     required installment or any other payment required under Section 412 of the
     Internal Revenue Code on or before the due date for such installment or
     other payment where such failure could give rise to a lien under Section
     302(f) of ERISA; or

          (vii) amend, or permit any Controlled Group member to amend, a Plan
     resulting in an increase in current liability for the plan year such that
     the Borrower or any Controlled group member is required to provide security
     to such Plan under Section 401(a)(29) of the Code.


                                     - 99 -
<PAGE>
 
     (M) Issuance of Capital Stock. Neither the Borrower nor any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries shall issue any Voting Stock other than the issuance of
common stock of a Restricted Subsidiary the Net Cash Proceeds of which are
utilized in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.5 and provided that
the Borrower shall at all times own of record and beneficially, in the
aggregate, at least eighty percent (80%) of the shares of the issued and
outstanding Voting Stock (measured by voting power rather than number of shares)
of each Restricted Subsidiary.

     (N) Corporate Documents. Other than in connection with the Merger, neither
the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall amend, modify or
otherwise change any of the terms or provisions in any of their respective
corporate documents (other than the by-laws and, in the case of by-laws, any of
the material terms or provisions thereof) as in effect on the date hereof in any
manner adverse to the interests of the Lenders in any material respect without
the prior written consent of the Required Lenders (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld).

     (O) Other Indebtedness. The Borrower shall not amend, modify or supplement,
or permit any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower to amend, modify or
supplement (or consent to any amendment, modification or supplement of), any
document, agreement or instrument evidencing the Senior Subordinated Notes or
any Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness (or any replacements, substitutions or
renewals thereof) or pursuant to which the Senior Subordinated Notes or any
Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness is issued or make any payment required as a
result of such an amendment, modification or supplement, where such amendment,
modification or supplement provides for the following or which has any of the
following effects:

          (i) increases the overall principal amount of any such Indebtedness or
     increases the amount of any single scheduled installment of principal or
     interest or how much of such a payment must be paid in cash instead of
     accrued or paid in kind;

          (ii) shortens or accelerates the date upon which any installment of
     principal or interest becomes due or adds any additional mandatory
     redemption provisions;

          (iii) shortens the final maturity date of such Indebtedness or
     otherwise accelerates the amortization schedule with respect to such
     Indebtedness;

          (iv) increases the rate of interest accruing on such Indebtedness;

          (v) provides for the payment of additional fees or increases existing
     fees;

          (vi) amends or modifies any financial or negative covenant (or
     covenant which prohibits or restricts the Borrower or a Restricted
     Subsidiary of the Borrower from taking certain actions), or event of
     default, in either case, in a manner which is more onerous or more
     restrictive to the Borrower (or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower)
     or which is otherwise materially adverse to the Borrower and/or the Lenders
     or, in the case of adding covenants, which places additional restrictions
     on the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower or which
     requires the Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary to comply with more
     restrictive


                                     - 100 -
<PAGE>
 
     financial ratios or which requires the Borrower or any Restricted
     Subsidiary of the Borrower to better its financial performance from that
     set forth in the existing financial covenants;

          (vii) amends, modifies or adds any affirmative covenant in a manner
     which, when taken as a whole, is materially adverse to the Borrower and/or
     the Lenders;

          (viii) amends, modifies or supplements the subordination provisions
     thereof; or

          (ix) modifies the Persons obligated with respect to such Indebtedness.

Neither Holdings, the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall make any
payment or prepayment of principal, interest, fees or other charges on or with
respect to, or any redemption, purchase, repurchase, retirement, defeasance,
sinking fund or payment on any claim for damages or rescission with respect to
the Holdings Subordinated Debt, the Indebtedness evidenced by the Senior
Subordinated Notes or any other Permitted Subordinated Debt.

     (P) Fiscal Year. Neither Holdings, the Borrower nor any of its consolidated
Subsidiaries shall change its fiscal year for accounting or tax purposes from a
period consisting of the 12- month period ending on June 30 of each calendar
year.

     (Q) Subsidiary Covenants. Except as permitted by Section 6.3(G), the
Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or
otherwise become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind
on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends or make any other
distribution on its stock, or make any other Restricted Payment, pay any
Indebtedness or other Obligation owed to the Borrower or any other Restricted
Subsidiary, make loans or advances or other Investments in the Borrower or any
other Restricted Subsidiary, or sell, transfer or otherwise convey any of its
property to the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary.

     (R) Hedging Obligations. The Borrower shall not and shall not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to enter into any interest rate, commodity or
foreign currency exchange, swap, collar, cap or similar agreements other than
interest rate, foreign currency or commodity exchange, swap, collar, cap or
similar agreements entered into by the Borrower pursuant to Section 6.2(L)
hereof or pursuant to which the Borrower has hedged its actual interest rate,
foreign currency or commodity exposure (such hedging agreements are sometimes
referred to herein as "Hedging Agreements"). All references in this Agreement to
Hedging Agreements with the Lenders shall be deemed to include, without
limitation, that certain Confirmation of Interest Rate Swap dated as of November
16, 1993 between the Target and First Chicago, in the notional amount of
$7,000,000 (the "Existing First Chicago Hedging Agreement"), and all references
in such Existing First Chicago Hedging Agreement to the Credit Agreement dated
as of January 28, 1994 among the Target, the lenders parties thereto and First
Chicago as agent for such lenders shall instead be references to this Agreement.

     (S) Change of Deposit Accounts. The Borrower shall not, and shall not
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, establish or maintain any deposit account
with any bank or other financial institution other than those which have entered
into a Collection Account Agreement in


                                     - 101 -
<PAGE>
 
form and substance acceptable to the Agent or in connection with which the
deposit account constitutes a permitted Investment under Section 6.3(D).

     6.4 Financial Covenants. The Borrower shall comply with the following:

     (A) Defined Terms for Financial Covenants. The following terms used in this
Agreement shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be applicable,
except to the extent otherwise indicated in a definition of a particular term,
both to the singular and the plural forms of the terms defined):

     "Capital Expenditures" means, for any period, the aggregate of all
expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities and including
Capitalized Leases and Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness) by the Borrower
and its Restricted Subsidiaries during that period that, in conformity with
Agreement Accounting Principles, are required to be included in or reflected by
the property, plant, equipment or similar fixed asset accounts reflected in the
consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
other than Capital Expenditures in connection with Permitted Acquisitions.

     "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any given period and Person, the
aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for
such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with Agreement
Accounting Principles; provided, however, that: (i) the Net Income of any Person
acquired in a pooling of interests transaction for any period prior to the date
of such Acquisition shall be excluded and (ii) Consolidated Net Income of any
Person will not include, without duplication, any deduction for: (A) any
increased amortization or depreciation resulting from the write-up of assets
pursuant to Account Principles Board Opinion Nos. 16 and 17 as amended or
supplemented from time to time, (B) the amortization of all intangible assets
(including amortization attributable to inventory write-ups, goodwill,
Transaction Costs, debt and financing costs, and Incentive Arrangements), (c)
any non-capitalized transaction costs incurred in connection with actual or
proposed Financings, Acquisitions or Asset Sale (including, but not limited to
financing and refinancing fees), (D) any extraordinary or nonrecurring charges
related to any premium or penalty paid, write-off or deferred financing costs or
other financial recapitalization charges in connection with redeeming or
retiring any Indebtedness prior to its stated maturity and (E) any charges or
expenses in respect of restructuring or consolidating any business, operations
or facilities, any compensation or headcount reduction, or any other cost
savings, of any persons or businesses either alone or together with the Borrower
or any Restricted Subsidiary as permitted by Agreement Accounting Principles or
Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933.

     "EBITDA" means, for any period, on a consolidated basis for the Borrower
and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, and, for the limited purpose of
calculating the financial covenants set forth in this Section 6.4, on a
consolidated basis for the Target and its consolidated Subsidiaries for any
applicable period prior to the Closing Date, the sum, without duplication, of
the amounts (without duplication) for such period of (i) Consolidated Net
Income, plus (ii) charges against income for foreign, federal, state and local
taxes and, without duplication, Restricted Payments paid in respect of such
taxes pursuant to Section 6.3(F)(ii), plus (iii) Interest Expense to the extent
deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus (iv) Fees to the


                                     - 102 -
<PAGE>
 
extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus (v) depreciation
expense and other non-cash charges, plus (vi) expenses for the applicable period
associated with the Target's corporate aircraft and the Target's shareholder
insurance policies, plus (vii) interest income to the extent not already
included in Consolidated Net Income, plus (viii) to the extent deducted in
computing Consolidated Net Income, all dividend payments on preferred stock,
whether or not paid in cash, plus (ix) to the extent deducted in computing
Consolidated Net Income, any extraordinary or nonrecurring charge or expense
arising out of the implementation of SFAS 106 or SFAS 109, plus (x) to the
extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, accruals in respect of the
Incentive Compensation Plan, minus (xi) the portion of Consolidated Net Income
attributable to the minority investments in other Persons, except the amount of
such portion received in cash by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries,
plus or minus (xii) extraordinary losses from Asset Sales to the extent deducted
in computing Consolidated Net Income or extraordinary gains from Asset Sales
(and any unusual gains arising in or outside of the ordinary course of business
not included in extraordinary gains determined in accordance with Agreement
Accounting Principles which have been included in the determination of Net
Income).

     "Fees" means fees (including, without limitation, agency and unused
commitment fees) and discounts with respect to (i) Letters of Credit and (ii)
Indebtedness evidenced by this Agreement.

     "Interest Expense" means, for any period, (i) the total interest expense of
the Borrower and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, whether paid or
accrued (including the interest component of Capitalized Leases), but excluding
interest expense not payable in cash (including amortization of discount), plus
(ii) any Restricted Payments made to Holdings in accordance with the provisions
of Section 6.3(F)(iii)(a), all as determined in conformity with Agreement
Accounting Principles.

     "Net Income" means, for any period, the net earnings (or loss) after taxes
of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such
period taken as a single accounting period determined in conformity with
Agreement Accounting Principles excluding, however, any gain or loss (together
with any related provision for taxes, realized in connection with any Asset Sale
(including, without limitation, dispositions pursuant to sale and leaseback
transactions).

     (B) Interest Expense Coverage Ratio. The Borrower shall maintain a ratio
(the "Interest Expense Coverage Ratio") of (i) EBITDA to (ii) Interest Expense
for the applicable period of at least:

          (1) 1.20 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter for the period commencing
     with the fiscal quarter ending on June 30, 1997 through the fiscal quarter
     ending on December 31, 1997;

          (2) 1.30 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ended on March 31, 1998;

          (3) 1.35 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter for the period commencing
     with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 1998 through the fiscal quarter
     ending December 31, 1998;


                                     - 103 -
<PAGE>
 
          (4) 1.40 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending on March 31, 1999;

          (5) 1.45 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter for the period commencing
     with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 1999 through the fiscal quarter
     ending December 31, 1999;

          (6) 1.50 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending on March 31, 2000;

          (7) 1.55 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter for the period commencing
     with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2000 through the fiscal quarter
     ending September 30, 2000;

          (8) 1.60 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending on December 31, 2000;

          (9) 1.65 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter for the period commencing
     with the fiscal quarter ending on March 31, 2001 through the fiscal quarter
     ending June 30, 2001;

          (10) 1.70 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter for the period commencing
     with the fiscal quarter ending on September 30, 2001 through the fiscal
     quarter ending December 31, 2001; and

          (11) 1.75 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter thereafter until the
     Termination Date.

In each case the Interest Coverage Ratio shall be determined as of the last day
of each fiscal quarter for the four-quarter period ending on such day (provided,
however, (a) for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 1997, the Interest Coverage
Ratio shall be calculated using Interest Expense for the fiscal quarter ending
June 30, 1997 multiplied by four (4) and EBITDA of the Target (for the period
prior to the Closing Date) and the Borrower (for the period commencing on the
Closing Date and thereafter) for the four-quarter period ending on June 30,
1997, (b) for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 1997, the Interest
Coverage Ratio shall be calculated using Interest Expense for the two fiscal
quarters ending September 30, 1997 multiplied by two (2) and EBITDA of the
Target (for the period prior to the Closing Date) and the Borrower (for the
period commencing on the Closing Date and thereafter) for the four-quarter
period ending on September 30, 1997, and (c) for the fiscal quarter ending
December 31, 1997, the Interest Coverage Ratio shall be calculated using
Interest Expense for the three fiscal quarters ending December 31, 1997
multiplied by four-thirds (4/3) and EBITDA of the Target (for the period prior
to the Closing Date) and the Borrower (for the period commencing on the Closing
Date and thereafter) for the four-quarter period ending on December 31, 1997;
provided, further, that the Interest Coverage Ratio shall be calculated with
respect to Permitted Acquisitions, on a pro forma basis using unadjusted
historical audited and reviewed unaudited financial statements obtained from the
seller, broken down by fiscal quarter in the Borrower's reasonable judgement).

     (C) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The Borrower shall maintain a ratio
("Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio") of: (i) EBITDA minus Capital Expenditures to
(ii) the sum of the amounts, without duplication of (a) Interest Expense, plus
(b) Fees, plus (c) Taxes, plus (d) Restricted Payments of the type referred to
in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of the definition of Restricted Payments,
plus (e) cash payments under the Incentive Compensation Plan, plus (f) scheduled
amortization of the principal portion of the Term Loans and scheduled
amortization of the


                                     - 104 -
<PAGE>
 
principal portion of all other Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted
Subsidiaries during such period of at least:

          (1) 1.00 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter for the period commencing
     with the fiscal quarter ending on June 30, 1997 through the fiscal quarter
     ending on March 31, 1998;

          (2) 1.01 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter for the period commencing
     with the fiscal quarter ended on June 30, 1998 through the fiscal quarter
     ending September 30, 1998;

          (3) 1.02 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter for the period commencing
     with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 1998 through the fiscal quarter
     ending September 30, 1999;

          (4) 1.03 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter for the period commencing
     with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 1999 through the fiscal quarter
     ending June 30, 2000;

          (5) 1.04 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter for the period commencing
     with the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2000 through the fiscal quarter
     ending December 31, 2000;

          (6) 1.05 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2001; and

          (7) 1.02 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter thereafter until the
     Termination Date.

In each case the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be determined as of the last
day of each fiscal quarter for the four-quarter period ending on such day
(provided, however, (a) for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 1997, the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated using Interest Expense, Fees and
schedule amortization for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 1997 multiplied by
four (4) and Capital Expenditures and EBITDA of the Target (for the period prior
to the Closing Date) and the Borrower (for the period commencing on the Closing
Date and thereafter) for the four-quarter period ending on June 30, 1997, (b)
for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 1997, the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio shall be calculated using Interest Expense, Fees and schedule amortization
for the two fiscal quarters ending September 30, 1997 multiplied by two (2) and
Capital Expenditures and EBITDA of the Target (for the period prior to the
Closing Date) and the Borrower (for the period commencing on the Closing Date
and thereafter) for the four-quarter period ending on September 30, 1997, and
(c) for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 1997, the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio shall be calculated using Interest Expense, Fees and schedule amortization
for the three fiscal quarters ending December 31, 1997 multiplied by four-thirds
(4/3) and Capital Expenditures and EBITDA of the Target (for the period prior to
the Closing Date) and the Borrower (for the period commencing on the Closing
Date and thereafter) for the four-quarter period ending on December 31, 1997;
provided, further, that the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated with
respect to Permitted Acquisitions, on a pro forma basis using unadjusted
historical audited and reviewed unaudited financial statements obtained from the
seller, broken down by fiscal quarter in the Borrower's reasonable judgement).

     (D) Maximum Leverage Ratio. The Borrower shall not permit the ratio
("Leverage Ratio") of (i) Indebtedness and Off Balance Sheet Liabilities
incurred pursuant to Section 6.3(J)


                                     - 105 -
<PAGE>
 
(other than Indebtedness in respect of commercial Letters of Credit) of the
Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (calculated on a consolidated basis)
for borrowed money to (ii) EBITDA to exceed the ratio set forth below at the end
of the fiscal quarter ending on the corresponding date set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Period Ending                               Maximum Leverage Ratio
         -------------                               ----------------------
         <S>                                         <C>  
         June 30, 1997                               6.5 to 1.00
         September 30, 1997                          6.5 to 1.00
         December 31, 1997                           6.5 to 1.00

         March 31, 1998                              6.25 to 1.00
         June 30, 1998                               5.95 to 1.00
         September 30, 1998                          5.90 to 1.00
         December 31, 1998                           5.85 to 1.00

         March 31, 1999                              5.75 to 1.00
         June 30, 1999                               5.75 to 1.00
         September 30, 1999                          5.50 to 1.00
         December 31, 1999                           5.50 to 1.00

         March 31, 2000                              5.25 to 1.00
         June 30, 2000                               4.95 to 1.00
         September 30, 2000                          4.90 to 1.00
         December 31, 2000                           4.75 to 1.00

         March 31, 2001                              4.75 to 1.00
         June 30, 2001                               4.75 to 1.00

         September 30, 2001
         and each quarter
         thereafter                                  4.50 to 1.00
</TABLE>

The Leverage Ratio shall be calculated, in each case, determined as of the last
day of each fiscal quarter based upon (A) for Indebtedness, Indebtedness as of
the last day of each such fiscal quarter; and (B) for EBITDA, the actual amount
for the four-quarter period ending on such day (provided, however, for the first
four of such calculations, the Leverage Ratio shall be calculated using EBITDA
of the Target (for the period prior to the Closing Date) and the Borrower (for
the period commencing on the Closing Date and thereafter) for the four-quarter
period then ending; provided, further, that EBITDA shall be calculated with
respect to Permitted Acquisitions on a pro forma basis using unadjusted
historical audited and reviewed unaudited financial statements obtained from the
Seller, broken down by fiscal quarter in the Borrower's reasonable judgment).


ARTICLE VII:  DEFAULTS


                                     - 106 -
<PAGE>
 
     7.1 Defaults. Each of the following occurrences shall constitute a Default
under this Agreement:

     (a) Failure to Make Payments When Due. The Borrower shall (i) fail to pay
when due any of the Obligations consisting of principal with respect to the
Loans or (ii) shall fail to pay within five (5) days of the date when due any of
the other Obligations under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

     (b) Breach of Certain Covenants. The Borrower shall fail duly and
punctually to perform or observe any agreement, covenant or obligation binding
on the Borrower under:

          (i) Sections 6.1(C) (Lawsuits), 6.1(D) (Insurance), 6.1(E) (ERISA
     Notices), 6.1(F) (Labor Matters), 6.1(G) (Other Indebtedness), 6.1(H)
     (Other Reports), 6.1(I) (Environmental Notices), 6.1(K) (Other
     Information), 6.2(B) (Corporate Powers), 6.2(F) (Inspection of Property),
     6.3(L) (ERISA), 6.3(M) (Issuance of Capital Stock), 6.3(N) (Corporate
     Documents), 6.3(R) (Hedging Obligations) or 6.3(S) (Deposit Accounts) and
     such failure shall continue unremedied for thirty (30) days;

          (ii) Section 6.1(A) (Financial Reporting), 6.1(B) (Notice of Default)
     or 6.1(J) (Borrowing Base Certificate) and such failure shall continue
     unremedied for five (5) Business Days; or

          (iii) Section 6.3(A) (Indebtedness), 6.3(C) (Liens), 6.3(D)
     (Investments), 6.3(E) (Contingent Obligations), 6.3(F) (Restricted
     Payments), 6.3(G) (Conduct of Business, Subsidiaries, Acquisitions), 6.3(H)
     (Affiliate Transactions), 6.3(I) (Fundamental Changes), 6.3(J)
     (Sale/Leaseback), 6.3(K) (Margin Regulations), 6.3(O) (Other Indebtedness),
     6.3(P) (Fiscal Year), or 6.3(Q) (Subsidiary Covenants), or 6.4(B) (Interest
     Expense Coverage Ratio), 6.4(C) (Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio), or 6.4(D)
     (Maximum Leverage Ratio).

     (c) Breach of Representation or Warranty. Any representation or warranty
made or deemed made by the Borrower to the Agent or any Lender herein or by the
Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any of the other Loan
Documents or in any statement or certificate at any time given by any such
Person pursuant to any of the Loan Documents shall be false or misleading in any
material respect on the date as of which made (or deemed made).

     (d) Other Defaults. The Borrower shall default in the performance of or
compliance with any material term contained in this Agreement (other than as
covered by paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 7.1), or the Borrower or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall default in the performance of or
compliance with any material term contained in any of the other Loan Documents,
and such default shall continue for thirty (30) days after the occurrence
thereof.

     (e) Default as to Other Indebtedness; Operating Leases. The Borrower or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall fail to make any payment when due (whether
by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise)
with respect to any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) the outstanding
principal amount of which


                                     - 107 -
<PAGE>
 
Indebtedness is in excess of $5,000,000; or any breach, default or event of
default shall occur, or any other condition shall exist under any instrument,
agreement or indenture pertaining to any such Indebtedness, if the effect
thereof is to cause an acceleration, mandatory redemption, a requirement that
the Borrower or Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, offer to purchase such
Indebtedness or other required repurchase of such Indebtedness, or permit the
holder(s) of such Indebtedness to accelerate the maturity of any such
Indebtedness or require a redemption or other repurchase of such Indebtedness;
or any such Indebtedness shall be otherwise declared to be due and payable (by
acceleration or otherwise) or required to be prepaid, redeemed or otherwise
repurchased by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than by
a regularly scheduled required prepayment) prior to the stated maturity thereof.

     (f) Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, Etc.

          (i) An involuntary case shall be commenced against Holdings, the
     Borrower or any of the Borrower's Restricted Subsidiaries and the petition
     shall not be dismissed, stayed, bonded or discharged within sixty (60) days
     after commencement of the case; or a court having jurisdiction in the
     premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of Holdings,
     the Borrower or any of the Borrower's Restricted Subsidiaries in an
     involuntary case, under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other
     similar law now or hereinafter in effect; or any other similar relief shall
     be granted under any applicable federal, state, local or foreign law.

          (ii) A decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises
     for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, trustee,
     custodian or other officer having similar powers over Holdings, the
     Borrower or any of the Borrower's Restricted Subsidiaries or over all or a
     substantial part of the property of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the
     Borrower's Restricted Subsidiaries shall be entered; or an interim
     receiver, trustee or other custodian of Holdings, the Borrower or any of
     the Borrower's Restricted Subsidiaries or of all or a substantial part of
     the property of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Borrower's Restricted
     Subsidiaries shall be appointed or a warrant of attachment, execution or
     similar process against any substantial part of the property of Holdings,
     the Borrower or any of the Borrower's Restricted Subsidiaries shall be
     issued and any such event shall not be stayed, dismissed, bonded or
     discharged within sixty (60) days after entry, appointment or issuance.

     (g) Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, Etc. Holdings, the
Borrower or any of the Borrower's Restricted Subsidiaries shall (i) commence a
voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law
now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the entry of an order for relief in
an involuntary case, or to the conversion of an involuntary case to a voluntary
case, under any such law, (iii) consent to the appointment of or taking
possession by a receiver, trustee or other custodian for all or a substantial
part of its property, (iv) make any assignment for the benefit of creditors or
(v) take any corporate action to authorize any of the foregoing.


                                     - 108 -
<PAGE>
 
     (h) Judgments and Attachments. Any money judgment(s) (other than a money
judgment covered by insurance as to which the insurance company has not
disclaimed or reserved the right to disclaim coverage), writ or warrant of
attachment, or similar process against the Borrower or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets involving in any single case or
in the aggregate an amount in excess of $2,500,000 is (are) entered and shall
remain undischarged, unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of forty-five
(45) days.

     (i) Dissolution. Any order, judgment or decree shall be entered against the
Borrower decreeing its involuntary dissolution or split up and such order shall
remain undischarged and unstayed for a period in excess of sixty (60) days; or
the Borrower shall otherwise dissolve or cease to exist except as specifically
permitted by this Agreement.

     (j) Loan Documents; Failure of Security. At any time, for any reason, (i)
any Loan Document as a whole that materially affects the ability of the Agent,
or any of the Lenders to enforce the Obligations or enforce their rights against
the Collateral ceases to be in full force and effect (other than a partial or
full release in accordance with the terms thereof or as a result of any act or
omission of the Agent or any Lender) or the Borrower or any of the Borrower's
Restricted Subsidiaries party thereto seeks to repudiate its obligations
thereunder and the Liens intended to be created thereby are, or the Borrower or
any such Restricted Subsidiary seeks to render such Liens, invalid and
unperfected, or (ii) Liens on Collateral in favor of the Agent contemplated by
the Loan Documents shall, at any time, for any reason, be invalidated or
otherwise cease to be in full force and effect (other than as a result of any
Customary Permitted Lien or a partial or full release in accordance with the
terms thereof or as a result of any act or omission of the Agent or any Lender),
or such Liens shall not have the priority contemplated by this Agreement or the
Loan Documents (other than a partial or full release in accordance with the
terms thereof or as a result of any act or omission of the Agent or any Lender).

     (k) Termination Event. Any Termination Event occurs which the Required
Lenders believe could reasonably be expected to subject the Borrower to
liability, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $2,500,000.

     (l) Waiver of Minimum Funding Standard. If the plan administrator of any
Plan applies under Section 412(d) of the Code for a waiver of the minimum
funding standards of Section 412(a) of the Code and any Lender believes the
substantial business hardship upon which the application for the waiver is based
could reasonably be expected to subject either the Borrower or any Controlled
Group member to liability, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of
$2,500,000.

     (m) Change of Control. A Change of Control shall occur.

     (n) Hedging Agreements. Nonpayment by the Borrower of any obligation within
five (5) Business Days of the date when due under any Hedging Agreements entered
into with any Lender or the breach by the Borrower of any term, provision or
condition contained in any such Hedging Agreements.


                                     - 109 -
<PAGE>
 
     (o) Environmental Matters. The Borrower or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries shall be the subject of any proceeding or investigation pertaining
to (i) the Release by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any
Contaminant into the environment, (ii) the liability of the Borrower or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries arising from the Release by any other Person of any
Contaminant into the environment, or (iii) any violation of any Environmental,
Health or Safety Requirements of Law which by the Borrower or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, which, in any case, has or could reasonably be expected
to subject the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to liability, individually
or in the aggregate, in excess of $2,500,000.

     (p) Guarantor Revocation. Any guarantor of the Obligations shall terminate
or revoke any of its obligations under the applicable guarantee agreement or
breach any of the terms of such guarantee agreement.

     (q) Failure of Subordination. The subordination provisions of the documents
and instruments evidencing the Senior Subordinated Notes, the Deferred Limited
Interest Guaranty, the MCIT Turnover Agreement, the Holdings Turnover Agreement,
the Jordan Management Agreement, any Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness,
Holdings Subordinated Debt or any other Permitted Holdings Indebtedness shall,
at any time, be invalidated or otherwise cease to be in full force and effect.

     (r) Holdings Indebtedness. Holdings shall incur any Indebtedness other than
Permitted Holdings Indebtedness or Holdings shall fail to make any payment when
due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or
otherwise) with respect to any Permitted Holdings Indebtedness the outstanding
principal amount of which Indebtedness is in excess of $5,000,000 or any breach,
default or event of default shall occur, or any other condition shall exist
under any instrument, agreement or indenture pertaining to any such Permitted
Holdings Indebtedness, if the effect thereof is to cause an acceleration,
mandatory redemption, a requirement that Holdings offer to purchase such
Indebtedness or other required repurchase of such Indebtedness, or permit the
holder(s) of such Indebtedness to accelerate the maturity of any such
Indebtedness or require a redemption or other repurchase of such Indebtedness;
or any such Indebtedness shall be otherwise declared to be due and payable (by
acceleration or otherwise) or required to be prepaid, redeemed or otherwise
repurchased by Holdings (other than by a regularly scheduled required
prepayment) prior to the stated maturity thereof.

     (s) Holding Company Investments and Activities. Holdings shall (i) make any
Investment other than (w) Investments in the Borrower, (x) Investments in the
Management Notes, (y) other loans to employees and (z) Investments in Cash
Equivalents; (ii) engage directly or indirectly (other than indirectly as a
result of its ownership of the Equity Interests of the Borrower) in any
operating business enterprise or other activities other than the ownership of
the Equity Interests of the Borrower and the activities incidental thereto; or
(iii) create, capitalize or acquire any Subsidiary other than the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries.

     (t) Turnover by Holdings of Restricted Payments. In the event that any
Restricted Payments are made by Borrower to Holdings in violation of Section
6.3(F), such Restricted Payment shall not be paid over by Holdings to the Agent
for application to or as collateral for the


                                     - 110 -
<PAGE>
 
payment of the Obligations promptly but in any event within five (5) days of
request therefor by the Agent or any Lender or any other material default or
breach shall have occurred under the terms of the Holdings Turnover Agreement.

     (u) MCIT Turnover. Any material default or breach shall have occurred under
the terms of the MCIT Turnover Agreement.

     (v) Pledge of Borrower's Equity Interests. Holdings shall pledge,
hypothecate, encumber or otherwise create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any
Lien (other than any Customary Permitted Lien) upon or with respect to any
Equity Interests of the Borrower.

     (w) Holdings shall fail to pay all taxes, assessments and other
governmental charges within thirty (30) days following the imposition thereof
upon it or on any of its properties or assets or in respect of any of its
franchises, business, income or property before any penalty or interest accrues
thereon; provided, however, that no such taxes, assessments and governmental
charges (and interest, penalties or fines relating thereto) need be paid if
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently instituted
and conducted and if such reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as
shall be required in conformity with Agreement Accounting Principles shall have
been made therefor.

     (x) Title Policy Endorsement. A Default shall be deemed "continuing" until
cured or until waived in writing in accordance with Section 8.3.


ARTICLE VIII:  ACCELERATION, DEFAULTING LENDERS; WAIVERS, AMENDMENTS AND 
REMEDIES

     8.1 Termination of Commitments; Acceleration. If any Default described in
Section 7.1(f) or 7.1(g) occurs with respect to the Borrower, Holdings or any
Restricted Subsidiary the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder and
the obligation of the Agent to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall
automatically terminate and the Obligations shall immediately become due and
payable without any election or action on the part of the Agent or any Lender.
If any other Default occurs and shall be continuing, the Required Lenders may
terminate or suspend the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder and
the obligation of the Agent to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, or declare the
Obligations to be due and payable, or both, whereupon the Obligations shall
become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or
notice of any kind, all of which the Borrower expressly waives; provided that if
such Default is cured or waived by the Required Lenders (or all of the Lenders
if required pursuant to Section 8.3), the obligation of the Lenders to make
Loans shall be reinstated.

     8.2 Defaulting Lender. In the event that any Lender fails to fund its Pro
Rata Share of any Advance requested or deemed requested by the Borrower which
such Lender is obligated to fund under the terms of this Agreement (the funded
portion of such Advance being hereinafter referred to as a "Non Pro Rata Loan"),
until the earlier of such Lender's cure of such failure and the termination of
the Revolving Loan Commitments, the proceeds of all amounts thereafter repaid to
the Agent by the Borrower and otherwise required to be applied to such Lender's
share


                                     - 111 -
<PAGE>
 
of all other Obligations pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be
advanced to the Borrower by the Agent on behalf of such Lender to cure, in full
or in part, such failure by such Lender, but shall nevertheless be deemed to
have been paid to such Lender in satisfaction of such other Obligations.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary:

          (i) the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2 shall apply only with
     respect to the proceeds of payments of Obligations and shall not affect the
     conversion or continuation of Loans pursuant to Section 2.10;

          (ii) any such Lender shall be deemed to have cured its failure to fund
     its Pro Rata Share of any Advance at such time as an amount equal to such
     Lender's original Pro Rata Share of the requested principal portion of such
     Advance is fully funded to the Borrower, whether made by such Lender itself
     or by operation of the terms of this Section 8.2, and whether or not the
     Non Pro Rata Loan with respect thereto has been repaid, converted or
     continued;

          (iii) amounts advanced to the Borrower to cure, in full or in part,
     any such Lender's failure to fund its Pro Rata Share of any Advance ("Cure
     Loans") shall bear interest at the rate applicable to Floating Rate Loans
     in effect from time to time, and for all other purposes of this Agreement
     shall be treated as if they were Floating Rate Loans;

          (iv) regardless of whether or not a Default has occurred or is
     continuing, and notwithstanding the instructions of the Borrower as to its
     desired application, all repayments of principal which, in accordance with
     the other terms of this Agreement, would be applied to the outstanding
     Floating Rate Loans shall be applied first, ratably to all Floating Rate
     Loans constituting Non Pro Rata Loans, second, ratably to Floating Rate
     Loans other than those constituting Non Pro Rata Loans or Cure Loans and,
     third, ratably to Floating Rate Loans constituting Cure Loans;

          (v) for so long as and until the earlier of any such Lender's cure of
     the failure to fund its Pro Rata Share of any Advance and the termination
     of the Revolving Loan Commitments, the term "Required Lenders" for purposes
     of this Agreement shall mean Lenders (excluding all Lenders whose failure
     to fund their respective Pro Rata Shares of such Advance have not been so
     cured) whose Pro Rata Shares represent equal to or greater than sixty-six
     and two thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the aggregate Pro Rata Shares of such
     Lenders; and

          (vi) for so long as and until any such Lender's failure to fund its
     Pro Rata Share of any Advance is cured in accordance with Section 8.2(ii),
     (A) such Lender shall not be entitled to (and the Borrower shall not be
     obligated to make any payment in respect of) any commitment fees with
     respect to its Revolving Loan Commitment and (B) such Lender shall not be
     entitled to (and the Borrower shall not be obligated to make any payment in
     respect of) any letter of credit fees.


                                     - 112 -
<PAGE>
 
     8.3 Amendments. Subject to the provisions of this Article VIII, the
Required Lenders (or the Agent with the consent in writing of the Required
Lenders) and the Borrower may enter into agreements supplemental hereto for the
purpose of adding or modifying any provisions to the Loan Documents or changing
in any manner the rights of the Lenders or the Borrower hereunder or waiving any
Default hereunder; provided, however, that no such supplemental agreement shall,
without the consent of each Lender affected thereby:

          (i) Postpone or extend the Revolving Loan Termination Date, either
     Term Loan Termination Date or any other date fixed for any payment of
     principal of, or interest on, the Loans, the Reimbursement Obligations or
     any fees or other amounts payable to such Lender (except with respect to
     (a) any modifications of the provisions relating to prepayments of Loans
     and other Obligations, provided that any modification of the last sentence
     of Section 2.5(A) or the provisions of Section 2.5(B)(i)(e) which reduces
     the percentage of any prepayment to the Term Loan A Lenders or Term Loan B
     Lenders shall require the consent of (1) those Lenders whose aggregate A
     Term Loans are greater than or equal to 662/3 of the aggregate A Term
     Loans, if the Term Loan A Lenders' prepayment percentage is reduced, or (2)
     those Lenders whose aggregate B Term Loans are greater than or equal to
     662/3 of the aggregate B Term Loans, if the Term Loan B Lenders' prepayment
     percentage is reduced and (b) a waiver of the application of the default
     rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.11 hereof).

          (ii) Reduce the principal amount of any Loans or L/C Obligations or
     the rate of interest thereon or any fees or other amounts payable to such
     Lender.

          (iii) Reduce the percentage specified in the definition of Required
     Lenders or any other percentage of Lenders specified to be the applicable
     percentage in this Agreement to act on specified matters.

          (iv) Increase the amount of the Revolving Loan Commitment or any Term
     Loan Commitment of any Lender hereunder (except with respect to an increase
     in the amount, or other modification to the terms or components, of the
     Borrowing Base).

          (v) Permit the Borrower to assign its rights under this Agreement.

          (vi) Amend this Section 8.3.

          (vii) Release any guarantor (including without limitation any
     Restricted Subsidiary) of the Obligations or all or substantially all of
     the Collateral.

No amendment of any provision of this Agreement relating to (a) the Agent shall
be effective without the written consent of the Agent or (b) Swing Line Loans
shall be effective without the written consent of the Swing Line Bank. The Agent
may waive payment of the fee required under Section 12.3(B) without obtaining
the consent of any of the Lenders.

     8.4 Preservation of Rights. No delay or omission of the Lenders or the
Agent to exercise any right under the Loan Documents shall impair such right or
be construed to be a waiver of


                                     - 113 -
<PAGE>
 
any Default or an acquiescence therein, and the making of a Loan or the issuance
of a Letter of Credit notwithstanding the existence of a Default or the
inability of the Borrower to satisfy the conditions precedent to such Loan or
issuance of such Letter of Credit shall not constitute any waiver or
acquiescence. Any single or partial exercise of any such right shall not
preclude other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right,
and no waiver, amendment or other variation of the terms, conditions or
provisions of the Loan Documents whatsoever shall be valid unless in writing
signed by the Lenders required pursuant to Section 8.3, and then only to the
extent in such writing specifically set forth. All remedies contained in the
Loan Documents or by law afforded shall be cumulative and all shall be available
to the Agent and the Lenders until the Obligations have been paid in full.


ARTICLE IX:  GENERAL PROVISIONS

     9.1 Survival of Representations. All representations and warranties of the
Borrower contained in this Agreement shall only be deemed to be made on the
Closing Date and each Borrowing Date and shall survive delivery of the Notes and
the making of the Loans herein contemplated.

     9.2 Governmental Regulation. Anything contained in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, no Lender shall be obligated to extend credit to the
Borrower in violation of any limitation or prohibition provided by any
applicable statute or regulation.

     9.3 Performance of Obligations. The Borrower agrees that the Agent may, but
shall have no obligation to (i) at any time, pay or discharge taxes, liens,
security interests or other encumbrances levied or placed on or threatened
against any Collateral and (ii) after the occurrence and during the continuance
of a Default make any other payment or perform any act required of the Borrower
under any Loan Document or take any other action which the Agent in its
discretion deems necessary or desirable to protect or preserve the Collateral,
including, without limitation, any action to (y) effect any repairs or obtain
any insurance called for by the terms of any of the Loan Documents and to pay
all or any part of the premiums therefor and the costs thereof and (z) pay any
rents payable by the Borrower which are more than 30 days past due, or as to
which the landlord has given notice of termination, under any lease. The Agent
shall use its best efforts to give the Borrower notice of any action taken under
this Section 9.3 prior to the taking of such action or promptly thereafter
provided the failure to give such notice shall not affect the Borrower's
obligations in respect thereof. The Borrower agrees to pay the Agent, upon
demand, the principal amount of all funds advanced by the Agent under this
Section 9.3, together with interest thereon at the rate from time to time
applicable to Floating Rate Loans from the date of such advance until the
outstanding principal balance thereof is paid in full. If the Borrower fails to
make payment in respect of any such advance under this Section 9.3 within one
(1) Business Day after the date the Borrower receives written demand therefor
from the Agent, the Agent shall promptly notify each Lender and each Lender
agrees that it shall thereupon make available to the Agent, in Dollars in
immediately available funds, the amount equal to such Lender's Pro Rata Share of
such advance. If such funds are not made available to the Agent by such Lender
within one (1) Business Day after the Agent's demand therefor, the Agent will be
entitled to recover any such amount from such Lender together with interest


                                     - 114 -
<PAGE>
 
thereon at the Effective Federal Funds Rate for each day during the period
commencing on the date of such demand and ending on the date such amount is
received. The failure of any Lender to make available to the Agent its Pro Rata
Share of any such unreimbursed advance under this Section 9.3 shall neither
relieve any other Lender of its obligation hereunder to make available to the
Agent such other Lender's Pro Rata Share of such advance on the date such
payment is to be made nor increase the obligation of any other Lender to make
such payment to the Agent. All outstanding principal of, and interest on,
advances made under this Section 9.3 shall constitute Obligations secured by the
Collateral until paid in full by the Borrower.

     9.4 Headings. Section headings in the Loan Documents are for convenience of
reference only, and shall not govern the interpretation of any of the provisions
of the Loan Documents.

     9.5 Entire Agreement. The Loan Documents embody the entire agreement and
understanding among the Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders and supersede all
prior agreements and understandings among the Borrower, the Agent and the
Lenders relating to the subject matter thereof.

     9.6 Several Obligations; Benefits of this Agreement. The respective
obligations of the Lenders hereunder are several and not joint and no Lender
shall be the partner or agent of any other Lender (except to the extent to which
the Agent is authorized to act as such). The failure of any Lender to perform
any of its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender from any of
its obligations hereunder. This Agreement shall not be construed so as to confer
any right or benefit upon any Person other than the parties to this Agreement
and their respective successors and assigns.

     9.7 Expenses; Indemnification.

     (A) Expenses. The Borrower shall reimburse the Agent for any reasonable and
documented costs, internal charges and out-of-pocket expenses (including
attorneys' and paralegals' fees and time charges of attorneys and paralegals for
the Agent, which attorneys and paralegals may be employees of the Agent) paid or
incurred by the Agent in connection with the preparation, negotiation,
execution, delivery, syndication, amendment and modification of the Loan
Documents. The Borrower also agrees to reimburse the Agent and the Lenders for
any reasonable and documented costs, internal charges and out-of-pocket expenses
(including attorneys' and paralegals' fees and time charges of attorneys and
paralegals for the Agent and the Lenders, which attorneys and paralegals may be
employees of the Agent or the Lenders) paid or incurred by the Agent or any
Lender in connection with the collection of the Obligations and enforcement
(whether by legal proceedings, negotiation, or otherwise) of the Loan Documents.
In addition to expenses set forth above, the Borrower agrees to reimburse the
Agent, promptly after the Agent's request therefor, for each audit, collateral
analysis or other business analysis performed by the Agent or any of its agents
for the benefit of the Lenders in connection with this Agreement or the other
Loan Documents in an amount equal to the Agent's then customary charges for each
person employed to perform such audit or analysis, plus all costs and expenses
(including without limitation, travel expenses) incurred by the Agent in the
performance of such audit or analysis (provided, however, that the Borrower's
obligation to reimburse the Agent for such expenses incurred at a time when no
Default has occurred and is continuing shall be limited


                                     - 115 -
<PAGE>
 
in each fiscal year to the audit expense annual cap amount separately agreed to
in the letter dated February 27, 1997 from the Agent to the Borrower). Agent
shall provide the Borrower with a detailed statement of all reimbursements
requested under this Section 9.7(A).

     (B) Indemnity. The Borrower further agrees to defend, protect, indemnify,
and hold harmless the Agent and each and all of the Lenders and each of their
respective Affiliates, and each of such Agent's, Lender's, or Affiliate's
respective officers, directors, employees, attorneys and agents (including,
without limitation, those retained in connection with the satisfaction or
attempted satisfaction of any of the conditions set forth in Article IV)
(collectively, the "Indemnitees") from and against any and all liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims,
costs, expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation,
the fees and disbursements of counsel for such Indemnitees in connection with
any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding, whether or not such
Indemnitees shall be designated a party thereto), imposed on, incurred by, or
asserted against such Indemnitees in any manner relating to or arising out of:

          (i) this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any of the Transaction
     Documents, or any act, event or transaction related or attendant thereto or
     to the Stock Acquisition or Merger, the making of the Loans, and the
     issuance of and participation in Letters of Credit hereunder, the
     management of such Loans or Letters of Credit, the use or intended use of
     the proceeds of the Loans or Letters of Credit hereunder, or any of the
     other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents; or

          (ii) any liabilities, obligations, responsibilities, losses, damages,
     personal injury, death, punitive damages, economic damages, consequential
     damages, treble damages, intentional, willful or wanton injury, damage or
     threat to the environment, natural resources or public health or welfare,
     costs and expenses (including, without limitation, attorney, expert and
     consulting fees and costs of investigation, feasibility or remedial action
     studies), fines, penalties and monetary sanctions, interest, direct or
     indirect, known or unknown, absolute or contingent, past, present or future
     relating to violation of any Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements
     of Law arising from or in connection with the past, present or future
     operations of Holdings, the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or any of their
     respective predecessors in interest, or, the past, present or future
     environmental, health or safety condition of any respective property of the
     Borrower or its Subsidiaries, the presence of asbestos-containing materials
     at any respective property of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the
     Release or threatened Release of any Contaminant into the environment
     (collectively, the "Indemnified Matters");

provided, however, the Borrower shall have no obligation to an Indemnitee
hereunder with respect to Indemnified Matters caused solely by or resulting
solely from (x) a dispute among the Lenders or a dispute between any Lender and
the Agent, (y) a dispute between the Agent or any Lender and any participant or
among them or (z) the willful misconduct or Gross Negligence of such Indemnitee
or breach of contract by such Indemnitee with respect to the Loan Documents, in
each case, as determined by the final non-appealed judgment of a court of
competent jurisdiction. If the undertaking to indemnify, pay and hold harmless
set forth in the preceding sentence may be unenforceable because it is violative
of any law or public policy, the Borrower


                                     - 116 -
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shall contribute the maximum portion which it is permitted to pay and satisfy
under applicable law, to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Matters
incurred by the Indemnitees.

     (C) Waiver of Certain Claims; Settlement of Claims. The Borrower further
agrees to assert no claim against any of the Indemnitees on any theory of
liability for consequential, special, indirect, exemplary or punitive damages.
No settlement shall be entered into by Holdings, the Borrower or any if its
Subsidiaries with respect to any claim, litigation, arbitration or other
proceeding relating to or arising out of the transaction evidenced by this
Agreement, the other Loan Documents or in connection with the Stock Purchase
Acquisition (whether or not the Agent or any Lender or any Indemnitee is a party
thereto) unless such settlement releases all Indemnitees from any and all
liability with respect thereto.

     (D) Survival of Agreements. The obligations and agreements of the Borrower
under this Section 9.7 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

     9.8 Accounting. Except as provided to the contrary herein, all accounting
terms used herein shall be interpreted and all accounting determinations
hereunder shall be made in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.

     9.9 Severability of Provisions. Any provision in any Loan Document that is
held to be inoperative, unenforceable, or invalid in any jurisdiction shall, as
to that jurisdiction, be inoperative, unenforceable, or invalid without
affecting the remaining provisions in that jurisdiction or the operation,
enforceability, or validity of that provision in any other jurisdiction, and to
this end the provisions of all Loan Documents are declared to be severable.

     9.10 Nonliability of Lenders. The relationship between the Borrower and the
Lenders and the Agent shall be solely that of borrower and lender. Neither the
Agent nor any Lender shall have any fiduciary responsibilities to the Borrower.
Neither the Agent nor any Lender undertakes any responsibility to the Borrower
to review or inform the Borrower of any matter in connection with any phase of
the Borrower's business or operations.

     9.11 GOVERNING LAW. THE AGENT ACCEPTS THIS AGREEMENT, ON BEHALF OF ITSELF
AND THE LENDERS, AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS BY ACKNOWLEDGING AND AGREEING TO IT THERE.
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND INTERPRETED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS (WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PROVISIONS) OF THE
STATE OF ILLINOIS. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN
THE BORROWER AND THE AGENT, ANY LENDER, OR ANY OTHER HOLDER OF SECURED
OBLIGATIONS ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE
RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THEM IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AND WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY, OR
OTHERWISE, SHALL BE RESOLVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS (WITHOUT
REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS PROVISIONS) OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.


                                     - 117 -
<PAGE>
 
     9.12 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS; WAIVER OF BOND.

     (A) EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (B), EACH OF
THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT ALL DISPUTES AMONG THEM ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED
WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED AMONG THEM IN
CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS WHETHER
ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY, OR OTHERWISE, SHALL BE RESOLVED EXCLUSIVELY
BY STATE OR FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, BUT THE PARTIES HERETO
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANY APPEALS FROM THOSE COURTS MAY HAVE TO BE HEARD BY A COURT
LOCATED OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

     (B) OTHER JURISDICTIONS. THE BORROWER AGREES THAT THE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR
ANY HOLDER OF SECURED OBLIGATIONS SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROCEED AGAINST THE
BORROWER OR ITS PROPERTY IN A COURT IN ANY LOCATION TO ENABLE SUCH PERSON TO (1)
OBTAIN PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE BORROWER OR (2) REALIZE ON THE COLLATERAL
OR ANY OTHER SECURITY FOR THE OBLIGATIONS OR TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OR OTHER
COURT ORDER ENTERED IN FAVOR OF SUCH PERSON. THE BORROWER AGREES THAT IT WILL
NOT ASSERT ANY PERMISSIVE COUNTERCLAIMS IN ANY PROCEEDING BROUGHT BY SUCH PERSON
TO REALIZE ON THE COLLATERAL OR ANY OTHER SECURITY FOR THE OBLIGATIONS OR TO
ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER IN FAVOR OF SUCH PERSON.

     (C) SERVICE OF PROCESS; WAIVERS. THE BORROWER WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF
ANY PROCESS UPON IT AND, IRREVOCABLY APPOINTS THE CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY, THE
BORROWER'S REGISTERED AGENT, WHOSE ADDRESS IS CORPORATION TRUST CENTER, 1209
ORANGE STREET, WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19801, AS THE BORROWER'S AGENT FOR THE
PURPOSE OF ACCEPTING SERVICE OF PROCESS ISSUED BY ANY COURT. THE BORROWER
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION
OF THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS) WHICH IT
MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH
RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT
EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH IN ANY JURISDICTION SET FORTH ABOVE
AND EACH OF THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO WAIVES IN ALL DISPUTES BROUGHT PURSUANT TO
SUBSECTION (A) ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY HAVE TO THE LOCATION OF THE COURT
CONSIDERING THE DISPUTE.

     (D) WAIVER OF BOND. THE BORROWER WAIVES THE POSTING OF ANY BOND OTHERWISE
REQUIRED OF ANY PARTY HERETO IN CONNECTION WITH ANY JUDICIAL PROCESS OR
PROCEEDING TO REALIZE ON THE COLLATERAL (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE REAL
PROPERTY COLLATERAL) OR ANY OTHER SECURITY FOR THE OBLIGATIONS OR TO ENFORCE ANY
JUDGMENT OR


                                     - 118 -
<PAGE>
 
OTHER COURT ORDER ENTERED IN FAVOR OF SUCH PARTY, OR TO ENFORCE BY SPECIFIC
PERFORMANCE, TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER, PRELIMINARY OR PERMANENT INJUNCTION,
THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT.

     9.13 JURY TRIAL WAIVER; ADVICE OF COUNSEL

     (A) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY
RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN
CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED TO OR
INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED AMONG THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED
IN CONNECTION HEREWITH. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO 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 HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A
COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE
PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

     (B) ADVICE OF COUNSEL. EACH OF THE PARTIES REPRESENTS TO EACH OTHER PARTY
HERETO THAT IT HAS DISCUSSED THIS AGREEMENT AND, SPECIFICALLY, THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS SECTION 9.13, WITH ITS COUNSEL.

     9.14 Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness. The Borrower agrees that
any and all claims of the Borrower against any Restricted Subsidiary, any
endorser, obligor or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Secured
Obligations, or against any of its properties shall be subordinate and subject
in right of payment to the prior payment, in full and in cash, of all Secured
Obligations. Notwithstanding any right of the Borrower to ask, demand, sue for,
take or receive any payment from any Subsidiary Guarantor all rights, liens and
security interests of the Borrower, whether now or hereafter arising and
howsoever existing, in any assets of any Restricted Subsidiary (whether
constituting part of Collateral given to any Holder of Secured Obligations or
the Agent to secure payment of all or any part of the Secured Obligations or
otherwise) shall be and are subordinated to the rights of the Holders of Secured
Obligations and the Agent in those assets. The Borrower shall have no right to
possession of any such asset or to foreclose upon any such asset, whether by
judicial action or otherwise, unless and until all of the Secured Obligations
(other than contingent indemnity obligations) shall have been fully paid and
satisfied and all financing arrangements among the Borrower and the Holders of
Secured Obligations have been terminated. If all or any part of the assets of
any Restricted Subsidiary, or the proceeds thereof, are subject to any
distribution, division or application to the creditors of any Restricted
Subsidiary, whether partial or complete, voluntary or involuntary, and whether
by reason of liquidation, bankruptcy, arrangement, receivership, assignment for
the benefit of creditors or any other action or proceeding, or if the business
of any Restricted Subsidiary is dissolved or if substantially all of the assets
of any Restricted Subsidiary are sold, then, and in any such event, any payment
or distribution of any kind or character, either in cash, securities or other
property, which shall be payable or deliverable upon or with respect to any
indebtedness of


                                     - 119 -
<PAGE>
 
any Subsidiary Guarantor to the Borrower ("Intercompany Indebtedness") shall be
paid or delivered directly to the Agent for application on any of the Secured
Obligations, due or to become due, until such Secured Obligations (other than
contingent indemnity obligations) shall have first been fully paid and
satisfied. The Borrower irrevocably authorizes and empowers the Agent to demand,
sue for, collect and receive every such payment or distribution and give
acquittance therefor and to make and present for and on behalf of the Borrower
such proofs of claim and take such other action, in the Agent's own name or in
the name of the Borrower or otherwise, as the Agent may deem necessary or
advisable for the enforcement of this Section 9.14. The Agent may vote such
proofs of claim in any such proceeding, receive and collect any and all
dividends or other payments or disbursements made thereon in whatever form the
same may be paid or issued and apply the same on account of any of the Secured
Obligations. Should any payment, distribution, security or instrument or
proceeds thereof be received by the Borrower upon or with respect to the
Intercompany Indebtedness prior to the satisfaction of all of the Secured
Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations) and the termination of
all financing arrangements among the Borrowers and the Holders of Secured
Obligations, the Borrower shall receive and hold the same in trust, as trustee,
for the benefit of the Holders of Secured Obligations and shall forthwith
deliver the same to the Agent, for the benefit of the Holders of Secured
Obligations, in precisely the form received (except for the endorsement or
assignment of the Borrower where necessary), for application to any of the
Secured Obligations, due or not due, and, until so delivered, the same shall be
held in trust by the Borrower as the property of the Holders of Secured
Obligations. If the Borrower fails to make any such endorsement or assignment to
the Agent, the Agent or any of its officers or employees are irrevocably
authorized to make the same. The Borrower agrees that until the Secured
Obligations (other than the contingent indemnity obligations) have been paid in
full (in cash) and satisfied and all financing arrangements among the Borrower
and the Holders of Secured Obligations have been terminated, the Borrower will
not assign or transfer to any Person (other than the Agent) any claim the
Borrower has or may have against any Restricted Subsidiary.

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


ARTICLE X:  THE AGENT

     10.1 Appointment; Nature of Relationship. The First National Bank of
Chicago is appointed by the Lenders as the Agent hereunder and under each other
Loan Document, and each of the Lenders irrevocably authorizes the Agent to act
as the contractual representative of such Lender with the rights and duties
expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. The Agent agrees to
act as such contractual representative upon the express conditions contained in
this Article X. Notwithstanding the use of the defined term "Agent," it is
expressly understood and agreed that the Agent shall not have any fiduciary
responsibilities to any Holder of Secured Obligations by reason of this
Agreement and that the Agent is merely


                                     - 120 -
<PAGE>
 
acting as the representative of the Holders of Secured Obligations with only
those duties as are expressly set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents. In its capacity as the contractual representative of the Holders of
Secured Obligations, the Agent (i) does not assume any fiduciary duties to any
of the Holders of Secured Obligations, (ii) is a "representative" of the Holders
of Secured Obligations within the meaning of Section 9-105 of the Uniform
Commercial Code and (iii) is acting as an independent contractor, the rights and
duties of which are limited to those expressly set forth in this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents. Each of the Lenders, for itself and on behalf of its
affiliates as Holders of Secured Obligations, agrees to assert no claim against
the Agent on any agency theory or any other theory of liability for breach of
fiduciary duty, all of which claims each Holder of Secured Obligations waives.

     10.2 Powers. The Agent shall have and may exercise such powers under the
Loan Documents as are specifically delegated to the Agent by the terms of each
thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The
Agent shall have no implied duties or fiduciary duties to the Lenders, or any
obligation to the Lenders to take any action hereunder or under any of the other
Loan Documents except any action specifically provided by the Loan Documents
required to be taken by the Agent.

     10.3 General Immunity. Neither the Agent nor any of its directors,
officers, agents or employees shall be liable to the Borrower, the Lenders or
any Lender for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them hereunder
or under any other Loan Document or in connection herewith or therewith except
to the extent such action or inaction is found in a final judgment by a court of
competent jurisdiction to have arisen solely from (i) the Gross Negligence or
willful misconduct of such Person or (ii) breach of contract by such Person with
respect to the Loan Documents.

     10.4 No Responsibility for Loans, Creditworthiness, Collateral, Recitals,
Etc. Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees
shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, or verify
(i) any statement, warranty or representation made in connection with any Loan
Document or any borrowing hereunder; (ii) the performance or observance of any
of the covenants or agreements of any obligor under any Loan Document; (iii) the
satisfaction of any condition specified in Article IV, except receipt of items
required to be delivered solely to the Agent; (iv) the existence or possible
existence of any Default or (v) the validity, effectiveness or genuineness of
any Loan Document or any other instrument or writing furnished in connection
therewith. The Agent shall not be responsible to any Lender for any recitals,
statements, representations or warranties herein or in any of the other Loan
Documents, for the perfection or priority of any of the Liens on any of the
Collateral, or for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity,
legality, enforceability, collectibility, or sufficiency of this Agreement or
any of the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby, or for
the financial condition of any guarantor of any or all of the Obligations,
Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries.

     10.5 Action on Instructions of Lenders. The Agent shall in all cases be
fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, hereunder and under any
other Loan Document in accordance with written instructions signed by the
Required Lenders, and such instructions and any action taken or failure to act
pursuant thereto shall be binding on all of the Lenders and on


                                     - 121 -
<PAGE>
 
all holders of Notes. The Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing
to take any action hereunder and under any other Loan Document unless it shall
first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders pro rata against any and
all liability, cost and expense that it may incur by reason of taking or
continuing to take any such action.

     10.6 Employment of Agents and Counsel. The Agent may execute any of its
duties as the Agent hereunder and under any other Loan Document by or through
employees, agents, and attorney-in-fact and shall not be answerable to the
Lenders, except as to money or securities received by it or its authorized
agents, for the default or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact
selected by it with reasonable care. The Agent shall be entitled to advice of
counsel concerning the contractual arrangement between the Agent and the Lenders
and all matters pertaining to the Agent's duties hereunder and under any other
Loan Document.

     10.7 Reliance on Documents; Counsel. The Agent shall be entitled to rely
upon any Note, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram,
statement, paper or document believed by it to be genuine and correct and to
have been signed or sent by the proper person or persons, and, in respect to
legal matters, upon the opinion of counsel selected by the Agent, which counsel
may be employees of the Agent.

     10.8 The Agent's Reimbursement and Indemnification. The Lenders agree to
reimburse and indemnify the Agent ratably in proportion to their respective Pro
Rata Shares (i) for any amounts not reimbursed by the Borrower for which the
Agent is entitled to reimbursement by the Borrower under the Loan Documents,
(ii) for any other expenses incurred by the Agent on behalf of the Lenders, in
connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration and
enforcement of the Loan Documents and (iii) for any liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements of any kind and nature whatsoever which may be imposed on,
incurred by or asserted against the Agent in any way relating to or arising out
of the Loan Documents or any other document delivered in connection therewith or
the transactions contemplated thereby, or the enforcement of any of the terms
thereof or of any such other documents, provided that no Lender shall be liable
for any of the foregoing to the extent any of the foregoing is found in a final
non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have arisen
solely from the Gross Negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent.

     10.9 Rights as a Lender. With respect to its Revolving Loan Commitment, its
Term Loan Commitment, Loans made by it and the Notes issued to it, the Agent
shall have the same rights and powers hereunder and under any other Loan
Document as any Lender and may exercise the same as through it were not the
Agent, and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" shall, unless the context otherwise
indicates, include the Agent in its individual capacity. The Agent may accept
deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of trust, debt,
equity or other transaction, in addition to those contemplated by this Agreement
or any other Loan Document, with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in
which such Person is not prohibited hereby from engaging with any other Person.

     10.10 Lender Credit Decision. Each Lender acknowledges that it has,
independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Lender and based
on the financial statements


                                     - 122 -
<PAGE>
 
prepared by Holdings and the Borrower and such other documents and information
as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter
into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each Lender also acknowledges
that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other
Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate
at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking
action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

     10.11 Successor Agent. The Agent may resign at any time by giving written
notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower, and the Agent may be removed at
any time with or without cause by written notice received by the Agent from the
Required Lenders. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required Lenders
shall have the right to appoint, on behalf of the Borrower and the Lenders, a
successor Agent. If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the
Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty days
after the retiring Agent's giving notice of resignation, then the retiring Agent
may appoint, on behalf of the Borrower and the Lenders, a successor Agent.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, so long as no Default has
occurred and is continuing, each such successor Agent shall be subject to
approval by the Borrower, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Such successor Agent shall be a commercial bank having capital and retained
earnings of at least $500,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as the
Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor Agent shall thereupon
succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties
of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its
duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. After any
retiring Agent's resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Article
X shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions taken or
omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as the Agent hereunder and under
the other Loan Documents.

     10.12 Collateral Documents. (a) Each Lender authorizes the Agent to enter
into each of the Collateral Documents to which it is a party and to take all
action contemplated by such documents. Each Lender agrees that no Holder of
Secured Obligations other than the Agent shall have the right individually to
seek to realize upon the security granted by any Collateral Document, it being
understood and agreed that such rights and remedies may be exercised solely by
the Agent for the benefit of the Holders of Secured Obligations upon the terms
of the Collateral Documents.

          (b) In the event that any Collateral is hereafter pledged by any
     Person as collateral security for the Obligations, the Agent is hereby
     authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Holders of Secured
     Obligations any Loan Documents necessary or appropriate to grant and
     perfect a Lien on such Collateral in favor of the Agent on behalf of the
     Holders of Secured Obligations.

          (c) The Lenders hereby authorize the Agent, at its option and in its
     discretion, to release any Lien granted to or held by the Agent upon any
     Collateral (i) upon termination of the Commitments and payment and
     satisfaction of all of the Obligations (other than contingent indemnity
     obligations) at any time arising under or in respect of this Agreement or
     the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; (ii)
     as permitted by, but only in accordance with, the terms of the applicable
     Loan Document; or (iii) if approved, authorized or


                                     - 123 -
<PAGE>
 
     ratified in writing by the Required Lenders, unless such release is
     required to be approved by all of the Lenders hereunder. Upon request by
     the Agent at any time, the Lenders will confirm in writing the Agent's
     authority to release particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to
     this Section 10.12(c).

          (d) Upon any sale or transfer of assets constituting Collateral which
     is permitted pursuant to the terms of any Loan Document, or consented to in
     writing by the Required Lenders or all of the Lenders, as applicable, and
     upon at least five Business Days' prior written request by the Borrower,
     the Agent shall (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by the Lenders to)
     execute such documents as may be necessary to evidence the release of the
     Liens granted to the Agent for the benefit of the Holders of Secured
     Obligations herein or pursuant hereto upon the Collateral that was sold or
     transferred; provided, however, that (i) the Agent shall not be required to
     execute any such document on terms which, in the Agent's opinion, would
     expose the Agent to liability or create any obligation or entail any
     consequence other than the release of such Liens without recourse or
     warranty, and (ii) such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect
     or impair the Secured Obligations or any Liens upon (or obligations of the
     Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of) all interests retained by the
     Borrower or any Subsidiary, including (without limitation) the proceeds of
     the sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral.


ARTICLE XI:  SETOFF; RATABLE PAYMENTS

     11.1 Setoff. In addition to, and without limitation of, any rights of the
Lenders under applicable law, if any Designated Default occurs and is
continuing, any indebtedness from any Lender to the Borrower (including all
account balances, whether provisional or final and whether or not collected or
available) may be offset and applied toward the payment of the Obligations owing
to such Lender, whether or not the Obligations, or any part hereof, shall then
be due.

     11.2 Ratable Payments. If any Lender, whether by setoff or otherwise, has
payment made to it upon its Loans (other than payments received pursuant to
Sections 3.1, 3.2 or 3.4) in a greater proportion than that received by any
other Lender, such Lender agrees, promptly upon demand, to purchase a portion of
the Loans held by the other Lenders so that after such purchase each Lender will
hold its ratable proportion of Loans. If any Lender, whether in connection with
setoff or amounts which might be subject to setoff or otherwise, receives
collateral or other protection for its Obligation or such amounts which may be
subject to setoff, such Lender agrees, promptly upon demand, to take such action
necessary such that all Lenders share in the benefits of such collateral ratably
in proportion to the obligations owing to them. In case any such payment is
disturbed by legal process, or otherwise, appropriate further adjustments shall
be made.

     11.3 Application of Payments. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.5 and
Section 8.2, the Agent shall, unless otherwise specified at the direction of the
Required Lenders which direction shall be consistent with the last sentence of
this Section 11.3, apply all payments and prepayments in respect of any
Obligations and all proceeds of Collateral in the following order:


                                     - 124 -
<PAGE>
 
          (A) first, to pay interest on and then principal of any portion of the
     Loans which the Agent may have advanced on behalf of any Lender for which
     the Agent has not then been reimbursed by such Lender or the Borrower;

          (B) second, to pay interest on and then principal of any advance made
     under Section 9.3 for which the Agent has not then been paid by the
     Borrower or reimbursed by the Lenders;

          (C) third, to pay Obligations in respect of any fees, expense
     reimbursements or indemnities then due to the Agent;

          (D) fourth, to pay Obligations in respect of any fees, expenses,
     reimbursements or indemnities then due to the Lenders and the issuer(s) of
     Letters of Credit;

          (E) fifth, to pay interest due in respect of Swing Line Loans;

          (F) sixth, to pay interest due in respect of Loans (other than Swing
     Line Loans) and L/C Obligations;

          (G) seventh, to the ratable payment or prepayment of principal
     outstanding on Swing Line Loans;

          (H) eighth, to the ratable payment or prepayment of principal
     outstanding on Loans (other than Swing Line Loans), Reimbursement
     Obligations and Hedging Obligations under Hedging Agreements with any
     Lender (or affiliate thereof) in such order as the Agent may determine in
     its sole discretion;

          (I) ninth, to provide required cash collateral if any pursuant to
     Section 2.24; and

          (J) tenth, to the ratable payment of all other Obligations.

Unless otherwise designated (which designation shall only be applicable prior to
the occurrence of a Default) by the Borrower, all principal payments in respect
of Loans (other than Swing Line Loans) shall be applied first, to the
outstanding Revolving Loans and, second, to the outstanding Term Loans, in each
case, first, to repay outstanding Floating Rate Loans, and then to repay
outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans with those Eurodollar Rate Loans which have
earlier expiring Interest Periods being repaid prior to those which have later
expiring Interest Periods. The order of priority set forth in this Section 11.3
and the related provisions of this Agreement are set forth solely to determine
the rights and priorities of the Agent, the Lenders, the issuer(s) of Letters of
Credit and other Holders of Secured Obligations as among themselves. The order
of priority set forth in clauses (D) through (H) of this Section 11.3 may at any
time and from time to time be changed by the Required Lenders without necessity
of notice to or consent of or approval by the Borrower, or any other Person;
provided, that the order of priority of payments in respect of Swing Line Loans
may be changed only with the prior written consent of the Swing Line Bank. The
order of priority set forth in clauses (A) through (C) of this Section 11.3 may
be changed only with the prior written consent of the Agent.


                                     - 125 -
<PAGE>
 
     11.4 Relations Among Lenders.

     (a) Except with respect to the exercise of set-off rights of any Lender in
accordance with Section 11.1, the proceeds of which are applied in accordance
with this Agreement each Lender agrees that it will not take any action, nor
institute any actions or proceedings, against the Borrower or any other obligor
hereunder or with respect to any Collateral or Loan Document, without the prior
written consent of the Required Lenders or, as may be provided in this Agreement
or the other Loan Documents, at the direction of the Agent.

     (b) The Lenders are not partners or co-venturers, and no Lender shall be
liable for the acts or omissions of, or (except as otherwise set forth herein in
case of the Agent) authorized to act for, any other Lender. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, and subject to Section 11.2, any Lender shall have the right to
enforce on an unsecured basis the payment of the principal of and interest on
any Loan made by it after the date such principal or interest has become due and
payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.


ARTICLE XII:  BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENTS; PARTICIPATIONS

     12.1 Successors and Assigns. The terms and provisions of the Loan Documents
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower and the Lenders
and their respective successors and assigns, except that (i) the Borrower shall
not have the right to assign its rights or obligations under the Loan Documents
and (ii) any assignment by any Lender must be made in compliance with Section
12.3 hereof. Notwithstanding clause (ii) of this Section 12.1, any Lender may at
any time, without the consent of the Borrower or the Agent, assign all or any
portion of its rights under this Agreement and its Notes to a Federal Reserve
Bank; provided, however, that no such assignment shall release the transferor
Lender from its obligations hereunder. The Agent may treat the payee of any Note
as the owner thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until such payee
complies with Section 12.3 hereof in the case of an assignment thereof or, in
the case of any other transfer, a written notice of the transfer is filed with
the Agent. Any assignee or transferee of a Note agrees by acceptance thereof to
be bound by all the terms and provisions of the Loan Documents. 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 Note, shall be conclusive
and binding on any subsequent holder, transferee or assignee of such Note or of
any Note or Notes issued in exchange therefor.

     12.2 Participations.

     (A) Permitted Participants; Effect. Subject to the terms set forth in this
Section 12.2, any Lender may, in the ordinary course of its business and in
accordance with applicable law, at any time sell to one or more banks or other
entities ("Participants") participating interests in any Loan owing to such
Lender, any Note held by such Lender, any Revolving Loan Commitment of such
Lender, any L/C Interest of such Lender or any other interest of such Lender
under the Loan Documents on a pro-rata or non pro-rata basis; provided that
without the prior consent of the Agent the amount of such participation shall
not be for less than $5,000,000. Notice of such participation to the Borrower
and the Agent shall be required prior to any participation becoming


                                     - 126 -
<PAGE>
 
effective with respect to a Participant which is not a Lender or an Affiliate
thereof. In the event of any such sale by a Lender of participating interests to
a Participant, such Lender's obligations under the Loan Documents shall remain
unchanged, such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties
hereto for the performance of such obligations, such Lender shall remain the
holder of any such Note for all purposes under the Loan Documents, all amounts
payable by the Borrower under this Agreement shall be determined as if such
Lender had not sold such participating interests, and the Borrower and the Agent
shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with
such Lender's rights and obligations under the Loan Documents except that, for
purposes of Section 2.15(E) and Article III hereof, the Participants shall be
entitled to the same rights and duties as if they were Lenders. Any provision
hereof to the contrary notwithstanding, no Participant shall be entitled to
receive any greater payment under Section 2.15(E) or Article III than the Lender
from which such Participant purchased its participation would have been entitled
to receive had no such participation taken place.

     (B) Voting Rights. Each Lender shall retain the sole right to approve,
without the consent of any Participant, any amendment, modification or waiver of
any provision of the Loan Documents other than any amendment, modification or
waiver with respect to any Loan or Revolving Loan Commitment in which such
Participant has an interest which forgives principal, interest or fees or
reduces the interest rate or fees payable pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement with respect to any such Loan or Revolving Loan Commitment, postpones
any date fixed for any regularly-scheduled payment of principal of, or interest
or fees on, any such Loan or Revolving Loan Commitment, or releases all or
substantially all of the Collateral, if any, securing any such Loan.

     (C) Benefit of Setoff. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be
deemed to have the right of setoff provided in Section 11.1 hereof in respect to
its participating interest in amounts owing under the Loan Documents to the same
extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it
as a Lender under the Loan Documents, provided that each Lender shall retain the
right of setoff provided in Section 11.1 hereof with respect to the amount of
participating interests sold to each Participant except to the extent such
Participant exercises its right of set off. The Lenders agree to share with each
Participant, and each Participant, by exercising the right of setoff provided in
Section 11.1 hereof, agrees to share with each Lender, any amount received
pursuant to the exercise of its right of setoff, such amounts to be shared in
accordance with Section 11.2 as if each Participant were a Lender.

     12.3 Assignments.

     (A) Permitted Assignments. Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of its
business and in accordance with applicable law, at any time assign to one or
more banks or other entities ("Purchasers") all or a portion of its rights and
obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, its Revolving
Loan Commitment, all or any portion of the Loans owing to it, all or any portion
of its participation interests in existing Letters of Credit, and its obligation
to participate in additional Letters of Credit hereunder) in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 12.3 on a pro rata or non-pro rata basis; provided,
however that no such assignment to a Purchaser which is not a Lender or
Affiliate thereof shall be permitted without the Borrower's prior written
consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld provided it shall be


                                     - 127 -
<PAGE>
 
deemed reasonable grounds for denying such consent, without limitation, if the
Borrower determines that such assignment may reasonably be expected to result in
the payment by the Borrower of amounts under Section 2.15(E) or Article III
greater than would be payable if such assignment were not consummated and the
proposed assignee is not willing to waive such amounts). Each assignment shall
be of a constant, and not a varying, ratable percentage of all of the assigning
Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement. Such assignment shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto and shall not be permitted
hereunder unless such assignment is either for all of such Lender's rights and
obligations under the Loan Documents or, without the prior written consent of
the Agent, involves Loans and Commitments in an aggregate amount of at least
$5,000,000. Notice to the Agent and consent of the Agent (which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld) shall be required prior to an assignment becoming
effective with respect to a Purchaser which is not a Lender or an Affiliate
thereof.

     (B) Effect; Effective Date. Upon (i) delivery to the Agent of a notice of
assignment, substantially in the form attached as Appendix I to Exhibit G hereto
(a "Notice of Assignment"), together with any consent required by Section
12.3(A) hereof, and (ii) payment of a $3,500 fee by the assignee or assignor (as
agreed) to the Agent for processing such assignment, such assignment shall
become effective on the effective date specified in such Notice of Assignment.
The Notice of Assignment shall contain a representation by the Purchaser to the
effect that none of the consideration used to make the purchase of the
Commitment, Loans and L/C Obligations under the applicable assignment agreement
are "plan assets" as defined under ERISA and that the rights and interests of
the Purchaser in and under the Loan Documents will not be "plan assets" under
ERISA. On and after the effective date of such assignment, such Purchaser, if
not already a Lender, shall for all purposes be a Lender party to this Agreement
and any other Loan Documents executed by the Lenders and shall have all the
rights and obligations of a Lender under the Loan Documents, to the same extent
as if it were an original party hereto, and no further consent or action by the
Borrower, the Lenders or the Agent shall be required to release the transferor
Lender with respect to the percentage of the Aggregate Revolving Loan
Commitment, Loans and Letter of Credit participations assigned to such
Purchaser. Upon the consummation of any assignment to a Purchaser pursuant to
this Section 12.3(B), the transferor Lender, the Agent and the Borrower shall
make appropriate arrangements so that replacement Notes are issued to such
transferor Lender and new Notes or, as appropriate, replacement Notes, are
issued to such Purchaser, in each case in principal amounts reflecting their
Revolving Loan Commitment and their Term Loans, as adjusted pursuant to such
assignment.

     (C) The Register. The Agent shall maintain at its address referred to in
Section 13.1 a copy of each assignment delivered to and accepted by it pursuant
to this Section 12.3 and a register (the "Register") for the recordation of the
names and addresses of the Lenders and the Revolving Loan Commitment of and
principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender from time to time and
whether such Lender is an original Lender or the assignee of another Lender
pursuant to an assignment under this Section 12.3. The entries in the Register
shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and the
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, the Agent and the Lenders may treat each
Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender hereunder for all
purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by
the Borrower or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon
reasonable prior notice.


                                     - 128 -
<PAGE>
 
     12.4 Confidentiality. Subject to Section 12.5, the Agent and the Lenders
shall hold all nonpublic information obtained pursuant to the requirements of
this Agreement in accordance with such Person's customary procedures for
handling confidential information of this nature and in accordance with safe and
sound banking practices, it being agreed that such confidential information and
other information are intended to be used solely in connection with evaluation
of the performance of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries by the
Lenders under the Loan Documents and the enforcement of rights and obligations
under the Loan Documents, and are not to be used for any other purpose,
including in connection with extending of credit to, analyzing or advising any
competitor of the Borrower; provided, however, any Lender may make disclosure as
required or requested by any Governmental Authority or representative thereof or
pursuant to legal process. In no event shall the Agent or any Lender be
obligated or required to return any materials furnished by the Borrower.

     12.5 Dissemination of Information. The Borrower authorizes each Lender to
disclose to any Participant or Purchaser or any other Person acquiring an
interest in the Loan Documents by operation of law (each a "Transferee") and any
prospective Transferee any and all information in such Lender's possession
concerning the Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the Collateral;
provided that prior to any such disclosure, such prospective Transferee shall
agree to preserve in accordance with Section 12.4 the confidentiality of any
confidential information described therein; and provided, further, each
prospective Transferee shall be required to agree that if it does not become a
participant or assignee it shall return all materials furnished to it in
connection with this Agreement..


ARTICLE XIII:  NOTICES

     13.1 Giving Notice. Except as otherwise permitted by Section 2.14 with
respect to borrowing notices, all notices and other communications provided to
any party hereto under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents shall be in
writing or by facsimile and addressed or delivered to such party at its address
set forth below its signature hereto or at such other address as may be
designated by such party in a notice to the other parties; provided, however,
that borrowing notices shall be delivered to the Agent at One First National
Plaza, Suite 0173, Chicago, Illinois 60670-0088, Attention: Nathan L. Bloch,
Telephone No.: 312/732-2243, Facsimile No.: 312/732-1117. Any notice, if mailed
and properly addressed with postage prepaid, shall be deemed given when
received; any notice, if transmitted by facsimile, shall be deemed given when
transmitted.

     13.2 Change of Address. The Borrower, the Agent and any Lender may each
change the address for service of notice upon it by a notice in writing to the
other parties hereto.


                                     - 129 -
<PAGE>
 
ARTICLE XIV:  COUNTERPARTS

     This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which
taken together shall constitute one agreement, and any of the parties hereto may
execute this Agreement by signing any such counterpart. This Agreement shall be
effective when it has been executed by the Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders
and each party has notified the Agent by telex or telephone, that it has taken
such action.


                  [Remainder of This Page Intentionally Blank]


                                     - 130 -
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Agent have executed
this Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                 GFSI, INC.,
                                 as the Borrower


                                 By: /s/ A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Name:  A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                    Title: Vice President

                                 Address:
                                 9700 Commerce Parkway
                                 Lenexa, KS 66219
                                 Attention:  Robert Shaw
                                 Telephone No.:  913/888-0445
                                 Facsimile No.:   913/752-3346

                                 with a copy to:

                                 The Jordan Company
                                 9 West 57th Street, 40th Floor
                                 New York, New York  10019
                                 Attention:  A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                 Telephone:  212/572-0800
                                 Facsimile No.: 212/755-5263


                                 THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF
                                 CHICAGO, as Agent, as the Swing Line Bank
                                   and as a Lender

                                 By: /s/ Nathan L. Bloch
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Nathan L. Bloch
                                    Title:  First Vice President

                                 Address:
                                 One First National Plaza
                                 Suite 0088
                                 Chicago, Illinois  60670-0173
                                 Attention:  Nathan L. Bloch
                                 Telephone No.: 312/732-2243
                                 Facsimile No.: 312/732-1117


                    Signature Page to GFSI Credit Agreement
                         dated as of February 27, 1997

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

                               SECURITY AGREEMENT
                          Dated as of February 27, 1997

                                     between


                                   GFSI, INC.

                                       AND

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                                    as Agent

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                 -----------------

<TABLE>
<S>          <C>                                                                                                 <C>
SECTION 1.   Defined Terms......................................................................................  1

SECTION 2.   Grant of Security..................................................................................  2

SECTION 3.   Authorization......................................................................................  4

SECTION 4.   Grantor Remains Liable.............................................................................  4

SECTION 5.   Representations and Warranties.....................................................................  4

SECTION 6.   Perfection and Maintenance of Security Interest and Lien...........................................  5

SECTION 7.   Financing Statements...............................................................................  6

SECTION 8.   Filing Costs.......................................................................................  6

SECTION 9.   Schedule of Collateral.............................................................................  6

SECTION 10.  Equipment and Inventory............................................................................  6

SECTION 11.  Accounts...........................................................................................  7

SECTION 12.  Leased Real Property...............................................................................  8

SECTION 13.  General Covenants..................................................................................  8

SECTION 14.  Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact...................................................................  8

SECTION 15.  Agent May Perform................................................................................... 9

SECTION 16.  Agent's Duties...................................................................................... 9

SECTION 17.  Remedies............................................................................................ 9

SECTION 18.  Exercise of Remedies............................................................................... 10

SECTION 19.  License............................................................................................ 10

SECTION 20.  Injunctive Relief.................................................................................. 11

SECTION 21.  Interpretation and Inconsistencies; Merger; No Strict Construction................................. 11

SECTION 22.  Expenses........................................................................................... 11
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>          <C>                                                                                                 <C>
SECTION 23.  Amendments, Etc.................................................................................... 11

SECTION 24.  Notices............................................................................................ 11

SECTION 25.  Continuing Security Interest; Termination.......................................................... 11

SECTION 26.  Severability....................................................................................... 12

SECTION 27.  GOVERNING LAW...................................................................................... 12

SECTION 28.  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS; JURY TRIAL............................................ 12
                  (A)  EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION................................................................... 12
                  (B)  OTHER JURISDICTIONS...................................................................... 12
                  (C)  SERVICE OF PROCESS....................................................................... 13
                  (D)  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL..................................................................... 13
                  (E)  WAIVER OF BOND........................................................................... 13
                  (F)  ADVICE OF COUNSEL........................................................................ 13
</TABLE>




                             EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
                             ----------------------


                                    Exhibits
                                    --------

EXHIBIT A-1       --       Form of Landlord Agreement

EXHIBIT A-2       --       Form of Mortgagee Agreement

EXHIBIT B-1       --       Form of Landlord Lien Waiver Agreement

EXHIBIT B-2       --       Form of Bailee Letter

EXHIBIT C         --       Form of Restricted Account Agreement
<PAGE>
 
                                    Schedules
                                    ---------

Schedule 1        --       Pledged Debt

Schedule 2        --       Locations of Collateral

Schedule 2-A      --       Third Party Locations

Schedule 2-B      --       Financing Statement Filing Locations

Schedule 3        --       Trade Names

Schedule 4        --       Deposit Accounts
<PAGE>
 
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT


     This SECURITY AGREEMENT ("Agreement"), dated as of February 27, 1997 is
made by GFSI, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Grantor"), in favor of THE FIRST
NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO (the "Agent"), for its benefit and for the benefit of
the "Holders of Secured Obligations" (as defined below) who are, or may
hereafter become, parties to the Credit Agreement referred to below. All
references in this agreement to Grantor shall include its successors and
assigns, including a debtor-in-possession on behalf of Grantor.

                              PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

     Grantor has entered into a certain Credit Agreement of even date herewith
among Grantor, the institutions from time to time party thereto as lenders (the
"Lenders") and the Agent, as the contractual representative for the Lenders (as
the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
to time, the "Credit Agreement"), providing for the making of loans, advances
and other financial accommodations (including, without limitation issuing
letters of credit) (all such loans, advances and other financial accommodations
being hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Loans") to or for the benefit
of Grantor. It is a condition precedent to the making of the Loans under the
Credit Agreement that Grantor shall have granted the security interest
contemplated by this Agreement.

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

     SECTION 1. Defined Terms. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in
the Credit Agreement are used herein as therein defined, and the following terms
shall have the following meanings (such meanings being equally applicable to
both the singular and the plural forms of the terms defined):

     "Agreement" shall mean this Security Agreement, as the same may from time
to time be amended, restated, modified or supplemented, and shall refer to this
Agreement as the same may be in effect at the time such reference becomes
operative.

     "Collateral" shall mean all property and rights in property now owned or
hereafter at any time acquired by Grantor in or upon which a Lien is granted in
favor of the Agent by Grantor or a Subsidiary of Grantor under this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the property described in Section 2.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, license agreements under which Grantor is licensee shall be
excluded from the Collateral.

     "Embroidery Affiliate Notes" shall mean, collectively, that certain
promissory note in the original principal amount of $700,000 dated August 12,
1996 between Impact Design, Inc. and Winning Ways, Inc. and that certain
promissory note in the original principal amount of $150,000 dated August 12,
1996 between Kansas Custom Embroidery and Winning Ways, Inc.
<PAGE>
 
     "Restricted Account" shall mean (i) any deposit account that is maintained
with the Agent, or (ii) any deposit account listed on Schedule 4 with respect to
which the Grantor has entered into a Restricted Account Agreement in the form of
Exhibit C hereto with the financial institution at which such deposit account is
maintained.

     "UCC" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may, from time to
time, be in effect in the State of Illinois; provided, however, in the event
that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the attachment,
perfection or priority of the Agent's and the Holders of Secured Obligations'
security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code
as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of Illinois, the term "UCC"
shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction
for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such attachment, perfection or
priority and for purposes of definitions related to such provisions.

     SECTION 2. Grant of Security. To secure the prompt and complete payment,
observance and performance of the Secured Obligations, Grantor hereby assigns
and pledges to Agent, for the benefit of itself and the Holders of Secured
Obligations, and hereby grants to Agent, for the benefit of itself and the
Holders of Secured Obligations, a security interest in all of Grantor's right,
title and interest in and to the following, whether now owned or existing or
hereafter arising or acquired and wheresoever located:

     ACCOUNTS: All "accounts" as such term is defined in Section 9-106 of the
UCC, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising; Grantor intends that
the term "accounts", as used herein, be construed in its broadest sense, and
such term shall include, without limitation, all present and future accounts,
accounts receivable and other rights of Grantor to payment for goods sold or
leased or for services rendered (except those evidenced by instruments or
chattel paper), whether now existing or here after arising and wherever arising,
and whether or not they have been earned by performance (collectively,
"Accounts");

     INVENTORY: All "inventory" as defined in Section 9-109(4) of the UCC,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising; Grantor intends that the
term "inventory", as used herein, be construed in its broadest sense, and such
term shall include, without limitation, all goods now owned or hereafter
acquired by Grantor (wherever located, whether in the possession of Grantor or
of a bailee or other person for sale, storage, transit, processing, use or
otherwise and whether consisting of whole goods, spare parts, components,
supplies, materials, or consigned, returned or repossessed goods) which are held
for sale or lease, which are to be furnished (or have been furnished) under any
contract of service or which are raw materials, work in process or materials
used or consumed in Grantor's business (collectively, "Inventory");

     EQUIPMENT: All "equipment" as such term is defined in Section 9-109(2) of
the UCC, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising; Grantor intends
that the term "equipment", as used herein, be construed in its broadest sense,
and such term shall include, without limitation, all machinery, all
manufacturing, distribution, selling, data processing and office equipment, all
furniture, furnishings, appliances, fixtures and trade fixtures, tools, tooling,
molds, dies, vehicles, vessels, trucks, buses, motor vehicles and all other
goods of every type and description (other than Inventory), in each instance
whether now owned or hereafter acquired by Grantor and wherever located
(collectively, "Equipment");

     GENERAL INTANGIBLES: All "general intangibles" as defined in Section 9-106
of the UCC, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising; Grantor intends
that the term "general intangibles", as used herein, be construed in its
broadest sense, and such term shall include, without limitation, all rights,
interests, choses in action, causes of actions, claims and all other intangible
property of Grantor of every


                                       -2-
<PAGE>
 
kind and nature (other than Accounts), in each instance whether now owned or
hereafter acquired by Grantor and however and whenever arising, including,
without limitation, all corporate and other business records; all loans,
royalties, and other obligations receivable; customer lists, credit files,
correspondence, and advertising materials; firm sale orders, other contracts and
contract rights; all interests in partnerships and joint ventures; all tax
refunds and tax refund claims; all right, title and interest under leases,
subleases, licenses and concessions and other agreements relating to real or
personal property; all payments due or made to Grantor in connection with any
requisition, confiscation, condemnation, seizure or forfeiture of any property
by any person or governmental authority; all deposit accounts (general or
special) with any bank or other financial institution, including, without
limitation, any deposits or other sums at any time credited by or due to Grantor
from any of the Holders of Secured Obligations or any of their respective
Affiliates with the same rights therein as if the deposits or other sums were
credited by or due from such Holder of Secured Obligations; all credits with and
other claims against carriers and shippers; all rights to indemnification; all
patents, and patent applications (including all reissues, divisions,
continuations and extensions); all service marks and service mark applications;
all trade secrets and inventions; all copyrights and copyright applications
(including all computer software and related documentation); all rights and
interests in and to trademarks, trademark registrations and applications
therefor, trade names, corporate names, brand names, slogans, all goodwill
associated with the foregoing; all license agreements and franchise agreements,
all reversionary interests in pension and profit sharing plans and reversionary,
beneficial and residual interest in trusts; all proceeds of insurance of which
Grantor is beneficiary; and all letters of credit, guaranties, liens, security
interests and other security held by or granted to Grantor; and all other
intangible property, whether or not similar to the foregoing;

     LAB PROCESSING AND ENGINEERING INFORMATION: All rights and interests in and
to processes, lab journals, and notebooks, data, trade secrets, know-how,
product formulae and information, manufacturing, engineering and other drawings
and manuals, technology, blueprints, research and development reports, agency
agreements, technical information, technical assistance, engineering data,
design and engineering specifications, and similar materials recording or
evidencing expertise used in or employed by Grantor (including any license for
the foregoing);

     CONTRACT RIGHTS: All rights and interests in and to any pending or
executory contracts, requests for quotations, invitations for bid, agreements,
leases and arrangements of which Grantor is a party to or in which Grantor has
an interest, excluding any license agreement under which the Grantor is the
licensee, but including, without limitation, all right and interest to receive
monies due, or to become due, under that certain Agreement for Purchase and Sale
of Stock dated as of January 24, 1997 made by and among GFSI Holdings, Inc., the
Grantor and certain parties thereto as "Sellers";

     CHATTEL PAPER, INSTRUMENTS AND DOCUMENTS: All chattel paper, leases, all
instruments, including, without limitation, the notes and debt instruments
described in Schedule 1 (the "Pledged Debt"), but excluding the Management Notes
and the Embroidery Affiliate Notes, and all payments thereunder and instruments
and other property from time to time delivered in respect thereof or in exchange
therefor, and all bills of sale, bills of lading, warehouse receipts and other
documents of title, in each instance whether now owned or hereafter acquired by
Grantor;

     INTEREST AND CURRENCY CONTRACTS: Any and all interest rate, commodity or
currency exchange agreements or derivative agreements, including without
limitation, cap, collar, floor, forward or similar agreements or other rate,
currency or price protection arrangements; and


                                       -3-
<PAGE>
 
     OTHER PROPERTY: All property or interests in property now owned or
hereafter acquired by Grantor which now may be owned or hereafter may come into
the possession, custody or control of Agent or any of the Holders of Secured
Obligations or any agent or Affiliate of any of them in any way and for any
purpose (whether for safekeeping, deposit, custody, pledge, transmission,
collection or otherwise); and all rights and interests of Grantor, now existing
or hereafter arising and however and wherever arising, in respect of any and all
(i) notes, drafts, letters of credit, stocks, bonds, and debt and equity
securities, whether or not certificated, investment property (as defined in
Section 9-115(1)(f) of the UCC) and warrants, options, puts and calls and other
rights to acquire or otherwise relating to the same; (ii) money; (iii) proceeds
of loans, including, without limitation, loans made under the Credit Agreement;
and (iv) insurance proceeds and books and records relating to any of the
property covered by this Agreement; together, in each instance, with all
accessions and additions thereto, substitutions therefor, and replacements,
proceeds and products thereof.

     SECTION 3. Authorization. Grantor hereby authorizes Agent to retain and
each Holder of Secured Obligations, and each Affiliate of Agent and of each
Holder of Secured Obligations, to pay or deliver to Agent, for the benefit of
the Holders of Secured Obligations, without any necessity on any Holder of
Secured Obligation's part to resort to other security or sources of
reimbursement for the Secured Obligations, at any time following the occurrence
and during the continuance of any Designated Default, and without further notice
to Grantor (such notice being expressly waived), any of the deposits referred to
in Section 2 (whether general or special, time or demand, provisional or final)
or other sums or property held by such Person, for application against any
portion of the Secured Obligations, irrespective of whether any demand has been
made or whether such portion of the Secured Obligations is mature. Agent will
promptly notify Grantor of Agent's receipt of such funds or other property for
application against the Secured Obligations, but failure to do so will not
affect the validity or enforceability thereof. Agent may give notice of the
above grant of security interest and assignment of the aforesaid deposits and
other sums, and authorization, to, and make any suitable arrangements with, any
such Holder of Secured Obligations for effectuation thereof, and Grantor hereby
irrevocably appoints Agent as its attorney to collect, following the occurrence
and during the continuance of a Designated Default, any and all such deposits or
other sums to the extent any such payment is not made to Agent by such Holder of
Secured Obligations or Affiliate thereof.

     SECTION 4. Grantor Remains Liable. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, (a) Grantor shall remain solely liable under the contracts and
agreements included in the Collateral to the extent set forth therein to perform
all of its duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if this
Agreement had not been executed, (b) the exercise by Agent of any of its rights
hereunder shall not release Grantor from any of its duties or obligations under
the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral, and (c) neither Agent
nor the Holders of Secured Obligations shall have any responsibility, obligation
or liability under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral by
reason of this Agreement, nor shall Agent or the Holders of Secured Obligations
be required or obligated, in any manner, to (i) perform or fulfill any of the
obligations or duties of Grantor thereunder, (ii) make any payment, or make any
inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by Grantor or
the sufficiency of any performance by any party under any such contract or
agreement or (iii) present or file any claim, or take any action to collect or
enforce any claim for payment assigned hereunder.

     SECTION 5. Representations and Warranties. Grantor represents and warrants,
as of the date of this Agreement and as of each date hereafter (except for
changes permitted or contemplated by this Agreement) until termination of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 25:


                                       -4-
<PAGE>
 
     (a) The correct corporate name of Grantor is set forth in the first
paragraph of this Agreement. The locations listed on Schedule 2 constitute all
locations at which Inventory and/or Equipment is located and Grantor has
exclusive possession and control of such Equipment and Inventory, except in each
case for such Inventory and Equipment which is (i) temporarily in transit
between such locations, or (ii) tem porarily stored with third parties or held
by third parties for storage, processing, manufacturing, engineering,
evaluation, or repair, the value of which does not exceed in the aggregate at
any one time $500,000, the proper corporate names of which third parties, the
location of such Inventory and/or Equipment, and the nature of the relationship
between Grantor and such third parties is set forth in Schedule 2-A. Schedule
2-A may be amended to reflect additional locations. The chief place of business
and chief executive office of Grantor are located at the address of Grantor set
forth below the Grantor's signature on the Credit Agreement. All records
concerning any Accounts and all originals of all chattel paper which evidence
any Account are located at the addresses listed on Schedule 2 and none of the
Accounts is evidenced by a promissory note or other instrument except for such
notes and other instru ments delivered to Agent as Pledged Debt listed on
Schedule 1.

     (b) Grantor is the legal and beneficial owner of the Collateral free and
clear of all Liens except for Liens permitted by the Credit Agreement. Grantor
currently conducts business under the name GFSI, Inc. and, in certain areas and
for certain operations, the trade names listed on Schedule 3. The Grantor uses
no trade names or fictitious names, except as set forth on Schedule 3.

     (c) This Agreement creates in favor of Agent a legal, valid and enforceable
security interest in the Collateral. When financing statements have been filed
in the appropriate offices against Grantor in the locations listed on Schedule
2-B, Agent will have a fully perfected first priority lien on, and security
interest in, the Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by
such filing, subject only to Liens permitted by the Credit Agreement.

     (d) No authorization, approval or other action by, and no notice to or
filing with, any Governmental Authority that has not already been taken or made
and which is in full force and effect, is required (i) for the grant by Grantor
of the security interest in the Collateral granted hereby; (ii) for the
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by Grantor; or (iii) for
the exercise by Agent of any of its rights or remedies hereunder.

     (e) The Pledged Debt issued by any Affiliate of Grantor, and to the best of
Grantor's knowledge, all other Pledged Debt, has been duly authorized, issued
and delivered, and is the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of
the respective issuer thereof.

     (f) Schedule 4 contains a complete list of all of the deposit accounts of
Grantor as of the Closing Date and Grantor will amend and update Schedule 4 by
delivering supplemental reports to Agent promptly following the establishment of
any additional deposit accounts in accordance with the terms of Section
6.3(D)(iv) and 6.3(S) of the Credit Agreement, and at any time requested by
Agent. Each deposit account so scheduled is a Restricted Account or a deposit
account permitted by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

     SECTION 6. Perfection and Maintenance of Security Interest and Lien.
Grantor agrees that until all of the Secured Obligations (other than contingent
indemnity Obligations) have been fully satisfied and the Credit Agreement has
been terminated, Agent's security interests in and Liens on and against the
Collateral and all proceeds and products thereof, shall continue in full force
and effect. Grantor shall perform any and all steps reasonably requested by
Agent to perfect, maintain and protect Agent's security interests in and Liens
on and against the Collateral granted or purported to be granted hereby or to
enable


                                       -5-
<PAGE>
 
Agent to exercise its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any
Collateral, including, without limitation, (i) executing and filing financing or
continuation statements, or amendments thereof, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Agent, (ii) executing and filing all Intellectual Property
Agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, (iii)
delivering to Agent all certificates, notes and other instruments (including,
without limitation, all letters of credit on which Grantor is named as a
beneficiary) representing or evidencing Collateral, which certificates, notes
and other instruments have been duly endorsed and are accompanied by duly
executed instruments of transfer or assignment, including, but not limited to,
note powers, all in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, (iv) delivering to
Agent warehouse receipts covering that portion of the Collateral, if any,
located in warehouses and for which warehouse receipts are issued, (v) after the
occurrence and during the continuance of a Designated Default, transferring
Inventory and Equipment to warehouses designated by Agent or taking such other
steps as are reasonably deemed necessary by Agent to maintain Agent's control of
the Inventory and Equipment, (vi) obtaining with respect to clauses (a), (b) and
(c) below, and using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain with respect to
clause (d) below:

     (a) waivers of Liens and access agreements in substantially the form of
Exhibit A-1 hereto (or such other form as may be agreed to by Agent) from
landlords with respect to Grantor's leased premises where the Agent reasonably
determines that the value of the leasehold in respect of the premises leased by
Grantor from such landlord is material to the operations of Grantor or (2) deem
such leased premises to be integral to the Grantor's day-to-day operations, (b)
mortgagee agreements in substantially the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto (or such
other form as may be agreed to by Agent) from mortgagees with respect to all
leases executed after the Closing Date where the Agent reasonably determines
such leasehold to be material based on the value of the leasehold or such leased
premises is integral to Grantor's day-to-day operations, (c) waivers of Liens
and access agreements in substantially the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto (or such
other form as may be agreed to by Agent) from landlords and waivers of Liens and
access agreements in substantially the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto (or such other
form as may be agreed to by Agent) from the appropriate Person with respect to
all arrangements pursuant to which Inventory will be temporarily held by third
parties for storage, processing, engineering, evaluation, or repair after the
Closing Date (in connection with which Grantor shall be permitted to and hereby
required to update Schedule 2-A ) where: (1) the Equipment located at any one
premises owned or operated by any such Person has a value in the aggregate of
$500,000 or greater or (2) the aggregate value of the Equipment located at all
premises owned or operated by any such Person is $2,500,000 or greater, and (d)
waivers of Liens and access agreements in substantially the form of Exhibit B-1
hereto (or such other form as may be agreed to by Agent) from landlords and
waivers of Liens and access agreements in substantially the form of Exhibit B-2
hereto (or such other form as may be agreed to by Agent) from the appropriate
Person with respect to all arrangements pursuant to which Inventory will be
temrporarily held by third parties for storage, processing, engineering,
evaluation, or repair after the Closing Date (in connection with which Grantor
shall be permitted to and hereby required to update Schedule 2-A) where: (1) the
Inventory and Equipment located at any one premises owned or operated by any
such Person has a value in the aggregate of $500,000 or greater or (2) the
aggregate value of the Equipment located at all premises owned or operated by
any such Person is $2,500,000 or greater, and (vii) executing and delivering all
further instruments and documents, and taking all further action, as Agent may
reasonably request.

     SECTION 7. Financing Statements. To the extent permitted by applicable law,
Grantor hereby authorizes Agent to file one or more financing or continuation
statements and amendments thereto, disclosing the security interest granted to
Agent under this Agreement without Grantor's signature appearing thereon and
Agent agrees to notify Grantor when such a filing has been made. Grantor agrees
that a carbon, photographic, photostatic, or other reproduction of this
Agreement or of a financing


                                       -6-
<PAGE>
 
statement is sufficient as a financing statement. If any Inventory or Equipment
is in the possession or control of any warehouseman or Grantor's agents or
processors, Grantor shall, upon Agent's written request, notify such
warehouseman, agent or processor of Agent's security interest in such Inventory
and Equipment and, upon Agent's request, instruct them to hold all such
Inventory or Equipment for Agent's account and subject to Agent's instructions.

     SECTION 8. Filing Costs. Grantor shall pay the costs of, or incidental to,
all recordings or filings of all financing statements, including, without
limitation, any filing expenses incurred by Agent pursuant to Section 7.

     SECTION 9. Schedule of Collateral. Grantor shall, at the written request of
the Agent, furnish to Agent from time to time statements and schedules further
identifying and describing the Collateral and such other reports in connection
with the Collateral as Agent may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.

     SECTION 10. Equipment and Inventory. Grantor covenants and agrees with
Agent that from the date of this Agreement and until termination of this
Agreement, including pursuant to Section 25, Grantor shall:

     (a) Keep the Equipment and Inventory (other than Equipment or Inventory
sold or disposed of as permitted by the Credit Agreement or in the ordinary
course of business) at the places specified in Section 5(a), except for
Equipment and Inventory (i) temporarily in transit between such locations or
(ii) temporarily held by third parties for storage, processing, engineering,
manufacturing, evaluation, or repair and set forth on Schedule 2-A in amounts
not in excess of $500,000 and in connection with which the Grantor has complied
with the requirements set forth in Section 6, and deliver written notice to
Agent at least thirty (30) days prior to establishing any other location at
which or third party with which it reasonably expects to maintain Inventory
and/or Equipment in which location or with which third party all action required
by this Agreement shall have been taken with respect to all such Equipment and
Inventory;

     (b) Maintain or cause to be maintained in good repair, working order and
condition, excepting ordinary wear and tear and damage due to casualty, all of
the Equipment, and make or cause to be made all appropriate repairs, renewals
and replacements thereof, as quickly as practicable after the occurrence of any
loss or damage thereto which are necessary or desirable to such end; and

     (c) Comply with the terms of the Credit Agreement with respect to such
Equipment and Inventory, including, without limitation, the maintenance and
insurance provisions set forth in Section 6.2(E), (G) and (I) of the Credit
Agreement.

     SECTION 11. Accounts. Grantor covenants and agrees with Agent that from and
after the date of this Agreement and until termination of this Agreement,
including pursuant to Section 25, Grantor shall:


     (a) Keep its chief place of business and chief executive office and the
office where it keeps its records concerning the Accounts at its address set
forth below the Grantor's signature on the Credit Agreement, and keep the
offices where it keeps all originals of all chattel paper which evidence
Accounts at the locations therefor specified in Section 5(a) or, upon thirty
(30) days' prior written notice to Agent, at such other locations within the
United States in a jurisdiction where all actions required by Section 6 shall
have been taken with respect to the Accounts. Grantor will hold and preserve
such records (in accordance


                                       -7-
<PAGE>
 
with Grantor's usual document retention practices) and chattel paper and will
permit representatives of Agent, during normal business hours and on reasonable
notice, to inspect and make abstracts from such records and chattel paper in
accordance with the provisions of Section 6.3(F) of the Credit Agreement; and

     (b) In any suit, proceeding or action brought by Agent under any Account
comprising part of the Collateral, Grantor will save, indemnify and keep each of
the Holders of Secured Obligations harmless from and against all reasonable and
documented expenses, loss or damage suffered by reason of any defense, setoff,
counterclaim, recoupment or reduction of liability whatsoever of the obligor
thereunder, arising out of a breach by Grantor of any obligation or arising out
of any other agreement, indebtedness or liability at any time owing to or in
favor of such Holder of Secured Obligations from Grantor, and all such
obligations of Grantor shall be and shall remain enforceable against and only
against Grantor and shall not be enforceable against any of the Holders of
Secured Obligations.

     (c) When Grantor or any of its Subsidiaries (or any Affiliates,
shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents or those Persons acting for
or in concert with Grantor or a Subsidiary of Grantor) shall receive or come
into the possession or control of any monies, checks, notes, drafts or any other
payment relating to, or proceeds of, Grantor's Accounts or other property
constituting Collateral hereunder (individually, a "Payment Item", and,
collectively, "Payment Items"), then, except as otherwise permitted in a writing
signed by Agent, Grantor shall, or shall cause such Subsidiary or such other
Person to, deposit the same, in kind in precisely the form in which such Payment
Item was received (with all Payment Items endorsed if necessary for collection)
into a Restricted Account except as permitted by the Credit Agreement. The
Grantor further agrees that it will not, during the term of this Agreement,
without the written consent of the Agent, transfer any funds from a Restricted
Account to any deposit account that is not a Restricted Account or other deposit
account permitted by the Credit Agreement.

     SECTION 12. Leased Real Property. Grantor covenants and agrees with Agent
that from and after the date of this Agreement and until termination of this
Agreement, including pursuant to Section 25, that:

     (a) Promptly following, but not later than ninety (90) days after entering
into any leases meeting the criteria set forth in Section 6(vi), Grantor will
furnish to Agent a report certified to be true and correct by Grantor setting
forth a description of the leased premises related thereto; the name or names of
all owners; rentals being paid; and whether Grantor has obtained waivers of
Liens and access agreements from landlords and mortgagees with respect to such
premises in accordance with Section 6;

     (b) Grantor agrees that, from and after the occurrence and continuance of a
Designated Default, Agent may, but need not, make any payment or perform any act
hereinbefore required of Grantor with respect to the Grantor's leased premises
in any form and manner deemed expedient. All money paid for any of the purposes
herein authorized and all other moneys advanced by Agent to protect the lien
hereof shall be additional Secured Obligations secured hereby and shall become
immediately due and payable without notice and shall bear interest thereon at
the then applicable default interest rate with respect to Floating Rate Loans as
provided in Section 2.11 of the Credit Agreement until paid to Agent in full;
and

     (c) Grantor agrees that it will not amend any lease in a manner that
materially adversely affects the interests of the Holders of Secured Obligations
without the Agent's prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld).


                                       -8-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 13. General Covenants. Grantor covenants and agrees with Agent that
from and after the date of this Agreement and until termination of this
Agreement, including pursuant to Section 25, Grantor shall:

     (a) Keep and maintain at Grantor's own cost and expense reasonably
satisfactory and reasonably complete records of Grantor's Collateral in a manner
consistent with Grantor's current business practice, including, without
limitation, a record of all payments received and all credits granted with
respect to such Collateral. Grantor shall, for Agent's further security, deliver
and turn over to Agent or Agent's designated representatives at any time
following the occurrence and during the continuation of a Designated Default,
any such books and records (including, without limitation, any and all computer
tapes, programs and source and object codes relating to such Collateral in which
Grantor has an interest or any part or parts thereof); and

     (b) Grantor will not create, permit or suffer to exist, and will defend the
Collateral against, and take such other action as is necessary to remove, any
Lien on such Collateral other than Liens permitted under the Credit Agreement,
and will defend the right, title and interest of Agent in and to Grantor's
rights to such Collateral, including, without limitation, the proceeds and
products thereof, against the claims and demands of all Persons whatsoever.

     (c) Grantor will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
create or otherwise become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction
of any kind on or in respect of (i) any license agreement to which Grantor is a
licensee, (ii) the Management Notes or (iii) the Embroidery Affiliate Notes.

     SECTION 14. Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact. Upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of a Designated Default, Grantor hereby irrevocably
appoints Agent as Grantor's attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place
and stead of Grantor and in the name of Grantor or otherwise, from time to time
in Agent's discretion, to take any action and to execute any instrument which
Agent may reasonably deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of
this Agreement, including, without limitation, (a) following the occurrence and
during the continuance of a Designated Default, to:

          (i) obtain and adjust insurance required to be paid to the Agent or
     any Holders of Secured Obligations pursuant to the Credit Agreement;

          (ii) ask, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compromise, receive and
     give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or in
     respect of any of the Collateral;

          (iii) receive, endorse, and collect any drafts or other instruments,
     documents and chattel paper, in connection with clause (i) or (ii) above;
     and

          (iv) file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings
     which Agent may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of any of
     the Collateral, or otherwise to enforce the rights of Agent with respect to
     any of the Collateral;

provided, however, that the Grantor irrevocably appoints Agent as Grantor's
attorney-in-fact, with full authority in place and stead of Grantor and in the
name of the Grantor or otherwise, from time to time in

                                       -9-
<PAGE>
 
Agent's discretion, at any time, to take any reasonable action and to execute
any instrument which the Agent may reasonably deem necessary or advisable, to:

          (i) obtain access to records maintained for Grantor by computer
     services companies and other service companies or bureaus;

          (ii) send requests under Grantor's, the Agent's or a fictitious name
     to Grantor's customers or account debtors for verification of Accounts
     provided that the Agent gives the Grantor written notice prior to
     initiating any such verifications; and

          (iii) do all other things consistent with the terms of this Agreement
     as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the terms hereof.

     SECTION 15. Agent May Perform. If Grantor fails to perform any agreement
contained herein or in the Credit Agreement, Agent may, upon three days prior
written notice to the Grantor, perform, or cause performance of, such agreement,
and the reasonable and documented expenses of Agent incurred in connection
therewith shall be payable by Grantor under Section 22.

     SECTION 16. Agent's Duties. The powers conferred on Agent hereunder are
solely to protect its interest in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty
upon it to exercise any such powers. Except for the safe custody of any
Collateral in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by
it hereunder, Agent shall not have any duty as to any Collateral. Agent shall be
deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the
Collateral in its possession if the Collateral is accorded treatment
substantially equal to that which Agent accords its own property, it being
understood that Agent shall be under no obligation to take any necessary steps
to preserve rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any
Collateral, but may do so at its option, and all reasonable expenses incurred in
connection therewith shall be for the sole account of Grantor and shall be added
to the Secured Obligations.

     SECTION 17. Remedies. (a) If any Designated Default shall have occurred and
be continuing:

     (i) Agent shall have, in addition to other rights and remedies provided for
herein or otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies of a secured
party upon default under the UCC (whether or not the UCC applies to the affected
Collateral) and further, Agent may, without notice, demand or legal process of
any kind (except as may be required by law), all of which Grantor waives, at any
time or times, (x) enter Grantor's owned or leased premises and take physical
possession of the Collateral and maintain such possession on Grantor's owned or
leased premises, at no cost to Agent or any of the Holders of Secured
Obligations, or remove the Collateral, or any part thereof, to such other
place(s) as Agent may desire, (y) require Grantor to, and Grantor hereby agrees
that it will at its expense and upon request of Agent forthwith, assemble all or
any part of the Collateral as directed by Agent and make it available to Agent
at a place to be designated by Agent which is reasonably convenient to Agent and
(z) without notice except as specified below, sell, lease, assign, grant an
option or options to purchase or otherwise dispose of the Collateral or any part
thereof at public or private sale, at any exchange, broker's board or at any of
the offices of Agent or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery,
and upon such other terms as Agent may deem commercially reasonable. Grantor
agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at least ten
(10) days' notice to Grantor of the time and place of any public sale or the
time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable
notification. Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral
regardless of notice of sale having been given. Agent may adjourn any public or


                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed
therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and
place to which it was so adjourned;

     (ii) Agent shall apply all cash proceeds received by Agent in respect of
any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the
Collateral (after payment of any amounts payable to Agent pursuant to Section
22), for the benefit of the Holders of Secured Obligations, against all or any
part of the Secured Obligations in such order as may be required by the Credit
Agreement or, to the extent not specified therein, as is determined by the
Required Lenders. Any surplus of such cash or cash proceeds held by Agent and
remaining after payment in full of all the Secured Obligations shall be paid
over to Grantor or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such
surplus;

     (b) Grantor waives all claims, damages and demands against Agent arising
out of the repossession, retention or sale of any of the Collateral or any part
or parts thereof, except any such claims, damages and awards arising out of the
Gross Negligence or willful misconduct of Agent or any of the Holders of Secured
Obligations, as the case may be, as determined in a final non-appealed judgment
of a court of competent jurisdiction; and

     (c) The rights and remedies provided under this Agreement are cumulative
and may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any rights
and remedies provided by law or equity.

     SECTION 18. Exercise of Remedies. In connection with the exercise of its
remedies pursuant to Section 17, Agent may, (i) exchange, enforce, waive or
release any portion of the Collateral and any other security for the Secured
Obligations; (ii) apply such Collateral or security and direct the order or
manner of sale thereof as Agent may, from time to time, determine; and (iii)
settle, compromise, collect or otherwise liquidate any such Collateral or
security in any manner following the occurrence of a Designated Default, without
affecting or impairing Agent's right to take any other further action with
respect to any Collateral or security or any part thereof.

     SECTION 19. License. Agent is hereby granted a license or other right to
use, following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Designated
Default, without charge, (a) Grantor's labels, patents, copyrights, trade
secrets, trade names, trademarks, service marks, customer lists and advertising
matter, or any property of a similar nature, as it pertains to the Collateral,
in completing production of, advertising for sale, and selling any Collateral,
provided that Agent uses quality standards at least substantially equivalent to
those of Grantor for the manufacture, advertising, sale and distribution of
Grantor's products and services and (b) Grantor's rights under all licenses
where Grantor is licensor, except to the extent such licenses by their terms
prohibit the granting of such rights, and all franchise agreements shall inure
to Agent's benefit. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in
this Agreement or any other Loan Document, license agreements under which
Grantor is licensee shall be excluded from the Collateral.

     SECTION 20. Injunctive Relief. Grantor recognizes that in the event Grantor
fails to perform, observe or discharge any of its obligations or liabilities
under this Agreement, any remedy of law may prove to be inadequate relief to the
Holders of Secured Obligations; therefore, Grantor agrees that the Holders of
Secured Obligations, if Agent so determines and requests, shall be entitled to
temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case without the necessity
of proving actual damages.

     SECTION 21. Interpretation and Inconsistencies; Merger; No Strict
Construction.


                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
     (a) The rights and duties created by this Agreement shall, in all cases, be
interpreted consistently with, and shall be in addition to (and not in lieu of),
the rights and duties created by the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be
inconsistent with any provision of any other Loan Document, such provision of
the other Loan Document shall govern.

     (b) Except as provided in subsection (a) above, this Agreement represents
the final agreement of the Grantor and the Agent with respect to the matters
contained herein and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior or
contemporaneous agreements, or subsequent oral agreements, between the Grantor
and the Agent or any other Holder of Secured Obligations.

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

     SECTION 22. Expenses. Grantor will upon demand pay to Agent and/or the
Holders of Secured Obligations the amount of any and all reasonable and
documented expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of their
counsel and of any experts and agents, as provided in Section 9.7 of the Credit
Agreement.

     SECTION 23. Amendments, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision of
this Agreement nor consent to any departure by Grantor herefrom shall in any
event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Agent and
Grantor, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

     SECTION 24. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for
hereunder shall be delivered in the manner set forth in Section 13.1 of the
Credit Agreement.

     SECTION 25. Continuing Security Interest; Termination. (a) Except as
provided in Section 25(b), this Agreement shall create a continuing security
interest in the Collateral and shall (i) remain in full force and effect until
the later of the payment or satisfaction in full of the Secured Obligations
(other than contingent indemnity obligations) and the termination of the Credit
Agreement, (ii) be binding upon Grantor, its successors and assigns and (iii)
except to the extent that the rights of any transferor, or assignor are limited
by the terms of the Credit Agreement, inure, together with the rights and
remedies of Agent hereunder, to the benefit of Agent and any of the Holders of
Secured Obligations. Nothing set forth herein or in any other Loan Document is
intended or shall be construed to give any other Person any right, remedy or
claim under, to or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or
any Collateral. Grantor's successors and assigns shall include, without
limitation, a receiver, trustee or debtor-in-possession thereof or therefor.

     (b) Upon the payment in full in cash of the Secured Obligations (other than
contingent indemnity obligations) and the termination of the Credit Agreement,
this Agreement and the security interest granted hereby shall automatically
terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to Grantor. Upon any
such termination of security interest, Grantor shall be entitled to the return,
upon its request and at its expense, of such of the Collateral held by Agent as
shall not have been sold or otherwise applied pursuant to the terms hereof and
Agent will, at Grantor's expense, promptly execute and deliver to Grantor such
other documents as Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such
termination. In connection with any sales of assets permitted under the Credit
Agreement, the liens and security interests granted under this


                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
Agreement will automatically release and terminate with respect to such assets
and the Agent shall promptly make all filings necessary to reflect such release
and termination.

     SECTION 26. Severability. It is the parties' intention that this Agreement
be interpreted in such a way that it is valid and effective under applicable
law. However, if one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall for any
reason be found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this
Agreement shall be unimpaired.

     SECTION 27. GOVERNING LAW. THE AGENT ACCEPTS THIS AGREEMENT, ON BEHALF OF
ITSELF AND THE LENDERS, AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS BY ACKNOWLEDGING AND AGREEING TO IT
THERE. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND INTERPRETED AND ENFORCED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS (WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW
PROVISIONS) OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, ANY
DISPUTE BETWEEN THE GRANTOR AND THE AGENT, ANY LENDER, OR ANY OTHER HOLDER OF
SECURED OBLIGATIONS ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO
THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THEM IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT,
AND WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY, OR OTHERWISE, SHALL BE RESOLVED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS (WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS
PROVISIONS) OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

     SECTION 28. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS; JURY TRIAL.

     (A) EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (B), EACH OF
THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT ALL DISPUTES BETWEEN THEM ARISING OUT OF,
CONNECTED WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED
BETWEEN THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT,
TORT, EQUITY, OR OTHERWISE, SHALL BE RESOLVED EXCLUSIVELY BY STATE OR FEDERAL
COURTS LOCATED IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, BUT THE PARTIES HERETO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANY
APPEALS FROM THOSE COURTS MAY HAVE TO BE HEARD BY A COURT LOCATED OUTSIDE OF
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

     (B) OTHER JURISDICTIONS. GRANTOR AGREES THAT THE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ANY
HOLDER OF SECURED OBLIGATIONS SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROCEED AGAINST GRANTOR OR
ITS PROPERTY IN A COURT IN ANY LOCATION TO ENABLE SUCH PERSON TO (1) OBTAIN
PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE GRANTOR OR (2) REALIZE ON THE COLLATERAL OR ANY
OTHER SECURITY FOR THE OBLIGATIONS OR TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER
ENTERED IN FAVOR OF SUCH PERSON. GRANTOR AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT ANY
PERMISSIVE COUNTERCLAIMS IN ANY PROCEEDING BROUGHT BY SUCH PERSON TO REALIZE ON
THE COLLATERAL OR ANY OTHER SECURITY FOR THE OBLIGATIONS OR TO ENFORCE A
JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER IN FAVOR OF SUCH PERSON.

     (C) SERVICE OF PROCESS. GRANTOR WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY PROCESS UPON
IT AND, AS ADDITIONAL SECURITY FOR THE OBLIGATIONS, IRREVOCABLY APPOINTS THE
CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY, THE GRANTOR'S REGISTERED AGENT, WHOSE ADDRESS IS
CORPORATION TRUST CENTER 1209 ORANGE STREET, WILMINGTON,


                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
DELAWARE 19801, AS GRANTOR'S AGENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACCEPTING SERVICE OF
PROCESS ISSUED BY ANY COURT. GRANTOR IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION
(INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION OF THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON
THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS) WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE
BRINGING OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION
HEREWITH IN ANY JURISDICTION SET FORTH ABOVE AND EACH OF THE OTHER PARTIES
HERETO WAIVES IN ALL DISPUTES BROUGHT PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (A) ANY OBJECTION
THAT IT MAY HAVE TO THE LOCATION OF THE COURT CONSIDERING THE DISPUTE.

     (D) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY
RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN
CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED TO OR
INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED
IN CONNECTION HEREWITH. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO 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 HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A
COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE
PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

     (E) WAIVER OF BOND. GRANTOR WAIVES THE POSTING OF ANY BOND OTHERWISE
REQUIRED OF ANY PARTY HERETO IN CONNECTION WITH ANY JUDICIAL PROCESS OR
PROCEEDING TO REALIZE ON THE COLLATERAL (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE REAL
PROPERTY COLLATERAL) OR ANY OTHER SECURITY FOR THE SECURED OBLIGATIONS OR TO
ENFORCE ANY JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER ENTERED IN FAVOR OF SUCH PARTY, OR TO
ENFORCE BY SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE, TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER, PRELIMINARY OR
PERMANENT INJUNCTION, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT.

     (F) ADVICE OF COUNSEL. EACH OF THE PARTIES REPRESENTS TO EACH OTHER PARTY
HERETO THAT IT HAS DISCUSSED THIS AGREEMENT AND, SPECIFICALLY, THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS SECTION 28, WITH ITS COUNSEL.



                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantor has caused this Agreement to be duly executed
and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first
above written.


                                     GFSI, INC.


                                     By: /s/  Illegible
                                        ---------------------------------
                                     Name:
                                     Title:



                                     THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                                       as AGENT


                                     By: /s/  Illegible
                                        ---------------------------------
                                     Name:
                                     Title:


                      Signature Page to Security Agreement
                             dated February 27, 1997
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A-1
                                       To
                               Security Agreement


                           Form of Landlord Agreement
                           --------------------------



The First National Bank
     of Chicago, as Agent
One First National Plaza
Suite 0173
Chicago, Illinois 60670-0173
Attention:  Nathan L. Bloch

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Borrower"), as successor by merger in
interest to Winning Ways, Inc., a Missouri corporation (the "Original Lessee"),
is the lessee under that certain lease dated ___________________ between the
Original Lessee, and the undersigned, covering certain premises owned by the
undersigned and located at _________________ (the "Premises") more fully
described in the lease attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Lease"). Borrower has
certain of its assets located on the Premises.

     Borrower has entered into certain financing arrangements with a group of
lenders ("Lenders") including The First National Bank of Chicago, as contractual
representative for the Lenders (the "Agent") and the Agent and the Lenders
require, among other things, that Borrower grant liens in favor of the Agent for
the benefit of itself and the Lenders on all of Borrower's property located on
the Premises ("Collateral") [and that the Borrower grant a mortgage ("Leasehold
Mortgage") in favor of the Agent covering the Borrower's leasehold estate
created under the Lease].

     [To induce the Agent and the Lenders (together with their respective
agents, successors and assigns) to enter into said financing arrangements, [and
for other good and valuable consideration,] the undersigned hereby agrees] [By
its signature below, the undersigned agrees] that:

          [(i) the undersigned has consented to the assignment (by operation of
     merger) of the Lease from the Original Lessee to the Borrower;]

          (ii) the Lease is in full force and effect in the form attached hereto
     as Exhibit A and represents the full and complete agreement between
     Borrower and the undersigned concerning the Premises [and the Lease shall
     not be amended or modified in any material respect without Agent's prior
     written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld];

          (iii) it will not assert against any of Borrower's assets any
     statutory or possessory liens, including, without limitation, rights of
     levy or distraint for rent, all of which it hereby waives [and hereby
     subordinates to the lien of the Leasehold Mortgage];

          (iv) none of the Collateral located on the Premises shall be deemed to
     be fixtures;
<PAGE>
 
          (v) it will allow Agent thirty (30) days from the Agent's receipt of
     notice in which to cure or cause Borrower to cure any defaults on
     Borrower's lease obligations to the undersigned; provided if such default
     cannot reasonably be cured within the thirty (30) day period, and provided
     the Agent is diligently pursuing a cure, then Agent shall have a reasonable
     period to cure such default;

          [(vi) if, for any reason whatsoever, the undersigned either deems
     itself entitled to redeem or to take possession of the Premises during the
     term of Borrower's lease or intends to sell or otherwise transfer all or
     any part of its interest in the Premises, the undersigned will notify Agent
     five (5) days before taking such action;]

          (vii) if Borrower defaults on its obligations to the Agent or any
     Lender and, as a result, the Agent undertakes to enforce its security
     interest in the Collateral, the undersigned will cooperate with the Agent
     in its efforts to assemble all of the Collateral located on the Premises,
     will permit Agent to remain on the Premises for ninety (90) days after the
     Agent gives the undersigned notice of default, provided Agent pays the
     rental payments due under the Lease for the period of time Agent uses the
     Premises, or, at Agent's option, to remove the Collateral from the Premises
     within a reasonable time, not to exceed ninety (90) days after the Agent
     gives the undersigned notice of default, provided Agent pays the rental
     payments due under the Lease for the period of time Agent uses the
     Premises, and will not hinder Agent's actions in enforcing its liens on the
     Collateral;

          (viii) the undersigned shall accept performance by the Agent of the
     Borrower's obligations under the Lease as though the same had been
     performed by the holder of the Borrower's interest therein at the time of
     such performance. Upon the cure of any such default, any notice of Landlord
     advising of any default or any action of the undersigned to terminate the
     Lease or to interfere with the occupancy, use or enjoyment of the Premises
     by reason thereof, which action has not been completed, shall be deemed
     rescinded and the Lease shall continue in full force and effect. The
     undersigned shall not be required to continue any possession or continue
     any action to obtain possession upon the cure of any such default;

          [(ix) if Borrower defaults on its obligations to the Lenders and the
     Agent undertakes to enforce its security interest in the Collateral [and/or
     to foreclose on Borrower's leasehold estate pursuant to the Leasehold
     Mortgage], the Agent may, at its option and by written notice to the
     undersigned, (1) lease the Premises from the undersigned on the same terms
     as set forth in the Lease and exercise the other rights as lessee
     thereunder as described therein and/or (2) assign the Lease and/or the
     attornment rights hereunder to, or enter into a sublease with, a purchaser
     of the Collateral which purchaser is reasonably acceptable to the
     undersigned, and the undersigned shall cooperate with any such enforcement
     action or foreclosure and consent to the assumption of the Lease, the
     sublet of the Premises or foreclosure sale of the leasehold estate]; and

          [(x) in the event that Borrower shall become a debtor under the
     Federal Bankruptcy Code (or any similar state law proceeding) and, in
     connection therewith, Borrower shall reject the Lease as an executory
     contract, then within thirty (30) days following such rejection, upon the
     written request by the Agent, the undersigned shall enter into a new lease
     of the Premises with the Agent or its designee (who shall be reasonably
     acceptable to the
<PAGE>
 
     undersigned), for the benefit of the Lenders which new lease (1) shall be
     effective as of the date of the termination of the Lease, (2) shall be for
     a term expiring as of the last day of the term of the Lease, and (3) shall
     be on substantially the same terms and conditions as the Lease (including
     any provisions for renewal or extension of the term of the Lease); provided
     that the Lender or such designee, as the case may be, shall be required, as
     a condition to the effectiveness of such new lease, to pay the Lessor any
     amount equal to any rent remaining unpaid by Borrower under the Lease.]

     Any notice(s) required or desired to be given hereunder shall be directed
to the party to be notified at the address stated herein.

     The agreements contained herein shall continue in force until all of
Borrower's obligations and liabilities to the Agent and the Lenders are paid and
satisfied in full and all financing arrangements among the Agent, the Lenders
and Borrower have been terminated.

     The undersigned will notify all successor owners, transferees, purchasers
and mortgagees of the existence of this waiver. The agreements contained herein
may not be modified or terminated orally and shall be binding upon the
successors, assigns and personal representatives of the undersigned, upon any
successor owner or transferee of the Premises, and upon any purchasers,
including any mortgagee, from the undersigned.

     [The undersigned consents to the granting of the Leasehold Mortgage to the
Agent and to the liens, security interests and encumbrances created by and
resulting from the Leasehold Mortgage or other documents collateral thereto in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.]

     The undersigned agrees that nothing contained in this waiver shall be
construed as an assumption by the Agent or any of the other lenders of any
obligations of Borrower contained in the Lease.

     Executed and delivered this _____ day of __________ , 199_, at
____________________ .

     THIS WAIVER SHALL NOT IMPAIR OR OTHERWISE AFFECT BORROWER'S OBLIGATIONS TO
PAY RENT AND ANY OTHER SUMS PAYABLE BY BORROWER OR TO OTHERWISE PERFORM ITS
OBLIGATIONS TO THE LESSOR PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE LEASE.

                                           [Name of Lessor]



                                     By:__________________________
                                     Title:_______________________

                                     Address:

                                             _____________________
                                             _____________________
                                             _____________________
<PAGE>
 
AGREED & ACKNOWLEDGED:

GFSI, INC.



By: _____________________________
Title: __________________________

Address: ________________________
         ________________________
<PAGE>
 
                           [ACKNOWLEDGMENT (CORPORATE)


STATE OF                            )
                                    )  SS.
COUNTY OF                           )


     Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County, personally appeared
__________ , a __________ corporation, by the __________ of such corporation,
who acknowledged that (s)he did sign the foregoing instrument on behalf of said
corporation and that said instrument is the voluntary act and deed of said
corporation and his/her voluntary act and deed as such officer of said
corporation.

     IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my
official seal this __________ day of __________ , 199_ at ____________ ,
___________________ .




                                             __________________________________

                                             Notary Public
                                             My Commission Expires:]


(Notarial Seal)
<PAGE>
 
                           [ACKNOWLEDGMENT (CORPORATE)


STATE OF                            )
                                    )  SS.
COUNTY OF                           )


     Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County, personally appeared
GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation, by the __________ of such corporation, who
acknowledged that (s)he did sign the foregoing instrument on behalf of said
corporation and that said instrument is the voluntary act and deed of said
corporation and his/her voluntary act and deed as such officer of said
corporation.

     IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my
official seal this __________ day of __________ , 199_ at ____________ ,
___________________ .




                                             __________________________________

                                             Notary Public
                                             My Commission Expires:]


(Notarial Seal)
<PAGE>
 
                                    EXHIBIT A
                                       to
                               Landlord Agreement


                                      Lease


                                (attached hereto)
<PAGE>
 
                                   [EXHIBIT B
                                       to
                               Landlord Agreement


                               Leasehold Mortgage


                               (attached hereto)]
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A-2
                                       To
                               Security Agreement


                           Form of Mortgagee Agreement



The First National Bank
     of Chicago, as Agent
One First National Plaza
Suite 0173
Chicago, Illinois 60670-0173
Attention:  Nathan L. Bloch

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Borrower"), as successor by merger in
interest to Winning Ways, Inc., a [__________] corporation (the "Original
Lessee"), is the lessee under that certain lease dated between the Original
Lessee, and ____________________ (the "Landlord[s]"), covering certain premises
located at _________________ (the "Premises") as more fully described on Exhibit
A 1 attached hereto (the "Lease"). The undersigned is the mortgagee under a
mortgage between the Landlord[s] and the undersigned covering the Premises (the
"Mortgage"). The undersigned is the sole mortgagee of the Premises. Borrower has
certain of its assets located on the Premises.

     Borrower has entered into certain financing arrangements with a group of
lenders ("Lenders") including The First National Bank of Chicago, as contractual
representative for the Lenders (the "Agent") and the Agent and the Lenders
require, among other things, that Borrower grant liens in favor of the Agent for
the benefit of itself and the Lenders on all of Borrower's property located on
the Premises ("Collateral") [and that the Borrower grant a mortgage ("Leasehold
Mortgage") in favor of the Agent covering the Borrower's leasehold estate
created under the Lease].

     [To induce the Agent and the Lenders (together with their respective
agents, successors and assigns) to enter into said financing arrangements, and
for other good and valuable consideration, the undersigned hereby agrees] [By
its signature below, the undersigned agrees] that:

          [(i) it consents to the merger referred to in the first paragraph
     hereof and agrees that such merger shall not in any way be deemed to be a
     default under the Mortgage;]

          (ii) it will not assert against any of the Collateral any statutory or
     possessory liens, including, without limitation, rights of levy or
     distraint for rent, all of which it hereby waives;

          (iii) none of the Collateral located on the Premises shall be deemed
     to be fixtures;

          (iv) it will allow Agent thirty (30) days from the Agent's receipt of
     notice in which to cure or cause Borrower to cure any such defaults on its
     mortgage obligations; provided

- --------
1 Please attach legal description of premises for recordation purposes.
<PAGE>
 
     if such default cannot reasonably be cured within the thirty (30) day
     period, and provided the Agent is diligently pursuing a cure, then Agent
     shall have a reasonable period to cure such default;

          [(v) if, for any reason whatsoever, the undersigned either deems
     itself entitled to take possession of the Premises during the term of the
     Mortgage or intends to sell or otherwise transfer all or any part of its
     interest in the Premises, the undersigned will notify Agent five (5) days
     before taking such action;]

          (vi) if Borrower defaults on its obligations to the Agent or any
     Lender and, as a result, the Agent undertakes to enforce its security
     interest in the Collateral, the undersigned will cooperate with the Agent
     in its efforts to assemble all of the Collateral located on the Premises,
     will permit Agent to remain on the Premises for ninety (90) days after
     Agent gives the undersigned notice of default, provided Agent pays the
     Lease payments to the Landlord[s] due under the Lease for the period of
     time Agent uses the Premises, or, at Agent's option, to remove the
     Collateral from the Premises within a reasonable time, not to exceed ninety
     (90) days after Agent gives the undersigned notice of default, provided
     Agent pays the rental payments to the Landlord[s] due under the Lease for
     the period of time Agent uses the Premises, and will not hinder Agent's
     actions in enforcing its liens on the Collateral; and

     Any notice(s) required or desired to be given hereunder shall be directed
to the party to be notified at the address stated herein.

     The agreements contained herein shall continue in force until all of
Borrower's obligations and liabilities to the Agent and the Lenders are paid and
satisfied in full and all financing arrangements among the Agent, the Lenders
and Borrower have been terminated.

     The undersigned will notify all successor owners, transferees, purchasers
and mortgagees of the existence of this waiver. The agreements contained herein
may not be modified or terminated orally and shall be binding upon the
successors, assigns and personal representatives of the undersigned, upon any
successor owner or transferee of the Premises, and upon any purchasers,
including any mortgagee, from the undersigned.

     [The undersigned consents to the granting of the Leasehold Mortgage to the
Agent and to the liens, security interests and encumbrances created by and
resulting from the Leasehold Mortgage or other documents collateral thereto in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.]

     The undersigned agrees that nothing contained in this waiver shall be
construed as an assumption by the agent or any of the other lenders of any
obligations of the landlord contained in the mortgage.

     Executed and delivered this ____ day of __________ , 199_, at __________ .

     THIS WAIVER SHALL NOT IMPAIR OR OTHERWISE AFFECT BORROWER'S OBLIGATIONS TO
PAY RENT AND ANY OTHER SUMS PAYABLE BY BORROWER OR TO OTHERWISE PERFORM ITS
OBLIGATIONS TO THE LANDLORD PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE LEASE.
<PAGE>
 
                                                  [Name of Mortgagee]



                                                  By:__________________________
                                                  Title:_______________________

                                                  Address:

                                                          _____________________
                                                          _____________________
                                                          _____________________


AGREED & ACKNOWLEDGED:

GFSI, INC.



By:___________________
Title:________________

Address:  ________________________
          ________________________
<PAGE>
 
[STATE OF ________  )
                    )  SS
COUNTY OF ________  )

     The foregoing letter agreement was acknowledged before me this ___ day of
_____________, 199_, by _____________________, a _______________ of
__________________, a ____________________, on behalf of such
__________________.





                                   ______________________________
                                   Notary Public
                                   ________ County, _____________
                                   My commission expires:_______]
                        
<PAGE>
 
                                    EXHIBIT A
                                       to
                               Mortgagee Agreement


                                      Lease


                                (attached hereto)
<PAGE>
 
                                   [EXHIBIT B
                                       to
                               Mortgagee Agreement


                               Leasehold Mortgage


                               (attached hereto)]
<PAGE>
 
                                    EXHIBIT B
                                       TO
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT


                              Form of Bailee Letter



The First National Bank
  of Chicago, as Agent
One First National Plaza
Suite 0173
Chicago, Illinois 60670-0173
Attention:  Nathan L. Bloch

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the successor by merger to Winning
Ways, Inc., a [____________] corporation ("Borrower"), now does or hereafter may
store certain of its merchandise, inventory, or other of its personal property
at premises located at _______________ (the "Premises") owned or leased by the
undersigned.

     Borrower has entered into certain financing arrangements with a group of
lenders (the "Lenders") including The First National Bank of Chicago, as
contractual representative for the Lenders (the "Agent") and the Agent and the
Lenders require, among other things, that Borrower grant liens in favor of the
Agent for the benefit of itself and the Lenders on all of Borrower's property
located on the Premises ("Collateral").

     [To induce the Agent and the Lenders (together with their respective
agents, successors and assigns) to enter into said financing arrangements, [and
for other good and valuable consideration,] the undersigned hereby agrees] [By
its signature below, the undersigned agrees] that:

          (i) it will not assert against any of Borrower's assets any statutory
     or possessory liens, including, without limitation, rights of levy or
     distraint for rent, all of which it hereby waives;

          (ii) the Collateral shall be identifiable as being owned by Borrower
     and kept reasonably separate and distinct from other property in our
     possession;

          (iii) if Borrower defaults on its obligations to the Lenders or the
     Agent and, as a result, the Agent undertakes to enforce its security
     interest in the Collateral, the undersigned will cooperate with the Agent
     in its efforts to assemble all of the Collateral located on the Premises
     and will permit the Agent to either remain on the Premises for ninety (90)
     days after the Agent gives the undersigned notice of default or, at the
     Agent's option, to remove the Collateral from the Premises within a
     reasonable time, not to exceed ninety (90) days after the Agent gives the
     undersigned notice of default, provided that the Agent leaves the Premises
     in the same condition as existed immediately prior to such ninety (90) day
     period, and shall indemnify the undersigned for any damages arising
<PAGE>
 
     solely out of its occupancy of the Premises, and this will not hinder the
     Agent's actions in enforcing its liens on the Collateral.

     Any notice(s) required or desired to be given hereunder shall be directed
to the party to be notified at the address stated herein.

     The agreements contained herein shall continue in force until all of
Borrower's obligations and liabilities to the Agent and Lenders are paid and
satisfied in full and all financing arrangements among the Agent, the Lenders
and Borrower have been terminated.

     The undersigned will notify all successor owners, transferees, purchasers
and mortgagees of the existence of this agreement. The agreements contained
herein may not be modified or terminated orally and shall be binding upon the
successors, assigns and personal representatives of the undersigned, upon any
successor owner or transferee of any of the Premises, and upon any purchasers,
including any mortgagee, from the undersigned.

     Executed and delivered this ____ day of __________, 199_, at
_______________________.



                         [Name and Address of Warehouseman/Bailee/Consignee]



                         (By)_______________________
<PAGE>
 
                                    EXHIBIT C
                                       To
                               Security Agreement


                      Form of Restricted Account Agreement



TO:      The First National Bank of Chicago
         as contractual representative (the "Agent")
         under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of
         February 27, 1997 (the "Credit Agreement"),
         among GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation
         (the "Borrower"), the Agent and those financial
         institutions from time to time parties thereto
         (the "Holders of Secured Obligations").

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     You have advised us that the Borrower has entered or will enter into the
Credit Agreement and that in connection therewith the Borrower has granted to
the Agent, for its benefit and the benefit of the Holders of Secured
Obligations, a lien on and security interest in substantially all of the assets
of the Borrower, including all of the accounts receivable and inventory of the
Borrower.

     This will confirm that the Borrower and the undersigned collection bank
(the "Bank") have agreed as follows with respect to (i) the account[s]
identified on Schedule 1 attached hereto (the "Account[s]") [and (ii) the lock
box[es] identified on Schedule 2 attached hereto, to which the Borrower's
customers and other persons and entities obligated to the Borrower deliver
checks and other items of payment (said [lock box is] [lock boxes are]
hereinafter referred to [collectively] as the "Lock Box[es]")]:

     1. The Borrower and the Bank acknowledge and confirm that although the
Account[s] [and Lock Box[es]] shall remain in the name of the Borrower, all
funds now or at any time hereafter deposited to the Account[s] [and Lock
Box[es]] and all of the Borrower's rights regarding such Account[s] [and Lock
Box[es]] constitute part of the collateral in which the Borrower has granted a
security interest to the Agent, to secure the Borrower's obligations under the
Credit Agreement and the other instruments, documents and agreements executed in
connection therewith, and that during a "Notification Period" (as defined
below), the Bank shall not be permitted to follow the Borrower's directions as
to disbursements and deposits with respect thereto. [The Bank's authorized
representatives will have access to the Lock Box[es], under the authority given
by the Borrower to the appropriate Post Office, and will make regular pick-ups
from the Lock Box[es] timed to gain the maximum benefit of early presentation
and availability of funds. Upon the Bank's receipt thereof, checks and other
items of payment so received will be processed and, where possible, started on
their way through the regular channels for payment upon receipt by the Bank.
Subject to final collection, credit for such items will be given in total on the
Bank's books relating to the [appropriate] Account. The Bank will supply the
Borrower's endorsement on checks received by it by endorsing them "Credited to
the account of the
<PAGE>
 
within payee" and will present them for payment through the customary collection
procedures and subject to the terms of the Bank's by-laws covering the handling
of items deposited with it.] 2

     2. The Bank will not exercise, and hereby releases, any banker's lien upon
and any right of set off against checks or other items of payment [remitted to
the Lock Box[es]] and/or deposited in the Account[s], except (i) with respect to
the Bank's normal fees and charges for operating the Account[s] and (ii) for
amounts previously credited to Borrower's Account[s] which the Bank subsequently
determines are uncollectible items. Checks returned unpaid because of
uncollected or insufficient funds shall be redeposited without advice.

     3. From and after the date on which the Agent notifies the Bank, in
writing, that it is exercising its rights under this Collection Account
Agreement (the "Notice") until the date on which the Agent notifies the Bank
that it is withdrawing such Notice (such period being referred to herein as a
"Notification Period"), the Bank, the Borrower and the Agent agree that, unless
the Agent otherwise instructs the Bank in writing:

          A. The Bank will not honor drafts, demands, withdrawal requests or
     remittance instructions by the Borrower.

          B. The Bank will hold solely for account of the Agent all funds which
     may be on deposit in the Account[s] and the Agent shall have the exclusive
     right to direct the Bank as to the disposition of all checks, other items
     of payment and amounts deposited in the Account[s] [and remitted to the
     Lock Box[es]].

          C. The Bank will remit all such funds directly to the Agent, as soon
     as the funds are collected, by electronic transfer of immediately available
     funds in accordance with the Agent's written wire-transfer instructions
     given from time to time to the Bank.

          D. The Bank shall be entitled to rely upon any notice or other writing
     received from the Agent and the Borrower waives any claim of, and releases
     the Bank from any liability for, complying with the terms of this
     Collection Account Agreement.

     4. [The Borrower will receive a receipted copy of the activity relating to
the Lock Box[es] for its records.] The Bank will not close the Account[s]
without giving the Agent at least thirty (30) days' prior written notice at the
address set forth below or such other address as the Agent may from time to time
indicate by written notice to the Bank, the Bank will send to the Agent at such
address a copy of each periodic statement for the Account, as and when the
statement is sent to the Borrower.

     5. Any notice (including, without limitation, any Notice) required or
desired to be served, given or delivered hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered (i) three (3) business
days after deposit in the United States mails, with proper postage prepaid, (ii)
when sent after receipt of confirmation if sent by telecopy, (iii) one (1)
business day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier with all charges
prepaid, or (iv) when delivered, if hand delivered by messenger. 

- -------- 
2 The last three sentences of this Section and the last sentence of the
  following Section may be substituted with a cross reference to the
  applicable cash-management or lock-box services agreement, if one exists.
<PAGE>
 
     6. This Collection Account Agreement shall be binding upon the Bank and the
Borrower and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the
benefit of the Agent, each of the Holders of Secured Obligations and their
respective successors and assigns. This Collection Account Agreement may not be
modified without the Agent's prior written consent, but may be terminated by the
Agent or the Bank upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the other
parties hereto.

This Collection Account Agreement shall be deemed effective as of
[_____________, 1997] upon execution hereof by the Bank.


                                            [Insert full name of Bank]:


                                            By:_________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:

                                            Address:
                                            ____________________________
                                            ____________________________
                                            Attn:_______________________
                                            Telecopy No.:_______________
                                            Confirmation No.:___________
<PAGE>
 
Acknowledged and agreed to as of this 
___ day of ________, 1997:


GFSI, Inc.


By:_______________________
Name:
Title:

Address:

[_________________________
__________________________]

Attn:  [______________________]
Telecopy No.:  [______________________]
Confirmation No.:   [_____________________]


Acknowledged and agreed to as of this
___ day of ______, 1997


THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
 OF CHICAGO, as Agent


By:_____________________________
   Name:
   Title:

Address:

One First National Plaza
Suite 0173
Chicago, Illinois 60670-0173
Attn:  Nathan L. Bloch
Telecopy No.: 312-732-5161
Confirmation No.: 312-732-1117
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE 1
                                       TO
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT


                                  Pledged Debt:
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE 2
                                       TO
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT


                            Locations of Collateral:
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE 2-A
                                       TO
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT


                             Third Party Locations:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Corporate Name of                        Description            Maximum
Third Party               Address        of Relationship        Amount
- -----------               -------        ---------------        ------
<S>                       <C>            <C>                    <C>


</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE 2-B
                                       TO
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT

                      Financing Statement Filing Locations:
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE 3
                                       TO
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT


                                  Trade Names:
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE 4
                                       TO
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT


                                Deposit Accounts:

<PAGE>
 
                          TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT


     THIS TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made as of February 27,
1997, by and between GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Borrower"), and The
First National Bank of Chicago, as contractual representative (the "Agent") for
its benefit and the benefit of the "Holders of Secured Obligations" (as such
term is defined in the "Credit Agreement" defined below).

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, Borrower, the Agent and certain financial institutions from time
to time party thereto (the "Lenders") are parties to that certain Credit
Agreement of even date herewith (as the same may hereafter be modified, amended,
restated or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), pursuant to
which the Lenders may, from time to time, extend credit to Borrower; and

     WHEREAS, Borrower and the Agent are parties to that certain Security
Agreement of even date herewith (as the same may hereafter be modified, amended,
restated or supplemented from time to time, the "Security Agreement"), pursuant
to which Borrower has granted a security interest in certain of its assets to
the Agent for the benefit of the Agent and the Holders of Secured Obligations;
and

     WHEREAS, the Lenders have required Borrower to execute and deliver this
Agreement (i) in order to secure the prompt and complete payment, observance and
performance of all of the "Secured Obligations" (as defined in the Credit
Agreement) and (ii) as a condition precedent to any extension of credit under
the Credit Agreement;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth herein and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, Borrower agrees as follows:

     1. Defined Terms.

     (a) Unless otherwise defined herein, each capitalized term used herein that
is defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the meaning specified for such
term in the Credit Agreement. Unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit
Agreement, each capitalized term used herein that is defined in the Security
Agreement shall have the meaning specified for such term in the Security
Agreement.

     (b) The words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" and words of like import
when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to
any particular
<PAGE>
 
provision of this Agreement, and section references are to this Agreement unless
otherwise specified.

     (c) All terms defined in this Agreement in the singular shall have
comparable meanings when used in the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise
specified.

     2. Incorporation of Premises. The premises set forth above are incorporated
into this Agreement by this reference thereto and are made a part hereof.

     3. Incorporation of the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement and the
terms and provisions thereof are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by
this reference thereto.

     4. Security Interest in Trademarks. To secure the complete and timely
payment, performance and satisfaction of all of the Secured Obligations,
Borrower hereby grants to the Agent, for the benefit of the Holders of Secured
Obligations, a security interest in, as and by way of a first mortgage and
security interest having priority over all other security interests, with power
of sale to the extent permitted by applicable law, all of Borrower's now owned
other than such as have been abandoned or not maintained by the Borrower as of
the Closing Date or existing and hereafter acquired or arising:

          (i) trademarks, registered trademarks, trademark applications, service
     marks, registered service marks and service mark applications, including,
     without limitation, the trademarks, registered trademarks, trademark
     applications, service marks, registered service marks and service mark
     applications listed on Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof,
     and (a) all renewals thereof, (b) all income, royalties, damages and
     payments now and hereafter due and/or payable under and with respect
     thereto, including, without limitation, and damages and payments for past
     or future infringements or dilutions thereof, (c) the right (subject to
     Section 11) to sue for past, present and future infringements and dilutions
     thereof, (d) the goodwill of Borrower's business symbolized by the
     foregoing and connected therewith, and (e) all of Borrower's rights
     corresponding thereto throughout the world (all of the foregoing
     trademarks, registered trademarks and trademark applications, and service
     marks, registered service marks and service mark applications, together
     with the items described in clauses (a)-(e) in this paragraph 4(i), are
     sometimes hereinafter individually and/or collectively referred to as the
     "Trademarks"); and

          (ii) rights under or interest in any trademark license agreements or
     service mark license agreements with any other party where Borrower is a
     licensor under any such license agreement, including, without limitation,
     those trademark license agreements and service mark license agreements
     listed on Schedule B attached hereto and made a part hereof, together with
     any goodwill connected with and symbolized by any such trademark license
     agreements or service mark license agreements, and the right after the
     occurrence and continuance of a Designated Default to prepare for sale and
     sell any and all Inventory 
<PAGE>
 
     now or hereafter owned by Borrower and now or hereafter covered by such
     licenses (all of the foregoing are hereinafter referred to collectively as
     the "Licenses"). Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4
     or any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, the Licenses shall not
     include (i) any license agreement in effect as of the date hereof which by
     its terms prohibits the grant of the security contemplated by this
     Agreement, provided, however, that upon the termination of such
     prohibitions for any reason whatsoever, the provisions of this Section 4
     shall be deemed to apply thereto automatically or (ii) any license
     agreement where Borrower is the licensee under such license agreement.

     5. Restrictions on Future Agreements. Borrower will not, without the
Agent's prior written consent, enter into any agreement, including, without
limitation, any license agreement, which is inconsistent with this Agreement,
and Borrower further agrees that it will not take any action, and will use its
best efforts not to permit any action to be taken by others, including, without
limitation, licensees, or fail to take any action, which would materially affect
the validity or enforcement of the rights transferred to the Agent under this
Agreement or the rights associated with the Trademarks or Licenses.

     6. New Trademarks and Licenses. Borrower represents and warrants that, from
and after the Closing Date, (a) the Trademarks listed on Schedule A include all
of the trademarks, registered trademarks, trademark applications, service marks,
registered service marks and service mark applications now owned or held by
Borrower, (b) the Licenses listed on Schedule B include all of the trademark
license agreements and service mark license agreements under which Borrower is
the licensor and (c) no liens, claims or security interests in such Trademarks
and Licenses have been granted by Borrower to any Person other than the Agent.
If, prior to the termination of this Agreement, Borrower shall (i) obtain rights
to any new trademarks, registered trademarks, trademark applications, service
marks, registered service marks or service mark applications, (ii) become
entitled to the benefit of any trademarks, registered trademarks, trademark
applications, trademark licenses, trademark license renewals, service marks,
registered service marks, service mark applications, service mark licenses or
service mark license renewals as licensor, or (iii) enter into any new trademark
license agreement or service mark license agreement as licensor, the provisions
of paragraph 4 above shall automatically, subject to the final sentence of
Section 4(ii), apply thereto. Borrower shall give to the Agent written notice of
events described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of the preceding sentence
reasonably promptly after the occurrence thereof. Borrower hereby authorizes the
Agent to modify this Agreement unilaterally (after giving written prior notice
of such modification to the Borrower) (i) by amending Schedule A to include any
future trademarks, registered trademarks, trademark applications, service marks,
registered service marks and service mark applications and by amending Schedule
B to include any future trademark license agreements and service mark license
agreements, which are Trademarks or Licenses under paragraph 4 above or under
this paragraph 6, and (ii) by filing, in addition to and not in substitution for
this Agreement, a duplicate original of this Agreement containing on Schedule A
or B thereto, as the case may be, such future Trademarks or Licenses.
<PAGE>
 
     7. Royalties. Borrower hereby agrees that the use by the Agent of the
Trademarks and Licenses as authorized hereunder in connection with the Agent's
exercise of its rights and remedies under paragraph 15 or pursuant to Section 17
of the Security Agreement shall be coextensive with Borrower's rights thereunder
and with respect thereto and without any liability for royalties or other
related charges from the Agent or the other Holders of Secured Obligations to
Borrower.

     8. Right to Inspect; Further Assignments and Security Interests. The Agent
shall have access to, examine, audit, make copies (at Borrower's expense) and
extracts from and inspect Borrower's premises and examine Borrower's books,
records and operations relating to the Trademarks and Licenses subject to and in
accordance with the provisions of Section 6.2(F) of the Credit Agreement;
provided, that in conducting such inspections and examinations, the Agent shall
use reasonable efforts not to disturb unnecessarily the conduct of Borrower's
ordinary business operations. From and after the occurrence of a Designated
Default, Borrower agrees that the Agent, or a conservator appointed by the
Agent, shall have the right to establish such reasonable additional product
quality controls as the Agent or such conservator may deem reasonably necessary
to assure maintenance of the quality of products sold by Borrower under the
Trademarks and the Licenses or in connection with which such Trademarks and
Licenses are used. Borrower agrees (i) not to sell or assign its respective
interests in, or grant any exclusive license under, the Trademarks or the
Licenses without the prior and express written consent of the Agent (such
consent not to be unreasonably withheld), (ii) use commercially reasonable
efforts to maintain the quality of such products as of the date hereof, and
(iii) not to change the quality of such products in any material respect without
the Agent's prior and express written consent.

     9. Nature and Continuation of the Agent's Security Interest; Termination of
the Agent's Security Interest. This Agreement is made for collateral security
purposes only. This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the
Trademarks and Licenses and shall terminate when the Secured Obligations have
been paid in full in cash and the Credit Agreement and the Security Agreement
have been terminated. When this Agreement has terminated, the security interests
created hereby shall automatically terminate and the Agent shall promptly
execute and deliver to Borrower, at Borrower's expense, all termination
statements and other instruments as may be necessary or desirable to terminate
the Agent's security interest in the Trademarks and the Licenses, subject to any
disposition thereof which may have been made by the Agent pursuant to this
Agreement or the Security Agreement.

     10. Duties of Borrower. Borrower shall have the duty, to the extent
desirable in the normal conduct of Borrower's business, to: (i) prosecute
diligently any trademark application or service mark application that is part of
the Trademarks pending as of the date hereof or hereafter until the termination
of this Agreement, and (ii) make application for trademarks or service marks.
Borrower further agrees (i) not to abandon any Trademark or License without the
prior written consent of the Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld), and (ii) to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain in full
force and effect the Trademarks and the Licenses that are or shall be necessary
or economically desirable in the operation of Borrower's business. Any
reasonable and documented expenses incurred in 
<PAGE>
 
connection with the foregoing shall be borne by Borrower. Neither the Agent nor
any of the Holders of Secured Obligations shall have any duty with respect to
the Trademarks and Licenses. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
neither the Agent nor any of the Holders of Secured Obligations shall be under
any obligation to take any steps necessary to preserve rights in the Trademarks
or Licenses against any other parties, but the Agent may do so at its option
from and after the occurrence of a Default, and all reasonable and documented
expenses incurred in connection therewith shall be for the sole account of
Borrower and shall be added to the Secured Obligations secured hereby.

     11. The Agent's Right to Sue. From and after the occurrence and during the
continuance of a Designated Default, the Agent shall have the right, but shall
not be obligated, to bring suit in its own name to enforce the Trademarks and
the Licenses and, if the Agent shall commence any such suit, Borrower shall, at
the request of the Agent, do any and all lawful acts and execute any and all
proper documents reasonably required by the Agent in aid of such enforcement.
Borrower shall, upon demand, promptly reimburse the Agent for all reasonable and
documented costs and expenses incurred by the Agent in the exercise of its
rights under this paragraph 11 (including, without limitation, reasonable fees
and expenses of attorneys and paralegals for the Agent).

     12. Waivers. The Agent's failure, at any time or times hereafter, to
require strict performance by Borrower of any provision of this Agreement shall
not waive, affect or diminish any right of the Agent thereafter to demand strict
compliance and performance therewith nor shall any course of dealing between
Borrower and the Agent have such effect. No single or partial exercise of any
right hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right. None of the undertakings, agreements, warranties,
covenants and representations of Borrower contained in this Agreement shall be
deemed to have been suspended or waived by the Agent unless such suspension or
waiver is in writing signed by an officer of the Agent and directed to Borrower
specifying such suspension or waiver.

     13. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall
be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law,
but the provisions of this Agreement are severable, and if any clause or
provision shall be held invalid and unenforceable in whole or in part in any
jurisdiction, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect only such
clause or provision, or part hereof, in such jurisdiction, and shall not in any
manner affect such clause or provision in any other jurisdiction, or any other
clause or provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction.

     14. Modification. This Agreement cannot be altered, amended or modified in
any way, except as specifically provided in paragraph 6 hereof or by a writing
signed by the parties hereto.

     15. Cumulative Remedies; Power of Attorney. Upon the occurrence and during
the continuance of a Designated Default Borrower hereby irrevocably designates,
constitutes and appoints the Agent (and all Persons designated by the Agent in
its sole and 
<PAGE>
 
absolute discretion) as Borrower's true and lawful attorney-in-fact, and
authorizes the Agent and any of the Agent's designees, in Borrower's or the
Agent's name, to take any action and execute any instrument which the Agent
reasonably deems necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this
Agreement, including, without limitation, after the giving by the Agent of
notice to Borrower of the Agent's intention to enforce its rights and claims
against Borrower, including, without limitation, to (i) endorse Borrower's name
on all applications, documents, papers and instruments necessary or desirable
for the Agent in the use of the Trademarks or the Licenses, (ii) assign, pledge,
convey or otherwise transfer title in or dispose of the Trademarks or the
Licenses to anyone on commercially reasonable terms, and (iii) grant or issue
any exclusive or nonexclusive license under the Trademarks or, to the extent
permitted, under the Licenses, to anyone on commercially reasonable terms;
provided, however, that the Borrower hereby irrevocably designates constitutes
and appoints the Agent as Borrower's true and lawful attorney -in-fact and
authorizes the Agent, at any time, to take any other actions with respect to the
Trademarks or the Licenses as the Agent deems reasonably necessary to protect
its own or the Holders of Secured Obligations' interests under the Credit
Agreement consistent with the terms of this Agreement. Borrower hereby ratifies
all that such attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
This power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable
until all of the Secured Obligations shall have been paid in full in cash and
the Credit Agreement shall have been terminated. Borrower acknowledges and
agrees that this Agreement is not intended to limit or restrict in any way the
rights and remedies of the Agent or the other Holders of Secured Obligations
under the Security Agreement, but rather is intended to facilitate the exercise
of such rights and remedies.

     The Agent shall have, in addition to all other rights and remedies given it
by the terms of this Agreement, all rights and remedies allowed by law and the
rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code as
enacted in any jurisdiction in which the Trademarks or the Licenses may be
located or deemed located. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a
Designated Default and the election by the Agent to exercise any of its remedies
under Section 9-504 or Section 9-505 of the Uniform Commercial Code with respect
to the Trademarks and Licenses, Borrower agrees to assign, convey and otherwise
transfer title in and to the Trademarks and the Licenses to the Agent or any
transferee of the Agent and to execute and deliver to the Agent or any such
transferee all such agreements, documents and instruments as may reasonably be
necessary, in the Agent's sole discretion, to effect such assignment, conveyance
and transfer. All of the Agent's rights and remedies with respect to the
Trademarks and the Licenses, whether established hereby, by the Security
Agreement, by any other agreements or by law, shall be cumulative and may be
exercised separately or concurrently. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein
to the contrary, it is hereby expressly agreed that upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of a Designated Default, the Agent may exercise any of
the rights and remedies provided in this Agreement, the Security Agreement and
any of the other Loan Documents. Borrower agrees that any notification of
intended disposition of any of the Trademarks and Licenses required by law shall
be deemed reasonably and properly given if given at least ten (10) days before
such disposition; provided, however, that the Agent may give any shorter notice
that is commercially reasonable under the circumstances.
<PAGE>
 
     16. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon Borrower
and its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of each of the
Holders of Secured Obligations and its nominees, successors and assigns, as
permitted and subject to the Credit Agreement. Borrower's successors and assigns
shall include, without limitation, a receiver, trustee or debtor-in-possession
of or for Borrower; provided, however, that Borrower shall not voluntarily
assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder without the Agent's prior
written consent.

     17. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in
accordance with the internal laws (without regards to conflicts of law
provisions) and decisions of the State of Illinois.

     18. Notices. All notices or other communications hereunder shall be given
in the manner and to the addresses set forth in the Credit Agreement.

     19. Section Titles. The section titles herein are for convenience of
reference only, and shall not affect in any way the interpretation of any of the
provisions hereof.

     20. Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

     21. Merger. This Agreement represents the final agreement of the Borrower
and the Agent with respect to the matters contained herein and may not be
contradicted by evidence of prior or contemporaneous agreements, or subsequent
oral agreements, between the Borrower and the Agent or any Holder of Secured
Obligations.

     22. Interpretation and Inconsistencies. The rights and duties created by
this Agreement shall, in all cases, be interpreted consistently with, and shall
be in addition to (and not in lieu of), the rights and duties created by the
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents. In the event that any provision
of this Agreement shall be inconsistent with any provision of any other Loan
Document, such provision of the other Loan Document shall govern.
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.


                                             GFSI, INC.



                                             By: /s/ Illegible
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                   Title:

ATTEST:


By: /s/ Illegible
   -------------------------
   Title: Asst. Secretary


                                             Accepted and agreed to as of the 
                                             day and year first above written.

                                             THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                                             as Agent



                                             By: /s/ Illegible
                                                --------------------------------
                                                First Vice President



                 Signature Page to Trademark Security Agreement
                          dated as of February 27, 1997
<PAGE>
 
                                   Schedule A
                                       to
                          Trademark Security Agreement

                          Dated as of February 27, 1997


                                   Trademarks

                  I.  U.S. Trademarks and Trademark Applications.

                  None, except:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Trademark
Registration                               Registration Date                               Trademark
- ------------                               -----------------                               ---------
<S>                                              <C>                                   <C>                                   
[1,887,563                                       04/04/95                              TANDEM
                                                                                       MARKETING]

1,797,387                                        10/05/93                              BIG COTTON


1,665,340                                        11/19/91                              NO NAME SAYS
                                                                                       YOUR NAME LIKE
                                                                                       OUR NAME

1,677,151                                        02/25/92                              GEAR FOR SPORTS

1,675,150                                        02/11/92                              GEAR FOR SPORTS
                                                                                       and Design

1,675,149                                        02/11/92                              GEAR FOR SPORTS
                                                                                       and Design

1,674,293                                        02/04/92                              GEAR FOR SPORTS

1,447,605                                        07/14/87                              ABOVE AND
                                                                                       BEYOND and Design

1,080,667                                        12/27/77                              SPORTHREADS

1,016,367                                        07/22/75                              WINNING WAYS
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Trademark
Application                              Application Date                              Trademark
- -----------                              ----------------                              ---------
<S>                                              <C>                                   <C>                                   
75-166,714                                       09/16/96                              PROJECT WARMTH
                                                                                       and design

75-146,544                                       08/07/96                              GS and design

75-145,742                                       08/06/96                              GS and design

73-409,637                                       01/03/83                              STREET SMARTS
</TABLE>




                                      Trademark and Service Mark Applications

                  None, except:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Trademark
Registration                               Registration Date                               Trademark
- ------------                               -----------------                               ---------
<S>                                              <C>                                   <C>                                   

</TABLE>



                  II.  Foreign Trademarks and Trademark Applications.


                  None, except:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Serial Registra-
Country                         tion No.                   Registration Date                     Trademark
- -------                         --------                   -----------------                     ---------
<S>                              <C>                           <C>                            <C>                     
Switzerland                      426,873                       10/26/94                       GEAR FOR SPORTS

Switzerland                      423,902                       10/26/94                       GEAR FOR SPORTS

Denmark                          VR 2194                        4/3/92                        GEAR FOR SPORTS
                                                                                                and Design
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Country                        Appln. No.                     Appln. Date                        Trademark
- -------                        ----------                     -----------                        ---------

<S>                             <C>                            <C>                            <C>         
Italy                            91 1312                        4/10/91                       GEAR FOR SPORTS
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                             <C>                            <C>                            <C>         
United Kingdom                  1,589,028                      10/26/94                       GEAR FOR SPORTS
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                                   Schedule B
                                       to
                          Trademark Security Agreement

                          Dated as of February 27, 1997


                               License Agreements

               None, except:


1. The License Agreement dated April 1, 1994 between Winning Ways, Inc., as
Licensor, and Software Athletics, Inc., as Licensee, whereby Licensor granted
Licensee the right to use the trademarks "GEAR FOR SPORTS" and "BIG COTTON", and
the rights associated with those trademarks, in Canada.
<PAGE>
 
STATE OF NEW YORK                   )
                                    )  SS
COUNTY OF NEW YORK                  )



     On this 26th day of February, 1997, before me personally came Nathan L.
Bloch, to me known, who being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is
First Vice President of The First National Bank of Chicago, the national banking
association described in and which executed the foregoing instrument, and that
he signed his name thereto on the date hereof by order of said national banking
association.



                                                /s/ Keith D. Arnold
                                            -----------------------------
                                                   Notary Public

                                                    KEITH D. ARNOLD
                                            Notary Public, State of New York
                                                     No 01AR5050761
                                              Qualified in New York County
                                            Commission Expires Oct. 16, 1997
                                  
                                  
<PAGE>
 
STATE OF NEW YORK                   )
                                    )  SS
COUNTY OF NEW YORK                  )



     On this 26th day of February, 1997, before me personally came A. Richard
Caputo, Jr., to me known, who being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he
is Vice President of GFSI, INC., the Delaware corporation described in and which
executed the foregoing instrument, and that he signed his name thereto on the
date hereof by order of said corporation.



                                                /s/ Keith D. Arnold
                                            -----------------------------
                                                   Notary Public

                                                    KEITH D. ARNOLD
                                            Notary Public, State of New York
                                                     No 01AR5050761
                                              Qualified in New York County
                                            Commission Expires Oct. 16, 1997

<PAGE>
 
                                                                          Kansas

                          MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                             FINANCING STATEMENT AND
                         ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES

     THIS MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, FINANCING STATEMENT AND ASSIGNMENT OF
RENTS AND LEASES ("Mortgage") entered into as of the 27th day of February, 1997,
by GFSI, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Mortgagor"), having its chief executive
office at 9700 Commerce Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas 66219 in favor of THE FIRST
NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO ("Mortgagee"), having an office at One First National
Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60670, as contractual representative for its benefit
and for the benefit of the "Holders of Secured Obligations" as defined in that
certain Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, modified, supplemented or
substituted from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), dated of even date
herewith, by and among Mortgagor, Mortgagee and the institutions from time to
time a party thereto as Lenders. The term "Holders of Secured Obligations" shall
include those who are, and those who may hereafter become, parties to the Credit
Agreement in such capacity. Except as otherwise provided herein, all capitalized
terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to
them in the Credit Agreement, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

                                   WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS, pursuant to and upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have agreed to make certain A Term Loans, B
Term Loans, Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans and Mortgagee and Lenders have
agreed to extend certain other financial accommodations from time to time to
Mortgagor, all in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed One Hundred
Fifteen Million and no/100 Dollars ($115,000,000.00); and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the Credit Agreement, Mortgagor has
executed and delivered to Lenders, to further evidence the Loans, (i) those
certain Term Loan A Notes, dated of even date herewith, in the aggregate
principal amount of

This document was prepared by
and after recording should be
returned to:

James L. Marovitz
Sidley & Austin
One First National Plaza
Chicago, Illinois  60603
<PAGE>
 
Forty Million and no/100 Dollars ($40,000,000.00), (ii) those certain Term Loan
B Notes, dated of even date herewith, in the aggregate principal amount of
Twenty Five Million and no/100 Dollars ($25,000,000.00), (iii) those certain
Revolving Notes, dated of even date herewith, in the aggregate principal amount
of Fifty Million and no/100 Dollars ($50,000,000.00) and (iv) that certain Swing
Line Note, dated of even date herewith, in the aggregate principal amount of One
Million and no/100 Dollars ($1,000,000)(the Term Loan A Notes, the Term Loan B
Notes, the Revolving Notes and the Swing Line Note, and any and all renewals,
extensions for any period, increases or rearrangements thereof are jointly
referred to as the "Notes"); and

     WHEREAS, as a condition to Mortgagee's and Lenders' extension of such
credit and financial accommodations to Mortgagor including, without limitation,
the extension of credit evidenced by the Notes and pursuant to the Credit
Agreement, Mortgagee and Lenders have required that Mortgagor enter into this
Mortgage and grant to Mortgagee, for itself and as Agent, the liens and security
interests referred to herein to secure, subject to the limitation as to amount
as hereinafter provided, (i) the payment of the principal amount evidenced by
the Notes together with interest thereon; (ii) payment of all L/C Obligations;
(iii) payment of the principal amount, together with interest thereon, of all
present and future advances of money made by Mortgagee or Holders of Secured
Obligations to Mortgagor, including without limitation, the reborrowing of
principal previously repaid pursuant to the Credit Agreement, as well as all
other Secured Obligations of Mortgagor to Mortgagee or Holders of Secured
Obligations; and (iv) other payment and performance obligations related to this
Mortgage (the aforesaid Secured Obligations of Mortgagor to Mortgagee, together
with the obligations evidenced by the Notes plus interest and other payment and
performance obligations being hereinafter referred to collectively as the
"Liabilities"); and

     WHEREAS, the Liabilities secured hereby shall not exceed an aggregate
principal amount, at any one time outstanding of Thirteen Million Two Hundred
Thousand and no/100 Dollars ($13,200,000.00), provided, that the foregoing
limitation shall apply only to the lien upon the real property created by this
Mortgage, and it shall not in any manner limit, affect or impair any grant of a
security interest or other right in favor of the Mortgagee under the provisions
of the Credit Agreement or under any other security agreement at any time
executed by Mortgagor;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises contained herein and to
secure payment of the Liabilities and in consideration of One Dollar ($1.00) in
hand paid, the receipt and


                                      - 2 -
<PAGE>
 
sufficiency whereof are hereby acknowledged, Mortgagor does hereby grant,
remise, release, alien, convey, mortgage and warrant to Mortgagee, its
successors and assigns, the following described real estate (the "Land") in
Johnson County, Kansas, and does further grant a security interest to Mortgagee
in all Mortgaged Property (as defined below) as may be secured under the Uniform
Commercial Code (the "Code") in effect in the State of Kansas (the "State"):

     See Exhibit A attached hereto and by this reference made a part hereof for
     the legal description of the Land

which Land, together with all right, title and interest, if any, which Mortgagor
may now have or hereafter acquire in and to all improvements, buildings and
structures now or hereafter located thereon of every nature whatsoever, is
herein called the "Premises".

     TOGETHER WITH all right, title and interest, if any, including any
after-acquired right, title and interest, and including any right of use or
occupancy, which Mortgagor may now have or hereafter acquire in and to (a) all
easements, rights of way, gores of land or any lands occupied by streets, ways,
alleys, passages, sewer rights, water courses, water rights and powers, and
public places adjoining said Land, and any other interests in property
constituting appurtenances to the Premises, or which hereafter shall in any way
belong, relate or be appurtenant thereto, and (b) all hereditaments, gas, oil,
minerals (with the right to extract, sever and remove such gas, oil and
minerals), and easements, of every nature whatsoever, located in or on the
Premises and all other rights and privileges thereunto belonging or appertaining
and all extensions, additions, improvements, betterments, renewals,
substitutions and replacements to or of any of the rights and interests
described in subparagraphs (a) and (b) above (hereinafter the "Property
Rights").

     TOGETHER WITH all right, title and interest, if any, including any
after-acquired right, title and interest, and including any right of use or
occupancy, which Mortgagor may now or hereafter acquire in and to all fixtures
and appurtenances of every nature whatsoever now or hereafter located in, on or
attached to, and used or intended to be used in connection with, or with the
operation of, the Premises, including, but not limited to (a) all apparatus,
machinery and equipment of Mortgagor and (b) all extensions, additions,
improvements, betterments, renewals, substitutions and replacements to or of any
of the foregoing (the items described in the foregoing


                                      - 3 -
<PAGE>
 
clauses (a) and (b) being the "Fixtures"). It is mutually agreed, intended and
declared that the Premises and all of the Property Rights and Fixtures owned by
Mortgagor (referred to collectively herein as the "Real Property") shall, so far
as permitted by law, be deemed to form a part and parcel of the Land and for the
purpose of this Mortgage to be real estate and covered by this Mortgage. It is
also agreed that if any of the property herein mortgaged is of a nature so that
a security interest therein can be perfected under the Code in effect in the
State, this instrument shall constitute a security agreement, fixture filing and
financing statement, and Mortgagor agrees to execute, deliver and file or refile
any financing statement, continuation statement, or other instruments Mortgagee
may reasonably require from time to time to perfect or renew such security
interest under the Code. To the extent permitted by law, (i) all of the Fixtures
are or are to become fixtures on the Land and (ii) this instrument, upon
recording or registration in the real estate records of the proper office, shall
constitute a "fixture-filing" within the meaning of Sections 9-313 and 9-402 of
the Code. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the
remedies for any violation of the covenants, terms and conditions of the
agreements herein contained shall be as prescribed herein or by general law, or,
as to that part of the security in which a security interest may be perfected
under the Code, by the specific statutory consequences now or hereafter enacted
and specified in the Code, all at Mortgagee's sole election.

     TOGETHER WITH all the estate, right, title and interest of the Mortgagor in
and to (i) all judgments, insurance proceeds, awards of damages and settlements
resulting from condemnation proceedings or the taking of the Real Property, or
any part thereof, under the power of eminent domain or for any damage (whether
caused by such taking or otherwise) to the Real Property, or any part thereof,
or to any rights appurtenant thereto, and all proceeds of any sales or other
dispositions of the Real Property or any part thereof; and (except as otherwise
provided herein or in the Credit Agreement) the Mortgagee is hereby authorized
to collect and receive said awards and proceeds and to give proper receipts and
acquittances therefor, and to apply the same as provided in the Credit
Agreement; and (ii) all contract rights, general intangibles, actions and rights
in action relating to the Real Property including, without limitation, all
rights to insurance proceeds and unearned premiums arising from or relating to
damage to the Real Property; and (iii) all proceeds, products, replacements,
additions, substitutions, renewals and accessions of and to the Real Property.
(The rights and interests described in this paragraph shall hereinafter be
called the "Intangibles".)


                                      - 4 -
<PAGE>
 
     As additional security for the Liabilities secured hereby, Mortgagor (i)
does hereby pledge and assign to Mortgagee from and after the date hereof
(including any period of redemption), primarily and on a parity with the Real
Property, and not secondarily, all the rents, issues and profits of the Real
Property and all rents, issues, profits, revenues, royalties, bonuses, rights
and benefits due, payable or accruing (including all deposits of money as
advance rent, for security or as earnest money or as down payment for the
purchase of all or any part of the Real Property) (the "Rents") under any and
all present and future leases, contracts or other agreements relative to the
ownership or occupancy of all or any portion of the Real Property, and (ii)
except to the extent such a transfer or assignment is not permitted by the terms
thereof, does hereby transfer and assign to Mortgagee all such leases and
agreements (including all Mortgagor's rights under any contracts for the sale of
any portion of the Mortgaged Property and all revenues and royalties under any
oil, gas and mineral leases relating to the Real Property) (the "Leases").
Mortgagee hereby grants to Mortgagor the right to collect and use the Rents as
they become due and payable under the Leases, but not more than one (1) month in
advance thereof, unless a Designated Default shall have occurred provided that
the existence of such right shall not operate to subordinate this assignment to
any subsequent assignment, in whole or in part, by Mortgagor, and any such
subsequent assignment shall be subject to the rights of the Mortgagee under this
Mortgage. Mortgagor further agrees to execute and deliver such assignments of
leases or assignments of land sale contracts as Mortgagee may from time to time
request. In the event of a Designated Default (1) the Mortgagor agrees, upon
demand, to deliver to the Mortgagee all of the Leases with such additional
assignments thereof as the Mortgagee may request and agrees that the Mortgagee
may assume the management of the Real Property and collect the Rents, applying
the same upon the Liabilities in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement,
and (2) the Mortgagor hereby authorizes and directs all tenants, pur chasers or
other persons occupying or otherwise acquiring any interest in any part of the
Real Property to pay the Rents due under the Leases to the Mortgagee upon
request of the Mortgagee. Mortgagor hereby appoints Mortgagee as its true and
lawful attorney in fact to manage said property and collect the Rents, with full
power to bring suit for collection of the Rents and possession of the Real
Property, giving and granting unto said Mortgagee and unto its agent or attorney
full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing
whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in the protection of the security
hereby conveyed; provided, however, that (i) this power of attorney and
assignment of rents shall not be construed as an obligation upon said Mortgagee
to make or cause to be made any


                                      - 5 -
<PAGE>
 
repairs that may be needful or necessary and (ii) Mortgagee agrees that until
such Designated Default as aforesaid, Mortgagee shall permit Mortgagor to
perform the aforementioned management responsibilities. Upon Mortgagee's receipt
of the Rents, at Mortgagee's option, it may use the proceeds of the Rents to
pay: (1) reasonable charges for collection thereof, costs of necessary repairs
and other costs requisite and necessary during the continuance of this power of
attorney and assignment of rents, (2) general and special taxes, insurance
premiums, and (3) any or all of the Liabilities pursuant to the provisions of
the Credit Agreement. This power of attorney and assignment of rents shall be
irrevocable until this Mortgage shall have been satisfied and released of record
and the releasing of this Mortgage shall act as a revocation of this power of
attorney and assignment of rents. Mortgagee shall have and hereby expressly
reserves the right and privilege (but assumes no obligation) to demand, collect,
sue for, receive and recover the Rents, or any part thereof, now existing or
hereafter made, and apply the same in accordance with the provisions of the
Credit Agreement.

     All of the property described above, and each item of property therein
described, not limited to but including the Land, the Premises, the Property
Rights, the Fixtures, the Real Property, the Intangibles, the Rents and the
Leases, is herein referred to as the "Mortgaged Property."

     Nothing herein contained shall be construed as constituting the Mortgagee a
mortgagee-in-possession in the absence of the taking of actual possession of the
Mortgaged Property by the Mortgagee. Nothing contained in this Mortgage shall be
construed as imposing on Mortgagee any of the obligations of the lessor under
any Lease of the Mortgaged Property in the absence of an explicit assumption
thereof by Mortgagee. In the exercise of the powers herein granted the
Mortgagee, except as provided in the Credit Agreement, no liability shall be
asserted or enforced against the Mortgagee, all such liability being expressly
waived and released by Mortgagor.

     TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Mortgaged Property, properties, rights and
privileges hereby conveyed or assigned, or intended so to be, unto Mortgagee,
its beneficiaries, successors and assigns, forever for the uses and purposes
herein set forth. Mortgagor hereby releases and waives all rights under and by
virtue of the Homestead Exemption Laws, if any, of the State and Mortgagor
hereby covenants, represents and warrants that, at the time of the ensealing and
delivery of these presents, Mortgagor is well seised of the Mortgaged Property
in fee simple and with lawful authority to sell, assign, convey and mortgage the
Mortgaged


                                      - 6 -
<PAGE>
 
Property, and that the title to the Mortgaged Property is free and clear of all
encumbrances, except as described on Exhibit B attached hereto and made a part
hereof, and that, except for the encumbrances set forth on Exhibit B, Mortgagor
will forever defend the same against all lawful claims.

     The following provisions shall also constitute an integral part of this
Mortgage:

     1. Payment of Taxes on the Mortgage. Without limiting any of the provisions
of the Credit Agreement, Mortgagor agrees that, if the United States or any
department, agency or bureau thereof or if the State or any of its subdivisions
having jurisdiction shall at any time require documentary stamps to be affixed
to this Mortgage or shall levy, assess, or charge any tax, assessment or
imposition upon this Mortgage or the credit or indebtedness secured hereby or
the interest of Mortgagee in the Premises or upon Mortgagee by reason of or as
holder of any of the foregoing then, Mortgagor shall pay for such documentary
stamps in the required amount and deliver them to Mortgagee or pay (or reimburse
Mortgagee for) such taxes, assessments or impositions. Mortgagor agrees to
exhibit to Mortgagee, at any time upon request, official receipts showing
payment of all taxes, assessments and charges which Mortgagor is required or
elects to pay under this paragraph. Mortgagor agrees to indemnify Mortgagee
against liability on account of such documentary stamps, taxes, assessments or
impositions, whether such liability arises before or after payment of the
Liabilities and regardless of whether this Mortgage shall have been released.

     2. Leases Affecting the Real Property. Mortgagor agrees faithfully to
perform all of its obligations under all present and future Leases at any time
assigned to Mortgagee as additional security, and to refrain from any action or
inaction which would result in termination of any such Leases or in the
diminution of the value thereof or of the Rents due thereunder. All future
lessees under any Lease made after the date of recording of this Mortgage shall,
at Mortgagee's option and without any further documentation, attorn to Mortgagee
as lessor if for any reason Mortgagee becomes lessor thereunder, and, upon
demand, pay rent to Mortgagee, and Mortgagee shall not be responsible under such
Lease for matters arising prior to Mortgagee becoming lessor thereunder.

     3. Use of the Real Property. Mortgagor agrees that it shall not permit the
public to use the Real Property in any manner that might tend, in Mortgagee's
reasonable judgment, to impair Mortgagor's title to such property or any portion
thereof,


                                      - 7 -
<PAGE>
 
or to make possible any claim or claims of easement by prescription or of
implied dedication to public use.

     4. Indemnification. Mortgagor shall not use or permit the use of any part
of the Real Property for an illegal purpose, including, without limitation, the
violation of any environmental laws, statutes, codes, regulations or practices.
Without limiting any indemnification Mortgagor has granted in the Credit
Agreement, Mortgagor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Mortgagee from and
against any and all losses, suits, liabilities, fines, damages, judgments,
penalties, claims, charges, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys'
and paralegals' fees, court costs and disbursements) which may be imposed on,
incurred or paid by or asserted against the Real Property by reason or on
account of or in connection with (i) the construction, reconstruction or
alteration of the Real Property, (ii) any negligence or misconduct of Mortgagor,
any lessee of the Real Property, or any of their respective agents, contractors,
subcontractors, servants, employees, licensees or invitees, (iii) any accident,
injury, death or damage to any person or property occurring in, on or about the
Real Property or any street, drive, sidewalk, curb or passageway adjacent
thereto, or (iv) any other transaction arising out of or in any way connected
with the Mortgaged Property.

     5. Insurance. Mortgagor shall, at its sole expense, obtain for, deliver to,
assign and maintain for the benefit of Mortgagee, until the Liabilities are paid
in full, insurance policies as specified in the Credit Agreement. In the event
of a casualty loss, the net insurance proceeds from such insurance policies
shall be paid and applied as specified in the Credit Agreement.

     6. Condemnation Awards. Mortgagor hereby assigns to Mortgagee, as
additional security, all awards of damage resulting from condemnation
proceedings or the taking of or injury to the Real Property for public use, and
Mortgagor agrees that the proceeds of all such awards shall be paid and applied
as specified in the Credit Agreement.

     7. Remedies. Subject to the provisions of the Credit Agreement, upon the
occurrence of a Designated Default under the terms of the Credit Agreement, in
addition to any rights and remedies provided for in the Credit Agreement, and to
the extent permitted by applicable law, the following provisions shall apply:

     (a) Mortgagee's Power of Enforcement. It shall be lawful for Mortgagee to
(i) immediately sell the Mortgaged


                                      - 8 -
<PAGE>
 
Property either in whole or in separate parcels, as prescribed by the State law,
under power of sale, which power is hereby granted to Mortgagee to the full
extent permitted by the State law, and thereupon, to make and execute to any
purchaser(s) thereof deeds of conveyance pursuant to applicable law or (ii)
immediately foreclose this Mortgage by judicial action. The court in which any
proceeding is pending for the purpose of foreclosure of this Mortgage may, at
once or at any time thereafter, either before or after sale, without notice and
without requiring bond, and without regard to the solvency or insolvency of any
person liable for payment of the Liabilities secured hereby, and without regard
to the then value of the Mortgaged Property or the occupancy thereof as a
homestead, appoint a receiver (the provisions for the appointment of a receiver
and assignment of rents being an express condition upon which the Loan hereby
secured is made) for the benefit of Mortgagee, with power to collect the Rents,
due and to become due, during such foreclosure suit and the full statutory
period of redemption notwithstanding any redemption. The receiver, out of the
Rents when collected, may pay costs incurred in the management and operation of
the Real Property, prior and subordinate liens, if any, and taxes, assessments,
water and other utilities and insurance, then due or thereafter accruing, and
may make and pay for any necessary repairs to the Real Property, and may pay all
or any part of the Liabilities or other sums secured hereby or any deficiency
decree entered in such foreclosure proceedings. Upon or at any time after the
filing of a suit to foreclose this Mortgage, the court in which such suit is
filed shall have full power to enter an order placing Mortgagee in possession of
the Real Property with the same power granted to a receiver pursuant to this
subparagraph and with all other rights, privileges and obligations of a
mortgagee-in-possession under applicable law.

     (b) Mortgagee's Right to Enter and Take Possession, Operate and Apply
Income. Mortgagee shall, at its option, have the right, acting through its
agents or attorneys, either with or without process of law, forcibly or
otherwise, to enter upon and take possession of the Real Property, expel and
remove any persons, goods, or chattels occupying or upon the same, to collect or
receive all the Rents, and to manage and control the same, and to lease the same
or any part thereof, from time to time, and, after deducting all reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses, and all reasonable expenses incurred in the
protection, care, maintenance, management and operation of the Real Property,
distribute and apply the remaining net income in accordance with the terms of
the Credit Agreement or upon any deficiency decree entered in any foreclosure
proceedings.


                                      - 9 -
<PAGE>
 
     8. Application of the Rents or Proceeds from Fore closure or Sale. In any
foreclosure of this Mortgage by judicial action, or any sale of the Mortgaged
Property by advertisement, in addition to any of the terms and provisions of the
Credit Agreement, there shall be allowed (and included in the decree for sale in
the event of a foreclosure by judicial action) to be paid out of the Rents or
the proceeds of such foreclosure proceeding and/or sale:

     (a) Liabilities. All of the Liabilities and other sums secured hereby which
then remain unpaid; and

     (b) Other Advances. All other items advanced or paid by Mortgagee pursuant
to this Mortgage; and

     (c) Costs, Fees and Other Expenses. All court costs, reasonable and
documented attorneys' and paralegals' fees and expenses, appraiser's fees,
advertising costs, filing fees and transfer taxes, notice expenses, expenditures
for documentary and expert evidence, stenographer's charges, publication costs,
and costs (which may be estimated as to items to be expended after entry of the
decree) of procuring all abstracts of title, title searches and examinations,
title guarantees, title insurance policies, Torrens certificates and similar
data with respect to title which Mortgagee in the reasonable exercise of its
judgment may deem necessary. All such expenses shall become additional
Liabilities secured hereby when paid or incurred by Mortgagee in connection with
any proceedings, including but not limited to probate and bankruptcy
proceedings, to which Mortgagee shall be a party, either as plaintiff, claimant
or defendant, by reason of this Mortgage or any indebtedness hereby secured or
in connection with the preparations for the commencement of any suit for the
foreclosure, whether or not actually commenced, or sale by advertisement. The
proceeds of any sale (whether through a foreclosure proceeding or Mortgagee's
exercise of the power of sale) shall be distributed and applied in accordance
with the terms of the Credit Agreement.

     9. Cumulative Remedies; Delay or Omission Not a Waiver. Each remedy or
right of Mortgagee shall not be exclusive of but shall be in addition to every
other remedy or right now or hereafter existing at law or in equity. No delay in
the exercise or omission to exercise any remedy or right accruing on the
occurrence or existence of any Default shall impair any such remedy or right or
be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or acquiescence therein, nor
shall it affect any subsequent Default of the same or different nature. Every
such remedy or right may be exercised concurrently or independently and when and
as often as may be deemed expedient by Mortgagee.


                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>
 
     10. Mortgagee's Remedies against Multiple Parcels. If more than one
property, lot or parcel is covered by this Mortgage, and if this Mortgage is
foreclosed upon, or judgment is entered upon any Liabilities secured hereby, or
if Mortgagee exercises its power of sale, execution may be made upon or
Mortgagee may exercise its power of sale against any one or more of the
properties, lots or parcels and not upon the others, or upon all of such
properties or parcels, either together or separately, and at different times or
at the same time, and execution sales or sales by advertisement may likewise be
conducted separately or concurrently, in each case at Mortgagee's election.

     11. No Merger. In the event of a foreclosure of this Mortgage or any other
mortgage or deed of trust securing the Liabilities, the Liabilities then due the
Mortgagee shall not be merged into any decree of foreclosure entered by the
court, and Mortgagee may concurrently or subsequently seek to foreclose one or
more mortgages or deeds of trust which also secure said Liabilities.

     12. Notices. All notices and other communications provided to any party
hereto under this Mortgage shall be in writing or by telex or by facsimile and
addressed or delivered to such party at its address set forth below or at such
other address as may be designated by such party in a notice to the other
parties. Any notice, if mailed and properly addressed with postage prepaid,
shall be deemed given when received; any notice, if transmitted by telex or
facsimile, shall be deemed given when transmitted (answerback confirmed in the
case of telexes).

     if to Mortgagor:

           GFSI, Inc.
           9700 Commerce Parkway
           Lenexa, Kansas 66219
           Attn: Robert Shaw
           Telecopy No.: 913/752-3346

     with copies to:

           The Jordan Company
           9 West 57th Street
           40th Floor
           New York, New York 10019
           Attn: A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
           Telecopy No.: 212/755-5263

                                       and


                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>
 
           Mayer, Brown & Platt
           1675 Broadway, Suite 1900
           New York, New York 10019
           Attn: James Carlson
           Telecopy No.: 212/262-1910

     if to Mortgagee:

           The First National Bank of Chicago
           One First National Plaza
           Suite 0088
           Chicago, Illinois 60670-0088
           Attn: Nathan L. Bloch
           Telecopy No.: 312/732-1117

     with a copy to:

           Sidley & Austin
           One First National Plaza
           Chicago, Illinois 60603
           Attn:  Sara Elizabeth Bartlett
           Telecopy No. 312/853-7036


     13. Extension of Payments. Mortgagor agrees that, without affecting the
liability of any person for payment of the Liabilities secured hereby or
affecting the lien of this Mortgage upon the Mortgaged Property or any part
thereof (other than persons or property explicitly released as a result of the
exercise by Mortgagee of its rights and privileges hereunder), Mortgagee may at
any time and from time to time, on request of the Mortgagor, without notice to
any person liable for payment of any Liabilities secured hereby, but otherwise
subject to the provisions of the Credit Agreement, extend the time, or agree to
alter or amend the terms of payment of such Liabilities. Mortgagor further
agrees that any part of the security herein described may be released with or
without consideration without affecting the remainder of the Liabilities or the
remainder of the security.

     14. Governing Law. Mortgagor agrees that this Mortgage is to be construed,
governed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State. Wherever
possible, each provision of this Mortgage shall be interpreted in such manner as
to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this
Mortgage shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision
shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity,
without invalidating the


                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>
 
remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Mortgage.

     15. Satisfaction of Mortgage. Upon full payment of all the Liabilities, at
the time and in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement, or upon
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement for release of
the Mortgaged Property from this Mortgage, this conveyance or lien shall be null
and void and, upon demand therefor following such payment or satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement for release of the Mortgaged
Property, as the case may be, a satisfaction of mortgage or reconveyance of the
Mortgaged Property shall promptly be provided by Mortgagee to Mortgagor.

     16. Successors and Assigns Included in Parties. This Mortgage shall be
binding upon the Mortgagor and upon the suc cessors, assigns and vendees of the
Mortgagor and shall inure to the benefit of the Mortgagee's successors and
assigns; all references herein to the Mortgagor and to the Mortgagee shall be
deemed to include their respective successors and assigns. Mort gagor's
successors and assigns shall include, without limitation, a receiver, trustee or
debtor in possession of or for the Mort gagor. Wherever used, the singular
number shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular, and the
use of any gender shall be applicable to all genders.

     17. Waiver of Appraisement, Valuation, Stay, Extension and Redemption Laws.
Mortgagor agrees, to the full extent permitted by law, that at all times
following a Designated Default, neither Mortgagor nor anyone claiming through or
under it shall or will set up, claim or seek to take advantage of any
appraisement, valuation, stay, or extension laws now or hereafter in force, in
order to prevent or hinder the enforcement or fore closure of this Mortgage or
the absolute sale of the Mortgaged Property or the final and absolute putting
into possession thereof, immediately after such sale, of the purchaser thereat;
and Mortgagor, for itself and all who may at any time claim through or under it,
hereby waives, to the full extent that it may lawfully so do, the benefit of all
such laws and any and all right to have the assets comprising the Mortgaged
Property marshaled upon any foreclosure of the lien hereof and agrees that
Mortgagee or any court having jurisdiction to foreclose such lien may sell the
Mortgaged Property in part or as an entirety. To the full extent permitted by
law, Mortgagor hereby waives any and all statutory or other rights of redemption
from sale under any order or decree of foreclosure of this Mortgage, on its own
behalf and on behalf of each and every person acquiring any interest in or title
to the Mortgaged Property subsequent to the date hereof.


                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>
 
     18. Interpretation with Other Documents. Notwith standing anything in this
Mortgage to the contrary, in the event of a conflict or inconsistency between
the Mortgage and the Credit Agreement, the provisions of the Credit Agreement
shall govern.

     19. Future Advances. This Mortgage is given for the purpose of securing
future advances which the Mortgagee may make to or for Mortgagor pursuant and
subject to the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement, provided that the
maximum amount of principal indebtedness secured by the lien of this Mortgage
shall not exceed, at any one time, the sum of $13,200,000.00. The parties hereto
intend that, in addition to any other debt or obligation secured hereby, this
Mortgage shall secure unpaid balances of loan advances made after this Mortgage
is delivered to the Register of Deeds, Johnson County, Kansas, whether made
pursuant to an obligation of Mortgagee or otherwise, and in such event, such
advances up to the maximum principal amount of $13,200,000.00 shall be secured
to the same extent as if such future advances were made on the date hereof,
although there may be no advance made at the time of execution hereof and
although there may be no indebtedness outstanding at the time any advance is
made. Such loan advances may or may not be evidenced by notes executed pursuant
to the Credit Agreement.

     20. Invalid Provisions to Affect No Others. In the event that any of the
covenants, agreements, terms or provisions contained in this Mortgage shall be
invalid, illegal or unen forceable in any respect, the validity of the remaining
covenants, agreements, terms or provisions contained herein or in the Credit
Agreement shall not be in any way affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby. In
the event that the application of any of the covenants, agreements, terms or
provisions of this Mortgage is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable,
those covenants, agreements, terms and provisions shall not be in any way
affected, prejudiced or disturbed when otherwise applied.

     21. Changes. Neither this Mortgage nor any term hereof may be changed,
waived, discharged or terminated orally, or by any action or inaction, but only
by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the
change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. To the extent permitted by
law, any agreement hereafter made by Mortgagor and Mortgagee relating to this
Mortgage shall be superior to the rights of the holder of any intervening lien
or encumbrance.

     22. Time of Essence. Time is of the essence with respect to the provisions
of this Mortgage.


                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>
 
     23. Further Assurances. Mortgagor agrees, upon request of the Mortgagee,
from time to time, to execute, acknowledge, deliver and cause to be recorded (if
so requested) all such additional documents and further assurances of title and
do or cause to be done all such further acts as may be reasonably necessary to
preserve the liens and security interests created hereby, including the priority
thereof.

     24. No Strict Construction. The parties hereto have participated jointly in
the negotiation and drafting of this Mortgage. In the event an ambiguity or
question of intent or interpretation arises, this Mortgage shall be construed as
if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof
shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any
provisions of this Mortgage.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this instrument is executed as of the day and year
first above written by the person or persons identified below on behalf of
Mortgagor (and said person or persons hereby represent that they possess full
power and authority to execute this instrument).

     THE MORTGAGOR HEREBY DECLARES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE MORTGAGOR HAS
RECEIVED, WITHOUT CHARGE, A TRUE COPY OF THIS MORTGAGE.

                                             MORTGAGOR:

                                             GFSI, INC.



                                             By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                     Its ______ President


                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>
 
State of Kansas

County of Johnson



     This instrument was acknowledged to me on February 25, 1997 by John L.
Menghini as President of GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

                                               Kristi L. Wallace
                                               ------------------------------
                                               Notary Public


(Seal)

My Commission Expires:

      2-14-99


                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>
 
                                                          Commercial
                                                          Johnson County, Kansas

                                    EXHIBIT A

                                Legal Description

All of Lot 9 and part of Lot 13 and 15, "KANSAS COMMERCE CENTER", a subdivision
of Lenexa, Johnson County, Kansas, all being more particularly described as
follows: Beginning at the Southerlymost corner of said Lot 9; thence North 56
degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds East along the Southeasterly line of said Lot 9, a
distance of 175.00 feet; thence in a Northeasterly and Northerly direction,
continuing along said Southeasterly line and along a curve to the left, tangent
to the last described course, having a radius of 420.00 feet and a central angle
of 58 degrees 15 minutes 44 seconds, an arc distance of 427.08 feet; thence
North 2 degrees 15 minutes 44 seconds West along the East line of said Lot 9 and
tangent to said curve, a distance of 135.00 feet; thence in a Northerly,
Northwesterly and Westerly direction along the Northeasterly line of said Lot 9
and along a curve to the left, tangent to the last described course, having a
radius of 320.00 feet and a central angle of 89 degrees 56 minutes 05 seconds,
an arc distance of 502.29 feet; thence South 87 degrees 48 minutes 11 seconds
West, along the Northerly line of said Lot 9, and tangent to the last said
curve, a distance of 60.00 feet; thence in a Westerly, Southwesterly and
Southerly direction along the Northwesterly line of said Lot 9 and along a curve
to the left, tangent to the last described course, having a radius of 320.00
feet and a central angle of 80 degrees 06 minutes 00 seconds, an arc distance of
447.36 feet; thence South 7 degrees 42 minutes 11 seconds West along the
Westerly line of said Lot 9 and tangent to the last described curve, a distance
of 60.79 feet; thence in a Southerly and Southwesterly distance of 60.79 feet;
thence in a Southerly and Southwesterly direction along the Westerly line of
said Lot 9 and along the Northwesterly line of said Lot 13 and along a curve to
the right, tangent to the last described course, have a radius of 380.00 feet
and a central angle of 54 degrees 17 minutes 38 seconds, an arc distance of
360.09 feet; thence South 2 degrees 18 minutes 17 seconds East, a distance of
149.44 feet; thence North 87 degrees 48 minutes 11 seconds East, a distance of
375.21 feet to a point on the Northeasterly line of said Lot 15 that is South 66
degrees 05 minutes 00 seconds East, a distance of 95.00 feet from the
Northerlymost corner thereof; thence South 66 degrees 05 minutes 00 seconds East
along the last said Northeasterly line, a distance of 155.00 feet to an angle
point therein; thence South 34 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds East along the
Northeasterly line of said Lot 15, a distance of 100.00 feet to the point of
beginning.
<PAGE>
 
                                                          110th Street
                                                          Johnson County, Kansas

                                    EXHIBIT A

                                Legal Description

A tract of land in the South 1/2 of Section 8,  Township  13,  Range 24, City of
Lenexa,  Johnson County, Kansas said tract being more particularly  described as
follows:  Commencing at the Southeast  corner of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 8,
Township  13, Range 24, City of Lenexa,  Johnson  County,  Kansas;  thence North
02(degree)  13' 25" West on the East line of the  Southeast  1/4 of  Section  8,
Township 13, Range 24, 614.97 feet to a point;  thence South  88(degree) 02' 50"
West, 2460.01 feet on the existing  Northerly  Right-of-Way Line of 110th Street
and its  Westerly  prolongation  to a point;  said point  being on the  existing
Westerly  Right-of-Way  Line of Lakeview Avenue and also being the True Point of
Beginning;  thence  continuing South  88(degree) 02' 50" West,  726.00 feet to a
point;  thence North  02(degree)  13' 25" West,  360.00 feet to a point;  thence
North 88(degree) 02' 50" East,  726.00 feet to a point on the existing  Westerly
Right-of-Way  Line of Lakeview Avenue,  thence South 02(degree) 13' 25" East, on
the existing Westerly  Right-of-Way Line of Lakeview Avenue,  360.00 feet to the
True Point of Beginning.
<PAGE>
 
                                                                      Commercial


                                    EXHIBIT B

                              Permitted Exceptions

     Those title exceptions listed on the certain "marked-up" title
commitment/policy no. 97-1233, dated ____________, issued by Chicago Title
Insurance Company for the property described on Exhibit A hereto.
<PAGE>
 
                                                                      Commercial


                                    EXHIBIT B

                              Permitted Exceptions


     Those title exceptions listed on that certain "marked-up" title
commitment/policy no. 97-1233, dated ______________, issued by Chicago Title
Insurance Company for the property described on Exhibit A hereto.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  Execution Copy

                          RESTRICTED ACCOUNT AGREEMENT
                          ----------------------------



TO:      The First National Bank of Chicago
         as contractual representative (the "Agent")
         under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of
         February 27, 1997 (the "Credit Agreement"),
         among GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation
         (the "Borrower"), the Agent and those financial
         institutions from time to time parties thereto
         (the "Holders of Secured Obligations").

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     You have advised us that the Borrower has entered or will enter into the
Credit Agreement and that in connection therewith the Borrower has granted to
the Agent, for its benefit and the benefit of the Holders of Secured
Obligations, a lien on and security interest in substantially all of the assets
of the Borrower, including all of the accounts receivable and inventory of the
Borrower.

     This will confirm that the Borrower and the undersigned collection bank
(the "Bank") have agreed as follows with respect to (i) the accounts identified
on Schedule 1 attached hereto (the "Accounts") and (ii) the lock box identified
on Schedule 2 attached hereto, to which the Borrower's customers and other
persons and entities obligated to the Borrower deliver checks and other items of
payment (said lock box is hereinafter referred to as the "Lock Box"):

     1. The Borrower and the Bank acknowledge and confirm that although the
Accounts and Lock Box shall remain in the name of the Borrower, all funds now or
at any time hereafter deposited to the Accounts and Lock Box and all of the
Borrower's rights regarding such Accounts and Lock Box constitute part of the
collateral in which the Borrower has granted a security interest to the Agent,
to secure the Borrower's obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other
instruments, documents and agreements executed in connection therewith, and that
during a "Notification Period" (as defined below), the Bank shall not be
permitted to follow the Borrower's directions as to disbursements and deposits
with respect thereto. The Bank's authorized representatives will have access to
the Lock Box, under the authority given by the Borrower to the appropriate Post
Office, and will make regular pick-ups from the Lock Box timed to gain the
maximum benefit of early presentation and availability of funds. Upon the Bank's
receipt thereof, checks and other items of payment so received will be processed
in accordance with the terms of the most current lock box agreement between the
Bank and the Borrower.
<PAGE>
 
     2. The Bank will not exercise, and hereby releases, any banker's lien upon
and any right of set off against checks or other items of payment remitted to
the Lock Box and/or deposited in the Accounts, except (i) with respect to the
Bank's normal fees and charges for operating the Accounts and (ii) for amounts
previously credited to Borrower's Accounts which the Bank subsequently
determines are uncollectible items. Checks returned unpaid because of
uncollected or insufficient funds shall be handled in accordance with the most
current lock box agreement between the Bank and the Borrower.

     3. From and after the date on which the Agent notifies the Bank, in
writing, that it is exercising its rights under this Collection Account
Agreement (the "Notice") until the date on which the Agent notifies the Bank
that it is withdrawing such Notice (such period being referred to herein as a
"Notification Period"), the Bank, the Borrower and the Agent agree that, unless
the Agent otherwise instructs the Bank in writing:

          A. The Bank will not honor drafts, demands, withdrawal requests or
     remittance instructions by the Borrower.

          B. The Bank will hold solely for account of the Agent all funds which
     may be on deposit in the Accounts and the Agent shall have the exclusive
     right to direct the Bank as to the disposition of all checks, other items
     of payment and amounts deposited in the Accounts and remitted to the Lock
     Box.

          C. The Bank will remit all such funds directly to the Agent, as soon
     as the funds are collected, by electronic transfer of immediately available
     funds in accordance with the Agent's written wire-transfer instructions
     given from time to time to the Bank.

          D. The Bank shall be entitled to rely upon any notice or other writing
     received from the Agent and the Borrower waives any claim of, and releases
     the Bank from any liability for, complying with the terms of this
     Collection Account Agreement.

     4. The Borrower will receive a receipted copy of the activity relating to
the Lock Box for its records. The Bank will not close the Account without giving
the Agent at least thirty (30) days' prior written notice at the address set
forth below or such other address as the Agent may from time to time indicate by
written notice to the Bank, the Bank will send to the Agent at such address a
copy of each periodic statement for the Account, as and when the statement is
sent to the Borrower.

     5. Any notice (including, without limitation, any Notice) required or
desired to be served, given or delivered hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered (i) three (3) business
days after deposit in the United States mails, with proper postage prepaid, (ii)
when sent after receipt of confirmation if sent by telecopy, (iii) one (1)
business day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier with all charges
prepaid, or (iv) when delivered, if hand delivered by messenger.


                                       -2-
<PAGE>
 
     6. This Collection Account Agreement shall be binding upon the Bank and the
Borrower and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the
benefit of the Agent, each of the Holders of Secured Obligations and their
respective successors and assigns. This Collection Account Agreement may not be
modified without the Agent's prior written consent, but may be terminated by the
Agent or the Bank upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the other
parties hereto. The Bank reserves the right to debit any of the Accounts for
reasonable and customary fees relating to the services performed.

This Collection Account Agreement shall be deemed effective as of February 27,
1997, upon execution hereof by the Bank.


                                            BOATMEN'S NATIONAL BANK:


                                            By:
                                            Name:  Steven O. Stoecker
                                            Title:  Senior Vice President

                                            Address:
                                            14 West 10th Street
                                            Kansas City, Missouri 64105
                                            Attn:  Steven O. Stoecker
                                                   Ann Mauzy
                                            Telecopy No.:  816-979-7174
                                            Confirmation No.:  816-979-7149



                                       -3-
<PAGE>
 
Acknowledged and agreed to as of this 
27th day of February, 1997:


GFSI, Inc., as Borrower


By: /s/ Illegible
   --------------------------
Name:
Title:

Address:
9700 Commerce Parkway
Lenexa, KS 66219
Attn:  Robert Shaw
Telecopy No.:  913/752-3346
Confirmation No.:  913/888-0445


Acknowledged and agreed to as of this
27th day of February, 1997


THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
 OF CHICAGO, as Agent


By: /s/ Nathan L. Bloch
   --------------------------
   Name:  Nathan L. Bloch
   Title:  First Vice President

Address:
One First National Plaza
Suite 0088
Chicago, Illinois 60670-0088
Attn:  Nathan L. Bloch
Telecopy No.: 312-732-1117
Confirmation No.: 312-732-2243




                                       -4-

<PAGE>
 
                          RESTRICTED ACCOUNT AGREEMENT

                                SIDLEY & AUSTIN

TO:      The First National Bank of Chicago
         as contractual representative (the "Agent")
         under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of        LONDON
         February 27, 1997 (the "Credit Agreement"),             ------
         among GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation               SINGAPORE
         (the "Borrower"), the Agent and those financial         ------
         institutions from time to time parties thereto           TOKYO
         (the "Holders of Secured Obligations").

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     You have advised us that the Borrower has entered or will enter into the
Credit Agreement and that in connection therewith the Borrower has granted to
the Agent, for its benefit and the benefit of the Holders of Secured
Obligations, a lien on and security interest in substantially all of the assets
of the Borrower, including all of the accounts receivable and inventory of the
Borrower.

     This will confirm that the Borrower and the undersigned bank (the "Bank")
have agreed as follows with respect to the accounts identified on Schedule 1
attached hereto (the "Accounts") to which the Borrower deposits funds:

     1. The Borrower and the Bank acknowledge and confirm that although the
Accounts shall remain in the name of the Borrower, all funds now or at any time
hereafter deposited to the Accounts and all of the Borrower's rights regarding
such Accounts constitute part of the collateral in which the Borrower has
granted a security interest to the Agent, to secure the Borrower's obligations
under the Credit Agreement and the other instruments, documents and agreements
executed in connection therewith, and that during a "Notification Period" (as
defined below), the Bank shall not be permitted to follow the Borrower's
directions as to disbursements and deposits with respect thereto.

     2. The Bank will not exercise, and hereby releases, any banker's lien upon
and any right of set off against any checks or other items of payment deposited
in the Accounts, except (i) with respect to the Bank's normal fees and charges
for operating the Accounts and (ii) for amounts previously credited to
Borrower's Accounts which the Bank subsequently determines are uncollectible
items. Checks returned unpaid because of uncollected or insufficient funds shall
be redeposited without advice.

     3. From and after the date on which the Agent notifies the Bank, in
writing, that it is exercising its rights under this Collection Account
Agreement (the "Notice") until the date on which the Agent notifies the Bank
that it is withdrawing such Notice (such period being referred to herein as a
"Notification Period"), the Bank, the Borrower and the Agent agree that, unless
the Agent otherwise instructs the Bank in writing:

          A. The Bank will not honor drafts, demands, withdrawal requests or
     remittance instructions by the Borrower.
<PAGE>
 
          B. The Bank will hold solely for account of the Agent all funds which
     may be on deposit in the Accounts and the Agent shall have the exclusive
     right to direct the Bank as to the disposition of all checks, other items
     of payment and amounts deposited in the Accounts.

          C. The Bank will remit all such funds directly to the Agent, as soon
     as the funds are collected, by electronic transfer of immediately available
     funds in accordance with the Agent's written wire-transfer instructions
     given from time to time to the Bank.

          D. The Bank shall be entitled to rely upon any notice or other writing
     received from the Agent and the Borrower waives any claim of, and releases
     the Bank from any liability for, complying with the terms of this
     Collection Account Agreement.

     4. The Bank will not close the Accounts without giving the Agent at least
thirty (30) days' prior written notice at the address set forth below or such
other address as the Agent may from time to time indicate by written notice to
the Bank, the Bank will send to the Agent at such address a copy of each
periodic statement for the Account, as and when the statement is sent to the
Borrower.

     5. Any notice (including, without limitation, any Notice) required or
desired to be served, given or delivered hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered (i) three (3) business
days after deposit in the United States mails, with proper postage prepaid, (ii)
when sent after receipt of confirmation if sent by telecopy, (iii) one (1)
business day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier with all charges
prepaid, or (iv) when delivered, if hand delivered by messenger.

     6. This Collection Account Agreement shall be binding upon the Bank and the
Borrower and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the
benefit of the Agent, each of the Holders of Secured Obligations and their
respective successors and assigns. This Collection Account Agreement may not be
modified without the Agent's prior written consent, but may be terminated by the
Agent or the Bank upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the other
parties hereto.

This Collection Account Agreement shall be deemed effective as of February
27,1997 upon execution hereof by the Bank.


                                HILL CREST BANK:


                                By: /s/ Marvin Szneler
                                   ----------------------------
                                Name: Marvin Szneler
                                Title: Vice President

                                Address: 11111 W. 95th
                                         Overland Park, KS 66214

                                Attn: ______________
                                Telecopy No.:
                                Confirmation No.: ___


                                       -2-
<PAGE>
 
Acknowledged and agreed to as of this 
27th day of February, 1997:


GFSI, Inc., as Borrower


By: /s/ Illegible
   ---------------------------
Name:
Title:

Address:
9700 Commerce Parkway
Lenexa, KS  66219
Attn:  Robert Shaw
Telecopy No.:  913/752-3346
Confirmation No.:  913/888-0445


Acknowledged and agreed to as of this
27th day of February, 1997


THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
 OF CHICAGO, as Agent


By: /s/ Nathan L. Bloch
   ---------------------------
   Name:  Nathan L. Bloch
   Title:  First Vice President

Address:
One First National Plaza
Suite 6173
Chicago, Illinois 60670-6173
Attn:  Nathan L. Bloch
Telecopy No.: 312-732-1117
Confirmation No.: 312-732-2243


                                       -3-

<PAGE>
 
                              TAX SHARING AGREEMENT


     THIS TAX SHARING AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), made as of the 27th day of
February, 1997, is entered into by and between GFSI HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("Holdings"), and GFSI, INC., a Delaware corporation
("Acquisition").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

     WHEREAS, Holdings is the parent corporation of an affiliated group or
groups of corporations, including Acquisition;

     WHEREAS, both parties desire to file consolidated federal income tax
returns pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any
successor thereto; and

     WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to provide that Acquisition shall pay to
Holdings with respect to taxable years commencing on or after February 27, 1997,
the amounts which Acquisition and/or the Acquisition Group (as defined below)
would have been required to pay as federal income taxes if the Acquisition Group
had not been included in a consolidated federal income tax return filed for an
affiliated group of which Holdings is the parent corporation for the taxable
year under consideration;

     NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

     1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the following meanings when
used herein:

     (a) "Acquisition Group" means Acquisition and all corporations which would
be includible in an Affiliated Group of which Acquisition would be the parent
corporation were Acquisition not included in the Holdings Affiliated Group. If
there is no other corporation part of an Affiliated Group of which Acquisition
is the common parent, "Acquisition Group" shall mean Acquisition.

     (b) "Affiliated Group" has the meaning set forth in Section 1504 of the
Code.

     (c) "Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

     (d) "Bank" means The First National Bank of Chicago.

     (e) "Calculated Tax" means the amount of federal income tax (including
alternate minimum tax and any interest, penalties and additions to tax) which
the Holdings Group or the Acquisition Group, as the case may be, would have been
required to pay had it not been included in the Consolidated Return of the
Holdings
<PAGE>
 
Affiliated Group. Such Calculated Tax shall be computed in accordance with the
methods of tax accounting utilized by the Holdings Affiliated Group for federal
income tax purposes by:

          (1) allowing each Group its proportionate share of the Holdings
     Affiliated Group's bracket amount under Section 11(b) of the Code and tax
     credits, if any, which such Group would have been entitled to were it
     filing its own (i) Consolidated Return and were such Group a separate and
     distinct controlled group with no member a member of another controlled
     group or (ii) Separate Return;

          (2) allowing each Group its net operating loss, capital loss, and tax
     credit carryforwards, if any, which such Group would have been entitled to
     were it filing its own Consolidated Return (or, if applicable, its own
     Separate Return); and

          (3) treating all intercompany dividends received as qualifying
     dividends within the meaning of Code Section 243(a)(3).

     (f) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any
successor thereto.

     (g) "Consolidated Return" means the consolidated federal income tax return
or amended consolidated federal income tax return filed by an Affiliated Group
pursuant to Section 1501 of the Code.

     (h) "Consolidated Tax" means the amount of federal income tax (including
alternate minimum tax and any interest, penalties and additions to tax) due and
payable by the Holdings Affiliated Group for a taxable year, shown on the
Consolidated Return as filed with respect to a taxable year or as readjusted due
to a Final Determination.

     (i) "Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement between Acquisition and
The First National Bank of Chicago, dated the date hereof.

     (j) "Final Determination" means any agreement reached with the Internal
Revenue Service under which Holdings and the Internal Revenue Service agree to
the Consolidated Tax for the Holdings Affiliated Group or any final
administrative or judicial decision determining the amount of such Consolidated
Tax which is either non-appealable or which Acquisition and Holdings have agreed
to in writing that Holdings should no longer dispute.

     (k) "Group" means the Holdings Group or the Acquisition Group, as the
context requires.


                                        2
<PAGE>
 
     (l) "Holdings Affiliated Group" means the Holdings Group and the
Acquisition Group.

     (m) "Holdings Group" means Holdings and all corporations includible in the
Holdings Affiliated Group other than members of the Acquisition Group. If there
is no other corporation part of the Affiliated Group of which Holdings is the
common parent (excluding any member of the Acquisition Group for this purpose),
then the "Holdings Group" shall mean Holdings.

     (n) "Reference Rate" means the rate of interest publicly announced by the
Bank in Chicago, Illinois as its "reference rate."

     (o) "Separate Return" means an income tax return filed by a C corporation
without including another corporation that is part of an Affiliated Group.

     2. Consolidated Returns. Holdings and Acquisition shall both be included in
Consolidated Returns filed for the Holdings Affiliated Group for so long as they
remain members of the Holdings Affiliated Group.

     3. Consolidated Tax. If in any taxable year commencing on or after February
27, 1997, there is Consolidated Tax for the Holdings Affiliated Group, Holdings
shall be responsible for payment of the Consolidated Tax.

     4. Allocation of Tax. The Consolidated Tax, including estimated
Consolidated Tax payments, shall be apportioned among the members of the
Holdings Affiliated Group under the applicable provisions of Section 1552(a)(1)
of the Code and the income tax regulations thereunder. The chief financial
officer of Holdings shall determine the amount of the estimated Consolidated Tax
or the Consolidated Tax and his determination shall be final and conclusive,
provided such determination of Consolidated Tax or estimated Consolidated Tax is
not arbitrary or unreasonable. Acquisition shall pay to Holdings the Acquisition
Group's allocated portion of Consolidated Tax or estimated Consolidated Tax
under the provisions of this paragraph and such payment shall be made within ten
(10) business days of the date upon which it has been notified of such allocated
portion.

     5. Additional Tax Payments. In addition to amounts payable by Acquisition
to Holdings pursuant to Paragraph 4 hereof, Acquisition shall also pay to
Holdings pursuant to Paragraph 6 the difference between (i) the Acquisition
Group's Calculated Tax and (ii) amounts paid pursuant to Paragraph 4 hereof for
taxable years commencing on or after February, 1997. If the difference between
(i) and (ii) is negative, Holdings shall pay to Acquisition the amount of such
difference. The intent of this provision is that Acquisition shall pay to
Holdings, in the aggregate, an amount



                                        3
<PAGE>
 
equal to the Acquisition Group's Calculated Tax for the taxable year at issue.

     6. Calculation of Tax. As soon as reasonably possible after the end of each
taxable year, the chief financial officer of Holdings shall determine the
Calculated Tax for that taxable year and his determination shall be final and
conclusive, provided such determination of Calculated Tax has been reviewed by
an independent public accountant, including the independent public accountant
regularly used by Holdings, in connection with the annual audit of the Holdings
Affiliated Group and provided such determination of reduction in tax liability
is not arbitrary or unreasonable. Within thirty (30) days after such chief
financial officer's determination, one hundred percent (100%) of the amount
determined under Paragraph 5 for the taxable year shall be paid to Holdings.

     7. Adjustments. The Consolidated Tax, the apportionment of such
Consolidated Tax, the Calculated Tax, and the amounts due under Paragraph 5
shall be subject to further adjustment from time to time in accordance with any
Final Determination of Consolidated Tax or any filing of an amended consolidated
return. If as a result of such adjustment there is an increase or decrease in
Acquisition Group's allocated portion of Consolidated Tax or the amounts due
under Paragraph 5, the amount of such increase or decrease shall be paid by
Acquisition to Holdings, or Holdings to Acquisition, as the case may be, within
thirty (30) days of the date of such Final Determination or filing of an amended
Consolidated Return.

     8. Losses. If for any taxable year the Acquisition Group sustains a net
operating loss or becomes entitled to a tax credit which could otherwise be
applied to reduce the Calculated Tax of a prior taxable year beginning on or
after February 27, 1997, during which the Acquisition Group was a member of the
Holdings Affiliated Group, the Acquisition Group's Calculated Tax for such prior
taxable year shall be adjusted in accordance with Paragraph 7 to reflect such
carryback. To the extent that Holdings receives a refund for such prior taxable
year as a result of the application of such carryback, the amount of such
refund, including interest thereon, shall be paid by Holdings to Acquisition
within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such refund by Holdings. If the
application of such carryback results in a decrease in Acquisition Group's
Calculated Tax for such prior taxable year but Holdings does not receive a
refund equal to such decrease, the amount of such decrease, less any payments to
Acquisition on account of such decrease under the previous sentence, shall be
treated as an indebtedness of Holdings to Acquisition and may be used to offset
any future amounts Acquisition is required to pay under this Agreement.

     9. Refunds. If Holdings receives a tax refund or credit in respect of any
taxable year commencing on or after



                                        4
<PAGE>
 
February 27, 1997, in which the Acquisition Group was a member of the Holdings
Affiliated Group, such refund or credit, including interest thereon, if any,
shall be allocated to the member of the Holdings Affiliated Group in a manner
consistent with the adjustments made pursuant to Paragraphs 7 and 8. The portion
of the amount of the tax refund or credit, including interest thereon, if any,
allocable to the Acquisition Group in conformity with such recomputation shall
be paid to Acquisition by Holdings within thirty (30) days of the receipt of
such refund.

     10. Interest on Payments. In the event Acquisition or Holdings fails to
remit an amount required to be paid under Paragraphs 4 through 9, such amount
shall be due with interest determined each month using the Reference Rate in
effect at the close of business on the bank day immediately preceding the first
day of that month.

     11. Allocation of Liability. As between Holdings and Acquisition, the
provisions of this Agreement shall fix the liability of Acquisition to Holdings
or Holdings to Acquisition, as the case may be, as to the matters covered, even
if such provisions are not controlling for federal income tax or other purposes.

     12. Other Taxes. To the extent state, local and other income taxes of
jurisdictions within and outside the United States in which the Holdings
Affiliated Group (and/or a member thereof) files income tax returns on a
combined, consolidated or unitary basis or based on principles of income tax
reporting consistent with the principles of income tax reporting contained in
Sections 1501 through 1504 of the Code and regulations thereunder, this
Agreement shall apply to the payment of such state, local and other income
taxes. This Agreement shall apply by modifying its terms only so as to permit
this Agreement to account for such income taxes.

     13. Suspension of Payments. No payments shall be made or due under this
Agreement for any tax period commencing on or after the occurrence of any of the
following:

          (a) The date with respect to which Acquisition gives notice of
     termination of this Agreement to Holdings pursuant to authorization of
     Acquisition's Board of Directors, which notice may be given at any time, if
     (i) Holdings shall have been adjudicated a bankrupt, (ii) a receiver or
     trustee of Holdings or of all or substantially all of its property shall
     have been appointed and not discharged within sixty (60) days of such
     appointment, (iii) Holdings shall have voluntarily filed a petition in
     bankruptcy under the provisions of 11 U.S.C. ss.ss. 101 et. seq. (the
     "Federal Bankruptcy Act") or any other law for the relief of debtors, (iv)
     Holdings shall have made a general assignment for the benefit of creditors
     or shall have admitted in writing its inability to pay its debts generally
     as they become due, (v)




                                        5
<PAGE>
 
     Holdings shall have consented to the appointment of a receiver or a trustee
     of Holdings or of all or substantially all of its property, or (vi) at any
     time the affairs of Holdings shall have been placed in the hands of a
     creditors committee or similar group; or

          (b) The date with respect to which Holdings gives notice of
     termination of this Agreement to Acquisition pursuant to authorization of
     Holdings' Board of Directors, which notice may be given at any time, if (i)
     Acquisition shall have been adjudicated a bankrupt, (ii) a receiver or
     trustee of Acquisition or of all or substantially all of its property shall
     have been appointed and not discharged within sixty (60) days of such
     appointment, (iii) Acquisition shall have voluntarily filed a petition in
     bankruptcy under the provisions of the Federal Bankruptcy Act or any other
     law for the relief of debtors, (iv) Acquisition shall have made a general
     assignment for the benefit of creditors or shall have admitted in writing
     its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, (v)
     Acquisition shall have consented to the appointment of a receiver or a
     trustee of Acquisition or of all or substantially all of its property, or
     (vi) at any time the affairs of Acquisition shall have been placed in the
     hands of a creditors committee or similar group.

     14. Right to Suspend Payments. During any period when an involuntary
petition under the Federal Bankruptcy act or any similar act for the relief of
debtors is pending against either Holdings or Acquisition, Acquisition or
Holdings, respectively, may, at its option, suspend payments to the other party
without terminating this Agreement.

     15. Credit Agreement Restrictions. Except for payments under Paragraph 3 of
this Agreement, to the extent any payments due hereunder are not permitted to be
made under the terms of the Credit Agreement, such amounts shall be suspended
and paid when permitted under the Credit Agreement.

     16. Governing Law. This Agreement is made under the laws of the state of
New York, which law shall be controlling in all matters relating to the
interpretation, construction or enforcement hereof.

     17. Termination of Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate on the date
Acquisition is no longer included as a member of the Holdings Affiliated Group;
provided, however, such termination shall not relieve any party of its
obligation hereunder with respect to taxable years ending on or before such
termination.

     18. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended, at any time and from time to
time hereafter, by the written agreement of the parties hereto at the time of
such amendment, and may also be





                                        6
<PAGE>
 
terminated at any time by the mutual written consent by the parties hereto.

     19. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications which
are required or may be given under this Agreement shall be given in writing and
shall be given by personal delivery or certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

          If Holdings, at:

               GFSI Holdings, Inc.
               Suite 4000
               9 West 57th Street
               New York, New York 10019
               Attention: A. Richard Caputo, Jr.

          If Acquisition, at:

               GFSI, Inc.
               Suite 4000
               9 West 57th Street
               New York, New York 10019
               Attention: A. Richard Caputo, Jr.


              [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK]





                                        7
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first
written above.

                                            HOLDINGS:

                                            GFSI HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware
                                            Corporation



                                            By: /s/ A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                                --------------------------------
                                                A. Richard Caputo, Jr.,
                                                Vice President


                                            ACQUISITION:

                                            GFSI, INC., a Delaware Corporation



                                            By: /s/ A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                                --------------------------------
                                                A. Richard Caputo, Jr.,
                                                Vice President





                                        8

<PAGE>
 
                         MANAGEMENT CONSULTING AGREEMENT


     THIS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING AGREEMENT ("Agreement"), is executed as of the
27th day of February, 1997, by and between TJC MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, a
Delaware corporation (the "Consultant"), and GFSI HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the Consultant has and/or has access to personnel who are highly
skilled in the field of rendering advice to business concerns such as the
Company; and

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Consultant to provide business
and financial advice to the Company;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
and agreements herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1. The Company hereby retains the Consultant, through the Consultant's own
personnel or through personnel available to the Consultant, to render consulting
services from time to time to the Company and its subsidiaries (whether now
existing or hereafter acquired) in connection with their financial and business
affairs, their relationships with their lenders, stockholders and other
third-party associates or affiliates and the expansion of their businesses. The
term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and continue until
February 28, 2007 unless extended, or sooner terminated, as provided in Section
5 below. The Consultant's personnel shall be reasonably available to the
Company's managers, auditors and other personnel for consultation and advice,
subject to the Consultant's reasonable convenience and scheduling. Services may
be rendered at the Consultant's offices or at such other locations selected by
the Consultant as the Company and the Consultant shall from time to time agree.

     2. During the term of this Agreement, the Company shall pay the Consultant:

(i)  an annual fee equal to, (x) during the first two (2) years of this
     Agreement, $500,000, (y) during the third, fourth and fifth years of this
     Agreement, the greater of $500,000 or one and one-half percent (1.5%) of
     the Company's earnings before extraordinary income or losses, interest
     expense, interest income, other non-operating income and expense, income
     taxes, and transaction-related amortization for the preceding fiscal year
     ("EBITA"), but in no event more than $750,000 in any year, and (z) after
     the fifth anniversary of this Agreement, the greater of $500,000 or one and
     one-half percent (1.5%) of the
<PAGE>
 
      Company's EBITA, but in no event more than $1,000,000 in any year, with
      such fee being payable in quarterly installments each year commencing on
      March 31, 1997;

(ii)  an investment banking and sponsorship fee of up to two percent (2%) of the
      aggregate consideration paid (including noncompetition and similar
      payments) by the Company and/or its subsidiaries in connection with the
      acquisition by the Company and/or its subsidiaries of all or substantially
      all of the outstanding capital stock, warrants, options or other rights to
      acquire capital stock, or all or substantially all of the assets of 
      another individual, corporation, partnership or other business entity; and

(iii) a financial consulting fee not to exceed one percent (1%) of the amount of
      money obtained or made available pursuant to any financing (including,
      without limitation, any refinancing) by the Company with the assistance of
      the Consultant;

provided, however, if in connection with any transaction the Consultant has
earned a fee under clause (ii) above, the Consultant shall not be entitled to a
fee under clause (iii) for the same transaction. All fees and expenses payable
under clauses (ii) and (iii) above shall be subject to the approval of the
Company's Board of Directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, the
Company shall pay the Consultant a fee under clauses (ii) and (iii) above in the
aggregate amount of $3,250,000 in connection with the acquisition of all the
capital stock of Winning Ways, Inc., a Missouri corporation, such amount to be
paid to the Consultant on the date hereof.

     3. Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Consultant and its
personnel in performing services hereunder to the Company and its subsidiaries
shall be promptly reimbursed to it by the Company upon the Consultant's
rendering of a statement therefor, together with such supporting data as the
Company shall reasonably require.

     4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to pay
the fees under Section 2 (without limiting the fees, reimbursements and payments
provided under Sections 3, 8 and 9 of this Agreement which shall be due and
payable in all events) (a) if and to the extent expressly prohibited by the
provisions of any credit, stock, financing or other agreements or instruments
binding upon the Company, its subsidiaries or properties, (b) if the Company has
not paid interest on any interest payment date or has postponed or not made any
principal payments with respect to any of its indebtedness on any scheduled
payment dates, or (c) if the Company has not paid dividends on any dividend
payment date as set forth in its certificate of incorporation (unless such


                                        2
<PAGE>
 
dividends are accrued) or as declared by its Board of Directors, or has
postponed or not made any redemptions on any redemption date as set forth in its
certificate of incorporation or any certificate of designation with respect to
its preferred stock, if any. Any payments otherwise owed hereunder, which are
not made for any of the above-mentioned reasons, shall not be cancelled but
rather shall accrue, and shall be payable by the Company promptly when, and to
the extent that, the Company is no longer prohibited from making such payments,
the Company has become current with respect to such principal or interest
payments, the Company has become current with respect to such dividends and has
made such redemptions with respect to such preferred stock, if any. Any payment
required hereunder which is not paid when due shall bear interest at the rate of
six percent (6.0%) per annum.

     5. This Agreement shall be automatically renewed for successive one-year
terms unless either party hereto, within sixty (60) days prior to the scheduled
renewal date, notifies the other party as to its election to terminate this
Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated by
not less than ninety (90) days' prior written notice from the Company to the
Consultant at any time after (i) substantially all of the stock or substantially
all of the assets of the Company or all of its subsidiaries are sold, or (ii)
the Company is merged or consolidated into another entity unaffiliated with the
Consultant and/or a majority of the Company's stockholders immediately prior to
such merger and the Company is not the survivor of such transaction.

     6. The Consultant shall have no liability to the Company on account of (i)
any advice which it renders to the Company, provided the Consultant believed in
good faith that such advice was useful or beneficial to the Company at the time
it was rendered, (ii) the Consultant's inability to obtain financing or achieve
other results desired by the Company or the Consultant's failure to render
services to the Company at any particular time or from time to time, or (iii)
the failure of any acquisition to meet the financial, operating or other
expectations of the Company.

     7. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary,
the Company agrees and acknowledges that the Consultant and its shareholders,
employees, directors and affiliates intend to engage and participate in
acquisitions and business transactions outside the scope of the relationship
created by this Agreement and neither the Consultant nor any of its
shareholders, employees, directors or affiliates shall be under any obligation
whatsoever to make such acquisitions or business transactions through the
Company or offer such acquisitions or business transactions to the Company.


                                        3
<PAGE>
 
     8. The Company will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
indemnify and hold harmless the Consultant, its affiliates and associates, and
each of the respective owners, partners, officers, directors, employees and
agents of each of the foregoing, from and against any loss, liability, damage,
claim or expenses (including the fees and expenses of counsel) (collectively
"Damages") arising as a result of or in connection with this Agreement, the
Consultant's services hereunder or other activities on behalf of the Company and
its subsidiaries, unless such Damages resulted from Consultant's lack of good
faith at the time it rendered any advice to the Company.

     9. a. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties
with respect to the Consultant's rendering of services to the Company. This
Agreement may not be modified, waived, terminated or amended except expressly by
an instrument in writing signed by the Consultant and the Company.

          b. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the
     consent of the other party, but shall be binding upon and inure to the
     benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns upon
     such permitted assignment.

          c. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held to
     be void or unenforceable in whole or in part, the remaining provisions of
     this Agreement and the remaining portion of any provision held void or
     unenforceable in part shall continue in full force and effect.

          d. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, notice given
     hereunder shall be deemed sufficient if delivered personally or sent by
     registered or certified mail to the address of the party for whom intended
     at the principal executive offices of such party, or at such other address
     as such party may hereinafter specify by written notice to the other party.

          e. No waiver by either party of any breach of any provision of this
     Agreement shall be deemed a continuing waiver or a waiver of any preceding
     or succeeding breach of such provision or of any other provision herein
     contained.

          f. The Consultant and its personnel shall, for purposes of this
     Agreement, be independent contractors with respect to the Company.

          g. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws (and not the
     law of conflicts) of the state of New York.


                            (Signatures on next page)


                                        4
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
     of the day and year first above written.

                                        CONSULTANT:

                                        TJC MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, a Delaware
                                        corporation


                                        By: /s/ David W. Zalaznick
                                           -------------------------------------
                                            David W. Zalaznick
                                            President


                                        COMPANY:

                                        GFSI HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware
                                        corporation


                                        By: /s/ A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                           -------------------------------------
                                            A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                            Vice President



                                        5

<PAGE>
 
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of the 27th day of
February, 1997, is made by and between GFSI, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and ROBERT M. WOLFF, an individual ("Executive").


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, Executive has been actively involved in the business of Winning
Ways, Inc., a Missouri corporation ("Winning Ways"), as an employee,
stockholder, officer and member of the Board of Directors; and

     WHEREAS, the Company and GFSI Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Holdings"), collectively, have agreed to purchase all of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of Winning Ways pursuant to an Agreement for
Purchase and Sale of Stock, dated January 24, 1997 (the "Purchase Agreement"),
by and among the Company, Holdings and all the stockholders of Winning Ways;

     WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase
Agreement, Winning Ways will be merged with and into the Company, with the
Company as the surviving entity;

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the services of Executive and
Executive desires to be retained by the Company;

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

     1. Employment. The Company hereby retains the Executive as the Chairman of
the Company, and the Executive hereby agrees to serve as the Chairman of the
Company, for a term commencing as of the date of this Agreement and ending on
the tenth 10th) anniversary of the date of this Agreement. The Executive shall
be accessible to the Company and shall undertake and perform such services as
are reasonably requested by the Company's Board of Directors, including, without
limitation, assisting in any transition necessitated by the sale of the stock of
Winning Ways and fostering the Company's relationships with its suppliers and
customers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company acknowledges that the
Executive has historically taken, and will continue to take, frequent and
lengthy vacations. According, the Company understands that the Executive will
not undertake a full-time work schedule.

     2. Salary. During the term of this Agreement, the Company will pay
Executive an annual salary (the "Salary") as set
<PAGE>
 
forth on Exhibit A attached hereto, payable in substantially equal monthly or
more frequent installments.

     3. Benefits. During the term of this Agreement, the Executive will receive
the benefits set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto. Such benefits will be
essentially the same as Executive received while employed by Winning Ways,
including (x) a secretary, (y) an assistant and (z) the use of three automobiles
of a type similar to the makes and models provided by Winning Ways to the
Executive prior to the date hereof; provided, however, the Executive shall not
receive any (i) stock options or (ii) bonuses.

     4. Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for such ordinary,
necessary and reasonable business expenses as are advanced by him in the
performance of his services hereunder; but such expenses shall be substantiated
by the Executive in writing to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Company shall not reimburse the
Executive for any commuting expenses to or from the Company or any of its
facilities.

     5. Termination.

     (a) The Company may terminate this Agreement, all of the Company's
obligations under this Agreement, and Executive's employment hereunder for
"cause," upon the delivery of written notice to Executive, following the
occurrence of any one of the following events on the part of Executive:

     1. Conviction of any felony;

     2. Executive's violation of any non-competition agreement with the Company
or with any Affiliate (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) of the Company.

     3. Total or partial disability of Executive that has continued for at least
12 months;

     4. Frequent drunkenness on the job; or

     5. The death of Executive.

     (b) In the event that this Agreement is terminated by the Company for
"cause" or voluntarily terminated by Executive, the Company shall pay any
amounts earned by Executive under Section 2 hereof up to the date of
termination.

     (c) If the Company terminates this Agreement for "cause," but the Executive
contests such termination, the Company shall continue to make all payments
required by Section 2 of this Agreement after the date of such termination until
and unless a final judgment is rendered in favor of the Company and against the



                                        2
<PAGE>
 
Executive. For purposes of this section, a final judgment means a judgment from
which there is no possibility of further appeal.

     6. Inventions, Etc. The Executive agrees that all inventions conceived of
or developed by the Executive during the term of his employment with the
Company, whether alone or jointly with others and whether during working hours
or otherwise, which relate to the business or interests of the Company, or any
business or other company in which the Company or Holdings now or hereafter has
an ownership interest, shall be the Company's exclusive property. The Executive
shall (i) promptly disclose in writing to the Company each invention, conceived
or developed by the Executive during the term of his employment with the
Company, (ii) assign all rights to such inventions to the Company and (iii)
assist the Company in every way to obtain and protect any patents, trademarks or
copyrights on such inventions.

     7. Notices. Any notice, request, consent or communication (collectively a
"Notice") under this Agreement shall be effective only if it is in writing and
(i) personally delivered, (ii) sent by certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, (iii) sent by a nationally recognized
overnight delivery service for next day delivery, with delivery confirmed, or
(iv) telecopied, with receipt confirmed, addressed as follows:

     a. If to Executive:

        Robert M. Wolff
        6432 Aberdeen
        Prairie Village, Kansas 66208

with a copy to:

        Leonard Rose, Esq.
        Rose, Brouillette & Shapiro, P.C.
        4900 Main Street, 11th Floor
        Kansas City, MO 64112
        Telecopier: 816-756-1639

     b. If to the Company to:

        GFSI, Inc.
        9700 Commerce Parkway
        Lenexa, Kansas 66219
        Attention:  John L. Menghini
        Telecopier: 913-752-3336

with copies to:

        GFSI Holdings, Inc.
        9 West 57th Street, Suite 4000



                                        3
<PAGE>
 
        New York, New York  10019
        Attention: A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
        Telecopier: 212-750-5263


        G. Robert Fisher, Esq.
        Bryan Cave LLP
        1200 Main Street, Suite 3500
        Kansas City, Missouri 64105
        Telecopier: 816-391-7600

or such other persons or addresses as shall be furnished in writing by either
party to the other party. A Notice shall be deemed to have been given as of the
date when (i) personally delivered, (ii) three days after the date when
deposited with the United States mail properly addressed, (iii) when receipt of
a Notice sent by an overnight delivery service is confirmed by such overnight
delivery service, or (iv) when receipt of the telecopy is confirmed, as the case
may be, unless the sending party has actual knowledge that a Notice was not
received by the intended recipient.

     8. Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
heirs, successors and permitted assigns, but neither this Agreement nor any of
the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by Executive.

     9. Attorneys' Fees. If any legal action or other proceeding is commenced to
enforce or interpret any provision of, or otherwise relating to, this Agreement,
the losing party shall pay the prevailing party's reasonable expenses incurred
in the investigation of any claim leading to the proceeding, preparation for and
participation in the proceeding, any appeal or other post judgment motion, and
any action to enforce or collect the judgment, including contempt, garnishment,
levy, discovery and bankruptcy. "Expenses" shall include, without limitation,
court or other proceeding costs and experts' and attorneys' fees and their
expenses. The phrase "prevailing party" shall mean the party who is determined
in the proceeding to have prevailed and who prevails by dismissal, default or
otherwise.

     10. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the law of the State
of Missouri as to all matters, including, but not limited to, matters of
validity, construction, effect and performance, except that no doctrine of
choice of law shall be used to apply any law other than of Missouri.

     11. Severability. The Company and Executive believe the covenants contained
in this Agreement are reasonable and fair in all respects, and are necessary to
protect the interests of the Company and Executive. However, in case any one or
more of the



                                        4
<PAGE>
 
provisions or parts of a provision contained in this Agreement shall, for any
reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect
any other provision or part of a provision of this Agreement or any other
jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed and construed in any such
jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or part of a
provision had never been contained herein and such provision or part shall be
reformed so that it would be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent
permitted in such jurisdiction.

     12. Neutral Interpretation. This Agreement constitutes the product of the
negotiation of the parties hereto and the enforcement hereof shall be
interpreted in a neutral manner, and not more strongly for or against either
party based upon the source of the draftsmanship hereof.

     13. Miscellaneous. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The section headings
contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect
in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. This Agreement
embodies the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect
of the subject matter contained herein and may not be modified orally, but only
by a writing subscribed by the party charged therewith. There are no
restrictions, promises, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings,
other than those expressly set forth or referred to herein. This Agreement
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether oral or written)
between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

                [REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]



                                        5
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have made and entered into this
Agreement the date first hereinabove set forth.

                                                COMPANY:

                                                GFSI, INC.


                                                By /s/ John L. Menghini
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   John L. Menghini, President


                                                EXECUTIVE:

                                                /s/ Robert M. Wolff
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Robert M. Wolff



                                        6
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                       ---------

                                     SALARY
                                     ------


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR                                                                     SALARY
- ----                                                                     ------
<S>                                                                     <C>     
March 1, 1997 - February 28, 1998                                       $140,000

March 1, 1998 - February 28, 1999                                       $155,000

March 1, 1999 - February 29, 2000                                       $170,000

March 1, 2000 - February 28, 2001                                       $190,000

March 1, 2001 - February 28, 2002                                       $205,000

March 1, 2002 - February 28, 2003                                       $225,000

March 1, 2003 - February 29, 2004                                       $245,000

March 1, 2004 - February 28, 2005                                       $265,000

March 1, 2005 - February 28, 2006                                       $285,000

March 1, 2006 - February 28, 2007                                       $305,000
</TABLE>



                                        7
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT B
                                                                       ---------

                                    BENEFITS
                                    --------



                                        8

<PAGE>
 
                            NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT


     THIS NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated this 27th day of
February, 1997, is made by and between GFSI HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("Holdings"), and ROBERT M. WOLFF, an individual ("Seller").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the Seller has been actively involved in the business of Winning
Ways, Inc., a Missouri corporation (the "Company"), as an employee, substantial
stockholder, officer and member of the Board of Directors of the Company; and

     WHEREAS, Holdings and GFSI, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("GFSI"), have
agreed to purchase all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of
the Company (the "Shares") pursuant to an Agreement for Purchase and Sale of
Stock dated January 24, 1997, by and among GFSI, Holdings and all of the
stockholders of the Company (the "Purchase Agreement"); and

     WHEREAS, the continued involvement by the Seller in a business in
competition with the Company would diminish the value of the Shares to be
purchased by Holdings; and

     WHEREAS, as an inducement to Holdings to consummate its purchase of the
Shares, the Seller has agreed not to compete with Holdings and to refrain from
making disclosures to the extent set forth below;

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

     1. Restrictive Covenants. In consideration of the annual sum of Two Hundred
Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) to be paid in monthly installments by Holdings
to the Seller during the ten (10) year period following the date hereof, the
Seller agrees that for a period of ten (10) years from the date hereof, the
Seller shall not:

          a. directly or indirectly, either individually or as a principal,
     partner, agent, employee, employer, consultant, stockholder, joint
     venturer, or investor, or as a director or officer of any corporation or
     association, or in any other manner or capacity whatsoever, engage in,
     assist or have any active interest in a business located anywhere in the
     United States that (i) manufactures, distributes or markets custom
     imprinted and embroidered activewear or that otherwise competes with or is
     similar in concept, design or format to the business conducted by Holdings
     or the Company on the date hereof or at any time during
<PAGE>
 
     the term of this covenant, or (ii) sells to, supplies, provides goods or
     services to, purchases from, or does business in any manner with Holdings
     or the Company. Notwithstanding the above, this paragraph shall not be
     construed to prohibit the Seller from owning shares of Holdings or from
     owning less than ten percent (10%) of the securities of a corporation which
     is publicly traded on a securities exchange or over-the-counter; or

          b. directly or indirectly, either individually, or as a principal,
     partner, agent, employee, employer, consultant, stockholder, joint
     venturer, or investor, or as a director or officer of any corporation or
     association, or in any other manner or capacity whatsoever, (i) divert or
     attempt to divert from Holdings or the Company any business with any
     customer or account with which the Seller had any contact or association,
     which was under the supervision of the Seller, or the identity of which was
     learned by the Seller as a result of the Seller's employment with Holdings
     or the Company, or (ii) induce any salesperson, distributor, supplier,
     vendor, manufacturer, representative, agent, jobber or other person
     transacting business with Holdings or the Company to terminate their
     relationship or association with Holdings or the Company, or to represent,
     distribute or sell services or products in competition with services or
     products of Holdings or the Company, or (iii) induce or cause any employee
     of Holdings or the Company to leave the employ of Holdings or the Company;
     provided, however, nothing contained in this clause (iii) shall prohibit
     the Seller from voting to terminate the employ of any officer of the
     Company in connection with the performance of the Seller's obligations as a
     member of the Board of Directors of Holdings or any affiliate of Holdings.

     2. Non-Disclosure. The Seller shall not at any time or in any manner,
directly or indirectly, use or disclose to any party other than Holdings any
trade secrets or other Confidential Information (as defined below) learned or
obtained by him while a stockholder, officer or director of Holdings or the
Company. As used herein, the term "Confidential Information" means information
disclosed to or known by the Seller as a consequence of his position with
Holdings or the Company and not generally known in the industry in which
Holdings or the Company is engaged and that in any way relates to the Company's
or Holdings' products, processes, services, inventions (whether patentable or
not), formulas, techniques or know-how, including, but not limited to,
information relating to distribution systems and methods, research, development,
manufacturing, purchasing, accounting, engineering, marketing, merchandising and
selling.

     3. Affiliate Transactions. For as long as the Seller or any member of his
family is the beneficial owner of any stock of Holdings, neither the Seller, any
member of his family nor any Affiliate (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) of
the Seller shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any business transaction



                                        2
<PAGE>
 
with Holdings, the Company or any Affiliate of Holdings.

     4. Specific Performance. The Seller acknowledges and agrees that Holdings'
rights hereunder are special and unique and that any violation of this Agreement
by the Seller would not be adequately compensated by money damages, and the
Seller hereby grants Holdings the right to specifically enforce (including
injunctive relief where appropriate) the terms of this Agreement.

     5. Termination. The obligation of Holdings to deliver to the Seller the
payments required by Section 1 shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the
following events:

     a. Total or partial disability of the Seller that has continued for at
least 12 months;

     b. Conviction of a felony;

     c. Frequent drunkenness on the job;

     d. The death of Seller; or

     e. The Seller's breach of the terms of this Agreement.

If Holdings terminates this Agreement for "cause," but the Seller contests such
termination, Holdings shall continue to make all payments required by Section 1
of this Agreement after the date of such termination until and unless a final
judgment is rendered in favor of Holdings and against the Seller. For purposes
of this section, a final judgment means a judgment from which there is no
possibility of further appeal. If Holdings terminates the payments to the Seller
under Section 1 as a result of the occurrence of any of such events, the
covenants of the Seller under Section 1 shall remain in full force and effect.

     6. Notices. Any notice, request, consent or communication (collectively a
"Notice") under this Agreement shall be effective only if it is in writing and
(i) personally delivered, (ii) sent by certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, (iii) sent by a nationally recognized
overnight delivery service, with delivery confirmed, or (iv) telecopied, with
receipt confirmed, addressed as follows:

     a. If to the Seller:

        Robert M. Wolff
        6432 Aberdeen
        Prairie Village, Kansas 66208



                                        3
<PAGE>
 
with a copy to:

        Leonard Rose, Esq.
        Rose, Brouillette & Shapiro, P.C.
        4900 Main Street, 11th Floor
        Kansas City, MO 64112
        Telecopier: (816) 756-1639

     b. If to Holdings to:

        GFSI Holdings, Inc.
        9 West 57th Street, Suite 4000
        New York, New York 10019
        Attention: A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
        Telecopier 212-755-5263

with copies to:

        GFSI, Inc.
        9700 Commerce Parkway
        Lenexa, Kansas 66219
        Attention:  John Menghini
        Telecopier 913-752-3336

        G. Robert Fisher, Esq.
        Bryan Cave LLP
        1200 Main Street, Suite 3500
        Kansas City, Missouri 64105
        Telecopier 816-391-7600

or such other persons or addresses as shall be furnished in writing by any party
to the other party. A Notice shall be deemed to have been given as of the date
when (i) personally delivered, (ii) five (5) days after the date when deposited
with the United States mail properly addressed, (iii) when receipt of a Notice
sent by an overnight delivery service is confirmed by such overnight delivery
service, or (iv) when receipt of the telecopy is confirmed, as the case may be,
unless the sending party has actual knowledge that a Notice was not received by
the intended recipient.

     7. Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
heirs, successors and permitted assigns, but neither this Agreement nor any of
the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by the Seller.

     8. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the law of the State
of Missouri as to all matters, including, but not limited to, matters of
validity, construction, effect and performance, except that no doctrine of
choice of law shall be used to apply any law other than of Missouri.



                                        4
<PAGE>
 
     9. Severability. Holdings and the Seller believe the covenants against
competition contained in this Agreement are reasonable and fair in all respects,
and are necessary to protect the interests of Holdings. However, in case any one
or more of the provisions or parts of a provision contained in this Agreement
shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
respect in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provision or part of a provision of this Agreement or
any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed and construed in
any such jurisdiction as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision
or part of a provision had never been contained herein and such provision or
part shall be reformed so that it would be valid, legal and enforceable to the
maximum extent permitted in such jurisdiction.

     10. Neutral Interpretation. This Agreement constitutes the product of the
negotiation of the parties hereto and the enforcement hereof shall be
interpreted in a neutral manner, and not more strongly for or against any party
based upon the source of the draftsmanship hereof.

     11. Attorneys' Fees. If any legal action or other proceeding is commenced
to enforce or interpret any provision of, or otherwise relating to, this
Agreement, the losing party shall pay the prevailing party's reasonable expenses
incurred in the investigation of any claim leading to the proceeding,
preparation for and participation in the proceeding, any appeal or other post
judgment motion, and any action to enforce or collect the judgment, including
contempt, garnishment, levy, discovery and bankruptcy. "Expenses" shall include,
without limitation, court or other proceeding costs and experts' and attorneys'
fees and their expenses. The phrase "prevailing party" shall mean the party who
is determined in the proceeding to have prevailed and who prevails by dismissal,
default or otherwise.

     12. Miscellaneous. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The section headings
contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect
in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. This Agreement
embodies the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect
of the subject matter contained herein and may not be modified orally, but only
by a writing subscribed by the party charged therewith. There are no
restrictions, promises, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings,
other than those expressly set forth or referred to herein. This Agreement
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether oral or written)
between the parties with respect to such subject matter.




                                        5
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have made and entered into this
Agreement the date first hereinabove set forth.

                                          HOLDINGS:

                                          GFSI HOLDINGS, INC.


                                          By /s/ A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                             ----------------------------
                                             A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                             Vice President

                                          SELLER:

                                          /s/ Robert M. Wolff
                                          -------------------------------
                                          Robert M. Wolff



                                        6

<PAGE>
 
                            INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT


     THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT, dated as of February 27, 1997 ("this
Agreement"), is executed by and among GFSI HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("Holdings"), GFSI, INC., a Delaware corporation ("GFSI"), and 
_________________________ ("Indemnitee"). Collectively, GFSI and Holdings shall
be referred to from time to time as the "Companies."

                                   WITNESSETH

     WHEREAS, highly competent persons are becoming more reluctant to serve
publicly-held corporations as directors, executive officers, or in other
capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance
and indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them
arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation; and

     WHEREAS, the current difficulties or virtual impossibility of obtaining
adequate insurance and uncertainties relating to indemnification have increased
the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons; and

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of each of the Companies has determined
that the inability to attract and retain such persons is detrimental to the best
interests of each Company's stockholders and that the Companies should act to
assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in
the future; and

     WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for each of the Companies
to obligate themselves contractually to indemnify such persons to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve
each of the Companies free from undue concern that they will not be so
indemnified; and

     WHEREAS, GFSI is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings; and

     WHEREAS, (i) the stockholders of Holdings have adopted the Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation ("Holdings' Certificate") and Bylaws
("Holdings' Bylaws") providing for the indemnification of the directors,
officers, agents and employees of Holdings to the full extent permitted by the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Act") and (ii) Holdings'
Certificate, Holdings' Bylaws and the Act specifically provide that they are not
exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between
Holdings and the members of its Board of Directors and its executive officers
with respect to indemnification of such directors and executive officers; and
<PAGE>
 
     WHEREAS, (i) the stockholders of GFSI have adopted the Certificate of
Incorporation ("GFSI's Certificate") and Bylaws ("GFSI's Bylaws") providing for
the indemnification of the directors, officers, agents and employees of GFSI to
the full extent permitted by the Act and (ii) GFSI's Certificate, GFSI's Bylaws
and the Act specifically provide that they are not exclusive, and thereby
contemplate that contracts may be entered into between GFSI and the members of
its Board of Directors and its executive officers with respect to
indemnification of such directors and executive officers; and

     WHEREAS, this Agreement is being entered into as part of Indemnitee's total
compensation for serving as a director and/or an executive officer of each of
the Companies, as the case may be; and

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained
herein, the Companies and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

     SECTION 1. Service by Indemnitee.

     Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director of each of the Companies and/or an
executive officer of each of the Companies if so appointed by its Board of
Directors, and agrees to the indemnification provisions provided for herein.
Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject
to any other contractual obligation or other obligation imposed by operation of
law), in which event neither of the Companies shall have any obligation under
this Agreement to continue the employment of Indemnitee in any such position.

     SECTION 2. Indemnification.

     Each of the Companies shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law in effect on the date hereof, notwithstanding that
such indemnification is not specifically authorized by this Agreement, Holdings'
Certificate, Holdings' Bylaws, GFSI's Certificate, GFSI's Bylaws, the Act or
otherwise. In the event of any change after the date of this Agreement in any
applicable law, statute or rule regarding the right of a Delaware corporation to
indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes, to the
extent that they would expand Indemnitee's rights hereunder, shall be within the
scope of Indemnitee's rights and each of the Company's obligations hereunder,
and, to the extent that they would narrow Indemnitee's rights hereunder, shall
be excluded from this Agreement; provided, however, that any change that is
required by applicable laws, statutes or rules to be applied to this Agreement
shall be so applied regardless of whether the effect of such change is to narrow
Indemnitee's rights hereunder. Without diminishing the scope of the
indemnification provided by this Section 2, the rights of indemnification of
Indemnitee provided hereunder shall include


                                        2
<PAGE>
 
indemnification in respect of GFSI's proposed offering of $125 million of senior
subordinated debt securities to certain institutional investors pursuant to the
terms of an Offering Memorandum, dated February 20, 1997, except to the extent
expressly prohibited by applicable law.

     SECTION 3. Action or Proceeding Other Than an Action By or In the Right of
the Companies.

     Indemnitee shall be entitled to the indemnification rights provided in this
Section 3 if he is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, other than an action by or in the
right of either Company, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director,
officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of either Company or is or was serving at
the request of either Company as a director, officer, employee, agent, partner,
trustee or fiduciary of any other entity (a "Related Company") or by reason of
anything done or not done by him in any such capacity. Pursuant to this Section
3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against reasonable costs and expenses
(including, but not limited to, reasonable counsel fees, costs, judgments,
penalties, fines, ERISA excise taxes, and amounts paid in settlement)
(collectively, "Damages") actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
with such action, suit or proceeding (including, but not limited to, the
investigation, defense or appeal thereof), if, in the case of conduct in his
official capacity with either Company, he acted in good faith and in the
respective Company's best interests, and in all other cases, he acted in good
faith and was at least not opposed to such Company's best interests, and with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe
his conduct was unlawful, except that no indemnification shall be made in
respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been
finally adjudged to be liable for (i) negligence or misconduct in the
performance of his duty to either Company unless and only to the extent that the
court in which such action or suit was brought, or any other court of competent
jurisdiction, shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of
liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly
and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as such court shall deem
proper, or (ii) the indemnification does not relate to any liability arising
under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any
of the rules or regulations promulgated thereunder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, each Company shall be required to indemnify its officers or directors
in connection with an action, suit or proceeding initiated by such person only
if such action, suit or proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of
such Company or a committee thereof. No indemnity pursuant to this Agreement
shall be provided by either Company for Damages that have been paid directly to
Indemnitee by an insurance carrier under a policy of


                                        3
<PAGE>
 
directors' and officers' liability insurance maintained by such Company.

     SECTION 4. Actions By or In the Right of the Companies.

     Indemnitee shall be entitled to the indemnification rights provided in this
Section 4 if he is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative brought by or in the right of either
Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or
was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of either Company or is or
was serving at the request of either Company as a director, officer, employee,
agent, partner, trustee or fiduciary of any other entity by reason of anything
done or not done by him in any such capacity. Pursuant to this Section 4,
Indemnitee shall be indemnified against Damages (as defined in Section 3)
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action or suit
(including, but not limited to the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal
thereof) if, in the case of conduct in his official capacity with either
Company, he acted in good faith and in such Company's best interests, and in all
other cases, he acted in good faith and was at least not opposed to such
Company's best interests, except that no indemnification shall be made in
respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which (i) Indemnitee shall have been
finally adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of
his duty to such Company unless and only to the extent that the court in which
such action or suit was brought, or any other court of competent jurisdiction,
shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but
in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as such court shall deem
proper or (ii) the indemnification does not relate to any liability arising
under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any
of the rules or regulations promulgated thereunder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, each Company shall be required to indemnify its officers or directors
in connection with any action, suit or proceeding initiated by such person only
if such action, suit or proceeding was authorized by its Board of Directors or a
committee thereof. No indemnity pursuant to this Agreement shall be provided by
either Company for Damages that have been paid directly to Indemnitee by an
insurance carrier under a policy of directors' and officers' liability insurance
maintained by such Company.

     SECTION 5. Indemnification for Costs, Charges and Expenses of Successful
Party.

     Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that
Indemnitee has served as a witness on behalf of either Company or has been
successful, on the merits or otherwise,


                                        4
<PAGE>
 
including, without limitation, the dismissal of an action without prejudice, in
defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section 3 and Section 4
hereof, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, Indemnitee shall be
indemnified against all reasonable costs, charges, and expenses (including
counsel fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in
connection therewith.

     SECTION 6. Partial Indemnification.

     If Indemnitee is only partially successful in the defense, investigation,
settlement or appeal of any action, suit, investigation or proceeding described
in Section 3 or Section 4 hereof, and as a result is not entitled under Section
5 hereof to indemnification by either Company for the total amount of reasonable
Damages actually and reasonably incurred by him, each Company, without
duplication of payment, shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee, as a matter of
right pursuant to Section 5 hereof, to the extent Indemnitee has been partially
successful.

     SECTION 7. Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.

     Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section
3 or Section 4 hereof, the entitlement of Indemnitee to indemnification pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement shall be determined by the following person or
persons who shall be empowered to make such determination: (a) the Board of
Directors of each Company by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of
Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined); or (b) if such a quorum is not
obtainable or, even if obtainable, if the Board of Directors by the majority
vote of Disinterested Directors so directs, by Independent Counsel (as
hereinafter defined) in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of
which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or (c) by the stockholders, but shares
owned by or voted under the control of directors, including the Indemnitee, who
are at the time parties to the proceeding may not be voted on the determination.
Such Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board of Directors and
reasonably approved by Indemnitee. Upon failure of either Company's Board of
Directors to so select such Independent Counsel or upon failure of Indemnitee to
so approve, such Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Chancellor of the
State of Delaware or such other person as the Chancellor shall designate to make
such selection. Such determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be
made no later than sixty (60) days after receipt by the respective Company of a
written request for indemnification. Such request shall include documentation or
information which is necessary for such determination and which is reasonably
available to Indemnitee. Any Damages incurred by Indemnitee in connection with
his request for indemnification hereunder shall be borne by such Company. Each
Company hereby jointly and severally indemnifies and agrees to hold


                                        5
<PAGE>
 
Indemnitee harmless therefrom irrespective of the outcome of the determination
of Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification. If the person making such
determination shall determine that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification as
to part (but not all) of the application for indemnification, such person shall
reasonably prorate such partial indemnification among such claims, issues or
matters.

     SECTION 8. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.

     The Secretary of each of the Companies shall, promptly, upon receipt of
Indemnitee's request for indemnification, advise in writing the Board of
Directors of such Company or such other person or persons empowered to make the
determination as provided in Section 7 that Indemnitee has made such request for
indemnification. Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification
hereunder and each of the Companies shall have the burden of proof in the making
of any determination contrary to such presumption. If the person or persons so
empowered to make such determination shall have failed to make the requested
indemnification within 60 days after receipt by either Company of such request,
the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to
have been made and Indemnitee shall be absolutely entitled to such
indemnification, absent actual and material fraud in the request for
indemnification. The termination of any action, suit, investigation or
proceeding described in Section 3 or Section 4 hereof by judgment, order,
settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent,
shall not, of itself (a) create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in
good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of such Company, and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct
was unlawful or (b) otherwise adversely affect the rights of Indemnitee to
indemnification except as may be provided herein.

     SECTION 9. Advancement of Expenses and Costs.

     All reasonable expenses and costs incurred by Indemnitee as a result of
being a party to any proceeding (including counsel fees, retainers and advances
of disbursements required of Indemnitee) (collectively, the "Expense Advance")
shall be paid by each Company in advance of the final disposition of such
action, suit or proceeding at the request of Indemnitee within twenty (20) days
after the receipt by either Company of a statement or statements from Indemnitee
requesting such advance or advances from time to time. Such statement or
statements shall reasonably evidence the expenses and costs incurred by him in
connection therewith. Each Company's obligation to provide an Expense Advance is
subject to the following conditions: (i) if the proceeding


                                        6
<PAGE>
 
arose in connection with Indemnitee's service as a director and/or executive
officer of either Company (and not in any other capacity in which Indemnitee
rendered service, including service to any Related Company), then the Indemnitee
or his representative shall have executed and delivered to the Company an
undertaking, which need not be secured and shall be accepted without reference
to Indemnitee's financial ability to make repayment, by or on behalf of
Indemnitee to repay all Expense Advance if and to the extent that it shall
ultimately be determined by a final, unappealable decision rendered by a court
having jurisdiction over the parties and the question whether Indemnitee is
entitled to be indemnified for such Expense Advance under this Agreement or
otherwise; (ii) Indemnitee shall give the Company such information and
cooperation as it may reasonably request and as shall be within Indemnitee's
power; and (iii) Indemnitee shall furnish, upon request by the Company and if
required under applicable law, a written affirmation of Indemnitee's good faith
belief that any applicable standards of conduct have been met by Indemnitee.
Indemnitee's entitlement to an Expense Advance shall include those incurred in
connection with any proceeding by Indemnitee seeking an adjudication pursuant to
this Agreement. In the event that a claim for an Expense Advance is made
hereunder and is not paid in full by the Company receiving such claim within
twenty (20) days after its receipt of such claim, Indemnitee may, but need not,
at any time thereafter, bring suit against such Company to recover the unpaid
amount of the claim.

     SECTION 10. Remedies of Indemnitee in Cases of Determination Not to
Indemnify or to Advance Expenses.

     In the event that a determination is made that Indemnitee is not entitled
to indemnification hereunder or if payment has not been timely made following a
determination of entitlement to indemnification pursuant to Section 7 and 8, or
if expenses are not advanced pursuant to Section 9, Indemnitee shall be entitled
to a final adjudication in an appropriate court of the State of Delaware or any
other court of competent jurisdiction of his entitlement to such indemnification
or advance. Neither Company shall oppose Indemnitee's right to seek any such
adjudication or any other claim. Such judicial proceeding shall be made de novo
and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of a determination (if so made)
that he is not entitled to indemnification. If a determination is made or deemed
to have been made pursuant to the terms of Section 7 or Section 8 hereof that
Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, each Company shall be bound by such
determination and is precluded from asserting that such determination has not
been made or that the procedure by which such determination was made is not
valid, binding and enforceable. Each Company further agrees to stipulate in any
such court that such Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement
and is precluded from making any assertion to the contrary. If the court shall
determine that Indemnitee is entitled to any indemnification hereunder, each
Company shall be jointly and severally liable to


                                        7
<PAGE>
 
pay all reasonable Damages actually incurred by Indemnitee in connection with
such adjudication (including, but not limited to, any appellate proceedings).

     SECTION 11. Other Rights to Indemnification.

     The indemnification and advancement of expenses (including counsel fees)
and costs provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other
rights to which Indemnitee may now or in the future be entitled under any
provision of Holdings' Certificate, Holdings's Bylaws, GFSI's Certificate,
GFSI's Bylaws, any vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors, any
provision of law or otherwise.

     SECTION 12. Counsel Fees and Other Expenses to Enforce Agreement.

     In the event that Indemnitee is subject to or intervenes in any proceeding
in which the validity or enforceability of this Agreement is at issue or seeks
an adjudication or award in arbitration to enforce his rights under, or to
recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee, if he prevails in
whole or in part in such action, shall be entitled to recover from the
Companies, and shall be jointly and severally indemnified by each Company
against, any reasonable expenses for counsel fees and disbursements actually and
reasonably incurred by him.

     SECTION 13. Duration of Agreement.

     This Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the later of (a) 10
years after Indemnitee has ceased to occupy any of the positions or have any of
the relationships described in Section 3 or Section 4 of this Agreement or (b)
the final termination of all pending or threatened actions, suits, proceedings
or investigations with respect to Indemnitee. This Agreement shall be binding
upon each Company and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit
of Indemnitee and his spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors,
administrators and other legal representatives.

     SECTION 14. Severability.

     If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever (a) the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement
(including without limitation, all portions of any paragraphs of this Agreement
containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that
are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the
provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, all portions of any


                                        8
<PAGE>
 
paragraph of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or
unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested
by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

     SECTION 15. Identical Counterparts.

     This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which
shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by
the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence
the existence of this Agreement.

     SECTION 16. Headings.

     The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for
convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or
to affect the construction thereof.

     SECTION 17. Definitions.

     For purposes of this Agreement:

     (a) "Disinterested Director" shall mean a director of Holdings or GFSI, as
the case may be, who is not or was not a party to the action, suit,
investigation or proceeding in respect of which indemnification is being sought
by Indemnitee.

     (b) "Independent Counsel" shall mean a law firm or a member of a law firm
that neither is presently nor in the past five years has been retained to
represent (i) either Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such
party or (ii) any other party to the action, suit, investigation or proceeding
giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the term "Independent Counsel" shall not include any person who,
under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would
have a conflict of interest in representing either Company or Indemnitee in an
action to determine Indemnitee's right to indemnification under this Agreement.

     SECTION 18. Modification and Waiver.

     No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding
unless executed in writing by all of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the
provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any
other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver
constitute a continuing waiver.


                                        9
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 19. Mutual Acknowledgment.

     Holdings, GFSI and Indemnitee each acknowledges that, in certain instances,
federal law or public policy may override applicable state law and prohibit the
Companies from indemnifying Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise. For
example, the Companies and Indemnitee acknowledge that the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has taken the position that
indemnification is not permissible for liabilities arising under certain federal
securities laws, and federal legislation prohibits indemnification for certain
ERISA violations. Furthermore, Indemnitee understands and acknowledges that each
Company has undertaken or may be required in the future to undertake with the
SEC to submit the question of indemnification to a court in certain
circumstances for a determination of such Company's obligation under public
policy to indemnify Indemnitee.

     SECTION 20. NOTICE BY INDEMNITEE.

     Indemnitee agrees to notify each Company promptly in writing upon being
served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information
or other document relating to any matter which may be subject to indemnification
covered hereunder, either civil, criminal or investigative.

     SECTION 21. Notices.

     All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) when delivered by
hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication
shall have been directed or (ii) if mailed by certified or registered mail with
postage prepaid on the third business day after the date on which it is so
mailed, to the following addresses:

     (a) to Indemnitee:





     (b) to either Company:

         GFSI Holdings, Inc.
         9700 Commerce Parkway
         Lenexa, Kansas 66219
         Attention: President

     with a copy to



                                       10
<PAGE>
 
         GFSI Holdings, Inc.
         c/o The Jordan Company
         9 West 57th Street, Suite 4000
         New York, New York 10019
         Attention: A. Richard Caputo, Jr.

or to such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by either
Company or to either Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.

     SECTION 22. Other Agreements.

     This Agreement restates and supersedes, but does not limit or negate, any
indemnification, rights or interests of Indemnitee under any prior agreements
between either Company and Indemnitee.

     SECTION 23. Governing Law.

     The parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware.

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

                                        GFSI HOLDINGS, INC.



                                        By: /s/ John Menghini
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           John Menghini
                                           President


                                        GFSI, INC.



                                        By: /s/ John Menghini
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           John Menghini
                                           President


                                        INDEMNITEE:


                                        /s/ 
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                      


                                       11

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STATEMENT REGARDING COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Dollars in thousands)                             Exhibit 12

                                                                                                                            Twelve
                                                                                                                            Months
                                                                                                                             Ended
                                                                                                    Six Months Ended        December

                                                     Fiscal Years Ended June 30,                       December 31,           31,
                                       -----------------------------------------------------       -------------------      --------

                                         1992        1993       1994         1995       1996        1995         1996        1996
                                       -------     -------     -------     -------    -------      -------     -------      -------
<S>                                   <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>     
HISTORICAL
Registrant's pretax income from
   continuing operations              $ 18,077    $ 20,055    $ 22,105    $ 26,220   $ 30,226     $ 19,203     $20,697     $ 31,720
                                      
Interest                                 2,757       2,473       2,455       2,522      2,608        1,476       1,465        2,597
                                      
Amortization of debt expense and      
   discount or premium                       9           9           9           9          9            5           5            9
                                       -------     -------     -------     -------    -------      -------     -------      -------
                                      
Total fixed charges                      2,766       2,482       2,464       2,531      2,617        1,481       1,470        2,606
                                       -------     -------     -------     -------    -------      -------     -------      -------
                                      
Total earnings and fixed charges      $ 20,843    $ 22,537    $ 24,569    $ 28,751   $ 32,843     $ 20,684    $ 22,167     $ 34,326
                                       -------     -------     -------     -------    -------      -------     -------      -------
                                      
Total fixed charges                    $ 2,766     $ 2,482     $ 2,464     $ 2,531    $ 2,617      $ 1,481     $ 1,470      $ 2,606
                                       -------     -------     -------     -------    -------      -------     -------      -------
                                      
Ratio                                     7.5x        9.1x       10.0x       11.4x      12.5x        14.0x       15.1x        13.2x
                                      ========    ========    ========    ========   ========     ========     =======     ========

                                 
PRO FORMA

Pretax income from continuing operations                                              $14,175                  $12,949     $15,592 
                                                                                                                           
Interest                                                                               19,034                    9,525      19,040
                                                                                      -------                  -------     -------
                                                                                                                           
Total earnings and fixed charges                                                      $33,209                  $22,474     $34,632
                                                                                      =======                  =======     =======
                                                                                                                           
Total fixed charges                                                                   $19,034                  $ 9,525     $19,040
                                                                                      -------                  -------     -------
                                                                                                                           
Pro forma ratio                                                                          1.8x                     2.4x        1.8x
                                                                                      =======                  =======     ======= 

</TABLE>


<PAGE>
 
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street N.W.
Washington, DC  20549

Gentlemen:

As stated in the Registration Statement of GFSI, Inc. on Form S-4, in connection
with our audit of the financial statements of Winning Ways, Inc. as of and for
each of the two years in the period ended June 30, 1995 and during the interim
period through December 31, 1996, we have had no disagreements with the Company
on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement
disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which if not resolved to our
satisfaction would have caused us to make reference thereto in our report on the
financial statements for such periods.


DONNELLY MEINERS JORDAN KLINE
Kansas City, Missouri
March 28, 1997

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    Exhibit 23.2


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the use in this Registration Statement of GFSI, Inc. on Form S-4
of our report dated January 24, 1997 on the financial statements of Winning
Ways, Inc. as of and for the year ended June 30,1996, appearing in the
Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

We also consent to the use in this Registration Statement of GFSI, Inc. on Form
S-4 of our report dated January 24, 1997 on the balance sheet of GFSI, Inc. as
of January 23, 1997, appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this
Registration Statement.

We also consent to the use in this Registration Statement of GFSI, Inc. on Form
S-4 of our report dated January 24, 1997 on the balance sheet of GFSI Holdings,
Inc. as of January 23, 1997, appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this
Registration Statement.

We also consent to the reference to us under the headings, "Selected Financial
Data" and "Experts" in such Prospectus.




DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
March 28, 1997

<PAGE>
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S CONSENT

We consent to the use in this Registration Statement of GFSI, Inc. on Form S-4
of our report dated July 26, 1996 on the financial statements of Winning Ways,
Inc. as of and for each of the two years in the period ended June 30, 1995
appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

We also consent to the reference to us under the headings "Summary Financial
Data", Selected Financial Data" and "Experts" in such Prospectus.



DONNELLY MEINERS JORDAN KLINE
Kansas City, Missouri
March 28, 1997

<PAGE>
 
                                   CERTIFICATE
                                       OF
                               FLEET NATIONAL BANK

     The undersigned, Fleet National Bank (the "Trustee"), does hereby certify
as follows:

     1. It is the Trustee under the indenture dated as of February 27, 1997
among GFSI. Inc., as issuer (the "Company") and the guarantors listed therein
and Fleet National Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee") relating to the issuance by
the Company of $125,000 aggregate principal amount of its 9 5/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Indenture").

     2. The Indenture has been duly executed and delivered in the name of and on
behalf of the Trustee by Michael M. Hopkins, one of its Vice Presidents, and the
Trustee's corporate seal has been duly affixed thereto.

     3. The signature appearing below opposite the name of Michael M. Hopkins is
the authentic signature of such officer referred to in item 2 above.

       Name                             Office                 Signature
       ----                             ------                 ---------
Michael M. Hopkins                  Vice President               /s/

     4. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.02 of the Indenture, the Trustee
has duly authenticated and delivered to the Company certificates representing
$125,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 9 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2007 (collectively, the "Notes"). The Trustee has examined the form of Notes
so authenticated and delivered and has found the same to be in the form called
for by the Indenture.

     5. Each of the persons named in Part I of Schedule A attached hereto was on
the effective date of the Indenture, and is on the date hereof, a duly qualified
and acting officer of the Trustee, holding the office set opposite his or her
name and the signature set opposite his or her name is the genuine signature of
such officer.

     6. Each of the persons named in Part I of Schedule A attached hereto is
authorized:

     (a)  to execute and deliver on the Trustee, individually or as Trustee, the
          Indenture;

     (b)  to attest on behalf of the Trustee, individually or as Trustee, both
          the seal of the Trustee and any signature of any other officer of the
          Trustee; and

     (c)  to take any action on behalf of the Trustee, individually or as
          Trustee, contemplated by the Indenture.
<PAGE>
 
         7. Attached hereto, as Exhibits A and B respectively, are true and
correct copies of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Trustee,
which at the date hereof are still in full force and effect, giving the
requisite authority to said officer.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Fleet National Bank has caused this Certificate to be
executed by one of its Vice Presidents and its corporate seal to be hereunto
affixed as of this ___ day of February, 1997.

                                       FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                                       as Trustee




                                       By:   /s/
                                             ---------------------------
                                             Name:    ELIZABETH C. HAMMER
                                             Title:   VICE PRESIDENT
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE A
                    (Attached to the Trustee's Certificates)
                                       of
                               FLEET NATIONAL BANK

Part I.  Officer of Fleet National Bank

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

      Name                                                  Title                              Signature
      ----                                                  -----                              ---------
<S>                                               <C>                                   <C>
Robin Belanger                                    Corporate Trust Officer               /s/ Robin Belanger
Shelley Bergennoitz                               Corporate Trust Officer               /s/ Shelley Bergennoitz
Arthur Blakeslee                                  Assistant Vice President              /s/ Arthur Blakeslee
Bryan R. Calder                                   Senior Vice President                 /s/ Bryan R. Calder
Steven Cimalore                                   Vice President                        /s/ Steven Cimalore
Debra A. Colon                                    Corporate Trust Officer               /s/ Debra A. Colon
Jacqueline Connor                                 Assistant Vice President              /s/ Jacqueline Connor
Man-Elna DeGuia                                   Assistant Vice President              /s/ Man-Elna DeGuia
Rinette Elovecky                                  Vice President                        /s/ Rinette Elovecky
Dennis Fisher                                     Assistant Vice President              /s/ Dennis Fisher
Robin A. Bodell Fisher                            Vice President                        /s/ Robin A. Bodell Fisher
Mark A. Forgetta                                  Vice President                        /s/ Mark A. Forgetta
Gilman N. Gauvin                                  Vice President                        /s/ Gilman N. Gauvin
David Goldsholl                                   Senior Vice President                 /s/ David Goldsholl
Lynnette Hamilton                                 Vice President                        /s/ Lynnette Hamilton
Elizabeth C. Hammer                               Vice President                        /s/ Elizabeth C. Hammer
Michael M. Hopkins                                Vice President                        /s/ Michael M. Hopkins
Vito J. Iacovazzi                                 Vice President                        /s/ Vito J. Iacovazzi
Debra A. Johnson                                  Corporate Trust Officer               /s/ Debra A. Johnson
Philip G. Kane, Jr.                               Vice President                        /s/ Philip G. Kane, Jr.
Susan T. Keller                                   Vice President                        /s/ Susan T. Keller
Kathy A. Lanmore                                  Assistant Vice President              /s/ Kathy A. Lanmore
Jeffrey D. Masi                                   Assistant Vice President              /s/ Jeffrey D. Masi
Deborah L. McDonald                               Vice President                        /s/ Deborah L. McDonald
Frank McDonald                                    Vice President                        /s/ Frank McDonald
Laurel Melody-Casasanta                           Assistant Vice President              /s/ Laurel Melody-Casasanta
Susan C. Merker                                   Assistant Vice President              /s/ Susan C. Merker
Robert L. Reynolds                                Vice President                        /s/ Robert L. Reynolds
Rockwell J. Spalding                              Vice President                        /s/ Rockwell J. Spalding
Donnee C. Taylor                                  Corporate Trust Officer               /s/ Donnee C. Taylor
Andrea F. Turto                                   Vice President                        /s/ Andrea F. Turto
</TABLE>

Part II. Trustee Administrators (authorized only to attest the Seal of Fleet
National Bank and signature of any officer named in Part I hereof):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Name                                                 Title                                 Signature
      ----                                                 -----                                 ---------
<S>                                               <C>                                   <C>
Karen R. Felt                                     Trustee Administrator                 /s/ Karen R. Felt
Dawn P. Heintz                                    Trustee Administrator                 /s/ Dawn P. Heintz
William Kotkosky                                  Trustee Administrator                 /s/ William Kotkosky
Eileen D. Pepe                                    Trustee Administrator                 /s/ Eileen D. Pepe
Cheryl Sowers                                     Trustee Administrator                 /s/ Cheryl Sowers
Anna M. Vignuolo                                  Trustee Administrator                 /s/ Anna M. Vignuolo

</TABLE>
As of 04/01/96
<PAGE>
 
                             ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
                                       OF
                               FLEET NATIONAL BANK

FIRST. The title of this Association, which shall carry on the business of
banking under the laws of the United States, shall be "Fleet National Bank."

SECOND. The main office of the Association shall be in Springfield, Hampden
County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The general business of the Association
shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.

THIRD. The board of directors of this Association shall consist of not less than
five (5) nor more than twenty-five (25) shareholders, the exact number of
directors within such minimum and maximum limits to be fixed and determined from
time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by
resolution of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Unless
otherwise provided by the laws of the United States, any vacancy in the board of
directors for any reason, including an increase in the number thereof, may be
filled by action of the board of directors.

FOURTH. The annual meeting of the shareholders for the election of directors and
the transaction of whatever other business may be brought before said meeting
shall be held at the main office or such other place as the board of directors
may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, but if
no election is hold on that day, it may be held on any subsequent day according
to the provisions of law; and all elections shall be held according to such
lawful regulations as may be prescribed by the board of directors.

FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this Association shall be eight
million five hundred thousand (8,500,000) shares of which three million five
hundred thousand (3,500,000) shares shall be common stock with a par value of
six and 25/100 dollars ($6.25) each and of which five million (5,000,000) shares
without par value shall be preferred stock. The capital stock may be increased
or decreased from time to time, in accordance with the provisions of the laws of
the United States.

No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the Association shall
have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any
class of stock of the Association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to
any obligations convertible into stock of the Association, issued or sold, nor
any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board
of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such
price as the board of directors may from time to time fix.

The board of directors of the Association is authorized, subject to limitations
prescribed by law and the provisions of this Article, to provide for the
issuance from time to time in one or more series of any number of the preferred
shares, and to establish the number of shares to be included in each such
series, and to fix the designation, relative rights, preferences, qualifications
and limitations of the shares of each such series. The authority of the board of
directors with respect to each series shall include, but not be limited to,
determination of the following:
<PAGE>
 
a.   The number of shares constituting that series and the distinctive
     designation of that series;

b.   The dividend rate on the shares of that series, whether dividends shall be
     cumulative, and, if so, from which date or dates, and whether they shall be
     payable in preference to, or in another relation to, the dividends payable
     to any other class or classes or series of stock;

c.   Whether that series shall have voting rights, in addition to the voting
     rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights;

d.   Whether that series shall have conversion or exchange privileges, and, if
     so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange, including
     provision for adjustment of the conversion or exchange rate in such events
     as the board of directors shall determine;

e.   Whether or not the shares of that series shall be redeemable, and, if so,
     the terms and conditions of such redemption, including the manner of
     selecting shares for redemption if less than all shares are to be redeemed,
     the date or dates upon or after which they shall be redeemable, and the
     amount per share payable in case of redemption, which amount may vary under
     different conditions and at different redemption dates;

f.   Whether that series shall be entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund to
     be applied to the purchase or redemption of shares of that series, and, if
     so, the terms and amounts of such sinking fund;

g.   The rights of the shares of that series to the benefit of conditions and
     restrictions upon the creation of indebtedness of the Association or any
     subsidiary, upon the issue of any additional stock (including additional
     shares of such series or of any other series) and upon the payment of
     dividends or the making of other distributions on, and the purchase,
     redemption or other acquisition by the Association or any subsidiary of any
     outstanding stock of the Association;

h.   The right of the shares of that series in the event of voluntary or
     involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Association and
     whether such rights shall be in preference to, or in another relation to,
     the comparable rights of any other class or classes or series of stock; and

i.   Any other relative, participating, optional or other special rights,
     qualifications, limitations or restrictions of that series.


Shares of any series of preferred stock which have been redeemed (whether
through the operation of a sinking fund or otherwise) or which, if convertible
or exchangeable, have been converted into or exchanged for shares of stock of
any other class or classes shall have the status of authorized and unissued
shares of preferred stock of the same series and may be reissued as a part of
the series of which they were originally a part or may be reclassified and
reissued as part of a new series of preferred stock to be created by resolution
or resolutions of the board of directors or as part of any other series of
preferred stock, all subject to the conditions and the restrictions adopted by
the board of directors providing for the issue of any series of preferred stock
and by the provisions of any applicable law.
<PAGE>
 
Subject to the provisions of any applicable law, or except as otherwise provided
by the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of any series of
preferred stock, the holders of outstanding shares of common stock shall
exclusively possess voting power for the election of directors and for all other
purposes, each holder of record of shares of common stock being entitled to one
vote for each share of common stock standing in his name on the books of the
Association.

Except as otherwise provided by the resolution or resolutions providing for the
issue of any series of preferred stock, after payment shall have been made to
the holders of preferred stock of the full amount of dividends to which they
shall be entitled pursuant to the resolution or resolutions providing for the
issue of any series of preferred stock, the holders of common stock shall be
entitled, to the exclusion of the holders of preferred stock of any and all
series, to receive such dividends as from time to time may be declared by the
borad of directors.

Except as otherwise provided by the resolution or resolutions for the issue of
any series of preferred stock, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Association, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment
shall have been made to the holders of preferred stock of the full amount to
which they shall be entitled pursuant to the resolution or resolutions providing
for the issue of any series of preferred stock the holders of common stock shall
be entitled, to the exclusion of the holders of preferred stock of any and all
series, to share, ratable according to the number of shares of common stock held
by them, in all remaining assets of the Association available for distribution
to its shareholders.

The number of authorized shares of any class may be increased or decreased by
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the
Association entitled to vote.

SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this
Association, who shall be chairman of the board, unless the board appoints
another director to be the chairman. The board of directors shall have the power
to appoint one or more vice presidents; and to appoint a secretary and such
other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this
Association.

The board of directors shall have the power to define the duties of the officers
and employees of the Association; to fix the salaries to be paid to them; to
dismiss them; to require bonds from them and to fix the penalty thereof; to
regulate the manner in which any increase of the capital of the Association
shall be made; to manage and administer the business and affairs of the
Association; to make all bylaws that it may be lawful for them to make; and
generally to do and perform all acts that it may be legal for a board of
directors to do and perform.

SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of
the main office to any other place within the limits of the City of Hartford,
Connecticut, without the approval of the shareholders but subject to the
approval of the Comptroller of the Currency; and shall have the power to
establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the Association to
any other location, without the approval of the shareholders but subject to the
approval of the Comptroller of the Currency.

EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this Association shall continue until
terminated in accordance with the laws of the United States.
<PAGE>
 
NINTH. The board of directors of this Association, or any three or more
shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than ten percent (10%) of the
stock of this Association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any
time. Unless otherwise provided by the laws of the United States, a notice of
the time, place and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the
shareholders shall be given by first class mail, postage prepaid, mailed at
least ten (10) days prior to the date of such meeting to each shareholder of
record at his address as shown upon the books of this Association.

TENTH. (a) Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or
is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative
(hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a
director, officer or employee of the Association or is or was serving at the
request of the Association as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company,
trust, or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee
benefit plan, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Association to the
fullest extent authorized by the law of the state in which the Association's
ultimate parent company is incorporated, except as provided in subsection (b).
The aforesaid indemnity shall protect the indemnified person against all
expense, liability and loss (including attorney's fees, judgments, fines, ERISA
excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred
by such person in connection with such a proceeding. Such indemnification shall
continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer or employee and
shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors, and administrators,
but shall only cover such person's period of service with the Association. The
Association may, by action of its Board of Directors, grant rights to
indemnification to agents of the Association and to any director, officer,
employee or agent of any of its subsidiaries with the same scope and effect as
the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.

     (b) Restrictions on Indemnification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no
person shall be indemnified hereunder by the Association against expenses,
penalties, or other payments incurred in an administrative proceeding or action
instituted by a federal bank regulatory agency which proceeding or action
results in a final order assessing civil money penalties against that person,
requiring affirmative action by that person in the form of payments to the
Association, or removing or prohibiting that person from service with the
Association, and any advancement of expenses to that person in that proceeding
must be repaid; and (ii) no person shall be indemnified hereunder by the
Association and no advancement of expenses shall be made to any person hereunder
to the extent such indemnification or advancement of expenses would violate or
conflict with any applicable federal statute now or hereafter in force or any
applicable final regulation or interpretation now or hereafter adopted by the
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC") or the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). The Association shall comply with any
requirements imposed on it by any such statute or regulation in connection with
any indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder by the Association.
With respect to proceedings to enforce a claimant's rights to indemnification,
the Association shall indemnify any such claimant in connection with such a
proceeding only as provided in subsection (d) hereof.
<PAGE>
 
     (c) Advancement of Expenses. The conditional right to indemnification
conferred in this section shall be a contract right and shall include the right
to be paid by the Association the reasonable expenses (including attorney's
fees) incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition (an
"advancement of expenses"); provided, however, that an advancement of expenses
shall be made only upon (i) delivery to the Association of a binding written
undertaking by or on behalf of the person receiving the advancement to repay all
amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined that such person is not
entitled to be indemnified in such proceeding, including if such proceeding
results in a final order assessing civil money penalties against that person,
requiring affirmative action by that person in the form of payments to the
Association, or removing or prohibiting that person from service with the
Association, and (ii) compliance with any other actions or determinations
required by applicable law, regulation or OCC or FDIC interpretation to be taken
or made by the Board of Directors of the Association or other persons prior to
an advancement of expenses. The Association shall cease advancing expenses at
any time its Board of Directors believes that any of the prerequisites for
advancement of expenses are no longer being met.

     (d) Right of Claimant to Bring Suit. If a claim under subsection (a) of the
section is not paid in full by the Association within thirty (30) days after
written claim has been received by the Association, the claimant may at any time
thereafter bring suit against the Association to recover the unpaid amount of
the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit
brought by the Association to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the
terms of an undertaking, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the
expense of prosecuting or defending such claim. It shall be a defense to any
such action brought by the claimant to enforce a right to indemnification
hereunder (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for an advancement of
expenses where the required undertaking, if any, has been tendered to the
Association) that the claimant has not met any applicable standard for
indemnification under the law of the state in which the Association's ultimate
parent company is incorporated. In any suit brought by the Association to
recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the
Association shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication
that the claimant has not met any applicable standard for indemnification
standard for indemnification under the law of the state in which the
Association's ultimate parent company is incorporated.

     (e) Non-Exclusivity of Rights.The rights to indemnification and the
advancement of expenses conferred in this section shall not be exclusive of any
other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute,
agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

     (f) Insurance. The Association may purchase, maintain, and make payment or
reimbursement for reasonable premiums on, insurance to protect itself and any
director, officer, employee or agent of the Association or another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense,
liability or loss, whether or not the Association would have the power to
indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the law of
the state in which the Association's ultimate parent company is incorporated;
provided, however, that such insurance shall explicitly exclude insurance
coverage for a final order of a federal bank regulatory agency assessing civil
money penalties against an Association director, officer, employee or agent.
<PAGE>
 
ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special
meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
of the stock of this Association, unless the vote of the holders of greater
amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders
of such greater amount. The notice of any shareholders' meeting at which an
amendment to the articles of association of this Association is to be considered
shall be given as hereinabove set forth.

I hereby certify that the articles of association of this Association, in their
entirety, are listed above in items first through eleventh.

/s/ __________________ Secretary/Assistant Secretary

Dated at    Boston, MA, as of 3/28/96.

Revision of February 15, 1996  ---   Board Mtg. Approval.
<PAGE>
 
As amended and restated on April 25, 1996.

                         AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS OF
                               FLEET NATIONAL BANK
                                    ARTICLE I
                            Meetings of Shareholders

     Section 1. Annual Meeting. The regular annual meeting of the shareholders
for the election of Directors and the transaction of any other business that may
properly come before the meeting shall be held at the Main Office of the
Association, or such other place as the Board of Directors may designate, on the
fourth Thursday of April in each year at 1:15 o'clock in the afternoon unless
some other hour of such day is fixed by the Board of Directors.

     If, from any cause, an election of Directors is not made on such day, the
Board of Directors shall order the election to be held on some subsequent day,
of which special notice shall be given in accordance with the provisions of law,
and of these bylaws.

     Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders may be
called at any time by the Board of Directors, the President, or any shareholders
owning not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the stock of the Association.

     Section 3. Notice of Meetings of Shareholders. Except as otherwise provided
by law, notice of the time and place of annual or special meetings of the
shareholders shall be mailed, postage prepaid, at least ten (10) days before the
date of the meeting of each shareholder of record entitled to vote thereat at
his address as shown upon the books of the Association; but any failure to mail
such notice to any shareholder or any irregularity therein, shall not affect the
validity of such meeting or of any of the proceedings thereat. Notice of a
special meeting shall also state the purpose of the meeting.

     Section 4. Quorum: Adjourned Meetings. Unless otherwise provided by law, a
quorum for the transaction of business at every meeting of the shareholders
shall consist of not less than two-fifths (2/5) of the outstanding capital stock
represented in person or by proxy; less than such quorum may adjourn the meeting
to a future time. No notice need be given of an adjourned annual or special
meeting of the shareholders if the adjournment be to a definite place and time.

     Section 5. Votes and Proxies. At every meeting of the shareholders, each
share of the capital stock shall be entitled to one vote except as otherwise
provided by law. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or
matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided
by law or by the Articles of Association or these By-laws. Shareholders may vote
by proxies duly authorized in writing and filed with the Cashier, but not
officer, clerk, teller or bookkeeper of the Association may act as a proxy.
<PAGE>
 
     Section 6. Nominations to Board of Directors. At any meeting of
shareholders held for the election of Directors, nominations for election to the
Board of Directors may be made, subject to the provisions of this section, by
any shareholder of record of any outstanding class of stock of the Association
entitled to vote for the election of Directors. No person other than those whose
names are stated as proposed nominees in the proxy statement accompanying the
notice of the meeting may be nominated at such meeting unless a shareholder
shall have given to the President of the Association and to the Comptroller of
the Currency, Washington, DC written notice of intention to nominate such other
person mailed by certified mail or delivered not less than fourteen (14) days
nor more than fifty (50) days prior to the meeting of shareholders at which such
nomination is to be made; provided, however, that if less than twenty-one (21)
days' notice of such meeting is given to shareholders, such notice of intention
to nominate shall be mailed by certified mail or delivered to said President and
said Comptroller on or before the seventh day following the day on which the
notice of such meeting was mailed. Such notice of intention to nominate shall
contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying
shareholder: (a) the name and address of each proposed nominee; (b) the
principal occupation of each proposed nominee; (c) the total number of shares of
capital stock of the Association that will be voted for each proposed nominee;
(d) the name and residence address of the notifying shareholder; and (e) the
number of shares of capital stock of the Association owned by the notifying
shareholder. In the event such notice is given, the proposed nominee may be
nominated either by the shareholder giving such notice or by any other
shareholder present at the meeting at which such nomination is to be made. Such
notice may contain the names or more than one proposed nominee, and if more than
one is named, any one or more of those named may be nominated.

     Section 7. Action Taken Without a Shareholder Meeting. Any action requiring
shareholder approval or consent may be taken without a meeting and without
notice of such meeting by written consent of the shareholders.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                    Directors

     Section 1. Number. The Board of Directors shall consist of such number of
shareholders, not less than five (5) nor more than twenty-five (25), as from
time to time shall be determined by a majority of the votes to which all of its
shareholders are at the time entitled, or by the Board of Directors as
hereinafter provided.

     Section 2. Mandatory Retirement for Directors. No person shall be elected a
director who has attained the age of 68 and no person shall continue to serve as
a director after the date of the first meeting of the stockholders of the
Association held on or after the date on which such person attains the age of
68; provided, however, that any director serving on the Board as of December 15,
1995 who has attained the age of 65 on or prior to such date shall be permitted
to 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
continue to serve as a director until the date of the first meeting of the
stockholders of the Association held on or after the date on which such person
attains the age of 70.

     Section 3. General Powers. The Board of Directors shall exercise all the
corporate powers of the Association, except as expressly limited by law, and
shall have the control, management, direction and disposition of all its
property and affairs.

     Section 4. Annual Meeting. Immediately following a meeting of shareholders
held for the election of Directors, the Cashier shall notify the directors-elect
who may be present of their election and they shall then hold a meeting at the
Main Office of the Association, or such other place as the Board of Directors
may designate, for the purpose of taking their oaths, organizing the new Board,
electing officers and transacting any other business that may come before such
meeting.

     Section 5. Regular Meeting. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors
shall be held without notice at the Main Office of the Association, or such
other place as the Board of Directors may designate, at such dates and times as
the Board shall determine. If the date designated for a regular meeting falls on
a legal holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next business day.

     Section 6. Special Meetings. A special meeting of the Board of Directors
may be called at any time upon the written request of the Chairman of the Board,
the President, or of two Directors, stating the purpose of the meeting. Notice
of the time and place shall be given not later than the day before the date of
the meeting, by mailing a notice to each Director at his last known address, by
delivering such notice to him personally, or by telephoning.

     Section 7. Quorum; Votes. A majority of the Board of Directors at the time
holding office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business,
except when otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn a
meeting from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without
further notice. If a quorum is present when a vote is taken, the affirmative
vote of a majority of Directors present is the act of the Board of Directors.

     Section 8. Action by Directors Without a Meeting. Any action requiring
Director approval or consent may be taken without a meeting and without notice
of such meeting by written consent of all the Directors.

     Section 9. Telephonic Participation in Directors' Meetings. A Director or
member of a Committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of
the Board or of such Committee may participate in a meeting of the Board or of
such Committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications
equipment enabling all Directors participating in the meeting to hear one
another, and participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person
at such a meeting.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 10. Vacancies. Vacancies in the Board of Directors may be filled by
the remaining members of the Board at any regular or special meeting of the
Board.

     Section 11. Interim Appointments. The Board of Directors shall, if the
shareholders at any meeting for the election of Directors have determined a
number of Directors less than twenty-five (25), have the power, by affirmative
vote of the majority of all the Directors, to increase such number of Directors
to not more than twenty-five (25) and to elect Directors to fill the resulting
vacancies and to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders or the next
election of Directors; provided, however, that the number of Directors shall not
be so increased by more than two (2) if the number last determined by
shareholders was fifteen (15) or less, or increased by more than four (4) if the
number last determined by shareholders was sixteen (16) or more.

     Section 12. Fees. The Board of Directors shall fix the amount and direct
the payment of fees which shall be paid to each Director for attendance at any
meeting of the Board of Directors or of any Committees of the Board.

                                   ARTICLE III

                             Committees of the Board

     Section 1. Executive Committee. The Board of Directors shall appoint from
its members an Executive Committee which shall consist of such number of persons
as the Board of Directors shall determine; the Chairman of the Board and the
President shall be members ex-officio of the Executive Committee with full
voting power. The Chairman of the Board or the President may from time to time
appoint from the Board of Directors as temporary additional members of the
Executive Committee, with full voting powers, not more than two members to serve
for such periods as the Chairman of the Board or the President may determine.
The Board of Directors shall designate a member of the Executive Committee to
serve as Chairman thereof. A meeting of the Executive Committee may be called at
any time upon the written request of the Chairman of the Board, the President,
or the Chairman of the Executive Committee, stating the purpose of the meeting.
Not less than twenty-four hours' notice of said meeting shall be given to each
member of the Committee personally, by telephoning, or by mail. The Chairman of
the Executive Committee or, in his absence, a member of the Committee chosen by
a majority of the members present shall preside at meetings of the Executive
Committee.

     The Executive Committee shall possess and may exercise all the powers of
the Board when the Board is not in session except such as the Board, only, by
law, is authorized to exercise; it shall keep minutes of its acts and
proceedings and cause same to be presented and reported at every regular meeting
and at any special meeting of the Board including specifically, all its actions
relating to loans and discounts.


                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     All acts done and powers and authority conferred by the Executive
Committee, from time to time, within the scope of its authority, shall be deemed
to be, and may be certified as being, the acts of and under the authority of the
Board.

     Section 2. Risk Management Committee. The Board shall appoint from its
members a risk Management Committee which shall consist of such number as the
Board shall determine. The Board shall designate a member of the Risk Management
Committee to serve as Chairman thereof. It shall be the duty of the Risk
Management Committee to (a) service as the channel of communication with
management and the Board of Directors of Fleet Financial Group, Inc. to assure
that formal processes supported by management information systems are in place
for the identification, evaluation and management of significant risks inherent
in or associated with lending activities, the loan portfolio, asset-liability
management, the investment portfolio, trust and investment advisory activities,
the sale of nondeposit investment products and new products and services and
such additional activities or functions as the Board may determine from time to
time; (b) assure the formulation and adoption of policies approved by the Risk
Management Committee or Board governing lending activities, management of the
loan portfolio, the maintenance of an adequate allowance for loan and lease
losses, asset-liability management, the investment portfolio, the retail sale of
nondeposit investment products, new products and services and such additional
activities or functions as the Board may determine from time to time; (c) assure
that a comprehensive independent loan review program is in place for the early
detection of problem loans and review significant reports of the loan review
department, management's responses to those reports and the risk attributed to
unresolved issues; (d) subject to control of the Board, exercise general
supervision over trust activities, the investment of trust funds, the
disposition of trust investments and the acceptance of new trusts and the terms
of such acceptance; and (e) perform such additional duties and exercise such
additional powers of the Board as the Board may determine from time to time.

     Section 3. Audit Committee. The Board shall appoint from its members an
Audit Committee which shall consist of such number as the Board shall determine,
no one of whom shall be an active officer or employee of the Association or
Fleet Financial Group, Inc. or any of its affiliates. In addition, members of
the Audit Committee must not (i) have served as an officer or employee of the
Association or any of its affiliates at any time during the year prior to their
appointment; or (ii) own, control, or have owned or controlled at any time
during the year prior to appointment, ten percent (10%) or more of any
outstanding class of voting securities of the Association. At least two (2)
members of the Audit Committee must have significant executive, professional,
educational or regulatory experience in financial, auditing, accounting, or
banking matters. No member of the Audit Committee may have significant direct or
indirect credit or other relationships with the Association, the termination of
which would materially adversely affect the Association's financial condition or
results of operations.

     The Board shall designate a member of the Audit Committee to serve as
Chairman thereof. It shall be the duty of the Audit Committee to (a) cause a
continuous audit and examination to be made on its behalf into the affairs of
the Association and to review the results 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
of such examination; (b) review significant reports of the internal auditing
department, management's responses to those reports and the risk attributed to
unresolved issues; (c) review the basis for the reports issued under Section 112
of The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991; (d)
consider, in consultation with the independent auditor and an internal auditing
executive, the adequacy of the Association's internal controls, including the
resolution of identified material weaknesses and reportable conditions; (e)
review regulatory communications received from any federal or state agency with
supervisory jurisdiction or other examining authority and monitor any needed
corrective action by management; (f) ensure that a formal system of internal
controls is in place for maintaining compliance with laws and regulations; (g)
cause an audit of the Trust Department at least once during each calendar year
and within 15 months of the last such audit or, in lieu thereof, adopt a
continuous audit system and report to the Board each calendar year and within 15
months of the previous report on the performance of such audit function; and (h)
perform such additional duties and exercise such additional powers of the Board
as the Board may determine from time to time.

     The Audit Committee may consult with internal counsel and retain its own
outside counsel without approval (prior or otherwise) from the Board or
management and obligate the Association to pay the fees of such counsel.

     Section 4. Community Affairs Committee. The Board shall appoint from its
members a Community Affairs Committee which shall consist of such number as the
Board shall determine. The Board shall designate a member of the Community
Affairs Committee to serve as Chairman thereof. It shall be the duty of the
Community Affairs Committee to (a) oversee compliance by the Association with
the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended, and the regulations
promulgated thereunder; and (b) perform such additional duties and exercise such
additional powers of the Board as the Board may determine from time to time.

     Section 5. Regular Meetings. Except for the Executive Committee which shall
meet on an ad hoc basis as set forth in Section of this Article, regular
meetings of the Committees of the Board of Directors shall be held, without
notice, at such time and place as the Committee or the Board of Directors may
appoint and as often as the business of the Association may require.

     Section 6. Special Meetings. A Special Meeting of any of the Committees of
the Board of Directors may be called upon the written request of the Chairman of
the Board or the President, or of any two members of the respective Committee,
stating the purpose of the meeting. Not less than twenty-four hours' notice of
such special meeting shall be given to each member of the Committee personally,
by telephoning, or by mail.

     Section 7. Emergency Meetings. An Emergency Meeting of any of the
Committees of the Board of Directors may be called at the request of the
Chairman of the Board or the President, who shall state that an emergency
exists, upon not less than one hour's notice to each member of the Committee
personally or by telephoning.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 8. Action Taken Without a Committee Meeting. Any Committee of the
Board of Directors may take action without a meeting and without notice of such
meeting by resolution assented to in writing by all members of such Committee.

     Section 9. Quorum. A majority of a Committee of the Board of Directors
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business at any meeting of
such Committee. If a quorum is not available, the Chairman of the Board or the
President shall have power to make temporary appointments to a Committee
of-members of the Board of Directors, to act in the place and stead of members
who temporarily cannot attend any such meeting; provided, however, that any
temporary appointment to the Audit Committee must meet the requirements for
members of that Committee set forth in Section 3 of this Article.

     Section 10. Record. The Committees of the Board of Directors shall keep a
record of their respective meetings and proceedings which shall be presented at
the regular meeting of the Board of Directors held in the calendar month next
following the meetings of the Committees. If there is no regular Board of
Directors meeting held in the calendar month next following the meeting of a
Committee, then such Committee's records shall be presented at the next regular
Board of Directors meeting held in a month subsequent to such Committee meeting.

     Section 11. Changes and Vacancies. The Board of Directors shall have power
to change the members of any Committee at any time and to fill vacancies on any
Committee; provided, however, that any newly appointed member of the Audit
Committee must meet the requirements for members of that Committee set forth in
Section 3 of this Article.

     Section 12. Other Committees. The Board of Directors may appoint, from time
to time, other committees of one or more persons, for such purposes and with
such powers as the Board may determine.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                          Waiver of Notice of Meetings

     Section 1. Waiver. Whenever notice is required to be given to any
shareholder, Director, or member of a Committee of the Board of Directors, such
notice may be waived in writing either before or after such meeting by any
shareholder, Director or Committee member respectively, as the case may be, who
may be entitled to such notice; and such notice will be deemed to be waived by
attendance at any such meeting.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
                                    ARTICLE V

                               Officers and Agents

     Section 1. Officers. The Board shall appoint a Chairman of the Board and a
President, and shall have the power to appoint one or more Executive Vice
Presidents, one or more Senior Vice presidents, one or more Vice Presidents, a
Cashier, a Secretary, an auditor, a Controller, one or more Trust Officers
and-such other officers as are deemed necessary or desirable for the proper
transaction of business of the Association. The Chairman of the Board and the
President shall be appointed from members of the Board of Directors. Any two or
more offices, except those of President and Cashier or Secretary, may be held by
the same person. The Board may, from time to time, by resolution passed by a
majority of the entire Board, designate one or more officers of the Association
or of an affiliate or of Fleet Financial Group, Inc. with power to appoint one
or more Vice Presidents and such other officers of the Association below the
level of Vice President as the officer or officers designated in such resolution
deem necessary or desirable for the proper transaction of the business of the
Association.

     Section 2. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside
at all meetings of the Board of Directors. Subject to definition by the Board of
Directors, he shall have general executive powers and such specific powers and
duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned to him by the
Board of Directors.

     Section 3. President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the
Board of Directors if there be no Chairman or if the Chairman be absent. Subject
to definition by the Board of Directors, he shall have general executive powers
and such specific powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon
or assigned to him by the Board of Directors.

     Section 4. Cashier and Secretary. The Cashier shall be the Secretary of the
Board and of the Executive Committee, and shall keep accurate minutes of their
meetings and of all meetings of the shareholders. He shall attend to the giving
of all notices required by these By-laws. He shall be custodian of the corporate
seal, records, documents and papers of the Association. He shall have such
powers and perform such duties as pertain by law or regulation to the office of
Cashier, or as are imposed by these By-laws, or as may be delegated to him from
time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the
President.

     Section 5. Auditor. The Auditor shall be the chief auditing officer of the
Association. He shall continuously examine the affairs of the Association and
from time to time shall report to the Board of Directors. He shall have such
powers and perform such duties as are conferred upon, or assigned to him by
these By-laws, or as may be delegated to him from time to time by the Board of
Directors.

     Section 6. Officers Seriatim. The Board of Directors shall designate from
time to time not less than two officers who shall in the absence or disability
of the Chairman or President or

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
both, succeed seriatim to the duties and responsibilities of the Chairman and
President respectively.

     Section 7. Clerks and Agents. The Board of Directors may appoint, from time
to time, such clerks, agents and employees as it may deem advisable for the
prompt and orderly transaction of the business of the Association, define their
duties, fix the salaries to be paid them and dismiss them. Subject to the
authority of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the president,
or any other officer of the Association authorized by either of them may appoint
and dismiss all or any clerks, agents and employees and prescribe their duties
and the conditions of their employment, and from time to time fix their
compensation.

     Section 8. Tenure. The Chairman of the Board of Directors and the President
shall, except in the case of death, resignation, retirement or disqualification
under these By-laws, or unless removed by the affirmative vote of at least
two-thirds of all of the members of the Board of Directors, hold office for the
term of one year or until their respective successors are appointed. Either of
such officers appointed to fill a vacancy occurring in an unexpired term shall
serve for such unexpired term of such vacancy. All other officers, clerks,
agents, attorneys-in-fact and employees of the Association shall hold office
during the pleasure of the Board of Directors or of the officer or committee
appointing them respectively.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                Trust Department

     Section 1. General Powers and Duties. All fiduciary powers of the
Association shall be exercised through the Trust Department, subject to such
regulations as the Comptroller of the Currency shall from time to time
establish. The Trust Department shall be placed under the management and
immediate supervision of an officer or officers appointed by the Board of
Directors. The duties of all officers of the Trust Department shall be to cause
the policies and instructions of the Board and the Risk Management Committee
with respect to the trusts under their supervision to be carried out, and to
supervise the due performance of the trusts and agencies entrusted to the
Association and under their supervision, in accordance with law and in
accordance with the terms of such trusts and agencies.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                 Branch Offices

     Section 1. Establishment. The Board of Directors shall have full power to
establish, to discontinue, or, from time to time, to change the location of any
branch office, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 2. Supervision and Control. Subject to the general supervision and
control of the Board of Directors, the affairs of branch offices shall be under
the immediate supervision and control of the President or of such other officer
or officers, employee or employees, or other individuals as the Board of
Directors may from time to time determine, with such powers and duties as the
Board of Directors may confer upon or assign to him or them.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                Signature Powers

     Section 1. Authorization. The power of officers, employees, agents and
attorneys to sign on behalf of and to affix the seal of the Association shall be
prescribed by the Board of Directors or by the Executive Committee or by both;
provided that the President is authorized to restrict such power of any officer,
employee, agent or attorney to the business of a specific department or
departments, or to a specific branch office or branch offices. Facsimile
signatures may be authorized.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                        Stock Certificates and Transfers

     Section 1. Stock Records. The Trust Department shall have the custody of
the stock certificate books and stock ledgers of the Association, and shall make
all transfers of stock, issue certificates thereof and disburse dividends
declared thereon.

     Section 2. Form of Certificate. Every shareholder shall be entitled to a
certificate conforming to the requirements of law and otherwise in such form as
the Board of Directors may approve. The certificates shall state on the face
thereof that the stock is transferable only on the books of the Association and
shall be signed by such officers as may be prescribed from time to time by the
Board of Directors or Executive Committee. Facsimile signatures may be
authorized.

     Section 3. Transfers of Stock. Transfers of stock shall be made only the
books of the Association by the holder in person, or by attorney duly authorized
in writing, upon surrender of the certificate therefor properly endorsed, or
upon the surrender of such certificate accompanied by a properly executed
written assignment of the same, or a written power of attorney to sell, assign
or transfer the same or the shares represented thereby.

     Section 4. Lost Certificate. The Board of Directors or Executive Committee
may order a new certificate to be issued in place of a certificate lost or
destroyed, upon proof of such loss or destruction and upon tender to the
Association by the shareholder, of a bond in such amount and with or without
surety, as may be ordered, indemnifying the Association against all liability,
loss, cost and damage by reason of such loss or destruction and the issuance of
a new certificate.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 5. Closing Transfer Books. The Board of Directors may close the
transfer books for a period not exceeding thirty days preceding any regular or
special meeting of the shareholders, or the day designated for the payment of a
dividend or the allotment of rights. In lieu of closing the transfer books the
Board of Directors may fix a day and hour not more than thirty days prior to the
day of holding any meeting of the shareholders, or the day designated for the
payment of a dividend, or the day designated for the allotment of rights, or the
day when any change of conversion or exchange of capital stock is to go into
effect, as the day as of which shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at
such meetings or entitled to such dividend or to such allotment of rights or to
exercise the rights in respect of any such change, conversion or exchange of
capital stock, shall be determined, and only such shareholders as shall be
shareholders of record on the day and hour so fixed shall be entitled to notice
of and to vote at such meeting or to receive payment of such dividend or to
receive such allotment of rights or to exercise such rights, as the case may be.

                                    ARTICLE X

                               The Corporate Seal

     Section 1. Seal. The following is an impression of the seal of the
Association adopted by the Board of Directors.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                                 Business Hours

     Section 1. Business Hours. The main office of this Association and each
branch office thereof shall be open for business on such days, and for such
hours as the Chairman, or the President, or any Executive Vice President, or
such other officer as the Board of Directors shall from time to time designate,
may determine as to each office to conform to local custom and convenience,
provided that any one or more of the main and branch offices or certain
departments thereof may be open for such hours as the President, or such other
officer as the Board of Directors shall from time to time designate, may
determine as to each office or department on any legal holiday on which work is
not prohibited by law, and provided further that any one or more of the main and
branch offices or certain departments thereof may be ordered closed or open on
any day for such hours as to each office or department as the President, or such
other officer as the Board of Directors shall from time to time designate,
subject to applicable laws and regulations, may determine when such action may
be required by reason of disaster or other emergency condition.

                                      -11-
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial
information extracted from the fiscal
996 financial statements of GFS, Inc.
 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         
<NAME>                        0<F2>
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000
<CURRENCY>                                U.S. Dollars
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   Year
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      0<F3>
<CASH>                                             140
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,583
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     27,783<F4>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                51,309<F5>
<PP&E>                                          37,558
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,522
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  78,711<F6>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           23,615<F7>
<BONDS>                                         20,618<F8>
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           149<F9>
<OTHER-SE>                                      36,631<F10>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    78,711
<SALES>                                        169,321
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               169,321
<CGS>                                           97,308
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  136,487<F11>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,608
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,203
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0<F12>
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,203
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    12.88<F13>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

<FN>
<F1>  Not applicable.

<F2>  Not applicable.

<F3>  Not applicable. All figures for GFSI, Inc. are in U.S. dollars.

<F4>  Figure for receivables is net of allowances for doubtful accounts.

<F5>  Includes prepaid expenses of 802.

<F6>  Includes cash surrender of key persons life insurance policies of $4,268.

<F7>  Includes short-term borrowings of $7,000 and current portion of long-term
     debt of $1,658.

<F8>  Includes outstanding debt (including current portion) as of December 30,
     1996 of (i) $4,286 under a bank credit agreement, (ii) $8,000 under a line
     of credit, (iii) $9,550 under a mortgage and (iv) $440 in industrial
     revenue bonds.

<F9>  As of December 30, 1996, GFSI had 1,491,000 shares of common stock, $.10
     par value per share, outstanding.

<F10> Consists of $1,586 of additional paid in capital and $35,045 of retained
     earnings.

<F11> In fiscal 1996, GFSI's total costs consisted of (i) $97,308 of cost of
     goods sold, (ii) $16,963 of selling expenses and (iii) $22,216 of general
     and administrative expenses.

<F12> GFSI, Inc.'s predecessor, Winning Ways, Inc., was a subchapter S
     corporation and paid no income tax in fiscal 1996.

<F13> Earnings per share for fiscal 1996 were 12.88.
</FN>


</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
                              LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                                 FOR TENDERS OF

                   $125,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of
                95/8% Series A Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007


                                   GFSI, INC.

                        Pursuant to the Prospectus dated
                         ________ __, 1997 of GFSI, Inc.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M. NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EARLIER
OF ________ __, 1997 (UNLESS EXTENDED) OR THE DATE ON WHICH 100% OF THE OLD
NOTES ARE VALIDLY TENDERED AND NOT WITHDRAWN (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"). TENDERED
OLD NOTES MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THE
EXCHANGE OFFER.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                Deliver to: Fleet National Bank, Exchange Agent:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
By Mail:                        By Overnight Courier:           By Hand:                     
                                                                                             
<S>                             <C>                             <C>
Fleet National Bank             Fleet National Bank             Fleet National Bank          
Mail Code: CTOPT06D             Mail Code: CTOPT06D             Corporate Trust Operations   
Corporate Trust Operations      Corporate Trust Operations      Department                   
Department                      Department                      Customer Service Window      
P.O. Box 1440                   1 Talcott Plaza, 6th Floor      1 Talcott Plaza, 5th Floor   
Hartford, Connecticut 06143     Hartford, Connecticut 06120     Hartford, Connecticut 06120  


                                By Facsimile:
                                (860) 986-7908
</TABLE>








     Delivery of this instrument to an address other than as set forth above, or
transmission of instructions via facsimile other than as set forth above, will
not constitute a valid delivery.

     The undersigned (the "Holder") acknowledges that he or she has received the
Prospectus,
<PAGE>
 
dated ________ __, 1997 (the "Prospectus"), of GFSI, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and this Letter of Transmittal, which may be
amended from time to time (this "Letter"), which together constitute the
Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange an aggregate principal amount
of up to $125,000,000 of its 95/8% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007
(the "New Notes") for a like principal amount of the issued and outstanding
95/8% Series A Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Old Notes") of the
Company from the holders thereof.

     For each Old Note accepted for exchange, the Holder of such Old Note will
receive a New Note having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered
Old Note. The New Notes will bear interest from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid on the Old Notes or, if no interest has been paid on the
Old Notes, from February 27, 1997. Accordingly, registered holders of New Notes
on the relevant record date for the first interest payment date following the
consummation of the Exchange Offer will receive interest accruing from the most
recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid,
from February 27, 1997. Old Notes accepted for exchange will cease to accrue
interest from and after the date of consummation of the Exchange Offer. Holders
of Old Notes whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange will not receive any
payment in respect of interest on such Old Notes otherwise payable on any
interest payment date the record date for which occurs on or after consummation
of the Exchange Offer.

     This Letter is to be used: (i) by all Holders who are not members of the
Automated Tender Offering Program ("ATOP") at the Depository Trust Company
("DTC"), (ii) by Holders who are ATOP members but choose not to use ATOP or
(iii) if the Old Notes are to be tendered in accordance with the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures" section of the Prospectus. See Instruction 2. Delivery of this
Letter to DTC does not constitute delivery to the Exchange Agent.

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the registration rights
agreement dated February 27, 1997 among the Company and the original purchasers
of Old Notes (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), the Company will accept for
exchange any and all Old Notes validly tendered on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the earlier of _________ __, 1997 (unless the Exchange Offer
is extended by the Company) or the date on which 100% of the Old Notes are
validly tendered and not withdrawn (the "Expiration Date"). Tenders of Old Notes
may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date.

IMPORTANT:  HOLDERS WHO WISH TO TENDER OLD NOTES IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER
MUST COMPLETE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND TENDER THE OLD NOTES TO THE
EXCHANGE AGENT AND NOT TO THE COMPANY.

     The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of
Old Notes being tendered for exchange. However, the Exchange Offer is subject to
certain conditions. Please see the Prospectus under the section titled "The
Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer."

     The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will tenders be accepted from
or on behalf of, Holders of Old Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or
acceptance of the Exchange Offer would not be in compliance with the laws of
such jurisdiction.

     The instructions included with this Letter of Transmittal must be followed
in their entirety. Questions and request for assistance or for additional copies
of the Prospectus or this Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange
Agent at the address listed above.

                                       -2-
<PAGE>
 
                  APPROPRIATE SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
               PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

     The undersigned hereby tenders to the Company the principal amount of Old
Notes indicated below under "Description of Old Notes," in accordance with and
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus,
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal, for
the purpose of exchanging each $1,000 principal amount of Old Notes designated
herein held by the undersigned and tendered hereby for $1,000 principal amount
of the New Notes. New Notes will be issued only in integral multiples of $1,000
to each tendering Holder of Old Notes whose Old Notes are accepted in the
Exchange Offer. Holders may tender all or a portion of their Old Notes pursuant
to the Exchange Offer.

     Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of the Old
Notes tendered herewith in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer, the
undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the
Company all right, title and interest in and to all such Old Notes that are
being tendered hereby and that are being accepted for exchange pursuant to the
Exchange Offer. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the
Exchange Agent as the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the
undersigned (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent also acts as the agent
of the Company), with respect to the Old Notes tendered hereby and accepted for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer with full power of substitution (such
power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an
interest) to deliver the Old Notes tendered hereby to the Company (together with
all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity) for transfer or
cancellation by the Company.

     All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of
Transmittal shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity
of the undersigned and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be
binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives,
successors and assigns of the undersigned. Any tender of Old Notes hereunder may
be withdrawn only in accordance with the procedures set forth in the
instructions contained in this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 4 hereto.

     The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that he or she has full
power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Old Notes
tendered hereby and that the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title
thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and
not subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned will, upon request, execute
and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Company to be necessary or
desirable to complete the assignment and transfer of the Old Notes tendered. The
undersigned has read and agrees to all of the terms of the Exchange Offer.

     The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the
sale, assignment and transfer of the Old Notes tendered hereby. All authority
conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter and every obligation of the
undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs,
executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal representatives of
the undersigned and shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or
incapacity of the undersigned. This tender may be withdrawn only in accordance
with the procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer--Withdrawal Rights" section
of the Prospectus.

     The name(s) and address(es) of the registered Holder(s) should be printed
herein under "Description of Old Notes" (unless a label setting forth such
information appears thereunder), exactly as they appear on the Old Notes
tendered hereby. The certificate number(s) and the principal amount of Old Notes
to which this Letter of Transmittal relates, together with the principal amount
of such Old Notes that the undersigned wishes to tender, should be indicated in
the appropriate boxes herein under "Description of Old Notes."

                                       -3-
<PAGE>
 
     The undersigned agrees that acceptance of any tendered Old Notes by the
Company and the issuance of New Notes in exchange therefor shall constitute
performance in full by the Company of its obligations under the Registration
Rights Agreement and that, upon the issuance of the New Notes, the Company will
have no further obligations or liabilities thereunder.

     The undersigned understands that the tender of Old Notes pursuant to one of
the procedures described in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer --
Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" and the Instructions hereto will constitute
the tendering Holder's acceptance of the terms and the conditions of the
Exchange Offer. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to the Company
that the New Notes to be acquired by such Holder pursuant to the Exchange Offer
are being acquired in the ordinary course of such Holder's business, that such
Holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of the New Notes. The Company's acceptance for exchange of Old
Notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer will constitute a binding
agreement between the tendering Holder and the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.

     THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT ENGAGED IN,
AND DOES NOT INTEND TO ENGAGE IN, A DISTRIBUTION OF THE NEW NOTES.

     The undersigned also acknowledges that this Exchange Offer is being made
based on interpretations by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") which lead the Company to believe that the New Notes issued
in exchange for the Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for
resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than (i) any
such holder that is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act, (ii) an Initial Purchaser who acquired the Old Notes
directly from the Company solely in order to resell pursuant to Rule 144A of the
Securities Act or any other available exemption under the Securities Act, or
(iii) a broker-dealer who acquired the Old Notes as a result of market making or
other trading activities), without further compliance with the registration and
prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such New
Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business and such
holders are not participating and have no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities
Act) of such New Notes. If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the
undersigned represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage
in, a distribution of New Notes and has no arrangement or understanding to
participate in a distribution of New Notes. If any holder is an affiliate of the
Company or is engaged in or has any arrangement or understanding with respect to
the distribution of the New Notes to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer,
such holder (i) could not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of
the Commission and (ii) must comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act. If the undersigned is a
broker-dealer that will receive New Notes for its own account in exchange of Old
Notes, it represents that the Old Notes to be exchanged for the New Notes were
acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities and acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with
any resale of such New Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a
prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

     The undersigned understands that the New Notes issued in consideration of
Old Notes accepted for exchange, and/or any principal amount of Old Notes not
tendered or not accepted for exchange, will only be issued in the name of the
Holder(s) appearing herein under "Description of Old Notes." Unless otherwise
indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions," please mail the New Notes
issued in consideration of Old Notes accepted for exchange, and/or any principal
amount of Old Notes not tendered or not accepted for exchange (and accompanying
documents, as appropriate), to the Holder(s) at the address(es) appearing herein
under "Description of Old Notes." In the event that the Special Delivery
Instructions are completed, please mail the New Notes issued in consideration of
Old Notes accepted for exchange, and/or any Old Notes for any principal

                                       -4-
<PAGE>
 
amount not tendered or not accepted for exchange, in the name of the Holder(s)
appearing herein under "Description of Old Notes," and send such New Notes
and/or Old Notes to, the address(es) so indicated. Any transfer of Old Notes to
a different holder must be completed, according to the provisions on transfer of
Old Notes contained in the Indentures.

     THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED "DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES"
BELOW AND SIGNING THIS LETTER, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE OLD NOTES AS
SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX BELOW.



                                       -5-
<PAGE>
 
                                  INSTRUCTIONS

                    Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions
                              of the Exchange Offer

     1. Guarantee of Signatures. Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal or
notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, must be guaranteed by an institution
which falls within the definition of "eligible guarantor institution" contained
in Rule 17Ad-15 as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (hereinafter, an "Eligible
Institution") unless (i) the Old Notes tendered hereby are tendered by the
Holder(s) of the Old Notes who has (have) not completed the box entitled
"Special Delivery Instructions" on this Letter of Transmittal or (ii) the Old
Notes are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution.

     2. Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and Old Notes; Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures. This Letter of Transmittal is to be used: (i) by all
Holders who are not ATOP members, (ii) by Holders who are ATOP members but
choose not to use ATOP or (iii) if the Old Notes are to be tendered in
accordance with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus
under "The Exchange Offer Guaranteed Delivery Procedures." To validly tender Old
Notes, a Holder must physically deliver a properly completed and duly executed
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) with any required signature
guarantees and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent at its address
set forth on the cover of this Letter of Transmittal prior to the Expiration
Date (as defined below) or the Holder must properly complete and duly execute an
ATOP ticket in accordance with DTC procedures. Otherwise, the Holder must comply
with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the next paragraph.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Registration Rights Agreement,
the term "Expiration Date" means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the earlier
of _________ __, 1997 (or such later date to which the Company may, in its sole
discretion, extend the Exchange Offer) or the date on which 100% of the Old
Notes are validly tendered and not withdrawn. If this Exchange Offer is
extended, the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest time and date to
which the Exchange Offer is extended. The Company expressly reserves the right,
at any time or from time to time, to extend the period of time during which the
Exchange Offer is open by giving oral (confirmed in writing) or written notice
of such extension to the Exchange Agent and by making a public announcement of
such extension prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day
after the previously scheduled Expiration Date.

LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD NOT BE SENT TO THE COMPANY OR TO DTC.

     If a Holder of the Old Notes desires to tender such Old Notes and time will
not permit such Holder's required documents to reach the Exchange Agent before
the Expiration Date, a tender may be effected if (a) the tender is made through
an Eligible Institution, (b) on or prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange
Agent receives from such Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly
executed Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) and Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery (by telegram, facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery) setting
forth the name and address of the Holder of the Old Notes and the principal
amount of Old Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and
guaranteeing that within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the
Expiration Date, any documents required by the Letter of Transmittal will be
deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and (c) all other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal are received by the Exchange
Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration
Date. See "The Exchange Offer - Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" as set forth in
the Prospectus.

     Only a Holder of Old Notes may tender Old Notes in the Exchange Offer. The
term "Holder" as used herein with respect to the Old Notes means any person in
whose name Old Notes are registered on the books of the Trustee. If the Letter
of Transmittal or any Old Notes are signed by trustees, executors,

                                       -6-
<PAGE>
 
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 so submitted.

     Any beneficial Holder whose Old Notes are registered in the name of his
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who wishes
to validly surrender those Old Notes in the Exchange Offer should contact such
registered Holder promptly and instruct such registered Holder to tender on his
behalf. If such beneficial Holder wishes to tender on his own behalf, such
beneficial Holder must, prior to completing and executing the Letter of
Transmittal, make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Old
Notes in such beneficial holder's name. It is the responsibility of the
beneficial holder to register ownership in his own name if he chooses to do so.
The transfer of record ownership may take considerable time.

     The method of delivery of this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof)
and all other required documents is at the election and risk of the exchanging
Holder, but, except as otherwise provided below, the delivery will be deemed
made only when actually received or confirmed by the Exchange Agent. If sent by
mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, is
recommended. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to assure timely
delivery to the Exchange Agent before the Expiration Date. No Letters of
Transmittal or Old Notes should be sent to the Company.

     No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted. All
tendering Holders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
hereof), waive any right to receive notice of acceptance of their Old Notes for
exchange.

     3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided herein is inadequate, the
certificate numbers and principal amount of the Old Notes to which this Letter
of Transmittal relates should be listed on a separate signed schedule attached
hereto.

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

     To be effective, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal
must (i) be received by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth herein prior
to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration date, (ii) specify the name
of the person having tendered the Old Notes to be withdrawn, (iii) identify the
Old Notes to be withdrawn and (iv) be (a) 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 (b)
accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Company that the Holder withdrawing
such tender has succeeded to beneficial ownership of such Old Notes. If Old
Notes have been tendered pursuant to the ATOP procedure with DTC, any notice of
withdrawal must otherwise comply with the procedures of DTC. Old Notes properly
withdrawn will thereafter be deemed not validly tendered for purposes of the
Exchange Offer; provided, however, that withdrawn Old Notes may be retendered by
again following one of the procedures described herein at any time prior to 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. All questions as to the
validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of notice of
withdrawal will be determined by the Company, whose determinations will be final
and binding on all parties. Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent, nor any
other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or
irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to
give any such notification. The Exchange Agent intends to use reasonable efforts
to give notification of such defects and irregularities.

     5. Partial Tenders; Pro Rata Effect. Tenders of the Old Notes will be
accepted only in integral multiples of $1,000. If less than the entire principal
amount evidenced by any Old Notes is to be tendered, fill in the principal
amount that is to be tendered in the box entitled "Principal Amount Tendered"

                                       -7-
<PAGE>
 
below. The entire principal amount of all Old Notes delivered to the Exchange
Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.

     6. Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal; Bond Powers and Endorsements.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered Holder(s) of the Old
Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with the name as written on
the face of the certificate representing such Old Notes without alteration,
enlargement or any change whatsoever.

     If any of the Old Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more
joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

     If any of the Old Notes tendered hereby are registered in different names,
it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate copies of
this Letter of Transmittal and any necessary accompanying documents as there are
different registrations.

     When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the Holder(s) of Old Notes
listed and tendered hereby, no endorsements or separate bond powers are
required.

     If this Letter of Transmittal is 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.

     7. Special Delivery Instructions. Tendering Holders should indicate in the
applicable box the name and address to which New Notes issued in consideration
of Old Notes accepted for exchange, or Old Notes for principal amounts not
exchanged or not tendered, are to be sent, if different from the name and
address of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal.

     8. Waiver of Conditions. The Company reserves the absolute right to waive
any of the specified conditions in the Exchange Offer, in whole at any time or
in part from time to time, in the case of any Old Notes tendered hereby. See
"The Exchange Offer - Conditions to the Exchange Offer" in the Prospectus.

     9. Transfer Taxes. The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any,
applicable to the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If,
however, New Notes and/or substitute Old Notes for principal amounts not
exchanged are to be delivered to any person other than the Holder of the Old
Notes or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of
Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the amount of any such transfer taxes
(whether imposed on the registered Holder or any other persons) will be payable
by the tendering Holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or
exemption therefrom is not submitted, the amount of such transfer taxes will be
billed directly to such tendering Holder.

     10. Irregularities. All questions as to validity, form, eligibility
(including time of receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of tendered Old Notes
will be resolved by the Company, in its sole discretion, whose determination
shall be final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject
any or all tenders of any particular Old Notes that are not in proper form, or
the acceptance of which would, in the opinion of the Company or its counsel, be
unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute right to waive any defect,
irregularity or condition of tender with regard to any particular Old Notes. The
Company's interpretation of the terms of, and conditions to, the Exchange Offer
(including the instructions herein) will be final and binding. Unless waived,
any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders must be cured within
such time as the Company shall determine. Neither the Company nor the Exchange
Agent shall be under any duty to give notification of defects in such tenders or
shall incur any liability for failure to give such notification. The Exchange
Agent intends to use reasonable efforts to give notification of such defects and

                                       -8-
<PAGE>
 
irregularities. Tenders of Old Notes will not be deemed to have been made until
all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Old Notes received
by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the
irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange
Agent to the tendering Holder, unless otherwise provided by this Letter of
Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.

     11. Interest on Exchanged Old Notes. Holders whose Old Notes are accepted
for exchange will not receive accrued interest thereon on the date of exchange.
Instead, interest accruing from November 7, 1996 through the Expiration Date
will be payable on the New Notes on May 15, 1997, in accordance with the terms
of the New Notes. See "The Exchange Offer-Acceptance of Old Notes for Exchange;
Delivery of New Notes" and "Description of Senior Notes."

     12. Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. Holders whose
certificates for Old Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should
contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated above for further
instructions.

     IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR FACSIMILE HEREOF), TOGETHER WITH
ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, OR A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY, MUST BE RECEIVED BY
THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.


                            IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION

     Under Federal income tax laws, a registered Holder of Old Notes or New
Notes is required to provide the Trustee (as payer) with such Holder's correct
TIN on Substitute Form W-9 below or otherwise establish a basis for exemption
from backup withholding. If such Holder is an individual, the TIN is his social
security number. If the Trustee is not provided with the correct TIN, a $50
penalty may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service, and payments made to
such Holder with respect to Old Notes or New Notes may be subject to backup
withholding.

     Certain Holders (including, among others, all corporations and certain
foreign persons) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting
requirements. Exempt Holders should indicate their exempt status on Substitute
Form W-9. A foreign person may qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting to
the Trustee a properly completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8, signed under
penalties of perjury, attesting to that Holder's exempt status. A Form W-8 can
be obtained from the Trustee.

     If backup withholding applies, the Trustee is required to withhold 31% of
any payments made to the Holder or other payee. Backup withholding is not an
additional Federal income tax. Rather, the Federal income tax liability of
persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax
withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be
obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.


Purpose of Substitute Form W-9

     To prevent backup withholding on payments made with respect to Old Notes or
New Notes the Holder is required to provide the Trustee with: (i) the Holder's
correct TIN by completing the form below, certifying that the TIN provided on
Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such Holder is awaiting a TIN) and that
(A) such Holder is exempt from backup withholding, (B) the Holder has not been
notified by the Internal Revenue Service that the Holder is subject to backup
withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or dividends or (C)
the Internal Revenue Service has notified the Holder that the Holder is no
longer subject to backup withholding; and (ii) if applicable, an adequate basis
for exemption.

                                       -9-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          PAYER'S NAME:  FLEET NATIONAL BANK
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                   <C>                                                               <C>                 
SUBSTITUTE            Part 1 - PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT RIGHT AND              Social Security Number
                      CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING BELOW
Form W-9
Department of the
Treasury-Internal                                                                       OR______________________
Revenue Service                                                                         Employer Identification Number
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Part 2 - Certification - Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
Payer's Request for   (1) The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number (or I am waiting 
Taxpayer              for a number to be issued to me); and
Identification        (2) I am not subject to backup withholding because (i) I am exempt from backup withholding, 
Number ("TIN")        (ii) I have not been notifiedby the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") that I am subject to 
                      backup withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or dividends, or (iii) the IRS
                      has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding.

                      Certificate instruction -- You must cross out item 2) in Part 2 above if you have been notified
                      by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding because of under reporting interest or
                      dividends on your tax return. However, if after being notified by the IRS that you were subject
                      to backup withholding you received another notification from the IRS stating that you are no
                      longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross out item (2).
                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        Part 3
                      SIGNATURE....................................DATE........., 1997
                                                                                        Awaiting TIN      |_|
                      NAME (Please Print).......................................
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
      OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW
      THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
      NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

      YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN PART
      3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.


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

             CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has
not been issued to me, and either (i) 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 (ii) 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.


Signature................................................Date...................


Name (Please Print).............................................................

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


                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
                 PLEASE READ ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

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


                          SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
                           (See Instructions 1 and 7)

To be completed ONLY if the New Notes issued in consideration of Old Notes
exchanged, or certificates for Old Notes in a principal amount not surrendered
for exchange are to be mailed to someone other than the undersigned or to the
undersigned at an address other than that below.


Mail to:

Name:___________________________________________________________________________
                                    (Please Print)


Address:________________________________________________________________________
                                                     (Zip Code)
================================================================================



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES
                                                     (See Instructions 2 and 7)

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

 Name(s) and Address(es) of                                         Certificate(s)
    Registered Holder(s)                             (Attach additional signed list, if necessary)
 (Please fill in, in blank)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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

                              <S>                              <C>                                   <C>
                                                               Aggregate Principal Amount of            Principal Amount of Old
                                 Certificate Number(s)(1)          Old Notes Evidenced by             Notes Tendered(2) (must be
                                                                      Certificate(s)                 integral multiples of $1,000)
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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


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


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

                               Total
====================================================================================================================================

</TABLE>

- --------

(1)  Need not be completed if Old Notes are being tendered by book-entry
     transfer.

(2)  Unless otherwise indicated, the entire principal amount of Old Notes
     evidenced by any certificate will be deemed to have been tendered.



                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
            (Boxes below to be checked by Eligible Institutions only)

|_|  CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
     MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY
     TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

     Name of Tendering Institution

     DTC Account Number

     Transaction Code Number

|_|  CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IF
     TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
     DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

     Name(s) of Registered Holder(s)

     Window Ticket Number (if any)

     Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery

     Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery

     If Guaranteed Delivery is to be made by Book-Entry Transfer:

     Name of Tendering Institution

     DTC Account Number

     Transaction Code Number

|_|  CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NON-EXCHANGED OLD NOTES
     ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH ABOVE.

|_|  CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE OLD NOTES FOR ITS
     OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET MAKING OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES (A
     "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER") AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF
     THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

Name

Address



                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
               PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY


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

                                PLEASE SIGN HERE
                       WHETHER OR NOT OLD NOTES ARE BEING
                           PHYSICALLY TENDERED HEREBY

            X

            X
                     Signature(s) of Owner(s)                 Dated
                     of Authorized Signatory


Area Code and Telephone Number:

This box must be signed by registered holder(s) of Old Notes as their name(s)
appear(s) on certificate(s) for Old Notes hereby tendered or on a security
position listing, or by any person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s)
by endorsement and documents transmitted with this Letter (including such
opinions of counsel, certifications and other information as may be required by
the Company or the Trustee for the Old Notes to comply with the restrictions on
transfer applicable to the Old Notes). If signature is by an attorney-in-fact,
trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, officer or other person acting in a
fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must set forth his or her full
title below.

Name(s)


                                 (Please Print)

Capacity (full title)

Address


                               (Include Zip Code)


Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s)



                            Guarantee of Signature(s)
               (See Instructions 1 and 6 to determine if required)

Authorized Signature

Name

Name of Firm

Title

Address

Area Code and Telephone Number

Dated

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


                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
             GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION

NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9


Guidelines for Determining the Proper Identification Number to Give the Payer.
Social Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e.,
000-00-0000. Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by only
one hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to
give the payer.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     -----------------------------------------------------------------      --------------------------------------------------------

     For this type                    Give the SOCIAL                       For this type                    Give the EMPLOYER
     of account:                      SECURITY number                       of account:                      IDENTIFICATION
                                      of--                                                                   number of--
     -----------------------------------------------------------------      --------------------------------------------------------

<C>  <S>                              <C>                               <C>                                  <C>
1.   Individual                       The individual                    6.  Sole proprietorship              The owner(1)
2.   Two or more individuals (joint   The actual owner of the account   7.  A valid trust, estate, or pens   Legal entity (3)
     account)                         or, if combined funds, the first      trust                            
                                      individual on the account.(2)                                           
                                                                        8.  Corporate                        The corporation
3.   Custodian account of a minor     The minor(4)                      9.  Association, club, religious,    The organization
     (Uniform Gift to Minors Act)                                           charitable, educational or
                                                                            other tax-exempt organization
                                                                        10. Partnership                      The partnership
                                                                                                             
4.a. The usual revocable savings      The grantor-trustee               11. A broker or registered nominee   The broker or nominee
     trust (grantor is also trustee)
  b. So-called trust account that is  The actual owner                  12. Account with the Department of   The public entity
     not a legal or valid trust                                             Agriculture in the name of a
     under State law                                                        public entity (such as a State
                                                                            or local government, school
 5.  Sole proprietorship              The owner(1)                          district, or prison) that 
                                                                            receives agricultural program
                                                                            payments
</TABLE>

- --------

(1)  You must show your individual name, but you may also enter your business or
     "doing business as" name. You may use either your SSN or EIN.

(2)  List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish.

(3)  List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or pension
     trust. (Do not furnish the identifying number of the personal
     representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated
     in the account title.)

(4)  Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's social security number.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
             GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
                          NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
                                     PAGE 2

Obtaining a Number

If you don't have a taxpayer identification number or you don't know your
number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card, or Form
SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local office of the
Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service and apply for a
number.

Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding

The following is a list of payees exempt from backup withholding and for which
no information reporting is required. For interest and dividends, all listed
payees are exempt except item (9). For broker transactions, payees listed in
items (1) through (13) and a person registered under the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940 U.C. who regularly acts as a broker are exempt. Payments subject to
reporting under sections 6041 and 6041A are generally exempt from backup
withholding only if made to payees described in items (1) through (7), except a
corporation that provides medical and health care services or bills and collects
payments for such services is not exempt from backup withholding or information
reporting. Only payees described in items (2) through (6) are exempt from backup
withholding for barter exchange transactions, patronage dividends, and payments
by certain fishing boat operators.

(1)  A corporation.

(2)  An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), or an individual
     retirement plan or custodial account under section 403(b)(7).

(3)  The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof.

(4)  A State, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or
     any subdivision or instrumentality thereof.

(5)  A foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign government, or
     an agency or instrumentality thereof.

(6)  An international organization or any agency or instrumentality thereof.

(7)  A foreign central bank of issue.

(8)  A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the U.S. or a
     possession of the U.S.

(9)  A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading
     Commission.

(10) A real estate investment trust.

(11) An entity registered at all times under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(12) A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).

(13) A financial institution.

(14) A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or listed in the
     most recent publication of the American Society of Corporate Secretaries,
     Inc. Nominee List.

(15) An exempt charitable remainder trust, or a non-exempt trust described in
     section 4947.

Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally subject to backup
withholding include the following:

o    Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under section 1441.

o    Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. and
     which have at least one nonresident partner.

o    Payments of patronage dividends not paid in money.

o    Payments made by certain foreign organizations.

     Note: You may be subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or
     more and is paid in the course of the payer's trade or business and you
     have not provided your correct taxpayer identification number to the payer.

o    Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under
     section 852).

o    Payments described in section 6049(b)(5) to nonresident aliens.

o    Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under section 1451.

o    Payments made by certain foreign organizations.

Exempt payees described above should file Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous
backup withholding. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER. FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. WRITE "EXEMPT" ON THE FACE OF THE FORM AND RETURN IT TO
THE PAYER. IF THE PAYMENTS ARE INTEREST, DIVIDENDS, OR PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS, ALSO
SIGN AND DATE THE FORM.

Certain payments other than interest, royalties, and patronage dividends that
are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup
withholding. For details, see the regulations under sections 6041, 6041A(a),
6045, and 6050A.

Privacy Act Notice. Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividend, interest,
or other payments to give taxpayer identification numbers to payers who must
report the payments to IRS. IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes.
Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are required to file
tax returns. Payers must generally withhold 31% of taxable interest, dividend,
and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer
identification number to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.

Penalties

(1) Penalty for Failure to Furnish Taxpayer Identification Number. If you fail
to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject to a
penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable
cause and not to willful neglect.

(2) Failure to Report Certain Dividend and Interest Payments. If you fail to
include any portion of an includible payment for interest, dividends, or
patronage dividends in gross income, such failure will be treated as being due
to negligence and will be subject to a penalty of 5% on any portion of an
under-payment attributable to that failure unless there is clear and convincing
evidence to the contrary.

(3) Civil Penalty for False Information with Respect to Withholding. If you make
a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition of
backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.

(4) Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information. Willfully falsifying
certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including
fines and/or imprisonment.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT
OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.


                                      -15-


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