BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORP
SC 13E4/A, 1999-04-26
TO DWELLINGS & OTHER BUILDINGS
Previous: AMB PROPERTY CORP, 424B3, 1999-04-26
Next: SEAGATE SOFTWARE INC, SC 14D9, 1999-04-26



<PAGE>
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, DC  20549

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

                                AMENDMENT NO. 2

                                      TO

                                SCHEDULE 13E-4

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

                         ISSUER TENDER OFFER STATEMENT
     (PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(e)(1) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934)

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

                       Building One Services Corporation
                               (Name of Issuer)

                       Building One Services Corporation
                     (Name of Person(s) Filing Statement)

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

                                 COMMON STOCK
                        (Title of Class of Securities)

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

                                   120114103
                     (CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)

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

                                Joseph M. Ivey
                     President and Chief Executive Officer
                       Building One Services Corporation
                   800 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 1111
                             Washington, DC  20006
                                (202) 261-6000
  (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices
      and Communications on Behalf of the Person(s) Filing the Statement)

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

                                   Copies to:
F. Traynor Beck, Esquire                             Linda Griggs, Esquire
Executive Vice President, General Counsel            Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
and Secretary, Building One Services Corporation     1800 M Street. N.W.
800 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 1111             Washington, DC  20036
Washington, DC  20006                                (202) 467-7000
(202) 261-6000

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


                               February 19, 1999
    (Date Tender Offer First Published, Sent or Given to Security Holders)
<PAGE>
 
     This Amendment No. 2 modifies and supplements the Issuer Tender Offer
Statement on Schedule 13E-4 dated February 19, 1999, as amended on April 6,
1999, filed by Building One Services Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Issuer").  The Issuer has decided to extend the expiration, withdrawal and
proration dates for its self-tender offer for shares (the "Shares") of its
common stock (the "Offer") to April 29, 1999.  The Issuer is offering to
purchase 25.5 million Shares at a price of $22.50 per Share net to the seller in
cash or, in the case of Shares underlying stock options having exercise prices
below $22.50 per Share, $22.50 per Share less the exercise price per Share on
the terms and subject to the purchase of a minimum of 21 million Shares in the
Offer, the receipt of financing and the other conditions set forth in the
Supplement to the Offer to Purchase, dated April 6, 1999 (the "Supplement to the
Offer to Purchase"), and the Letter of Transmittal, amended April 6, 1999 (the
"Letter of Transmittal").  Copies of the Supplement to the Offer to Purchase and
the Letter of Transmittal are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
as Exhibits (a)(1) and (a)(2), respectively.

Item 1.   Security and Issuer.

     (a) On April 22, the Issuer issued a press release announcing that it had
extended the expiration date of the Offer to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
April 23, 1999.  On April 23, 1999, the Issuer issued a press release announcing
that it had extended the expiration date of the Offer to 11:59 p.m., New York
City time, on April 29, 1999.  Copies of these press releases are filed as
Exhibits (a)(12) and (a)(13) hereto, respectively, and are incorporated herein
by reference.
    
Item 2.   Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.     
    
     Item 2 is amended to incorporate by reference herein the Form of Indenture
for the 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009 filed as Exhibit (a)(15) in
Item 9 hereof and to describe the credit facility (The "New Credit Facility").
The Issuer will use the net cash proceeds from the sale of the 10 1/2 Senior
Subordinated Notes and borrowings from the New Credit Facility to finance, in
part, its purchase of the Shares.     
    
     The New Credit Facility will consist of a $125.0 million term loan and a 
$225.0 million revolving credit facility, in each case maturing five years from 
the date of the borrowing. The proceeds of the loans made under the New Credit 
Facility will be used (1) to finance a portion of the purchase of the Shares and
related expenses and (2) for general corporate purposes including working 
capital.      
    
     Subject to certain limited exceptions, the New Credit Facility will require
mandatory repayments and mandatory commitment reductions thereunder with the 
proceeds from (i) assets sales, (ii) the issuance of debt and preferred stock, 
and (iii) insurance and condemnation claims. In the case of the preceding 
clauses (i), and (ii), the percentage of net proceeds required to be used to 
permanently repay term loans and reduce the commitments under the New Credit 
Facility shall be reduced to 75% based on the achievement of certain levels of 
financial performance. Voluntary prepayments of the New Credit Facility will be 
permitted at any time, subject to certain notice requirements and to the payment
of certain losses and expenses suffered by the lenders as a result of the 
prepayment of eurodollar rate loans prior to the end of the applicable interest 
period.      
    
     The New Credit Facility will bear interest at the sum of the (i) applicable
margin and (ii) at the option of the Company, either the "base rate" or the 
"eurodollar rate" (as defined in the New Credit Facility). The base rate will be
the higher of (i) the rate that Bankers Trust Company announces from time to 
time as its prime lending rate, as in effect from time to time and (ii) 1/2 of 
1% in excess of the overnight federal funds rate. The applicable margin will be 
a percentage per annum equal to (i) in the case of term loans maintained as (x) 
base rate loans, 2.00%, and (y) eurodollar rate loans, 3.00%, and (ii) in the 
case of revolving loans maintained as (x) base rate loans, 1.50%, and (y) 
eurodollar rate loans, 2.50%, in each case subject to step-downs to be 
determined based on certain levels of financial performance. The Company will 
pay a commitment fee in an amount equal to 0.50% per annum on the daily average
unused portion of the New Credit Facility, subject to step-downs to be 
determined based on certain levels of financial performance. Additionally, the 
then applicable commitment fee percentage will be increased by 0.25% at all 
times that the total unutilized commitments under the revolving credit facility 
exceeds 75% of the sum of (x) the total revolving commitment then in effect 
under the New Credit Facility plus (y) the aggregate outstanding principal 
amount of the term loans.      
    
     The New Credit Facility will contain certain covenants, including, without 
limitation, restrictions on (i) indebtedness and liens, (ii) the sale of assets,
(iii) mergers, acquisitions and other business combinations, (iv) voluntary 
prepayment of certain debt of the Company (including the Notes and the 
Convertible Subordinated Notes), (v) transactions with affiliates, (vi) capital 
expenditures and (vii) loans and investments, as well as prohibitions on the 
payment of cash dividends to, or the repurchase on redemption of stock from, 
stockholders, and various financial covenants. The New Credit Facility will 
contain customary events of default, including payment defaults, breaches of 
representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-default and 
cross-acceleration to certain other indebtedness, certain events of bankruptcy 
and insolvency, certain events under the Employee Retirement Income Security 
Act of 1974, as amended, material judgements, actual or asserted failure of any 
guaranty or security document supporting the New Credit Facility to be in full 
force and effect and change of control of the Company. If such a default occurs,
the lenders under the New Credit Facility would be entitled to take various 
actions, including all actions permitted to be taken by a secured creditor, the 
acceleration of amounts due under the New Credit Facility and requiring that all
such amounts to be immediately paid in full.      
    
     All obligations under the New Credit Facility will be jointly and severally
guaranteed by each of the domestic subsidiaries, direct and indirect, of the 
Company. The indebtedness under the New Credit Facility will be secured by a 
pledge of the capital stock of all of the Company's subsidiaries (but not to 
exceed 65% of the voting stock of foreign subsidiaries) and a perfected lien and
security interest in substantially all of the assets (tangible and intangible) 
of the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. The Company's future 
domestic subsidiaries will guarantee the New Credit Facility and secure that 
guarantee with certain of their real property and substantially all of their 
tangible and intangible personal property.      

Item 3.   Purpose of the Tender Offer and Plans or Proposals of the Issuer or
Affiliate.

     Item 3 paragraph (d) is amended by adding the following paragraph:
     
     The Issuer expects to enter into an agreement with David Ledecky relating
to the termination without cause of his employment as executive vice president
and chief administrative officer of the Issuer and his resignation as a director
of the Issuer effective on April 30, 1999. The Issuer expects to pay David
Ledecky an amount in accordance with the termination without cause provisions of
his employment agreement. In addition, in exchange for his waiver of certain
contractual rights, his agreement to accept certain continuing obligations and
the forfeiture and cancellation of all of David Ledecky's remaining options, the
Issuer expects to pay David Ledecky an amount equal to the difference between
$1,050,000 and the gross proceeds he receives as a result of his participation
in the Offer.

Item 9.   Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

     (a)(12) Press Release dated April 22, 1999.

     (a)(13) Press Release dated April 23, 1999.
    
     (a)(14) Purchase Agreement for $200,000,000 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated
             Notes, dated April 23, 1999, between Building One Services
             Corporation and the initial purchasers, BT Alex. Brown
             Incorporated, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
             Salomon Smith Barney Inc., Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co.,
             Jefferies & Company, Inc. and Fleet Securities, Inc.      
<PAGE>
 
     (a)(15) Form of Indenture for up to $400,000,000 10 1/2% Senior
             Subordinated Notes between Building One Services Corporation, the
             Subsidiary Guarantors named therein, and IBJ Whitehall Bank & Trust
             Company, as Trustee.
         
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE

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


                                 BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION

                                 By: /s/ Joseph M. Ivey
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Joseph M. Ivey
                                    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer


Dated: April 26, 1999
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit                    Description
- -------                    -----------

(a)(12)   Press Release dated April 22, 1999.

(a)(13)   Press Release dated April 23, 1999.
    
(a)(14)   Purchase Agreement for $200,000,000 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes,
          dated April 23, 1999, between Building One Services Corporation and
          the initial purchasers, BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Bear, Stearns &
          Co. Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., Salomon Smith Barney Inc., Friedman,
          Billings, Ramsey & Co., Jefferies & Company, Inc. and Fleet 
          Securities, Inc.      

(a)(15)   Form of Indenture for up to $400,000,000 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated
          Notes between Building One Services Corporation, the Subsidiary
          Guarantors named therein, and IBJ Whitehall Bank & Trust Company, as
          Trustee.

         

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  Exhibit (a) 12
[LOGO OF BUILDING ONE APPEARS HERE]
                                                                   PRESS RELEASE
                                   ---------------------------------------------

For immediate release -- April 22, 1999                      Release No.  99-009

BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION
(NASDAQ - "BOSS")                   Company
                                    Contact:  Timothy Clayton
                                              Building One Services Corporation
                                              202-261-6000
                                              [email protected]
                                    Media
                                    Contact:  Bill Snethen
                                              RMR & Associates
                                              301-217-0009 ext. 34
                                              [email protected]

           BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF
                    TENDER OFFER TO FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1999
                                        

Washington, DC (April 22, 1999) -- Building One Services Corporation (NASDAQ:
BOSS) announced today that it has extended the expiration date of its tender
offer for up to 25.5 million shares of common stock at a purchase price of
$22.50 per share to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 23, 1999. As of 5:00
p.m. today, April 22, 1999, stockholders holding 43,684,328 shares of the
Company's outstanding common stock and 1,272,154 shares underlying employee
stock options have been tendered.

The depositary for the tender offer is Harris Trust Company of New York (call
collect: 212/701-7624) and the information agent is MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
(call toll free: 800/322-2885).

Building One Services Corporation is a leader in the facilities services
industry and has a corporate goal of becoming a national single-source provider
of facilities services. Facility services companies provide many products and
services needed for the routine operation and maintenance of a building.
Building One currently has annualized revenues of approximately $1.5 billion and
has operations in the electrical, mechanical and janitorial segments of the
facilities services industry.
<PAGE>
 
BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION
________________________________________________________________________
Press Release 99-009
Page 2


This press release and our other public documents contain forward-looking
statements. Such statements relate to, among others things, the anticipated
closing of the tender offer and the financing related to the tender offer. Any
or all of our forward-looking statements in this press release or in any other
public statements we make may turn out to be wrong.  They can be affected by
inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and
uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the volatility of
the financial markets; the risks associated with significant indebtedness that
we may incur in our proposed tender offer, the dependence on key personnel of
the Company and hourly wage and technical employees; risks related to the
Company's consolidation strategy, its ability to complete acquisitions and the
continuing consolidation in the industry; the ability to integrate acquisitions;
risks related to acquisition financing, including potential dilution; possible
significant amortization charges; exposure to downturns in commercial and
industrial construction; substantial competition; and other factors affecting
the Company's prospects described in the Company's most recent prospectus filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 1999 and in its other
public filings.


                                     -END -

<PAGE>
 
[LOGO OF BUILDING ONE APPEARS HERE]
                                                                  Exhibit (a) 13


For immediate release  April 23, 1999                      Release No.    99-010

BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION
(NASDAQ - "BOSS")                   Company
                                    Contact: Timothy Clayton
                                             Building One Services Corporation
                                             202-261-6000
                                             [email protected]
                                    Media
                                    Contact: Bill Snethen
                                             RMR & Associates
                                             301-217-0009 ext. 34
                                             [email protected]

            BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION ANNOUNCES PRICING OF
            $200 MILLION OF SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES AND EXTENSION
                                OF TENDER OFFER
                                        
 .  10 1/2% Interest Rate on Senior Subordinated Notes

 .  Expiration Date of Tender Offer Extended to 11:59 p.m. New York City time on
   April 29, 1999

Washington, DC (April 23, 1999) -- Building One Services Corporation (NASDAQ:
BOSS) announced today that it has signed a purchase agreement for the issuance
of $200 million aggregate principal amount of its 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2009 to yield 10 7/8%.   The proceeds of the Notes will be used to
fund a portion of the Company's tender offer for up to 25.5 million shares of
its common stock at a purchase price of $22.50 per share.

Consistent with the views of the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the Company has also extended the expiration date of its tender
offer to 11:59 p.m. New York City time on April 29, 1999.  The Company will
complete the sale of the $200 

million of Senior Subordinated Notes, the sale of
the $100 million of Convertible Junior Subordinated Notes to an affiliate of
Apollo Management, L. P., and the execution of a $350 million credit facility
being provided by a syndicate of banks led by Bankers Trust Company on the
morning of April 30, 1999.

Employees holding stock options of the Company and participants in the Company's
employee stock purchase plan will have until 11:59 p.m. on April 27, 1999 to
instruct the plan administrator to tender their options or their shares of
stock.

<PAGE>
 
BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION
________________________________________________________________________
Press Release 99-010
Page 2

As of 2:00 p.m. on April 23, 1999, stockholders holding 43,048,154 shares of the
Company's outstanding common stock and 1,272,154 shares underlying employee
stock options have been tendered.

The depositary for the tender offer is Harris Trust Company of New York (call
collect: 212/701-7624) and the information agent is MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
(call toll free: 800/322-2885).

Building One Services Corporation is a leader in the facilities services
industry and has a corporate goal of becoming a national single-source provider
of facilities services.  Facility services companies provide many products and
services needed for the routine operation and maintenance of a building.
Building One currently has annualized

revenues of approximately $1.5 billion and has operations in the electrical,
mechanical and janitorial segments of the facilities services industry.

This press release and our other public documents contain forward-looking
statements. Such statements relate to, among others things, the anticipated
closing of the tender offer and the financing related to the tender offer. Any
or all of our forward-looking statements in this press release or in any other
public statements we make may turn out to be wrong.  They can be affected by
inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and
uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the volatility of
the financial markets; the risks associated with significant indebtedness that
we may incur in our proposed tender offer, the dependence on key personnel of
the Company and hourly wage and technical employees; risks related to the
Company's consolidation strategy, its ability to complete acquisitions and the
continuing consolidation in the industry; the ability to integrate acquisitions;
risks related to acquisition financing, including potential dilution; possible
significant amortization charges; exposure to downturns in commercial and
industrial construction; substantial competition; and other factors affecting
the Company's prospects described in the Company's most recent prospectus filed
with the  Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 1999 and in its other
public filings.


<PAGE>
 
                                                                  Exhibit (a) 14
 
                       Building One Services Corporation

                                  $200,000,000
                      % Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                               ------------------

                                                                 April 23, 1999
    
BT ALEX. BROWN INCORPORATED
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
FRIEDMAN, BILLINGS, RAMSEY & CO.
JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.
FLEET SECURITIES, INC.
c/o BT Alex. Brown Incorporated
130 Liberty Street
New York, New York  10006      

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          Building One Services Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), hereby confirms its agreement with you (the "Initial Purchasers"),
- --------                                                 ------------------   
as set forth below.
    
          1.  The Securities.  Subject to the terms and conditions herein
              --------------                                             
contained, the Company proposes to issue and sell to the Initial Purchasers (the
"Offering") $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 10 1/2% Senior
 --------                                                              
Subordinated Notes due 2009 (the "Notes").  The Notes will be unconditionally
                                  -----                                      
guaranteed (the "Guarantees", and together with the Notes, the "Securities") on
                 ----------                                     ----------     
a senior subordinated basis by all of the Company's subsidiaries (the
"Guarantors" and collectively with the Company, the "Issuers").  The Securities
- -----------                                          -------                   
are to be issued under an indenture (the "Indenture") to be dated as of
                                          ---------         
April 30, 1999 by and between the Issuers and IBJ Whitehall Bank & Trust 
Company, as Trustee (the "Trustee").     
                          -------   

          The Securities will be offered and sold to the Initial Purchasers
without being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
                                                                          
"Act"), in reliance on exemptions therefrom.
 ---                                        
<PAGE>
 
    
          In connection with the sale of the Securities, the Company has
prepared a preliminary offering memorandum dated April 6, 1999 (the "Preliminary
                                                                     -----------
Memorandum"), and a final offering memorandum dated April 23, 1999 (the "Final
- ----------                                                              -----
Memorandum"; the Preliminary Memorandum and the Final Memorandum each herein
- ----------                                                                  
being referred to as a "Memorandum") relating to the Company, the Guarantors and
                        ----------                                              
the Securities.      

          The Notes are being sold in connection with the Company's tender offer
for up to 25.5 million shares of its outstanding common stock, including shares
underlying stock options (the "Tender Offer"), pursuant to the Company's offer
                               ------------                                   
to purchase dated February 19, 1999, as amended.
    
          The Company and the Guarantors will enter into an agreement (the
"Credit Agreement") with Bankers Trust Company, as agent, and certain lenders
- -----------------                                                            
thereto whereby the Company will be provided with a $225 million revolving
credit facility and a $125 million term loan.      

          The Company has entered into an agreement with Boss Investment, LLC
("Boss Investment"), an affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P., pursuant to which
the Company has agreed to issue and sell to Boss Investment $100 million
aggregate principal amount of its 7 1/2% Convertible Junior Subordinated Notes
(the "Convertible Subordinated Notes").

          The Offering, the Tender Offer, the sale of the Convertible
Subordinated Notes and the related borrowings under the Credit Agreement are
collectively referred to as the "Transactions."
                                 ------------  

          The Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees of
the Securities will be entitled to the benefits of the Registration Rights
Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the
                                                        ---------     
"Registration Rights Agreement"), pursuant to which the Issuers have agreed,
- ------------------------------                                              
among other things, to file a registration statement (the "Registration
                                                           ------------
Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
- ---------                                                     ----------  
registering the Securities or the Exchange Notes (as defined in the Registration
Rights Agreement) under the Act.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          2.  Representations and Warranties.  Each of the Issuers represents
              ------------------------------                                 
and warrants to and agrees with each of the Initial Purchasers that:

          (a)  The Preliminary Memorandum and the Final Memorandum did not, as
of their respective dates, and any amendment or supplement thereto will not as
of its date contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and the Final
Memorandum, as amended or supplemented as of the Closing Date (as defined in
Section 3 below) will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances existing as of the Closing Date, not misleading,
except that the representations and warranties set forth in this Section 2(a) do
not apply to statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information relating to any of the Initial Purchasers furnished to the
Company in writing by the Initial Purchasers expressly for use in the
Preliminary Memorandum, the Final Memorandum or any amendment or supplement
thereto.
    
          (b)  As of the Closing Date, the Company will have the authorized,
issued and outstanding capitalization set forth in the Final Memorandum, except
for issuances, if any, pursuant to employee or director benefits plans or the
exercise of any warrants disclosed in the Final Memorandum and except to the
extent that the number of shares of capital stock of the Company acquired in the
Tender Offer is not equal to 24.6 million shares; all of the subsidiaries of the
Company are listed in Schedule 2 attached hereto (each, a "Subsidiary" and
                      ----------                           ----------     
collectively, the "Subsidiaries"); all of the outstanding shares of capital
                   ------------                                            
stock or ownership interests of the Subsidiaries have been duly
authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable (other than
partnership interests) and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or
similar rights; all of the outstanding shares of capital stock or ownership
interests of each of the Subsidiaries (except for Engineering Design Group,
Inc.) are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company and will be free and
clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities and claims or restrictions on
transferability (other than those imposed by the Act and the securities or "Blue
Sky" laws of certain jurisdictions and other than liens pursuant to the Credit
Agreement) or voting; except as set forth in the Final Memoran-     

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
dum, there are no (i) options, warrants or other rights to purchase, other than
options or rights granted under employee or director benefits plans, (ii)
agreements or other obligations to issue or (iii) other rights to convert any
obligation into, or exchange any securities for, shares of capital stock of or
ownership interests in the Company or any of the Subsidiaries outstanding;
except as set forth in the Final Memorandum, there are no holders of securities
of the Company or any Subsidiary that are entitled to have such Securities
registered under a registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement.

          (c)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly incorporated or
organized, as the case may be, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and has all
requisite corporate or organizational power and authority to own its properties
and conduct its business as now conducted and as described in the Final
Memorandum; each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to do
business as a foreign corporation in good standing in all other jurisdictions
where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business
requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified would
not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise), or results
of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (any such
event, a "Material Adverse Effect").
          -----------------------   

          (d) The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to
execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Notes, the Exchange Notes
and the Private Exchange Notes (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement).  Each of the Guarantors has all requisite corporate power and
authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Guarantees
and the guarantees of the Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes.  The
Notes and the Guarantees, when issued, will be in the form contemplated by the
Indenture.  The Notes, the Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes, have
each been, or as of the Closing Date will be, duly and validly authorized by the
Company and the Guarantors and the Guarantees, and the guarantees of the
Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes have been, or as of the Closing
Date will be, 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
duly and validly authorized by the Guarantors, and, when executed by the Company
and the Guarantors, respectively, and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee
in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture (and assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture by the Trustee) and when
the Notes and the Guarantees are delivered to and paid for by the Initial
Purchasers in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the Exchange Notes
or the Private Exchange Notes (and the related guarantees) are issued in
accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Indenture in exchange
for the Notes, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of each of
the Company and the Guarantors, as the case may be, entitled to the benefits of
the Indenture, and enforceable against each of the Company and the Guarantors,
as the case may be, in accordance with their terms, except that the enforcement
thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent
conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating
to creditors' rights generally, and (ii) general principles of equity and the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

          (e)  Each of the Issuers has all requisite corporate power and
authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Indenture.
The Indenture meets the requirements for qualification under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA").  The Indenture has been, or as of the
                              ---                                         
Closing Date will be, duly and validly authorized by each of the Issuers and,
when executed and delivered by each of the Issuers (assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery by the Trustee), will constitute a valid
and legally binding agreement of each of the Issuers, enforceable against each
of the Issuers in accordance with its terms, except that the enforcement thereof
may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent
conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating
to creditors' rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity and the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

          (f)  Each of the Issuers has all requisite corporate power and
authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Registration
Rights Agreement.  The Registra-

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
tion Rights Agreement has been, or as of the Closing Date will be, duly and
validly authorized by each of the Issuers and, when executed and delivered by
each of the Issuers (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery
thereof by the Initial Purchasers), will constitute a valid and legally binding
agreement of each of the Issuers, enforceable against each of the Issuers in
accordance with its terms, except that (A) the enforcement thereof may be
subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance,
moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to
creditors' rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity and the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought and
(B) any rights to indemnity or contribution thereunder may be limited by federal
and state securities laws and public policy considerations.

          (g)  Each of the Issuers has all requisite corporate power and
authority to execute, deliver and perform its respective obligations under this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  This
Agreement and the consummation by each of the Issuers of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been, or as of the Closing Date will be, duly and
validly authorized by each of the Issuers.  This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by each of the Issuers.

          (h)  The Credit Agreement has been, or as of the Closing Date will be,
duly and validly authorized by each of the Issuers and, when executed and
delivered by each of the Issuers (assuming the due authorization, execution and
delivery by the lenders thereof), will constitute a valid and legally binding
agreement of each of the Issuers, enforceable against each of the Issuers in
accordance with its terms, except that the enforcement thereof may be subject to
(i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now
or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally and (ii) general
principles of equity and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding
therefore may be brought.

          (i)  The Company and each of the Guarantors has all requisite
corporate or partnership power and authority to enter into the Transactions (to
the extent each is a party thereto).

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
          (j)  Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of
the Initial Purchasers in Section 8 hereof, no consent, approval, authorization
or order of any court or governmental agency or body, or third party is required
for the issuance and sale by the Issuers of the Securities to the Initial
Purchasers or the consummation by the Issuers of the other Transactions, except
such as have been obtained and such as may be required under state securities or
"Blue Sky" laws in connection with the purchase and resale of the Securities by
the Initial Purchasers and such as may be required in connection with the other
Transactions.  None of the Company or the Subsidiaries is (i) in violation of
its certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or similar organizational document),
(ii) in breach or violation of any statute, judgment, decree, order, rule or
regulation applicable to any of them or any of their respective properties or
assets, except for any such breach or violation which would not, individually or
in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or
(iii) in breach of or default under (nor has any event occurred which, with
notice or passage of time or both, would constitute a default under) or in
violation of any of the terms or provisions of any indenture, mortgage, deed of
trust, loan agreement, note, lease, license, franchise agreement, permit,
certificate, contract or other agreement or instrument to which any of them is a
party or to which any of them or their respective properties or assets is
subject (collectively, "Contracts"), except for any such breach, default,
                        ---------                                        
violation or event which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (k)  The execution, delivery and performance by the Issuers of this
Agreement, the Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Credit
Agreement and the consummation by the Issuers of the Transactions (to the extent
each is a party thereto) and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby
(including, without limitation, the issuance and sale of the Securities to the
Initial Purchasers) will not conflict with or constitute or result in a breach
of or a default under (or an event which with notice or passage of time or both
would constitute a default under) or violation of any of (i) the terms or
provisions of any Contract, except for any such conflict, breach, violation,
default or event which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
be expected to have 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or
similar organizational document) of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or
(iii) (assuming compliance with the Act with respect to the transactions
contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement and all applicable state
securities or "Blue Sky" laws and assuming the accuracy of the representations
and warranties of the Initial Purchasers in Section 8 hereof) any statute,
judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of
the Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, except for any
such conflict, breach or violation which would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (l)  The audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and
the Subsidiaries included in the Final Memorandum present fairly in all material
respects the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the
Company and the Subsidiaries at the dates and for the periods to which they
relate in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
consistent basis, except as otherwise stated therein.  The summary and selected
financial and statistical data in the Final Memorandum have been prepared and
compiled on a basis consistent with the audited financial statements included
therein, except as otherwise stated therein.  Each of PricewaterhouseCoopers,
LLP, Fraizer & Deeter, LLC, Shinners, Hucovski & Company and Smith, Kesler &
Company (collectively, the "Independent Accountants") is an independent public
                            -----------------------                           
accounting firm within the meaning of the Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.

          (m)  The pro forma financial statements (including the notes thereto)
(i) comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements
of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), (ii) have been prepared in accordance with the
              ------------                                                  
Commission's rules with respect to pro forma financial statements, and (iii)
have been properly computed on the bases described therein; the assumptions used
in the preparation of the pro forma financial data and other pro forma financial
information included in the Final Memorandum are reasonable and the adjustments
used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions or circumstances
referred to therein.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          (n)  There is not pending or, to the knowledge of the Issuers,
threatened any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation to which the
Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party, or to which the property or
assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries are subject, before or brought
by any court, arbitrator or governmental agency or body which, if determined
adversely to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, would, individually or in
the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or which
seeks to restrain, enjoin, prevent the consummation of or otherwise challenge
the issuance or sale of  the Securities to be sold hereunder or the consummation
of the other transactions described in the Final Memorandum.

          (o)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries possesses all licenses,
permits, certificates, consents, orders, approvals and other authorizations
from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all federal, state, local
and other governmental authorities, all self-regulatory organizations and all
courts and other tribunals, presently required or necessary to own or lease, as
the case may be, and to operate its respective properties and to carry on its
respective businesses as now or proposed to be conducted as set forth in the
Final Memorandum ("Permits"), except where the failure to obtain such Permits
                   -------                                                   
would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect; each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has fulfilled
and performed all of its obligations with respect to such Permits, except where
the failure to so fulfill or perform such obligations would not, individually or
in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and
no event has occurred which allows, or after notice or lapse of time would
allow, revocation or termination thereof or results in any other material
impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Permit, except where such
revocation, termination or impairment would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and none of
the Company or the Subsidiaries has received any notice of any proceeding
relating to revocation or modification of any such Permit, except as described
in the Final Memorandum and except where such revocation or modification would
not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
          (p)  Since the date of the most recent financial statements appearing
in the Final Memorandum, except as described therein, (i) none of the Company or
the Subsidiaries has incurred any liabilities or obligations, direct or
contingent, or entered into or agreed to enter into any transactions or
contracts (written or oral) not in the ordinary course of business which
liabilities, obligations, transactions or contracts would, individually or in
the aggregate, be material to the business, condition (financial or otherwise),
or results of operations of the Companies and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, (ii) none of the Company or the Subsidiaries has purchased any of its
outstanding capital stock, nor declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or
distribution of any kind on its capital stock (other than, with respect to any
of such Subsidiaries, the purchase of, or dividend or distribution on, capital
stock owned by the Company) and (iii) there shall not have been any change in
the capital stock or long-term indebtedness of the Company or the Subsidiaries
other than pursuant to the employee or benefit plans.

          (q)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has filed all necessary
federal, state and foreign income and franchise tax returns, except where the
failure to so file such returns would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or where such filing is
being contested in good faith, and has paid all taxes shown as due thereon; and
other than tax deficiencies which the Company or any Subsidiary is contesting in
good faith and for which the Company or such Subsidiary has provided adequate
reserves, there is no tax deficiency that has been asserted against the Company
or any of the Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

          (r)  The statistical and market-related data included in the Final
Memorandum are based on or derived from sources which the Issuers believe to be
reliable and accurate.

          (s)  None of the Company, the Subsidiaries or any agent acting on
their behalf (except that no representation or warranty is made with respect to
the Initial Purchasers) has taken or will take any action that might cause this
Agreement or the sale of the Securities to violate Regulation T, U or X 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in each case as in 
effect, or as the same may hereafter be in effect, on the Closing Date.

          (t)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has good and marketable
title to all real property and good title to all personal property described in
the Final Memorandum as being owned by it and good and marketable title to a
leasehold estate in the real and personal property described in the Final
Memorandum as being leased by it free and clear of all liens, charges,
encumbrances or restrictions, except as described in the Final Memorandum or to
the extent the failure to have such title or the existence of such liens,
charges, encumbrances or restrictions would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  All
leases, contracts and agreements to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries
is a party or by which any of them is bound are valid and enforceable against
the Company or such Subsidiary, and are valid and enforceable against the other
party or parties thereto and are in full force and effect with only such
exceptions as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  The Company and the Subsidiaries
own or possess adequate licenses or other rights to use all patents, trademarks,
service marks, trade names, copyrights and know-how ("Intellectual Property")
necessary to conduct the businesses now or proposed to be operated by them as
described in the Final Memorandum, except where the failure to own or possess
such Intellectual Property would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and none of the
Company or the Subsidiaries has received any notice of infringement of or
conflict with (or knows of any such infringement of or conflict with) asserted
rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property which, if such
assertion of infringement or conflict were sustained, would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (u)  There are no legal or governmental proceedings involving or
affecting the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or
assets which would be required to be described in a prospectus pursuant to the
Act that are not described in the Final Memorandum, nor are there any material
contracts or other documents which would be required to be 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
described in a prospectus pursuant to the Act that are not described in the 
Final Memorandum.

          (v)  Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (A) each of the Company and the
Subsidiaries is in compliance with and not subject to liability under applicable
Environmental Laws (as defined below), (B) each of the Company and the
Subsidiaries has made all filings and provided all notices required under any
applicable Environmental Law, and has and is in compliance with all Permits
required under any applicable Environmental Laws and each of them is in full
force and effect, (C) there is no civil, criminal or administrative action,
suit, demand, claim, hearing, notice of violation, investigation, proceeding,
notice or demand letter or request for information pending or, to the knowledge
of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, threatened against the Company or any
of the Subsidiaries under any Environmental Law, (D) no lien, charge,
encumbrance or restriction has been recorded under any Environmental Law with
respect to any assets, facility or property owned, operated, leased or
controlled by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, (E) none of the Company or
the Subsidiaries has received notice that it has been identified as a
potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended ("CERCLA") or any comparable
                                                     ------                    
state law, (F) no property or facility of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries
is (i) listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List under
CERCLA or is (ii) listed in the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, Liability Information System List promulgated pursuant to CERCLA,
or on any comparable list maintained by any state or local governmental
authority.

          For purposes of this Agreement, "Environmental Laws" means the common
law and all applicable federal, state and local laws or regulations, codes,
orders, decrees, judgments or injunctions issued, promulgated, approved or
entered thereunder, relating to pollution or protection of public or employee
health and safety or the environment, including, without limitation, laws
relating to (i) emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of
hazardous materials into the environment (including, without limitation, ambient
air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata), (ii) the

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
manufacture, processing, distribution, use, generation, treatment, storage,
disposal, transport or handling of hazardous materials, and (iii) underground
and above ground storage tanks and related piping, and emissions, discharges,
releases or threatened releases therefrom.

          (w)  There is no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or work stoppage with
the employees of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries which is pending or, to
the knowledge of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, threatened except for
any such event that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (x)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries carries insurance in
such amounts and covering such risks as it believes is adequate for the conduct
of its business and the value of its properties.

          (y)  None of the Company or the Subsidiaries has any liability for any
prohibited transaction or funding deficiency or any complete or partial
withdrawal liability with respect to any pension, profit sharing or other plan
which is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended ("ERISA"), to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries makes or ever
          -----                                                                 
has made a contribution and in which any employee of the Company or of any
Subsidiary is or has ever been a participant, except for any liability which
would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.  With respect to such plans, the Company and each
Subsidiary is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable
provisions of ERISA.

          (z)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries (i) makes and keeps
books and records which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of their assets and (ii) maintains internal
accounting controls which provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are
executed in accordance with management's authorization, (B) transactions are
recorded as necessary to permit preparation of its financial statements and to
maintain accountability for its assets, (C) access to its assets is permitted
only in accordance with management's authorization and (D) the reported ac-

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
countability for its assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable
intervals.

          (aa)  None of the Company or the Subsidiaries is or after giving
effect to the Transactions will be an "investment company" or "promoter" or
"principal underwriter" for an "investment company," as such terms are defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations
thereunder.

          (bb)  The Securities, the Indenture and the Registration Rights
Agreement will on the Closing Date conform in all material respects to the
descriptions thereof in the Final Memorandum.

          (cc)  No holder of securities of the Company or any Subsidiary will be
entitled to have such securities registered under the registration statements
required to be filed by the Company pursuant to the Registration Rights
Agreement other than as expressly permitted thereby.

          (dd)  Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions, the fair
value and present fair saleable value of the assets of the Issuers (on a
consolidated basis) will exceed the sum of their stated liabilities and
identified contingent liabilities; the Issuers (on a consolidated basis) will
not be, after giving effect to the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement, and the consummation of the Transactions, (a) left with unreasonably
small capital with which to carry on their business as it is proposed to be
conducted, (b) unable to pay their debts (contingent or otherwise) as they
mature or (c) otherwise insolvent.

          (ee)  None of the Company, the Subsidiaries or any of their respective
Affiliates (as defined in Rule 501(b) of Regulation D under the Act) has
directly, or through any agent (except that no representation or warranty is
made with respect to the Initial Purchasers), (i) sold, offered for sale,
solicited offers to buy or otherwise negotiated in respect of, any "security"
(as defined in the Act) which is or could be integrated with the sale of the
Securities in a manner that would require the registration under the Act of the
Securities or (ii) engaged in any form of general solicitation or general ad-

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
vertising (as those terms are used in Regulation D under the Act) in connection
with the offering of the Securities or in any manner involving a public 
offering of the Securities within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Act.
Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Initial
Purchasers in Section 8 hereof, it is not necessary in connection with (i) the
offer, sale and delivery of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers in the
manner contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) the resales of the Securities by
the Initial Purchasers as described in the Final Memorandum to register any of
the Securities under the Act or to qualify the Indenture under the TIA.

          (ff)  No securities of the Company or any Subsidiary are of the same
class (within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Act) as the Securities and
listed on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the
Exchange Act, or quoted in a U.S. automated inter-dealer quotation system.

          (gg)  None of the Company or the Subsidiaries has taken, nor will any
of them take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to, or that might be
reasonably expected to, cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the
price of the Securities.

          (hh)  None of the Company, the Subsidiaries, any of their respective
Affiliates or any person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Initial
Purchasers) has engaged or will engage in any directed selling efforts (as that
term is defined in Regulation S under the Act ("Regulation S") with respect to
                                                ------------                  
the Securities; the Company, the Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates
and any person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers)
have complied with the offering restrictions requirement of Regulation S.

          (ii)  The Company has delivered to the Initial Purchasers a true and
correct copy of each of the documents contemplated by the Transactions, together
with all related agreements and all schedules and exhibits thereto, and there
shall have been no material amendments, alterations, modifications or waivers of
any of the provisions of any such documents since their respective dates of
execution, other than any such amendments, alterations, modifications and
waivers as to which the Initial Purchasers have been advised in writing and
which would be re-

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
quired to be disclosed in a prospectus pursuant to the Act; and to the best
knowledge of the Issuers there exists no event or condition which would
constitute a default or an event of default under any of the documents
contemplated by the Transactions which would reasonably be expected to result in
a Material Adverse Effect or materially adversely affect the ability of the
Issuers to consummate the Transactions (to the extent each is a party thereto).

          Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or any Subsidiary
and delivered to any Initial Purchaser or to counsel for the Initial Purchasers
shall be deemed a joint and several representation and warranty by the Company
and each of the Subsidiaries to each Initial Purchaser as to the matters covered
thereby.
    
          3.  Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Securities.  On the basis of
              ---------------------------------------------                  
the representations, warranties, agreements and covenants herein contained and
subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to
issue and sell to the Initial Purchasers, and the Initial Purchasers, acting
severally and not jointly, agree to purchase the Securities in the respective
amounts set forth on Schedule 1 hereto from the Company at 94.746% of their
                     ----------                                         
principal amount.  On the Closing Date, one or more certificates in definitive
form for the Securities that the Initial Purchasers have agreed to purchase
hereunder, and in such denomination or denominations and registered in such name
or names as the Initial Purchasers request upon notice to the  Company at least
36 hours prior to the Closing Date, shall be delivered by or on behalf of the
Company to the Initial Purchasers, against payment by or on behalf of the
Initial Purchasers of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer (same day
funds), net of the overnight cost of such funds, to such account or accounts as
the Company shall specify prior to the Closing Date, or by such means as the
parties hereto shall agree prior to the Closing Date.  Such delivery of and
payment for the Securities shall be made at the offices of Cahill Gordon &
Reindel, 80 Pine Street, New York, New York at 10:00 A.M., New York time, on
, 1999, or at such other place, time or date as the Initial Purchasers, on the
one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, may agree upon, such time and date
of delivery against payment being herein referred to as the "Closing Date."  The
                                                             ------------       
Company will make such certificate or       

                                     -16-
<PAGE>
 
certificates for the Securities available for checking and packaging by the
Initial Purchasers at the offices of BT Alex. Brown Incorporated in New York,
New York, or at such other place as BT Alex. Brown Incorporated may designate,
at least 18 hours prior to the Closing Date.

          4.  Offering by the Initial Purchasers.  The Initial Purchasers
              ----------------------------------                         
propose to make an offering of the Securities at the price and upon the terms
set forth in the Final Memorandum, as soon as practicable after this Agreement
is entered into and as in the judgment of the Initial Purchasers is advisable.

          5.  Covenants of the Issuers.  Each of the Issuers covenants and
              ------------------------                                    
agrees with each of the Initial Purchasers that:

          (a)  The Issuers will not amend or supplement the Final Memorandum or
any amendment or supplement thereto of which the Initial Purchasers shall not
previously have been advised and furnished a copy for a reasonable period of
time prior to the proposed amendment or supplement and as to which the Initial
Purchasers shall have reasonably objected within two business days after being
provided a copy of such amendment or supplement, unless in the opinion of
counsel to the Issuers such amendment or supplement is required by law.  The
Issuers will promptly, upon the reasonable request of the Initial Purchasers or
counsel for the Initial Purchasers, make any amendments or supplements to the
Final Memorandum that may be necessary or advisable in connection with the
resale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers.

          (b)  The Issuers will cooperate with the Initial Purchasers in
arranging for the qualification of the Securities for offering and sale under
the securities or "Blue Sky" laws of such jurisdictions as the Initial
Purchasers may designate and will continue such qualifications in effect for as
long as may be necessary to complete the resale of the Securities; provided,
                                                                   -------- 
however, that in connection therewith, none of the Issuers shall be required to
- -------                                                                        
qualify as a foreign corporation or to execute a general consent to service of
process in any jurisdiction or subject itself to taxation in excess of a nominal
dollar amount in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.

                                     -17-
<PAGE>
 
          (c)  If, at any time prior to the completion of the distribution by
the Initial Purchasers of the Securities, any event occurs or information
becomes known as a result of which the Final Memorandum as then amended or
supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if for any
other reason it is necessary at any time to amend or supplement the Final
Memorandum to comply with applicable law, the Issuers will promptly notify the
Initial Purchasers thereof and will prepare, at the expense of the Issuers, an
amendment or supplement to the Final Memorandum that corrects such statement or
omission or effects such compliance.

          (d)  The Issuers will, without charge, provide to the Initial
Purchasers and to counsel for the Initial Purchasers as many copies of the
Preliminary Memorandum and the Final Memorandum or any amendment or supplement
thereto as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request.

          (e)  Prior to the Closing Date, the Issuers will furnish to the
Initial Purchasers, as soon as they have been prepared, a copy of any unaudited
consolidated interim financial statements of the Company for any period
subsequent to the period covered by the most recent financial statements
appearing in the Final Memorandum.

          (f)  None of the Company or any of its Affiliates will sell, offer for
sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any
"security" (as defined in the Act) which could be integrated with the sale of
the Securities in a manner which would require the registration under the Act of
the Securities.

          (g)  The Issuers will not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiaries
to, engage in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (as those
terms are used in Regulation D under the Act) in connection with the offering of
the Securities or in any manner involving a public offering of the Securities
within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Act.

          (h)  For so long as any of the Securities remain outstanding and are
"restricted securities" within the meaning of 

                                     -18-
<PAGE>
 
Rule 144(a)(3) under the Act, the Company will make available at its expense,
upon request, to any holder of such Securities and any prospective purchasers
thereof the information specified in Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Act, unless the
Company is then subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

          (i)  The Issuers will use their respective best efforts to (i) permit
the Securities to be designated PORTAL securities in accordance with the rules
and regulations adopted by the NASD relating to trading in the Private
Offerings, Resales and Trading through Automated Linkages market (the "Portal
                                                                       ------
Market") and (ii) permit the Securities to be eligible for clearance and
- ------                                                                  
settlement through The Depository Trust Company.

          (j)  In connection with Securities offered and sold in an offshore
transaction (as defined in Regulation S) the Issuers will comply with the
provisions of Regulation S, including the prohibition on directed selling
efforts, will not register any transfer of such Securities not made in
accordance with the provisions of Regulation S and will not, except in
accordance with the provisions of Regulation S, if applicable, issue any such
Securities in the form of definitive securities.

          (k)  The Company shall apply the net proceeds from the sale of the
Notes, the sale of the Convertible Subordinated Notes and borrowings under the
Credit Agreement to the purchase of its Common Stock pursuant to the Tender
Offer and take all other steps as are reasonably necessary to consummate the
Tender Offer, in each case as soon as is reasonably practicable after the Issue
Date.

          6.  Expenses.  The Issuers agree to pay all costs and expenses
              --------                                                  
incident to the performance of their obligations under this Agreement, whether
or not the transactions contemplated herein are consummated or this Agreement is
terminated pursuant to Section 11 hereof, including all costs and expenses
incident to (i) the printing, word processing or other production of documents
with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, including any costs of
printing the Preliminary Memorandum and the Final Memorandum and any amendment
or supplement thereto, and any "Blue Sky" memoranda, (ii) all arrangements
relating to the delivery to the Initial Purchasers of copies of the foregoing
documents, (iii) the fees and disbursements of the counsel, 

                                     -19-
<PAGE>
 
the accountants and any other experts or advisors retained by the Issuers, (iv)
preparation (including printing), issuance and delivery to the Initial
Purchasers of the Securities, (v) the qualification of the Securities under
state securities and "Blue Sky" laws, including filing fees and fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Initial Purchasers relating thereto, (vi)
expenses in connection with any meetings with prospective investors in the
Securities, (vii) fees and expenses of the Trustee including fees and expenses
of counsel, (viii) all expenses and listing fees incurred in connection with the
application for quotation of the Securities on the PORTAL Market and (ix) any
fees charged by investment rating agencies for the rating of the Securities. If
the sale of the Securities provided for herein is not consummated because any
condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 7
hereof is not satisfied, because this Agreement is terminated or because of any
failure, refusal or inability on the part of the Issuers to perform all
obligations and satisfy all conditions on their part to be performed or
satisfied hereunder (other than solely by reason of a default by the Initial
Purchasers of their obligations hereunder after all conditions hereunder have
been satisfied in accordance herewith), the Issuers agree to promptly reimburse
the Initial Purchasers upon demand for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
(including fees, disbursements and charges of Cahill Gordon & Reindel, counsel
for the Initial Purchasers) that shall have been incurred by the Initial
Purchasers in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Securities.

          7.  Conditions of the Initial Purchasers' Obligations.  The obligation
              -------------------------------------------------                 
of the Initial Purchasers to purchase and pay for the Securities shall, in their
sole discretion, be subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following
conditions on or prior to the Closing Date:

          (a)  On the Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers shall have received
the opinion, dated as of the Closing Date and addressed to the Initial
Purchasers, of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP, counsel for the Issuers and the
local counsel listed in Schedule 3 attached hereto, in form and substance
satisfactory to counsel for the Initial Purchasers, to the effect that:

                                     -20-
<PAGE>
 
             (i) Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly incorporated
     or organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
     respective jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and has all
     requisite corporate or organizational power and authority to own its
     properties and to conduct its business as described in the Final
     Memorandum.  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to
     do business as a foreign corporation in good standing in all other
     jurisdictions where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the
     conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the
     failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate,
     reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
    
             (ii) The Company has the authorized capitalization set forth in the
     Final Memorandum; all of the outstanding shares of capital stock or
     ownership interests of the Subsidiaries have been duly authorized and
     validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable (other than partnership
     interest) and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar
     rights; all of the outstanding shares of capital stock or ownership
     interests of the Subsidiaries (except for Engineering Design Group, Inc.)
     are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, free and clear of all
     perfected security interests and, to the knowledge of such counsel, free
     and clear of all other liens, encumbrances, equities and claims or
     restrictions on transferability (other than those imposed by the Act and
     the securities or "Blue Sky" laws of certain jurisdictions and other than
     liens pursuant to the Credit Agreement) or voting.     

             (iii)  Except as set forth in the Final Memorandum (A) no options,
     warrants or other rights to purchase from the Company or any Subsidiary
     shares of capital stock or ownership interests in the Company or any
     Subsidiary are outstanding other than pursuant to employee or director
     benefit plans, (B) no agreements or other obligations to issue, or other
     rights to convert any obligation into, or exchange any securities for,
     shares of capital stock of or ownership interests in the Company or any
     Subsidiary are outstanding and (C) no holder of securities of the Company
     or any Subsidiary is entitled to have such securities reg-

                                     -21-
<PAGE>
 
     istered under a registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to the
     Registration Rights Agreement.

             (iv) Each of the Issuers has all requisite corporate or
     organizational power and authority to execute, deliver and perform each of
     its respective obligations under the Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees,
     the Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes; the Indenture meets the
     requirements for qualification under the TIA; the Indenture has been duly
     and validly authorized by each of the Issuers and, when duly executed and
     delivered by each of the Issuers (assuming the due authorization, execution
     and delivery thereof by the Trustee), will constitute the valid and legally
     binding agreement of each of the Issuers, enforceable against each of the
     Issuers in accordance with its terms, except that the enforcement thereof
     may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent
     conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect
     relating to creditors' rights generally and (ii) general principles of
     equity and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor
     may be brought.

             (v) The Securities are in the form contemplated by the Indenture.
     The Notes and the Guarantees have been duly and validly authorized by the
     Company and the Guarantors, as applicable, and, when the Notes and the
     Guarantees are duly executed and delivered by the Company and each of the
     Guarantors, as applicable, the Securities are authenticated and delivered
     by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture (and
     assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Securities by
     the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture) and the Securities are
     delivered to and paid for by the Initial Purchasers in accordance with the
     terms of this Agreement, the Securities will constitute the valid and
     legally binding obligations of the Company and each of the Guarantors, as
     applicable, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, and enforceable
     against the Company and each of the Guarantors, as applicable, in
     accordance with their terms, except that the enforcement thereof may be
     subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent
     conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws now or here-

                                     -22-
<PAGE>
 
     after in effect relating to creditors' rights generally and (ii) general
     principles of equity and the discretion of the court before which any
     proceeding therefor may be brought.

             (vi) The Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes and the
     guarantees thereof by the Guarantors have been duly and validly authorized
     by the Company and each of the Guarantors, as applicable, and, when the
     Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes and the guarantees thereof by
     the Guarantors have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and
     each of the Guarantors, as applicable, in accordance with the terms of the
     Registration Rights Agreement and the Indenture (assuming the due
     authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture by the Trustee and
     due authentication and delivery of the Exchange Notes and the Private
     Exchange Notes by the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture), will
     constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of the Company and
     each of the Guarantors, as applicable, entitled to the benefits of the
     Indenture, and enforceable against the Company and each of the Guarantors,
     as applicable, in accordance with their terms, except that the enforcement
     thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
     fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in
     effect relating to creditors' rights generally and (ii) general principles
     of equity and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding
     therefor may be brought.

             (vii)  Each of the Issuers has all requisite corporate power and
     authority to execute, deliver and perform its respective obligations under
     the Registration Rights Agreement; the Registration Rights Agreement has
     been duly and validly authorized by each of the Issuers and, when duly
     executed and delivered by each of the Issuers (assuming due authorization,
     execution and delivery thereof by the Initial Purchasers), will constitute
     the valid and legally binding agreement of each of the Issuers, enforceable
     against each of the Issuers in accordance with its terms, except that (A)
     the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency,
     reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws 

                                     -23-
<PAGE>
 
     now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally and (ii)
     general principles of equity and the discretion of the court before which
     any proceeding therefor may be brought and (B) any rights to indemnity or
     contribution thereunder may be limited by federal and state securities laws
     and public policy considerations.

             (viii)  Each of the Issuers has all requisite corporate power and
     authority to execute, deliver and perform its respective obligations under
     this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; this
     Agreement and the consummation by each of the Issuers of the transactions
     contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by each of the
     Issuers.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of
     the Issuers.

             (ix) The Indenture, the Securities and the Registration Rights
     Agreement conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof
     contained in the Final Memorandum.

             (x) No legal or governmental proceedings are pending or, to the
     knowledge of such counsel, threatened to which any of the Company or the
     Subsidiaries is a party or to which the property or assets of the Company
     or any Subsidiary is subject which, if determined adversely to the Company
     or the Subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to result, individually
     or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect, or which seeks to
     restrain, enjoin, prevent the consummation of or otherwise challenge the
     issuance or sale of the Securities to be sold hereunder or the consummation
     of the Transactions.

             (xi) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the
     Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement and the consummation of the
     Transactions and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby
     (including, without limitation, the issuance and sale of the Securities to
     the Initial Purchasers) will not conflict with or constitute or result in a
     breach or a default under (or an event which with notice or passage of time
     or both would constitute a default under) or violation of any of (i) the
     terms or provisions of any Contract known to such counsel 

                                     -24-
<PAGE>
 
     (including in any event any of the foregoing which have been filed by the
     Company with the Commission), except for any such conflict, breach,
     violation, default or event which would not, individually or in the
     aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii)
     the certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or similar organizational
     document) of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or (iii) (assuming
     compliance with the Act with respect to the transactions contemplated by
     the Registration Rights Agreement and all applicable state securities or
     "Blue Sky" laws and assuming the accuracy of the representations and
     warranties of the Initial Purchasers in Section 8 hereof) any statute,
     judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation known to such counsel to be
     applicable to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their
     respective properties or assets, except for any such conflict, breach or
     violation which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
     expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

             (xii)  Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties
     of the Initial Purchasers in Section 8 hereof, no consent, approval,
     authorization or order of any governmental authority is required for the
     issuance and sale by the Company of the Securities to the Initial
     Purchasers, except such as may be required under Blue Sky laws, as to which
     such counsel need express no opinion, those which have previously been
     obtained and such as may be required in connection with the other
     Transactions.

             (xiii)  The Company and the Subsidiaries have obtained all Permits
     necessary to conduct the businesses now or proposed to be conducted by them
     as described in the Final Memorandum, the lack of which would, individually
     or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
     Effect; each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has fulfilled and
     performed all of its obligations with respect to such Permits, except where
     the failure to so fulfill or perform such obligations would not,
     individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
     Adverse Effect; and no event has occurred which allows, or after notice or
     lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or results in
     any other 

                                     -25-
<PAGE>
 
     material impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Permit, except
     where such revocation, termination or impairment would not, individually or
     in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

             (xiv)  To such counsel's knowledge, the Company and the
     Subsidiaries own or possess adequate licenses or other rights to use all
     patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and know-how
                                                                             
     ("Intellectual Property") necessary to conduct the businesses now or
     -----------------------                                             
     proposed to be operated by them as described in the Final Memorandum,
     except where the failure to own or possess such Intellectual Property would
     not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a
     Material Adverse Effect; and none of the Company or the Subsidiaries has
     received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of
     others with respect to any Intellectual Property which, if such assertion
     of infringement or conflict were sustained, would reasonably be expected to
     have a Material Adverse Effect.

             (xv) To the knowledge of such counsel, there are no legal or
     governmental proceedings involving or affecting the Company or the
     Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets which would be
     required to be described in a prospectus pursuant to the Act that are not
     described in the Final Memorandum, nor are there any material contracts or
     other documents which would be required to be described in a prospectus
     pursuant to the Act that are not described in the Final Memorandum.

             (xvi)  None of the Company or the Subsidiaries is, or immediately
     after the sale of the Securities to be sold hereunder and the application
     of the proceeds from such sale (as described in the Final Memorandum under
     the caption "Use of Proceeds") will be, an "investment company" as such
     term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

             (xvii)  No registration under the Act of the Securities is required
     in connection with the sale of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers as
     contemplated by this Agreement and the Final Memorandum or in connection
     with the 

                                     -26-
<PAGE>
 
     initial resale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers in accordance
     with Section 8 of this Agreement, and prior to the commencement of the
     Exchange Offer (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) or the
     effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement (as defined in the
     Registration Rights Agreement), the Indenture is not required to be
     qualified under the TIA, in each case assuming (i) (A) that the purchasers
     who buy such Notes in the initial resale thereof are qualified
     institutional buyers as defined in Rule 144A promulgated under the Act
     ("QIBs") or (B) that the offer or sale of the Notes is made in an offshore
     ------                                                                    
     transaction as defined in Regulation S, (ii) the accuracy of the Initial
     Purchasers' representations in Section 8 and the representations,
     warranties and covenants of the Company contained in this Agreement
     regarding the sale of such Securities to the Initial Purchasers and the
     initial resale thereof and (iii) the due performance by the Initial
     Purchasers of the agreements set forth in Section 8 hereof.

             (xviii)  Neither the consummation of the transactions contemplated
     by this Agreement nor the sale, issuance, execution or delivery of the
     Securities will violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of
     the Federal Reserve System.

          In rendering such opinion, counsel for the Issuers shall have received
and may rely upon such certificates and other documents and information as it
may reasonably request to pass upon such matters.

          At the time the foregoing opinion is delivered, Morgan Lewis &
Bockius, LLP shall additionally state that it has participated in conferences
with officers and other representatives of the Issuers, representatives of the
independent public accountants for the Issuers, representatives of the Initial
Purchasers and counsel for the Initial Purchasers, at which conferences the
contents of the Final Memorandum and related matters were discussed, and,
although it has not independently verified and is not passing upon and assumes
no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements
contained in the Final Memorandum (except to the extent specified in subsection
7(a)(ix)), no facts have come to 

                                     -27-
<PAGE>
 
its attention which lead it to believe that the Final Memorandum, on the date
thereof or at the Closing Date, contained an untrue statement of a material fact
or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading (it being understood that such firm need
express no opinion with respect to the financial statements and related notes
thereto and the other financial, statistical and accounting data included in the
Final Memorandum). The opinion of Morgan Lewis & Bockius, LLP, described in this
Section shall be rendered to the Initial Purchasers at the request of the
Issuers and shall so state therein.

          References to the Final Memorandum in this subsection (a) shall
include any amendment or supplement thereto prepared in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement at the Closing Date.

          (b)  On the Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers shall have received
the opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, dated
as of the Closing Date and addressed to the Initial Purchasers, of Cahill Gordon
& Reindel, counsel for the Initial Purchasers, with respect to certain legal
matters relating to this Agreement and such other related matters as the Initial
Purchasers may reasonably require.  In rendering such opinion, Cahill Gordon &
Reindel shall have received and may rely upon such certificates and other
documents and information as it may reasonably request to pass upon such
matters.

          (c)  The Initial Purchasers shall have received from each of the
Independent Accountants a comfort letter or letters dated the date hereof and a
comfort letter dated the Closing Date from PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, each in
form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Initial Purchasers.

          (d)  The representations and warranties of the Issuers contained in
this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the date hereof and on and
as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date; the statements
of the Issuers' officers made pursuant to any certificate delivered in
accordance with the provisions hereof shall be true and correct 

                                     -28-
<PAGE>
 
on and as of the date made and on and as of the Closing Date; the Issuers shall
have performed all covenants and agreements and satisfied all conditions on
their part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing
Date; and, except as described in the Final Memorandum (exclusive of any
amendment or supplement thereto after the date hereof), subsequent to the date
of the most recent financial statements in such Final Memorandum, there shall
have been no event or development, and no information shall have become known,
that, individually or in the aggregate, has or would reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (e)  The sale of the Securities hereunder shall not be enjoined
(temporarily or permanently) on the Closing Date.

          (f)  Subsequent to the date of the most recent financial statements in
the Final Memorandum (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto after the
date hereof), none of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries shall have
sustained any loss or interference with respect to its business or properties
from fire, flood, hurricane, accident or other calamity, whether or not covered
by insurance, or from any strike, labor dispute, slow down or work stoppage or
from any legal or governmental proceeding, order or decree, which loss or
interference, individually or in the aggregate, has or would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (g)  The Transactions (other than the Tender Offer) shall have been
consummated concurrently with the Offering.

          (h)  The Credit Agreement shall have been executed and delivered by
all parties thereto.

          (i)  The Initial Purchasers shall have received a certificate of the
Company, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman
of the Board, President or any Senior Vice President and the Chief Financial
Officer, to the effect that:

             (i) The representations and warranties of the Issuers contained in
          this Agreement are true and correct on and as of the date hereof and
          on and as of the Closing Date, and the Company has performed all

                                     -29-
<PAGE>
 
          covenants and agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to
          be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date;

             (ii) At the Closing Date, since the date hereof or since the date
          of the most recent financial statements in the Final Memorandum
          (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto after the date
          hereof), no event or development has occurred, and no information has
          become known, that, individually or in the aggregate, has or would
          reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

             (iii)  The sale of the Securities hereunder has not been enjoined
          (temporarily or permanently).

          (j)  On the Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers shall have received
the Registration Rights Agreement executed by each of the Issuers and such
agreement shall be in full force and effect at the Closing Date.

          On or before the Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers and counsel for
the Initial Purchasers shall have received such further documents, opinions,
certificates, letters and schedules or instruments relating to the business,
corporate, legal and financial affairs of the Company and the Subsidiaries as
they shall have heretofore reasonably requested from the Company.

          All such documents, opinions, certificates, letters, schedules or
instruments delivered pursuant to this Agreement will comply with the provisions
hereof only if they are reasonably satisfactory in all material respects to the
Initial Purchasers and counsel for the Initial Purchasers.  The Issuers shall
furnish to the Initial Purchasers such conformed copies of such documents,
opinions, certificates, letters, schedules and instruments in such quantities as
the Initial Purchasers shall reasonably request.

          8.  Offering of Securities; Restrictions on Transfer.  (a)  Each of
              ------------------------------------------------               
the Initial Purchasers represents and warrants (as to itself only) that it is a
QIB.  Each of the Initial Purchasers agrees with the Issuers (as to itself only)
that (i) it has 

                                     -30-
<PAGE>
 
not solicited and will not solicit offers for, or offer or sell,
the Securities by any form of general solicitation or general advertising (as
those terms are used in Regulation D under the Act) or in any manner involving a
public offering within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Act; and (ii) it has
solicited and will solicit offers for the Securities only from, and will offer
the Securities only to (A) in the case of offers inside the United States,
persons whom the Initial Purchasers reasonably believe to be QIBs or, if any
such person is buying for one or more institutional accounts for which such
person is acting as fiduciary or agent, only when such person has represented to
the Initial Purchasers that each such account is a QIB, to whom notice has been
given that such sale or delivery is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, and, in
each case, in transactions under Rule 144A and (B) in the case of offers outside
the United States, to persons other than U.S. persons ("foreign purchasers,"
                                                        ------------------  
which term shall include dealers or other professional fiduciaries in the United
States acting on a discretionary basis for foreign beneficial owners (other than
an estate or trust)); provided, however, that, in the case of this clause (B),
                      --------  -------                                       
in purchasing such Securities such persons are deemed to have represented and
agreed as provided under the caption "Transfer Restrictions" contained in the
Final Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in existence, in the most
recent Memorandum).

          (b)  Each of the Initial Purchasers represents and warrants (as to
itself only) with respect to offers and sales outside the United States that (i)
it has and will comply with all applicable laws and regulations in each
jurisdiction in which it acquires, offers, sells or delivers Securities or has
in its possession or distributes any Memorandum or any such other material, in
all cases at its own expense; (ii) the Securities have not been and will not be
offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit
of, U.S. persons except in accordance with Regulation S under the Act or
pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Act; (iii) it
has offered the Securities and will offer and sell the Securities (A) as part of
its distribution at any time and (B) otherwise until 40 days after the later of
the commencement of the offering and the Closing Date, only in accordance with
Rule 903 of Regulation S and, accordingly, neither it nor any persons acting on
its behalf have engaged or will 

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
engage in any directed selling efforts (within the meaning of Regulation S) with
respect to the Securities, and any such persons have complied and will comply
with the offering restrictions requirement of Regulation S; and (iv) it agrees
that, at or prior to confirmation of sales of the Securities, it will have sent
to each distributor, dealer or person receiving a selling concession, fee or
other remuneration that purchases Securities 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
          United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities 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 the distribution of
          the Securities at any time or (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the
          later of the commencement of the offering and the closing date of the
          offering, except in either case in accordance with Regulation S (or
          Rule 144A if available) under the Securities Act.  Terms used above
          have the meaning given to them in Regulation S."

          Terms used in this Section 8 and not defined in this Agreement have
the meanings given to them in Regulation S.

          9.  Indemnification and Contribution.  (a)  Each of the Issuers,
              --------------------------------                            
jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial
Purchasers, and each person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against
any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which any Initial Purchaser or
such controlling person may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or
otherwise, insofar as any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon:

             (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any
     material fact contained in any Memorandum or any amendment or supplement
     thereto; or

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
             (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state, in any Memorandum
     or any amendment or supplement thereto, a material fact required to be
     stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,

and will reimburse, as incurred, the Initial Purchasers and each such
controlling person for any legal or other expenses  incurred by the Initial
Purchasers or such controlling person in connection with investigating,
defending against or appearing as a third-party witness in connection with any
such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, the Issuers
                                               --------  -------             
will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim,
damage, or liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission (i) made in any
Memorandum or any amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information concerning the Initial Purchasers furnished
to the Company by the Initial Purchasers specifically for use therein or (ii)
(x) if it is established in the related proceeding that the Initial Purchasers
failed to send or deliver a copy of the Final Memorandum as then amended or
supplemented to the person asserting such loss, claim, damage, or liability
prior to the written confirmation of such sale (provided that the Issuers have
complied with their obligations under Section 5(d) hereof, and (y) the untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was
completely corrected in the Final Memorandum as the amended or supplemented and
the Final Memorandum as then amended or supplemented does not contain any other
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
that was the subject matter of the related proceeding.  This indemnity agreement
will be in addition to any liability that the Issuers may otherwise have to the
indemnified parties.  The Issuers shall not be liable under this Section 9 for
any settlement of any claim or action effected without their prior written
consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

          (b)  The Initial Purchasers, severally and not jointly, agree to
indemnify and hold harmless each of the Issuers, their respective directors,
their respective officers and each person, if any, who controls any Issuer
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which any 

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
such Issuer, director, officer or controlling person may become subject under
the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon
(i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in any Memorandum or any amendment or supplement thereto, or (ii) the
omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated in any Memorandum or any amendment or supplement thereto, or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only
to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information concerning such Initial Purchaser, furnished to the Issuers
by the Initial Purchasers specifically for use therein; and subject to the
limitation set forth immediately preceding this clause, will reimburse, as
incurred, any legal or other expenses incurred by any Issuer or any such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with investigating or
defending against or appearing as a third party witness in connection with any
such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect thereof. This indemnity
agreement will be in addition to any liability that the Initial Purchasers may
otherwise have to the indemnified parties. The Initial Purchasers shall not be
liable under this Section 9 for any settlement of any claim or action effected
without their consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Issuers
shall not, without the prior written consent of the Initial Purchasers, effect
any settlement or compromise of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect
of which any Initial Purchaser is or could have been a party, or indemnity could
have been sought hereunder by any Initial Purchaser, unless such settlement (A)
includes an unconditional written release of the Initial Purchasers, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, from all liability
on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not
include any statement as to an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act
by or on behalf of any Initial Purchaser.

          (c)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
9 of notice of the commencement of any action for which such indemnified party
is entitled to indemnification under this Section 9, such indemnified party
will, if a 

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this
Section 9, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof in writing;
but the omission to so notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it
from any liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent
such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial
rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying
party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the
indemnification obligation provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) above. In case any
such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be
entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party;
provided, however, that if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying
- --------  -------                                                           
party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a
conflict of interest, (ii) the defendants in any such action include both the
indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall
have been advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses
available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are different from or
additional to those available to the indemnifying party, or (iii) the
indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to
the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable
time after receipt by the indemnifying party of notice of the institution of
such action, then, in each such case, the indemnifying party shall not have the
right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party
or parties and such indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select
separate counsel to defend such action on behalf of such indemnified party or
parties.  After notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of
its election so to assume the defense thereof and approval by such indemnified
party of counsel appointed to defend such action, the indemnifying party will
not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 9 for any legal or
other expenses, other than reasonable costs of investigation, subsequently
incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof,
unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in
accordance with the proviso to the immedi-

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
ately preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that in connection with
such action the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more
than one separate counsel (in addition to local counsel) in any one action or
separate but substantially similar actions in the same jurisdiction arising out
of the same general allegations or circumstances, designated by the Initial
Purchasers in the case of paragraph (a) of this Section 9 or the Issuers in the
case of paragraph (b) of this Section 9, representing the indemnified parties
under such paragraph (a) or paragraph (b), as the case may be, who are parties
to such action or actions) or (ii) the indemnifying party has authorized in
writing the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of
the indemnifying party. After such notice from the indemnifying party to such
indemnified party, the indemnifying party will not be liable for the costs and
expenses of any settlement of such action effected by such indemnified party
without the prior written consent of the indemnifying party (which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld), unless such indemnified party waived in writing
its rights under this Section 9, in which case the indemnified party may effect
such a settlement without such consent.

          (d)  In circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in
the preceding paragraphs of this Section 9 is unavailable to, or insufficient to
hold harmless, an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), each indemnifying party, in order
to provide for just and equitable  contribution, shall contribute to the amount
paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the indemnifying
party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other from the
offering of the Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by the foregoing
clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, not only such relative benefits
but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand
and the indemnified party on the other in connection with the statements or
omissions or alleged statements or omissions that resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof).  The relative
benefits received by the Issuers on the one hand and any Initial Purchaser on
the other shall be deemed to be in 

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
the same proportion as the total proceeds from the offering (before deducting
expenses) received by the Issuers bear to the total discounts and commissions
received by such Initial Purchaser. The relative fault of the parties shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state
a material fact relates to information supplied by the Issuers on the one hand,
or such Initial Purchaser on the other, the parties' relative intent, knowledge,
access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or
omission or alleged statement or omission, and any other equitable
considerations appropriate in the circumstances. The Issuers and the Initial
Purchasers agree that it would not be equitable if the amount of such
contribution were determined by pro rata or per capita allocation or by any
other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable
considerations referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph (d).
Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph (d), no Initial Purchaser
shall be obligated to make contributions hereunder that in the aggregate exceed
the total discounts, commissions and other compensation received by such Initial
Purchaser under this Agreement, less the aggregate amount of any damages that
such Initial Purchaser has otherwise been required to pay by reason of the
untrue or alleged untrue statements or the omissions or alleged omissions to
state a material fact, and 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. For purposes of this paragraph (d), each person, if any, who
controls an Initial Purchaser within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the
Initial Purchasers, and each director of the Issuers, each officer of the
Issuers and each person, if any, who controls the Issuers within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, shall have the same
rights to contribution as the Issuers.

          10.  Survival Clause.  The respective representations, warranties,
               ---------------                                              
agreements, covenants, indemnities and other statements of the Issuers, their
officers and the Initial Purchasers set forth in this Agreement or made by or on
behalf of them pursuant to this Agreement shall remain in full force and 

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Issuers,
any of their officers or directors, the Initial Purchasers or any controlling
person referred to in Section 9 hereof and (ii) delivery of and payment for the
Securities. The respective agreements, covenants, indemnities and other
statements set forth in Sections 6, 9 and 15 hereof shall remain in full force
and effect, regardless of any termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

          11.  Termination.  (a)  This Agreement may be terminated in the sole
               -----------                                                    
discretion of the Initial Purchasers by notice to the Company given prior to the
Closing Date in the event that the Issuers shall have failed, refused or been
unable to perform all obligations and satisfy all conditions on their part to be
performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior thereto or, if at or prior to the
Closing Date:

             (i) any of the Company or the Subsidiaries shall have sustained any
     loss or interference with respect to its businesses or properties from
     fire, flood, hurricane, accident or other calamity, whether or not covered
     by insurance, or from any strike, labor dispute, slow down or work stoppage
     or any legal or governmental proceeding, which loss or interference, in the
     sole judgment of the Initial Purchasers, has had or has a Material Adverse
     Effect, or there shall have been, in the sole judgment of the Initial
     Purchasers, any event or development that, individually or in the
     aggregate, has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
     Effect (including without limitation a change in control of the Company or
     the Subsidiaries), except in each case as described in the Final Memorandum
     (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto);

             (ii) trading in securities of any of the Issuers or in securities
     generally on the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange or the
     Nasdaq National Market shall have been suspended (other than temporarily
     pending an announcement) or minimum or maximum prices shall have been
     established on any such exchange or market;

             (iii)  a banking moratorium shall have been declared by New York or
     United States authorities;

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
             (iv) there shall have been (A) an outbreak or escalation of
     hostilities between the United States and any foreign power, or (B) an
     outbreak or escalation of any other insurrection or armed conflict
     involving the United States or any other national or international calamity
     or emergency, or (C) any material change in the financial markets of the
     United States which, in the case of (A), (B) or (C) above and in the sole
     judgment of the Initial Purchasers, makes it impracticable or inadvisable
     to proceed with the offering or the delivery of the Securities as
     contemplated by the Final Memorandum; or

             (v) any securities of any of the Issuers shall have been downgraded
     or placed on any "watch list" for possible downgrading by any nationally
     recognized statistical rating organization.

          (b)  Termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11 shall
be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in
Section 10 hereof.

          12.  Information Supplied by the Initial Purchasers.  The statements
               ----------------------------------------------                 
set forth in the third paragraph, the second sentence of the fifth paragraph and
the sixth and seventh paragraphs under the heading "Private Placement" in the
Final Memorandum (to the extent such statements relate to the Initial
Purchasers) constitute the only information furnished by the Initial Purchasers
to the Company for the purposes of Sections 2(a) and 9 hereof.

          13.  Notices.  All communications hereunder shall be in writing and,
               -------                                                        
if sent to the Initial Purchasers, shall be mailed or delivered to (i) BT Alex.
Brown Incorporated, 130 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10006, Attention:
Corporate Finance Department; if sent to the Company, shall be mailed or
delivered to the Company at Building One Services Corporation, 800 Connecticut
Avenue, NW, Suite 1111, Washington, DC 20006, Attention:  General Counsel; with
a copy to Morgan Lewis & Bockius, LLP, 1800 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036,
Attention:  Linda L. Griggs, Esq.

          All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given:  when delivered by hand, if personally 

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
delivered; five business days after being deposited in the mail, postage 
prepaid, if mailed; and one business day after being timely delivered to a 
next-day air courier.

          14.  Successors.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
               ----------                                                      
binding upon the Initial Purchasers, the Issuers and their respective successors
and legal representatives, and nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement
is intended or shall be construed to give any other person any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement, or any
provisions herein contained; this Agreement and all conditions and provisions
hereof being intended to be and being for the sole and exclusive benefit of such
persons and for the benefit of no other person except that (i) the indemnities
of the Issuers contained in Section 9 of this Agreement shall also be for the
benefit of any person or persons who control the Initial Purchasers within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and (ii) the
indemnities of the Initial Purchasers contained in Section 9 of this Agreement
shall also be for the benefit of the directors of the Issuers, their officers
and any person or persons who control the Issuers within the meaning of Section
15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act.  No purchaser of Securities
from the Initial Purchasers will be deemed a successor because of such purchase.

          15.  APPLICABLE LAW.  THE VALIDITY AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS
               --------------                                          
AGREEMENT, AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH HEREIN SHALL BE GOVERNED BY
AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO
CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED WHOLLY THEREIN, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY
PROVISIONS THEREOF RELATING TO CONFLICTS OF LAW.

          16.  Counterparts.  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.

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
          If the foregoing correctly sets forth our understanding, please
indicate your acceptance thereof in the space provided below for that purpose,
whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between the Company,
the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.

                                 Very truly yours,

                                 BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION

    
                                 By:/s/ F. Traynor Beck
                                 ----------------------   
                                    Name: F Traynor Beck

                                    Title: Executive Vice President and 
                                           General Counsel      

                                 ADVENT ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
                                 AMERICAN AIR COMPANY, INC.
                                 APPEARANCE MANAGEMENT
                                  SERVICES, INC.
                                 BOXBERGER, INC.
                                 BRICK, INC.
                                 BUILDING ONE ELECTRICAL, INC.
                                 BUILDING ONE SERVICE
                                  SOLUTIONS, INC.
                                 BUYR, INC.
                                 CENTER SERVICES, INC.
                                 D/FW MECHANICAL SERVICES, INC.
                                 THE G.S. GROUP, INC.
                                 G.S. FINANCIAL, INC.
                                 GULF STATES, INC.
                                 GSI OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
                                 TESTRONICS, INC.
                                 BRAZOSPORT MANAGEMENT, INC.
                                 HUNT ELECTRIC, INC.
                                 IVEY MECHANICAL COMPANY
                                 BARNES IVEY MECHANICAL
                                  COMPANY, LLC
                                 LEXINGTON/IVEY MECHANICAL
                                  COMPANY, LLC
                                 IVEY MECHANICAL SERVICES, LLC
                                 THE LEWIS COMPANIES, INC.
                                 OIL CAPITAL ELECTRIC, INC.
                                 ENGINEERING DESIGN GROUP, INC.

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
                                 REGENCY ELECTRIC COMPANY MEMPHIS OFFICE, INC.
                                 FLOR-SHIN, INC. 
                                 GARFIELD/INDECON ELECTRICAL SERVICES, INC.
                                 WARREN ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION CORP.
                                 BELTLINE MECHANICAL SERVICES, INC.
                                 GAMEWELL MECHANICAL, INC.
                                 BUILDING ONE MECHANICAL SERVICES, INC.      
                                 ELECTRICAL DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
                                  INC.
                                 FRED CLARK ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
                                  INC.
                                 MCINTOSH MECHANICAL, INC.
                                 NATIONAL NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
                                 OMNI MECHANICAL COMPANY
                                 PERIMETER MAINTENANCE CORPORATION
                                 POTTER ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
                                 REGENCY ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
                                 REGENCY ELECTRIC COMPANY
                                  JACKSONVILLE OFFICE, INC.
                                 REGENCY ELECTRIC COMPANY
                                  ORLANDO OFFICE, INC.
                                 REGENCY ELECTRIC COMPANY
                                  ATLANTA OFFICE, INC.
                                 REGENCY ELECTRIC COMPANY
                                  PROJECTS GROUP, INC.
                                 REGENCY ELECTRIC COMPANY
                                  SOUTH FLORIDA, INC.
                                 REGENCY ELECTRIC COMPANY
                                  CHARLOTTE OFFICE, INC.
                                 RELIABLE PAPER SERVICE
                                  COMPANY, INC.
                                 RIVIERA ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION,
                                  CO.
                                 RIVIERA ELECTRIC OF CALIFORNIA
                                  INC.
                                 ROBINSON MECHANICAL COMPANY
    
                                 SANDERS BROTHERS, INC.      
                                 SKC ELECTRIC, INC.
                                 CRAMER ELECTRIC, INC.
                                 SKCE, INC.
                                 PROWIRE SECURITY SYSTEMS
                                 SPANN BUILDING MAINTENANCE, CO.
                                 SPANN MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC.
                                 TAYLOR ELECTRIC, INC.
                                 TESS HOLDINGS, INC.
                                 CREST INTERNATIONAL, LLC
                                 TOWN & COUNTRY ELECTRIC, INC.
                                 TRI-CITY ELECTRIC CONTRACTORS,
                                  INC.
                                 TRI-M CORPORATION

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
                                 TRI-M ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION
                                  CORP.
                                 TRI-M BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEMS
                                  CORP.
                                 TRI-M INFORMATION SYSTEMS
                                  CORP.
                                 TRI-M INTEGRATED SYSTEM
                                  SOLUTIONS CORP.
                                 WALKER ENGINEERING, INC.

                                 WATSON ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION
                                  CO.
                                 WILSON ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.

                                 CHAMBERS ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
                                  INC.

    
                                 BY: /s/ F. Traynor Beck
                                     ---------------------
                                     NAME: F. Traynor Beck
                                     TITLE: Executive Vice President 
                                            and General Counsel      
    
The foregoing Agreement is 
hereby confirmed and accepted 
as of the date first above 
written.      
    
BT ALEX. BROWN INCORPORATED
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
FRIEDMAN, BILLINGS, RAMSEY & CO. INC.
JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.
FLEET SECURITIES, INC.      

c/o BT Alex. Brown Incorporated

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
    
By: /s/ Larry Zimmerman      

    Name:  Larry Zimmerman

    Title: Managing Director


                                       44
<PAGE>
 
                                                            SCHEDULE 1
                                                            ----------


<TABLE>    
<CAPTION> 
                                                   Principal
                                                   Amount of
Initial Purchasers                                 Notes
- ------------------                                 ---------
<S>                                                <C> 
BT Alex. Brown Incorporated......................  $ 82,000,000
Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc.........................  $ 30,000,000
Goldman, Sachs & Co..............................  $ 30,000,000
Salomon Smith Barney Inc.........................  $ 30,000,000
Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co..................  $ 10,000,000
Jefferies & Company, Inc.........................  $ 10,000,000
Fleet Securities, Inc............................  $  8,000,000              
          Total..................................  $200,000,000
                                                   ============
</TABLE>     

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
                                                            SCHEDULE 2
                                                            ----------

                          Subsidiaries of the Company
                          ---------------------------
<TABLE>     
<CAPTION> 
                                                        Jurisdiction of     
Name                                                    Incorporation   
- ----                                                    ---------------  
<S>                                                     <C> 
Advent Electric Company, Inc..........................  Tennessee
American Air Company, Inc.............................  California
Appearance Management Services, Inc...................  Georgia
Boxberger, Inc........................................  North Carolina 
Brick, Inc............................................  Georgia
Building One Electrical Services, Inc.................. Kansas  
Building One Service Solutions, Inc...................  Virginia
BUYER, Inc............................................. Delaware 
Center Services, Inc..................................  California     
DFW Mechanical Services, Inc..........................  Texas          
The G.S. Group, Inc...................................  Nevada         
Flor-Shin, Inc........................................  South Carolina 
G.S. Financial, Inc...................................  Nevada          
Gulf States, Inc......................................  Texas      
GSI of California, Inc................................  California 
Testronics, Inc.......................................  Texas      
Brazosport Management, Inc............................  Texas      
Hunt Electric, Inc....................................  Utah        
Ivey Mechanical Company...............................  North Carolina
Barnes Ivey Mechanical Company, LLC...................  North Carolina
Lexington/Ivey Mechanical Company, LLC................  Kentucky      
Ivey Mechanical Services, LLC.........................  Texas          
The Lewis Companies, Inc..............................  Oklahoma
Oil Capital Electric, Inc.............................  Oklahoma
Engineering Design Group, Inc.........................  Oklahoma
Electrical Design & Construction, Inc.................  Oklahoma 
Fred Clark Electrical Contractors, Inc................  Oklahoma      
Omni Mechanical Services..............................  Oklahoma      
McIntosh Mechanical, Inc..............................  South Carolina
National Network Services, Inc........................  Colorado      
Perimeter Maintenance Corporation.....................  Nevada        
Potter Electric Inc...................................  Nevada  
Regency Electric Company, Inc.........................  Florida 
Regency Electric Company Jacksonville Office, Inc.....  Florida 
Regency Electric Company Orlando Office, Inc..........  Florida 
Regency Electric Company Atlanta Office, Inc..........  Georgia    
Regency Electric Company Memphis Office, Inc..........  Tennessee  
Regency Electric Company Projects Group, Inc.........   Florida    
Regency Electric Company South Florida, Inc...........  Florida
Regency Electric Company Charlotte Office, Inc........  North Carolina
Reliable Paper Service Company, Inc...................  Georgia
</TABLE>      
    
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>     
<S>                                                                     <C> 
Riviera Electric Construction, Co..............................         Colorado
Riviera Electric of California, Inc............................         California
Robinson Mechanical Company....................................         Colorado
Sanders Brothers, Inc..........................................         South Carolina
SKC Electric, Inc..............................................         Kansas
Cramer Electric, Inc...........................................         Kansas
SKCE, Inc......................................................         Kansas
Prowire Security Systems.......................................         Kansas
Spann Building Maintenance, Co.................................         Missouri
Spann Management Group, Inc....................................         Missouri
Taylor Electric, Inc...........................................         Utah
Tess Holdings, Inc.............................................         Wisconsin
Crest International, LLC.......................................         Wisconsin
Town & Country Electric, Inc...................................         Wisconsin
Tri-City Electric Contractors, Inc.............................         Florida
Tri-M Corporation..............................................         Pennsylvania
Tri-M Electrical Construction Corp.............................         Pennsylvania
Tri-M Building Automation Systems Corp.........................         Pennsylvania
Tri-M Information Systems Corp.................................         Pennsylvania
Tri-M Integrated System Solutions Corp.........................         Pennsylvania
Walker Engineering, Inc........................................         Texas
Watson Electrical Construction Co..............................         North Carolina
Wilson Electric Company, Inc...................................         Arizona
Chambers Electronic Communications, LLC........................         Arizona
Warren Electrical Construction Corp............................         Pennsylvania
Beltline Mechanical Services, Inc..............................         North Carolina
Gamewell Mechanical, Inc.......................................         North Carolina
Building One Mechanical Services, Inc..........................         Mississippi
Flor-Shin, Inc.................................................         South Carolina
Garfield/Indecon Electrical Services, Inc......................         Ohio
</TABLE>      

                                      47
<PAGE>
 
                                                                      SCHEDULE 3
                                                                      ----------

                          Local Counsel of the Company

    
Brad Booke, Esq.
King & Spalding 
Nexsen, Pruet, Jacobs & Pollard, LLP
Ray, Quinney & Nebeker
Woolf, McClane, Bright, Allen & Carpenter, PLLC
Cohen, Todd, Kite & Stanford
Nichols, Wolfe, Stamper, Fallis & Robertson
Neuman, Drennen & Stone, LLC
Godfrey & Kahn
Ralph Polachek, Esq.
Narron & Holdford, PA
Sachs, Tierney
Levy and Craig
Canterbury, Stuber, Elder, Gooch & Surratt
Phelps, Dunbar LLP
Vimont & Willis      


                                       48

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   Exhibit (a)15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION,

                                  as Issuer,

                         the GUARANTORS named herein,

                                as Guarantors,

                                      and

                      ----------------------------------
                      IBJ Whitehall Bank & Trust Company

                                  as Trustee
                      ----------------------------------

                                   INDENTURE

                          Dated as of April 30, 1999

                              up to $400,000,000

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

                  10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                             CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

TIA                                    Indenture
Section                                 Section
- -------                                ---------
310(a)(1)..............                7.10
   (a)(2)..............                7.10
   (a)(3)..............                N.A.
   (a)(4)..............                N.A.
   (a)(5)..............                7.08; 7.10
   (b).................                7.08; 7.10; 13.02
   (c).................                N.A.
311(a).................                7.11
   (b).................                7.11
   (c).................                N.A.
312(a).................                2.05
   (b).................                13.03
   (c).................                13.03
313(a).................                7.06
   (b)(1)..............                7.06
   (b)(2)..............                7.06
   (c).................                7.06; 13.02
   (d).................                7.06
314(a).................                4.08; 4.10; 13.02
   (b).................                N.A.
   (c)(1)..............                7.02; 13.04; 13.05
   (c)(2)..............                7.02; 13.04; 13.05
   (c)(3)..............                N.A.
   (d).................                N.A.
   (e).................                13.05
   (f).................                N.A.
315(a).................                7.01(b)
   (b).................                7.05
   (c).................                7.01
   (d).................                6.05; 7.01(c)
   (e).................                6.11
316(a)(last sentence)..                2.09
   (a)(1)(A)...........                6.05
   (a)(1)(B)...........                6.04
   (a)(2)..............                9.05
   (b).................                6.07
   (c).................                9.05

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

N.A. means Not Applicable

Note:  This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a 
       part of the Indenture
<PAGE>
 
317(a)(1)..............                6.08
   (a)(2)..............                6.09
   (b).................                2.04
318(a).................                13.01
   (c).................                13.01

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

N.A. means Not Applicable

Note:  This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a 
       part of the Indenture
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

                                  ARTICLE ONE

                  DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01.   Definitions..............................................      1
SECTION 1.02.   Incorporation by Reference of TIA........................     37
SECTION 1.03.   Rules of Construction....................................     38

                                  ARTICLE TWO

                                THE SECURITIES

SECTION 2.01.   Form and Dating..........................................     38
SECTION 2.02.   Execution and Authentication.............................     39
SECTION 2.03.   Registrar and Paying Agent...............................     40
SECTION 2.04.   Paying Agent To Hold Assets in Trust.....................     41
SECTION 2.05.   Holder Lists.............................................     42
SECTION 2.06.   Transfer and Exchange....................................     42
SECTION 2.07.   Replacement Securities...................................     43
SECTION 2.08.   Outstanding Securities...................................     44
SECTION 2.09.   Treasury Securities......................................     44
SECTION 2.10.   Temporary Securities.....................................     45
SECTION 2.11.   Cancellation.............................................     45
SECTION 2.12.   Defaulted Interest.......................................     45
SECTION 2.13.   CUSIP Number.............................................     46
SECTION 2.14.   Deposit of Moneys........................................     46
SECTION 2.15.   Book-Entry Provisions for Global Securities..............     46
SECTION 2.16.   Special Transfer Provisions..............................     48

                                 ARTICLE THREE

                                  REDEMPTION

SECTION 3.01.   Notices to Trustee.......................................     52
SECTION 3.02.   Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed...................     52
SECTION 3.03.   Notice of Redemption.....................................     53

                                      -i-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
SECTION 3.04.   Effect of Notice of Redemption...........................     54
SECTION 3.05.   Deposit of Redemption Price..............................     54
SECTION 3.06.   Securities Redeemed in Part..............................     55

                                 ARTICLE FOUR

                                   COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01.   Payment of Securities....................................     55
SECTION 4.02.   Maintenance of Office or Agency..........................     55
SECTION 4.03.   Limitation on Restricted Payments........................     56
SECTION 4.04.   Limitation on Incurrence of
                  Additional Indebtedness................................     59
SECTION 4.05.   Corporate Existence......................................     59
SECTION 4.06.   Payment of Taxes and Other Claims........................     60
SECTION 4.07.   Maintenance of Properties and Insurance..................     60
SECTION 4.08.   Compliance Certificate; Notice of Default................     61
SECTION 4.09.   Compliance with Laws.....................................     62
SECTION 4.10.   Reports to Holders.......................................     62
SECTION 4.11.   Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws..................     63
SECTION 4.12.   Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates..............     64
SECTION 4.13.   Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions 
                  Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries......................     66
SECTION 4.14.   Limitation on Liens......................................     67
SECTION 4.15.   Change of Control........................................     68
SECTION 4.16.   Limitation on Asset Sales................................     71
SECTION 4.17.   Prohibition on Incurrence of Senior Subordinated Debt....     75
SECTION 4.18.   Additional Subsidiary Guarantees.........................     75
SECTION 4.19.   Conduct of Business......................................     76

                                 ARTICLE FIVE

                             SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

SECTION 5.01.   Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets.................     76
SECTION 5.02.   Successor Corporation Substituted........................     79

                                     -ii-
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE SIX

                             DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
SECTION 6.01.   Events of Default........................................     79
SECTION 6.02.   Acceleration.............................................     81
SECTION 6.03.   Other Remedies...........................................     82
SECTION 6.04.   Waiver of Past Defaults..................................     83
SECTION 6.05.   Control by Majority......................................     83
SECTION 6.06.   Limitation on Suits......................................     83
SECTION 6.07.   Rights of Holders To Receive Payment.....................     84
SECTION 6.08.   Collection Suit by Trustee...............................     84
SECTION 6.09.   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.........................     85
SECTION 6.10.   Priorities...............................................     85
SECTION 6.11.   Undertaking for Costs....................................     86

                                 ARTICLE SEVEN

                                    TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01.   Duties of Trustee........................................     86
SECTION 7.02.   Rights of Trustee........................................     88
SECTION 7.03.   Individual Rights of Trustee.............................     90
SECTION 7.04.   Trustee's Disclaimer.....................................     90
SECTION 7.05.   Notice of Default........................................     90
SECTION 7.06.   Reports by Trustee to Holders............................     91
SECTION 7.07.   Compensation and Indemnity...............................     91
SECTION 7.08.   Replacement of Trustee...................................     93
SECTION 7.09.   Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.........................     94
SECTION 7.10.   Eligibility; Disqualification............................     94
SECTION 7.11.   Preferential Collection of Claims
                  Against Company........................................     95

                                 ARTICLE EIGHT

                      DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

SECTION 8.01.   Termination of the Company's Obligations.................     95
SECTION 8.02.   Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.................     97
SECTION 8.03.   Conditions to Legal Defeasance
                  or Covenant Defeasance.................................     99
SECTION 8.04.   Application of Trust Money...............................    101

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
SECTION 8.05.   Repayment to the Company.................................    102
SECTION 8.06.   Reinstatement............................................    102

                                 ARTICLE NINE

                      AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

SECTION 9.01.   Without Consent of Holders...............................    103
SECTION 9.02.   With Consent of Holders..................................    104
SECTION 9.03.   Effect on Senior Debt....................................    105
SECTION 9.04.   Compliance with TIA......................................    105
SECTION 9.05.   Revocation and Effect of Consents........................    106
SECTION 9.06.   Notation on or Exchange of Securities....................    107
SECTION 9.07.   Trustee To Sign Amendments, Etc..........................    107

                                  ARTICLE TEN

                          SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 10.01.  Securities Subordinated to Senior Debt...................    107
SECTION 10.02.  Suspension of Payment When Senior
                  Debt Is in Default.....................................    108
SECTION 10.03.  Securities Subordinated to Prior Payment of All 
                  Senior Debt on Dissolution, Liquidation or 
                  Reorganization of Company..............................    110
SECTION 10.04.  Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution................    112
SECTION 10.05.  Holders To Be Subrogated to Rights
                  of Holders of Senior Debt..............................    113
SECTION 10.06.  Obligations of the Company Unconditional.................    113
SECTION 10.07.  Notice to Trustee........................................    114
SECTION 10.08.  Reliance on Judicial Order or
                  Certificate of Liquidating Agent.......................    114
SECTION 10.09.  Trustee's Relation to Senior Debt........................    115
SECTION 10.10.  Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or 
                  Omissions of the Company or Holders of Senior Debt.....    115
SECTION 10.11.  Securityholders Authorize Trustee To
                  Effectuate Subordination of Securities.................    116

                                     -iv-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
SECTION 10.12.  This Article Ten Not To Prevent Events of Default........    117
SECTION 10.13.  Trustee's Compensation Not Prejudiced....................    117

                                ARTICLE ELEVEN

                            GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES

SECTION 11.01.  Unconditional Guarantee..................................    117
SECTION 11.02.  Limitations on Guarantees................................    119
SECTION 11.03.  Execution and Delivery of Guarantee......................    120
SECTION 11.04.  Release of a Guarantor...................................    121
SECTION 11.05.  Waiver of Subrogation....................................    122
SECTION 11.06.  Immediate Payment........................................    122
SECTION 11.07.  No Set-Off...............................................    123
SECTION 11.08.  Obligations Absolute.....................................    123
SECTION 11.09.  Obligations Continuing...................................    123
SECTION 11.10.  Obligations Not Reduced..................................    124
SECTION 11.11.  Obligations Reinstated...................................    124
SECTION 11.12.  Obligations Not Affected.................................    124
SECTION 11.13.  Waiver...................................................    126
SECTION 11.14.  No Obligation To Take Action Against the Company.........    126
SECTION 11.15.  Dealing with the Company and Others......................    126
SECTION 11.16.  Default and Enforcement..................................    127
SECTION 11.17.  Amendment, Etc...........................................    128
SECTION 11.18.  Acknowledgment...........................................    128
SECTION 11.19.  Costs and Expenses.......................................    128
SECTION 11.20.  No Merger or Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.................    128
SECTION 11.21.  Survival of Obligations..................................    129
SECTION 11.22.  Guarantee in Addition to Other Obligations...............    129
SECTION 11.23.  Severability.............................................    129
SECTION 11.24.  Successors and Assigns...................................    129

                                ARTICLE TWELVE

                          SUBORDINATION OF GUARANTEE

SECTION 12.01.  Guarantee Obligations Subordinated
                  to Guarantor Senior Debt...............................    130

                                      -v-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
SECTION 12.02.  Suspension of Guarantee Obligations
                  When Guarantor Senior Debt Is in Default...............    130
SECTION 12.03.  Guarantee Obligations Subordinated
                  to Prior Payment of All Guarantor
                  Senior Debt on Dissolution, Liquidation
                  or Reorganization of Such Guarantor....................    132
SECTION 12.04.  Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution................    134
SECTION 12.05.  Holders of Guarantee Obligations To Be 
                  Subrogated to Rights of Holders of Guarantor 
                  Senior Debt............................................    135
SECTION 12.06.  Obligations of the Guarantors Unconditional..............    135
SECTION 12.07.  Notice to Trustee........................................    136
SECTION 12.08.  Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of 
                  Liquidating Agent......................................    136
SECTION 12.09.  Trustee's Relation to Guarantor Senior Debt..............    137
SECTION 12.10.  Subordination Rights Not Impaired
                  by Acts or Omissions of the Guarantors
                  or Holders of Guarantor Senior Debt....................    138
SECTION 12.11.  Holders Authorize Trustee To Effectuate
                  Subordination of Guarantee Obligations.................    138
SECTION 12.12.  This Article Twelve Not To
                  Prevent Events of Default..............................    139
SECTION 12.13.  Trustee's Compensation Not Prejudiced....................    139

                               ARTICLE THIRTEEN

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 13.01.  TIA Controls.............................................    140
SECTION 13.02.  Notices..................................................    140
SECTION 13.03.  Communications by Holders with Other Holders.............    141
SECTION 13.04.  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.......    142

                                     -vi-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
SECTION 13.05.  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion............    142
SECTION 13.06.  Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar................    143
SECTION 13.07.  Legal Holidays...........................................    143
SECTION 13.08.  Governing Law............................................    143
SECTION 13.09.  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements............    143
SECTION 13.10.  No Recourse Against Others...............................    143
SECTION 13.11.  Successors...............................................    144
SECTION 13.12.  Duplicate Originals......................................    144
SECTION 13.13.  Severability.............................................    144

Signatures ..............................................................    S-1

Exhibit A   - Form of Note
Exhibit B   - Form of Legends
Exhibit C   - Form of Certificate To Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers
              to Non-QIB Accredited Investors
Exhibit D   - Form of Certificate To Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers
              Pursuant to Regulation S
Exhibit E   - Form of Guarantee

Note:  This Table of Contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part
       of the Indenture

                                     -vii-
<PAGE>
 
          INDENTURE dated as of April 30, 1999 among BUILDING ONE SERVICES
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), as Issuer, each of the
                                          -------                          
Guarantors named herein, as Guarantors, and IBJ Whitehall Bank & Trust Company
a [           ] corporation, as Trustee (the "Trustee").
                                              -------

          The Company has duly authorized the creation of an issue of 10 1/2%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009 and, to provide therefor, the Company has
duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture.  All things
necessary to make the Securities, when duly issued and executed by the Company
and authenticated and delivered hereunder, the valid and binding obligations of
the Company and to make this Indenture a valid and binding agreement of the
Company have been done.

          Each party hereto agrees as follows for the benefit of each other
party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities:

                                  ARTICLE ONE

                   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01.  Definitions.
               ----------- 

          "Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person or any of its
           ---------------------                                              
Restricted Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company or at the time it merges or consolidates with or into
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or is assumed in connection with the
acquisition of assets from such Person and in each case whether or not incurred
by such Person in connection with, or in anticipation or contemplation of, such
Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or such acquisition,
merger or consolidation.

          "Affiliate" means, with respect to any specified Person, any other
           ---------                                                        
Person who directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls,
or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person.
The term "control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of 
<PAGE>
 
a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or 
otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings 
correlative of the foregoing.

          "Affiliate Transaction" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.12.
           ---------------------                                            

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

          "Asset Acquisition" means (a) an Investment by the Company or any
           -----------------                                               
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in any other Person pursuant to which such
Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, or shall be merged with or into the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, or (b) the acquisition by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of the assets of any Person (other than
a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) which constitute all or substantially
all of the assets of such Person or comprises any operating unit, division or
line of business of such Person or any other properties or assets of such Person
other than in the ordinary course of business.

          "Asset Sale" means any direct or indirect sale, issuance, conveyance,
           ----------                                                          
transfer, lease (other than operating leases entered into in the ordinary course
of business), assignment or other transfer for value by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries (including any Sale and Leaseback Transaction) to
any Person other than the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company of (a) any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or
(b) any other property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company other than in the ordinary course of business; provided, however,
                                                           --------  ------- 
that Asset Sales shall not include: (i) a transaction or series of related
transactions for which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries receive
aggregate consideration of less than $1.5 million; (ii) the sale, lease,
conveyance, disposition or other transfer of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company as permitted under Section 5.01; (iii) any Restricted
Payment permitted by Section 4.03 or that constitutes a Permitted Investment;
(iv) sales of 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
damaged, worn-out or obsolete equipment or assets that, in the Company's 
reasonable judgment, are no longer either used or useful in the business of 
the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries; and (v) the sale of accounts 
receivable pursuant to a Qualified Receivables Transaction.

          "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal,
           --------------                                                   
state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

          "Board of Directors" means, as to any Person, the board of directors
           ------------------                                                 
of such Person or any duly authorized committee thereof.

          "Board Resolution" means, with respect to any Person, a copy of a
           ----------------                                                
resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person
to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in
full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the
Trustee.

          "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any
           ------------                                                    
other day on which banking institutions in the City of New York are required or
authorized by law or other governmental action to be closed.

          "Capital Stock" means (i) with respect to any Person that is a
           -------------                                                
corporation, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents
(however designated and whether or not voting) of corporate stock, including
each class of Common Stock and Preferred Stock of such Person (but shall not
include, prior to any conversion thereof, the Convertible Subordinated Notes),
and (ii) with respect to any Person that is not a corporation, any and all
partnership, membership or other equity interests of such Person.

          "Capitalized Lease Obligation" means, as to any Person, the
           ----------------------------                              
obligations of such Person under a lease that are required to be classified and
accounted for as capital lease obligations under GAAP and, for purposes of this
definition, the amount of such obligations at any date shall be the capitalized

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
amount of such obligations at such date, determined in accordance with GAAP.

          "Cash Equivalents" means (i) marketable direct obligations issued by,
           ----------------                                                    
or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any
agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in
each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof; (ii)
marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of
America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public
instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition
thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings
obtainable from either Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or Moody's
                                                         ---             
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"); (iii) commercial paper maturing no more
                          -------                                           
than one year from the date of creation thereof and, at the time of acquisition,
having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody's; (iv)
certificates of deposit or bankers' acceptances maturing within one year from
the date of acquisition thereof issued by any bank organized under the laws of
the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or
any U.S. branch of a foreign bank having at the date of acquisition thereof
combined capital and surplus of not less than $250.0 million; (v) repurchase
obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of
the types described in clause (i) above entered into with any bank meeting the
qualifications specified in clause (iv) above; and (vi) investments in money
market funds which invest substantially all their assets in securities of the
types described in clauses (i) through (v) above.

          "Change of Control" means the occurrence of one or more of the
           -----------------                                            
following events:  (i) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one
transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company to any Person or group of related Persons for purposes
of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act (a "Group"), together with any Affiliates
                                         -----                                
thereof (whether or not otherwise in compliance with the provisions of this
Indenture), other than to the Permitted Holders; (ii) the approval by the
holders of Capital Stock of the Company of any plan or proposal for the
liquida-

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
tion or dissolution of the Company (whether or not otherwise in compliance with
the provisions of this Indenture); (iii) any Person or Group (other than the
Permitted Holders) shall become the owner, directly or indirectly, beneficially
or of record, of shares representing more than 50% of the aggregate ordinary
voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of the
Company; or (iv) the replacement of a majority of the Board of Directors of the
Company over a two-year period from the directors who constituted the Board of
Directors of the Company at the beginning of such period, and such replacement
shall not have been approved by the Permitted Holders or a vote of at least a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Company then still in office who
either were members of such Board of Directors at the beginning of such period
or whose election as a member of such Board of Directors was previously so
approved.

          "Change of Control Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.15.
           ----------------------                                            

          "Change of Control Offer" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.15.
           -----------------------                                            

          "Change of Control Payment Date" has the meaning set forth in Section
           ------------------------------                                      
4.15.

          "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
           ----------                                               

          "Common Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests or
           ------------                                                      
other participations in, and other equivalents (however designated and whether
voting or non-voting) of such Person's common stock, whether outstanding on the
Issue Date or issued after the Issue Date, and includes, without limitation, all
series and classes of such common stock.

          "Company" means the party named as such in this Indenture until a
           -------                                                         
successor replaces it pursuant to this Indenture and thereafter shall mean such
successor corporation.

          "Consolidated EBITDA" means, with respect to any Person, for any
           -------------------                                            
period, the sum (without duplication) of (i) Consolidated Net Income and (ii) to
the extent Consolidated Net 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
Income has been reduced thereby, (A) all income taxes of such Person and its 
Restricted Subsidiaries paid or accrued in accordance with GAAP for such 
period (other than income taxes attributable to extraordinary, unusual or 
nonrecurring gains), (B) Consolidated Interest Expense and (C) Consolidated 
Non-cash Charges less any non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income
                 ----                              
for such period, all as determined on a consolidated basis for such Person 
and its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

          "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, with respect to any
           ----------------------------------------                            
Person, the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA of such Person during the four full
fiscal quarters (the "Four Quarter Period") ending prior to the date of the
                      -------------------                                  
transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio for which financial statements are available (the "Transaction
                                                                  -----------
Date") to Consolidated Fixed Charges of such Person for the Four Quarter Period.
- ----
In addition to and without limitation of the foregoing, for purposes of this
definition, "Consolidated EBITDA" and "Consolidated Fixed Charges" shall be
calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the period of such
                                    ---------                             
calculation to (i) the incurrence or repayment of any Indebtedness of such
Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and the application of the
proceeds thereof) giving rise to the need to make such calculation and any
incurrence or repayment of other Indebtedness (and the application of the
proceeds thereof), other than the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness in the
ordinary course of business for working capital purposes pursuant to working
capital facilities, occurring during the Four Quarter Period or at any time
subsequent to the last day of the Four Quarter Period and on or prior to the
Transaction Date, as if such incurrence or repayment, as the case may be (and
the application of the proceeds thereof), occurred on the first day of the Four
Quarter Period and (ii) any Asset Sales or other dispositions or Asset
Acquisitions (including, without limitation, any Asset Acquisition giving rise
to the need to make such calculation as a result of such Person or one of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (including any Person who becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary as a result of the Asset Acquisition) incurring, assuming or
otherwise being liable for Acquired Indebtedness and also including any
Consolidated EBITDA (including any pro forma expense and cost 
                                   ---------                             

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
reductions, adjustments and other operating improvements or synergies both
achieved by such Person during such period and to be achieved by such Person and
with respect to the acquired assets, all as determined in good faith by a
responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company and as reported on or
otherwise confirmed, consistent with applicable standards of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants, to the Company by an independent
public accounting firm) attributable to the assets which are the subject of the
Asset Acquisition or Asset Sale or other disposition during the Four Quarter
Period) occurring during the Four Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to
the last day of the Four Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date,
as if such Asset Sale or other disposition or Asset Acquisition (including the
incurrence, assumption or liability for any such Acquired Indebtedness) occurred
on the first day of the Four Quarter Period. If such Person or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly guarantees Indebtedness of a
third Person, the preceding sentence shall give effect to the incurrence of such
guaranteed Indebtedness as if such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such
Person had directly incurred or otherwise assumed such guaranteed Indebtedness.
Furthermore, in calculating "Consolidated Fixed Charges" for purposes of
determining the denominator (but not the numerator) of this "Consolidated Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio," (1) interest on outstanding Indebtedness determined on a
fluctuating basis as of the Transaction 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 Transaction
Date; and (2) notwithstanding clause (1) above, interest on Indebtedness
determined on a fluctuating basis, to the extent such interest is covered by
agreements relating to Interest Swap Obligations, shall be deemed to accrue at
the rate per annum resulting after giving effect to the operation of such
agreements.

          "Consolidated Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any Person for any
           --------------------------                                           
period, the sum, without duplication, of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense
(excluding (x) amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs, (y)
interest paid on Convertible Subordinated Notes in the form of Convertible
Subordinated Notes or Qualified Capital Stock and (z) one-time ac-

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
celerated interest payments due upon the conversion of the Convertible 
Subordinated Notes prior to May 1, 2004) plus (ii) the product of (x) the 
amount of all dividend payments on any series of Preferred Stock of such 
Person (other than dividends paid in Qualified Capital Stock) paid, accrued 
or scheduled to be paid or accrued during such period times (y) a fraction, 
the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the 
then current effective consolidated federal, state and local tax rate of such 
Person, expressed as a decimal.

          "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, with respect to any Person for
           -----------------------------                                       
any period, the sum of, without duplication:  (i) the aggregate of the interest
expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, including, without
limitation, (a) any amortization of debt discount and amortization or write-off
of deferred financing costs (including the amortization of costs relating to
interest rate caps or other similar agreements), (b) the net costs under
Interest Swap Obligations, (c) all capitalized interest and (d) the interest
portion of any deferred payment obligation; and (ii) the interest component of
Capitalized Lease Obligations paid, accrued and/or scheduled to be paid or
accrued by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period as
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, minus interest
income for such period.

          "Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any Person, for any
           -----------------------                                            
period, the aggregate net income (or loss) of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance
with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded therefrom (a) after-tax gains
           --------                                                           
or losses from Asset Sales (without regard to the $1.5 million limitation set
forth in the definition thereof) or abandonments or reserves relating thereto,
(b) items classified as extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual gains or losses
on an after-tax basis (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses related
to the Transactions and non-cash charges related to the acceleration of the
vesting of options), (c) the net income of any Person acquired in a "pooling of
interests" transaction accrued prior to the date it becomes a Restricted
Sub-

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
sidiary of the referent Person or is merged or consolidated with the referent
Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of the referent Person, (d) the net income
(but not loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary of the referent Person to the extent
that the declaration of dividends and the making of loans or advances or similar
distributions, loans or advances by that Restricted Subsidiary of that income is
restricted by a contract, operation of law or otherwise, (e) the net income of
any Person, other than a Restricted Subsidiary of the referent Person, except to
the extent of cash dividends or distributions paid to the referent Person or to
a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the referent Person by such Person, (f)
in the case of a successor to the referent Person by consolidation or merger or
as a transferee of the referent Person's assets, any earnings of the successor
corporation prior to such consolidation, merger or transfer of assets and (g)
the effect of changes in accounting principles after the Issue Date.

          For purposes of Section 4.03 only, "Consolidated Net Income" shall be
calculated without taking into account cash interest payments (and the related
tax effects) on the Convertible Subordinated Notes.

          "Consolidated Non-cash Charges" means, with respect to any Person, for
           -----------------------------                                        
any period, the aggregate depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses
of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income
of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

          "Convertible Subordinated Notes" means the $100 million aggregate
           ------------------------------                                  
principal amount of the Company's 7 1/2% Convertible Junior Subordinated Notes
due 2012 and any additional Convertible Subordinated Notes issued in lieu of
cash interest thereon in accordance with the terms of the Convertible
Subordinated Notes as in effect on the Issue Date.

          "Covenant Defeasance" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02.
           -------------------                                            

          "Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement dated as of the Issue
           ----------------                                                  
Date, between the Company, the lenders party 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder, Goldman, Sachs & Co., as
documentation agent, Salomon Smith Barney Inc., as syndication agent, and
Bankers Trust Company, as administrative agent, together with the related
documents thereto (including, without limitation, any guarantee agreements and
security documents), in each case as such agreements may be amended (including
any amendment and restatement thereof), supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time, including any agreement extending the maturity of, refinancing,
replacing or otherwise restructuring (including increasing the amount of
available borrowings thereunder or adding Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company
as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder) all or any portion of the
Indebtedness under such agreement or any successor or replacement agreement and
whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

          "Credit Facilities" means one or more debt facilities (including,
           -----------------                                               
without limitation, the Credit Agreement) or commercial paper facilities with
banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term
loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such
lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders
against such receivables) and/or letters of credit or banker's acceptances.

          "Currency Agreement" means any foreign exchange contract, currency
           ------------------                                               
swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company against fluctuations in
currency values.

          "Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator,
           ---------                                                    
sequestrator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

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

          "Default Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02.
           --------------                                             

                                     -10-
<PAGE>
 
          "Depository" shall mean The Depository Trust Company, New York, New
           ----------                                                        
York, or a successor thereto registered under the Exchange Act or other
applicable statute or regulation.

          "Designated Senior Debt" means (i) Indebtedness under or in respect of
           ----------------------                                               
the Credit Agreement and (ii) any other Indebtedness constituting Senior Debt
which, at the time of determination, has an aggregate principal amount of at
least $25.0 million and is specifically designated in the instrument evidencing
such Senior Debt as "Designated Senior Debt" by the Company.

          "Disqualified Capital Stock" means that portion of 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 at the option of the holder
thereof), or upon the happening of any event (other than an event which would
constitute a Change of Control or Asset Sale), matures or is mandatorily
redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable
at the sole option of the holder thereof (except, in each case, upon the
occurrence of a Change of Control or Asset Sale), on or prior to the Maturity
Date of the Securities.

          "Domestic Restricted Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary
           ------------------------------                               
incorporated or otherwise organized or existing under the laws of the United
States, any state thereof or any territory or possession of the United States.

          "Equity Offering" means a public or private offering of Qualified
           ---------------                                                 
Capital Stock (other than public offerings with respect to the Company's Common
Stock on Form S-8 or any replacement form for such Form S-8) of the Company for
aggregate net cash proceeds to the Company of at least $20 million.

          "Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01.
           ----------------                                            

          "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
           ------------                                                        
or any successor statute or statutes thereto.

          "Exchange Securities" means securities issued in exchange for the
           -------------------                                             
Securities pursuant to the terms of the Regis-

                                     -11-
<PAGE>
 
tration Rights Agreement, or, in the case of Securities issued after the Issue 
Date, any other registration rights agreement.

          "fair market value" means, with respect to any asset or property, the
           -----------------                                                   
price which could be negotiated in an arm's-length, free market transaction
between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under
undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.

          "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the
           ----                                                                 
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession of the United States, which are in effect as of the Issue Date.

          "Global Security" shall mean one or more IAI Global Securities,
           ---------------                                               
Regulation S Global Securities and 144A Global Securities.

          "Guarantee Obligations" has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01.
           ---------------------                                             

          "Guarantees" means the guarantees of the Securities by the Guarantors.
           ----------                                                           

          "Guarantor" means (i) each of the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries as
           ---------                                                            
of the Issue Date and (ii) each of the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries that in
the future executes a supplemental indenture in which such Restricted Subsidiary
agrees to be bound by the terms of this Indenture as a Guarantor; provided that
                                                                  --------     
any Person constituting a Guarantor as described above shall cease to constitute
a Guarantor when its respective Guarantee is released in accordance with the
terms of this Indenture.

          "Guarantor Payment Blockage Period" has the meaning set forth in
           ---------------------------------                              
Section 12.02.

          "Guarantor Senior Debt" means with respect to any Guarantor, the
           ---------------------                                          
principal of, premium, if any, and interest (in-

                                     -12-
<PAGE>
 
cluding 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) on any
Indebtedness of such Guarantor, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or
thereafter created, incurred or assumed, unless, in the case of any particular
Indebtedness, the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to
which the same is outstanding expressly provides that such Indebtedness shall
not be senior in right of payment to the Guarantee of such Guarantor. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, "Guarantor Senior Debt" shall also
include the principal of, premium, if any, 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, whether or not such
interest is an allowed claim under applicable law) on, and all other amounts
owing in respect of, (x) all monetary obligations of every nature of such
Guarantor under, or with respect to, the Credit Agreement, including, without
limitation, obligations to pay principal and interest, reimbursement obligations
under letters of credit, fees, expenses and indemnities (including guarantees
thereof), (y) all Interest Swap Obligations (and guarantees thereof) and (z) all
obligations (and guarantees thereof) under Currency Agreements, in each case
whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter incurred. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, "Guarantor Senior Debt" shall not include (i) any Indebtedness of
such Guarantor to a Subsidiary of such Guarantor, (ii) Indebtedness to, or
guaranteed on behalf of, any shareholder, director, officer or employee of such
Guarantor or any Subsidiary of such Guarantor (including, without limitation,
amounts owed for compensation) other than a shareholder who is also a lender (or
an Affiliate of a lender) under the Credit Facilities (including the Credit
Agreement), (iii) Indebtedness to trade creditors and other amounts incurred in
connection with obtaining goods, materials or services, (iv) Indebtedness
represented by Disqualified Capital Stock, (v) any liability for federal, state,
local or other taxes owed or owing by such Guarantor, (vi) that portion of any
Indebtedness incurred in violation of the provisions of Section 4.04 (but, as to
any such obligation, no such violation shall be deemed to exist for purposes of
this clause (vi) if the holder(s) of such obligation or their representative
shall have received an officers' 

                                     -13-
<PAGE>
 
certificate of the Company to the effect that the incurrence of such
Indebtedness does not (or, in the case of revolving credit Indebtedness, that
the incurrence of the entire committed amount thereof at the date on which the
initial borrowing thereunder is made would not) violate such provisions of this
Indenture), (vii) Indebtedness which, when incurred and without respect to any
election under Section 1111(b) of Title 11, United States Code, is without
recourse to the Company and (viii) any Indebtedness which is, by its express
terms, subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of such
Guarantor.

          "incur" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04.
           -----                                            

          "Indebtedness" means with respect to any Person, without duplication,
           ------------                                                        
(i) all Obligations of such Person for borrowed money (including, without
limitation, Senior Debt), (ii) all Obligations of such Person evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all Capitalized
Lease Obligations of such Person, (iv) all Obligations of such Person issued or
assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale
obligations and all Obligations under any title retention agreement (but
excluding trade accounts payable and other accrued liabilities arising in the
ordinary course of business that are not overdue by 90 days or more or are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and
diligently conducted), (v) all Obligations for the reimbursement of any obligor
on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance or similar credit transaction, (vi)
guarantees and other contingent obligations in respect of Indebtedness referred
to in clauses (i) through (v) above and clause (viii) below, (vii) all
Obligations of any other Person of the type referred to in clauses (i) through
(vi) which are secured by any lien on any property or asset of such Person, the
amount of such Obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the fair market value
of such property or asset or the amount of the Obligation so secured, (viii) all
Obligations under currency agreements and interest swap agreements of such
Person and (ix) all Disqualified Capital Stock issued by such Person with the
amount of Indebtedness represented by such Disqualified Capital Stock being
equal to the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference and
its maximum fixed re-

                                     -14-
<PAGE>
 
purchase price, but excluding accrued dividends, if any. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this definition, Indebtedness shall not include any
contingent purchase price obligations or other earnout obligations of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with acquisitions, which
obligations are not required to be included as indebtedness on the face of the
Company's consolidated balance sheet in accordance with GAAP. For purposes
hereof, the "maximum fixed repurchase price" of any Disqualified Capital Stock
which does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance
with the terms of such Disqualified Capital Stock as if such Disqualified
Capital Stock were purchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall be required
to be determined pursuant to this Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or
measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Capital Stock, such fair
market value shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the issuer of such Disqualified Capital Stock.

          "Indenture" means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time
           ---------                                                            
to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

          "Independent Financial Advisor" means a firm (i) which does not, and
           -----------------------------                                      
whose directors, officers and employees or Affiliates do not, have a direct or
indirect financial interest in the Company and (ii) which, in the judgment of
the Board of Directors of the Company, is otherwise independent and qualified to
perform the task for which it is to be engaged.

          "Initial Purchasers" means BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Bear, Stearns
           ------------------                                                  
& Co. Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., Salomon Smith Barney Inc., Friedman Billings
Ramsey & Company, Jefferies & Company, Inc. and Fleet Securities, Inc.

          "Institutional Accredited Investor" or "IAI" means an institution that
           ---------------------------------      ---                           
is an "accredited investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3)
or (7) under the Securities Act.

          "Interest Payment Date" means the stated maturity of an installment of
           ---------------------                                                
interest on the Securities.

                                     -15-
<PAGE>
 
          "Interest Swap Obligations" means the obligations of any Person
           -------------------------                                     
pursuant to any arrangement with any other Person, whereby, directly or
indirectly, such Person is entitled to receive from time to time periodic
payments calculated by applying either a floating or a fixed rate of interest on
a stated notional amount in exchange for periodic payments made by such other
Person calculated by applying a fixed or a floating rate of interest on the same
notional amount and shall include, without limitation, interest rate swaps,
caps, floors, collars and similar agreements.

          "Investment" means, with respect to any Person, any direct or indirect
           ----------                                                           
loan or other extension of credit (including, without limitation, a guarantee)
or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property
to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of
others), or any purchase or acquisition by such Person of any Capital Stock,
bonds, notes, debentures or other securities or evidences of Indebtedness issued
by, any Person.  "Investment" shall exclude extensions of trade credit by the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on commercially reasonable terms in
accordance with normal trade practices of the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be.

          For purposes of Section 4.03:  (1) "Investment" shall include and be
valued at the fair market value of the net assets of any Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an
Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company and shall exclude the fair market value
of the net assets of any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company at the time that
such Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company; and (2) the amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such
Investment plus the cost of all additional Investments by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries, without any adjustments for increases or decreases
in value, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such
Investment, reduced by the payment of dividends or distributions in connection
with such Investment or any other amounts received in respect of such
Investment; provided that no such payment of dividends or distributions or
            --------                                                      
receipt of any such other amounts shall reduce the amount of any Investment if
such payment of 

                                     -16-
<PAGE>
 
dividends or distributions or receipt of any such amounts would be included in
Consolidated Net Income.

          If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or
otherwise disposes of any Common Stock of any direct or indirect Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or
disposition, the Company no longer owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of the
outstanding Common Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall be
deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition
equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary
not sold or disposed of.

          "Investors' Rights Agreement" means the Investors' Rights Agreement,
           ---------------------------                                        
dated March 22, 1999, among the Company and certain of its investors.

          "Issue Date" means the date of original issuance of any Securities
           ----------                                                       
under this Indenture.

          "Legal Defeasance" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02.
           ----------------                                            

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

          "Maturity Date" means May 1, 2009.
           -------------                         

          "Net Cash Proceeds" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, the
           -----------------                                            
proceeds in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents including payments in respect
of deferred payment obligations when received in the form of cash or Cash
Equivalents (other than the portion of any such deferred payment constituting
interest) received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from
such Asset Sale net of (a) reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and fees relating
to such Asset Sale (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and
investment banking fees and sales commissions), (b) taxes paid or payable after
taking into account any reduction in consolidated tax li-

                                     -17-
<PAGE>
 
ability due to available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing
arrangements, (c) repayment of Indebtedness that is required to be repaid in
connection with such Asset Sale, (d) appropriate amounts to be provided by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as a reserve, in
accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with such Asset Sale
and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be,
after such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, pension and other post-
employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and
liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset
Sale, and (e) all distributions and other payments required to be made to
minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a
result of such Asset Sale.

          "Net Proceeds Offer" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.16.
           ------------------                                            

          "Net Proceeds Offer Amount" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.16.
           -------------------------                                            

          "Net Proceeds Offer Payment Date" has the meaning set forth in
           -------------------------------                                      
Section 4.16.

          "Net Proceeds Offer Trigger Date" has the meaning set forth in
           -------------------------------                                      
Section 4.16.

          "Non-payment Default" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02.
           -------------------                                             

          "Non-U.S. Person" has the meaning assigned to such term in 
           ---------------                                                     
Regulation S.

          "Obligations" means all obligations for principal, premium, interest,
           -----------                                                         
penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities
payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

          "Officer" means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the
           -------                                                        
Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Chief
Financial Officer, the Controller, or the Secretary of such Person.

                                     -18-
<PAGE>
 
          "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers of
           ---------------------                                               
the Company.

          "144A Global Security" means a permanent global security in registered
           --------------------                                                 
form representing the aggregate principal amount of Securities sold in reliance
on Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

          "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal counsel which
           ------------------                                                  
opinion and counsel are reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

          "Participants" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15.
           ------------                                            

          "Paying Agent" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03.
           ------------                                            

          "Payment Blockage Period" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02.
           -----------------------                                             

          "Payment Default" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02.
           ---------------                                             

          "Permitted Holders" means Apollo Management, L.P. and its Affiliates
           -----------------                                                  
and management of the Company.

          "Permitted Indebtedness" means, without duplication, each of the
           ----------------------                                         
following:

            (i) Indebtedness under the Securities and the Guarantees issued on
     the Issue Date in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $200 million;

            (ii) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Credit Agreement in an
     aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $375.0
     million less the amount of all repayments and permanent commitment
     reductions under the Credit Agreement with the Net Cash Proceeds of an
     Asset Sale applied thereto as required by Section 4.16; provided that the
                                                             --------         
     amount of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to the Credit
     Agreement in accordance with this clause (ii) shall be in addition to any
     Indebt-

                                     -19-
<PAGE>
 
     edness permitted to be incurred pursuant to the Credit Agreement in
     reliance on and in accordance with clause (xvi) below; provided, further,
                                                            --------  ------- 
     that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted to be
     incurred under this clause (ii) shall be reduced dollar for dollar by any
     Indebtedness outstanding under clause (xv) below;

            (iii)  Indebtedness under the Convertible Subordinated Notes reduced
     by any principal payments or conversions thereof;

            (iv) other Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted
     Subsidiaries outstanding on the Issue Date reduced by the amount of any
     scheduled amortization payments or mandatory prepayments when actually paid
     or permanent reductions thereon;

            (v) Interest Swap Obligations of the Company or any Restricted
     Subsidiary of the Company covering Indebtedness of the Company or any of
     its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that such Interest Swap
                                  --------  -------                         
     Obligations are entered into to protect the Company and its Restricted
     Subsidiaries from fluctuations in interest rates on their outstanding
     Indebtedness to the extent the notional principal amount of such Interest
     Swap Obligations does not, at the time of the incurrence thereof, exceed
     the principal amount of the Indebtedness to which such Interest Swap
     Obligations relate;

            (vi) Indebtedness under Currency Agreements; provided that in the
                                                         --------            
     case of Currency Agreements which relate to Indebtedness, such Currency
     Agreements do not increase the Indebtedness of the Company and its
     Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding other than as a result of fluctuations
     in foreign currency exchange rates or by reason of fees, indemnities and
     compensation payable thereunder;

            (vii)  Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the
     Company or to a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company for so
     long as such Indebtedness is held by the Company, a Wholly Owned Restricted
     Subsidiary of the Company or the lenders or collateral agent un-

                                     -20-
<PAGE>
 
     der the Credit Agreement, in each case subject to no Lien held by a Person
     other than the Company, a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
     or the lenders or collateral agent under the Credit Agreement; provided
                                                                    --------
     that if as of any date any Person other than the Company, a Wholly Owned
     Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the lenders or collateral agent
     under the Credit Agreement owns or holds any such Indebtedness or holds a
     Lien in respect of such Indebtedness, such date shall be deemed the
     incurrence of Indebtedness not constituting Permitted Indebtedness by the
     issuer of such Indebtedness;

            (viii)  Indebtedness of the Company to a Wholly Owned Restricted
     Subsidiary of the Company or the lenders or collateral agent under the
     Credit Agreement for so long as such Indebtedness is held by a Wholly Owned
     Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the lenders or collateral agent
     under the Credit Agreement in each case subject to no Lien; provided that
                                                                 --------     
     (a) any Indebtedness of the Company to any Wholly Owned Restricted
     Subsidiary of the Company is unsecured and subordinated, pursuant to a
     written agreement, to the Company's obligations under this Indenture and
     the Securities and (b) if as of any date any Person other than a Wholly
     Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the lenders or collateral
     agent under the Credit Agreement owns or holds any such Indebtedness or any
     Person holds a Lien (other than a Lien in favor of the lenders or
     collateral agent under the Credit Agreement) in respect of such
     Indebtedness, such date shall be deemed the incurrence of Indebtedness not
     constituting Permitted Indebtedness by the Company;

            (ix) 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) drawn against insufficient
     funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that such
                                               --------  -------           
     Indebtedness is extinguished within two business days of incurrence;

            (x) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted
     Subsidiaries represented by letters of credit for 

                                     -21-
<PAGE>
 
     the account of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may
     be, in order to provide security for workers' compensation claims, payment
     obligations in connection with self-insurance or similar requirements in
     the ordinary course of business;

            (xi) Indebtedness represented by Capitalized Lease Obligations and
     Purchase Money Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
     incurred in the ordinary course of business not to exceed $20.0 million at
     any one time outstanding; provided that all or a portion of the $20 million
                               --------                                         
     permitted to be incurred pursuant to this clause (xi) may, at the option of
     the Company, be incurred under the Credit Agreement instead of pursuant to
     Capitalized Lease Obligations or Purchase Money Indebtedness;

            (xii)  Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or a
     Restricted Subsidiary of the Company providing for indemnification,
     adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred
     or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a
     Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person
     acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for
     the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided, however, that (a) such
                                                --------  -------               
     Indebtedness is not reflected on the balance sheet of the Company or any
     Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (contingent obligations referred to in
     a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected on the
     balance sheet will not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet for
     purposes of this clause (a)) and (b) the maximum assumable liability in
     respect of all such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds
     including non-cash proceeds (the fair market value of such non-cash
     proceeds being measured at the time it is received and without giving
     effect to any subsequent changes in value) actually received by the Company
     and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition;

            (xiii)  Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted
     Subsidiaries in respect of performance bonds, bankers' acceptances,
     workers' compensation claims, surety 

                                     -22-
<PAGE>
 
     or appeal bonds, payment obligations in connection with self-insurance or
     similar obligations, and bank overdrafts (and letters of credit in respect
     thereof);

            (xiv)  Refinancing Indebtedness;

            (xv) the incurrence by a Receivables Subsidiary of Indebtedness in a
     Qualified Receivables Transaction that is without recourse to the Company
     or to any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or their assets (other than
     such Receivables Subsidiary and its assets), and is not guaranteed by any
     such Person; provided that any outstanding Indebtedness incurred under this
                  --------                                                      
     clause (xv) shall reduce the aggregate amount permitted to be incurred
     under clause (ii) above to the extent set forth therein; and

            (xvi)  additional Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted
     Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $20.0 million
     at any one time outstanding (which amount may, but need not, be incurred in
     whole or in part under the Credit Agreement).

          For purposes of determining compliance with Section 4.04, in the event
that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the
categories of Permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (xvi)
above or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the Consolidated Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio provisions of Section 4.04, the Company shall, in its sole
discretion, classify (or later reclassify) such item of Indebtedness in any
manner that complies with Section 4.04.  Accrual of interest, accretion or
amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any
Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and the
payment of dividends on Disqualified Capital Stock in the form of additional
shares of the same class of Disqualified Capital Stock will not be deemed to be
an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Capital Stock for
purposes of Section 4.04.

          "Permitted Investments" means:
           ---------------------        

                                     -23-
<PAGE>
 
          (i) Investments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company in any Person that is or will become immediately after such Investment a
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or that will merge or
consolidate into the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company;

          (ii) Investments in the Company by any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company; provided that any Indebtedness evidencing such Investment is unsecured
         --------                                                              
and subordinated, pursuant to a written agreement, to the Company's obligations
under the Securities and this Indenture;

          (iii) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;

          (iv) loans and advances to employees and officers of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business for bona fide
business purposes not in excess of $5.0 million at any one time outstanding;

          (v) Currency Agreements and Interest Swap Obligations entered into in
the ordinary course of the Company's or its Restricted Subsidiaries' businesses
and otherwise in compliance with this Indenture;

          (vi) additional Investments (including joint ventures) not to exceed
$10.0 million at any one time outstanding;

          (vii) Investments in securities of trade creditors or customers
received pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the
bankruptcy or insolvency of such trade creditors or customers;

          (viii) Investments made by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries
as a result of consideration received in connection with an Asset Sale made in
compliance with Section 4.16 or any Investment made by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary in connection with a transaction that would be an Asset
Sale if it involved aggregate consideration of $1.5 million or more;

          (ix) Investments of a Person or any of its Subsidiaries existing at
the time such Person becomes a Restricted Sub-

                                     -24-
<PAGE>
 
sidiary of the Company or at the time such Person merges or consolidates with
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in either case in compliance
with this Indenture; provided that such Investments were not made by such Person
                     --------
in connection with, or in anticipation or contemplation of, such Person 
becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or such merger or consolidation;

          (x) repurchases of Capital Stock of the Company deemed to occur upon
the exercise of stock options if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the
exercise price thereof;

          (xi) Investments made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in
connection with purchase price adjustments, contingent purchase price payments
or other earnout payments required in connection with Investments otherwise
permitted under this Indenture;

          (xii) Investments in securities received in settlement of trade
obligations in the ordinary course of business; and

          (xiii) Investments in the Securities.


          "Permitted Liens" means the following types of Liens:
           ---------------                                     

            (i) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims
     either (a) not delinquent or (b) contested in good faith by appropriate
     proceedings and as to which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries
     shall have set aside on its books such reserves as may be required pursuant
     to GAAP;

            (ii) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers,
     warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen and other Liens
     imposed by law incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet
     delinquent or being contested in good faith, if such reserve or other
     appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been
     made in respect thereof;

                                     -25-
<PAGE>
 
            (iii)  Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of
     business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance
     and other types of social security, including any Lien securing letters of
     credit issued in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
     practice in connection therewith, or to secure the performance of tenders,
     statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government
     contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar
     obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

            (iv) judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default so long
     as such Lien is adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings
     which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment shall
     not have been finally terminated or the period within which such
     proceedings may be initiated shall not have expired;

            (v) easements, rights-of-way, zoning restrictions and other similar
     charges or encumbrances in respect of real property not interfering in any
     material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company
     or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

            (vi) any interest or title of a lessor under any Capitalized Lease
     Obligation; provided that such Liens do not extend to any property or asset
                 --------                                                       
     which is not leased property subject to such Capitalized Lease Obligation;

            (vii)  Liens securing Capitalized Lease Obligations and Purchase
     Money Indebtedness permitted pursuant to clause (xi) of the definition of
     "Permitted Indebtedness" above; provided, however, that in the case of
                                     --------  -------                     
     Purchase Money Indebtedness (a) the Indebtedness shall not exceed the cost
     of such property or assets and shall not be secured by any property or
     assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company other
     than the property and assets so acquired and (b) the Lien securing such
     Indebtedness shall be created within 180 days of such acquisition or
     construction or, in the case of a refinancing of any Pur-

                                     -26-
<PAGE>
 
     chase Money Indebtedness, within 180 days of such refinancing;

            (viii)  Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and
     proceeds of any Person securing such Person's obligations in respect of
     bankers' acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to
     facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other
     goods;

            (ix) Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to
     commercial letters of credit which encumber documents and other property
     relating to such letters of credit and products and proceeds thereof;

            (x) Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising
     from statutory, regulatory, contractual, or warranty requirements of the
     Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including rights of offset
     and set-off;

            (xi) Liens securing Interest Swap Obligations which Interest Swap
     Obligations relate to Indebtedness that is otherwise permitted under this
     Indenture;

            (xii)  Liens in the ordinary course of business not exceeding $5
     million at any one time outstanding that (a) are not incurred in connection
     with borrowing of money and (b) do not materially detract from the value of
     the property or materially impair its use;

            (xiii)  Liens by reason of judgment or decree not otherwise
     resulting in an Event of Default;

            (xiv)  Liens securing Indebtedness under Currency Agreements
     permitted under this Indenture;

            (xv) Liens securing Acquired Indebtedness incurred in accordance
     with Section 4.04; provided that: (a) such Liens secured such Acquired
                        --------                                           
     Indebtedness at the time of and prior to the incurrence of such Acquired
     Indebtedness by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and
     were not granted in connection with, or in anticipa-

                                     -27-
<PAGE>
 
     tion of, the incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness by the Company or a
     Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and (b) such Liens do not extend to
     or cover any property or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted
     Subsidiaries other than the property or assets that secured the Acquired
     Indebtedness prior to the time such Indebtedness became Acquired
     Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and
     are no more favorable to the lienholders than those securing the Acquired
     Indebtedness prior to the incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness by the
     Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and

            (xvi)  Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant
     to clause (xvi) of the definition of "Permitted Indebtedness."

          "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited
           ------                                                        
liability company, unincorporated organization, trust or joint venture, or a
governmental agency or political subdivision thereof.

          "Physical Securities" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
           -------------------                                                  

          "Preferred Stock" of any Person means any Capital Stock of such Person
           ---------------                                                      
that has preferential rights to any other Capital Stock of such Person with
respect to dividends or redemptions or upon liquidation.

          "principal" of any Indebtedness (including the Securities) means the
           ---------                                                          
principal amount of such Indebtedness plus the premium, if any, on such
Indebtedness.

          "Private Placement Legend" means the legends initially set forth on
           ------------------------                                          
the Securities in the form set forth in Exhibit B.
                                        --------- 

          "Purchase Money Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company and
           ---------------------------                                       
its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in the normal course of business for the
purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price, or the cost of
installation, 

                                     -28-
<PAGE>
 
construction or improvement, of property or equipment and any Refinancings 
thereof.

          "Qualified Capital Stock" means any Capital Stock that is not
           -----------------------                                     
Disqualified Capital Stock.

          "Qualified Institutional Buyer" or "QIB" shall have the meaning
           -----------------------------      ---                        
specified in Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

          "Qualified Receivables Transaction" means any transaction or series of
           ---------------------------------                                    
transactions that may be entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (i) a Receivables Subsidiary (in the
case of a transfer by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) and
(ii) any other Person (in the case of transfer by a Receivables Subsidiary), or
may grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable (whether now existing
or arising in the future) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,
and any assets related thereto, including, without limitation, all collateral
securing such accounts receivable, all contracts and all guarantees or other
obligations in respect of such accounts receivable, proceeds of such accounts
receivable and other assets which are customarily transferred or in respect of
which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset
securitization transactions involving accounts receivable.

          "Receivables Subsidiary" means a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of
           ----------------------                                               
the Company that engages in no activities other than in connection with the
financing of accounts receivable and that is designated by the Board of
Directors of the Company (as provided below) as a Receivables Subsidiary (a) no
portion of the Indebtedness or any other Obligations (contingent or otherwise)
of which (i) is guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company (excluding guarantees of Obligations (other than the principal of, and
interest on, Indebtedness) pursuant to representations, warranties, covenants
and indemnities entered into in the ordinary course of business in connection
with a Qualified Receivables Transaction), (ii) is recourse to or obligates the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in any way other than

                                     -29-
<PAGE>
 
pursuant to representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into
in the ordinary course of business in connection with a Qualified Receivables
Transaction, or (iii) subjects any property or asset of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, directly or indirectly, contingently or
otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to representations,
warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into in the ordinary course of
business in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction, (b) with which
neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company has any
material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms
no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that
might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the
Company, other than fees payable in the ordinary course of business in
connection with servicing accounts receivable, and (c) with which neither the
Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company has any obligation to
maintain or preserve such Restricted Subsidiary's financial condition or cause
such Restricted Subsidiary to achieve certain levels of operating results.  Any
such designation by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be evidenced to
the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a Board Resolution giving effect to such
designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation
complied with the foregoing conditions.

          "Record Date" means the applicable Record Date specified in the
           -----------                                                   
Securities; provided that if any such date is not a Business Day, the Record
            --------                                                        
Date shall be the first day immediately preceding such specified day that is a
Business Day.

          "Redemption Date," when used with respect to any Security to be
           ---------------                                               
redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to this Indenture
and the Securities.

          "Redemption Price," when used with respect to any Security to be
           ----------------                                               
redeemed, means the price fixed for such redemption, payable in immediately
available funds, pursuant to this Indenture and the Securities.

          "Reference Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03.
           --------------                                            

                                     -30-
<PAGE>
 
          "Refinance" means, in respect of any security or Indebtedness, to
           ---------                                                       
refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or
to issue a security or Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such
security or Indebtedness in whole or in part.  "Refinanced" and "Refinancing"
shall have correlative meanings.

          "Refinancing Indebtedness" means any Refinancing by the Company or any
           ------------------------                                             
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of Indebtedness incurred or existing in
accordance with Section 4.04 (other than pursuant to clause (ii), (v), (vi),
(vii), (viii), (ix), (x), (xi), (xii), (xiii), (xv) or (xvi) of the definition
of "Permitted Indebtedness"), in each case that does not (1) result in an
increase in the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of such Person as of
the date of such proposed Refinancing (plus the amount of any premium required
to be paid under the terms of the instrument governing such Indebtedness and
plus the amount of reasonable expenses incurred by the Company in connection
with such Refinancing) or (2) create Indebtedness with (A) a Weighted Average
Life to Maturity that is less than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the
Indebtedness being Refinanced or (B) a final maturity earlier than the final
maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced; provided that (x) if such
                                               --------                 
Indebtedness being Refinanced is Indebtedness of the Company, then such
Refinancing Indebtedness shall be Indebtedness solely of the Company and (y) if
such Indebtedness being Refinanced is subordinate or junior to the Securities,
then such Refinancing Indebtedness shall be subordinate to the Securities at
least to the same extent and in the same manner as the Indebtedness being
Refinanced.

          "Registrar" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03.
           ---------                                            

          "Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights
           -----------------------------                               
Agreement dated as of the Issue Date among the Company, the Guarantors and the
Initial Purchasers.

          "Regulation S" means Regulation S under the Securities Act.
           ------------                                              

                                     -31-
<PAGE>
 
          "Regulation S Global Security" means a permanent global security in
           ----------------------------                                      
registered form representing the aggregate principal amount of Securities sold
in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.

          "Replacement Assets" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.16.
           ------------------                                            

          "Representative" means the indenture trustee or other trustee, agent
           --------------                                                     
or representative in respect of any Designated Senior Debt; provided that if,
                                                            --------         
and for so long as, any Designated Senior Debt lacks such a representative, then
the Representative for such Designated Senior Debt shall at all times constitute
the holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of such Designated
Senior Debt in respect of any Designated Senior Debt.

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

          "Restricted Payment" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03.
           ------------------                                            

          "Restricted Security" means a Security that constitutes a "Restricted
           -------------------                                                 
Security" within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act;
                                                                        
provided, however, that the Trustee shall be entitled to request and
- --------  -------                                                   
conclusively rely on an Opinion of Counsel with respect to whether any Security
constitutes a Restricted Security.

          "Restricted Subsidiary" of any Person means any Subsidiary of such
           ---------------------                                            
Person which at the time of determination is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

          "Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
           ---------                                           

                                     -32-
<PAGE>
 
          "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means any direct or indirect
           ------------------------------                              
arrangement with any Person or to which any such Person is a party, providing
for the leasing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of any property,
whether owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary at the Issue Date or
later acquired, which has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person or to any other Person from whom funds
have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property.

          "Securities" means, collectively, the Company's 10 1/2% Senior
           ----------                                                  
Subordinated Notes due 2009 issued in accordance with Section 2.02 (whether on
the Issue Date or thereafter) treated as a single class of securities under this
Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the
terms of this Indenture.

          "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any
           --------------                                                      
successor statute or statutes thereto.

          "Securities Purchase Agreement" means the Securities Purchase
           -----------------------------                               
Agreement, dated as of March 22, 1999, between Boss Investment, LLC and the
Company.

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

          "Senior Debt" means the principal of, premium, if any, and 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,
whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable law) on any
Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter
created, incurred or assumed, unless, in the case of any particular
Indebtedness, the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to
which the same is outstanding expressly provides that such Indebtedness shall
not be senior in right of payment to the Securities.  Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, "Senior Debt" shall also include the principal of,
premium, if any, interest (including any interest accruing subsequent to the
filing of a petition of bankruptcy at the rate provided for in the documentation
with 

                                     -33-
<PAGE>
 
respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under
applicable law) on, and all other amounts owing by the Company in respect of,
(i) all monetary obligations of every nature of the Company under, or with
respect to, the Credit Agreement, including, without limitation, obligations to
pay principal and interest, reimbursement obligations under letters of credit,
fees, expenses and indemnities, (ii) all Interest Swap Obligations (including
guarantees thereof) and (iii) all obligations under Currency Agreements
(including guarantees thereof), in each case whether outstanding on the Issue
Date or thereafter incurred.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, "Senior Debt" shall
not include (i) any Indebtedness of the Company to a Subsidiary of the Company,
(ii) Indebtedness to, or guaranteed on behalf of, any shareholder, director,
officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (including,
without limitation, amounts owed for compensation) other than a shareholder who
is a lender (or an Affiliate of a lender) under the Credit Facilities (including
the Credit Agreement), (iii) Indebtedness to trade creditors and other amounts
incurred in connection with obtaining goods, materials or services, (iv)
Indebtedness represented by Disqualified Capital Stock, (v) any liability for
federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the Company, (vi) that
portion of any Indebtedness incurred in violation of Section 4.04 (but, as to
any such obligation, no such violation shall be deemed to exist for purposes of
this clause (vi) if the holder(s) of such obligation or their representative
shall have received an Officers' Certificate of the Company to the effect that
the incurrence of such Indebtedness does not (or, in the case of revolving
credit Indebtedness, that the incurrence of the entire committed amount thereof
at the date on which the initial borrowing thereunder is made would not) violate
such provisions of this Indenture), (vii) Indebtedness represented by the
Convertible Subordinated Notes, (viii) Indebtedness which, when incurred and
without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of Title 11, United States
Code, is without recourse to the Company and (ix) any Indebtedness which is, by
its express terms, subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of
the Company.

          "Significant Subsidiary," with respect to any Person, means any
           ----------------------                                        
Restricted Subsidiary of such Person that satisfies 

                                     -34-
<PAGE>
 
the criteria for a "significant subsidiary" set forth in Rule 1.02(w) of
Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act based upon the most recent pro forma
                                                                 --- -----
annual financial information filed by the Company with the Commission.

          "Subsidiary," with respect to any Person, means (i) any corporation of
           ----------                                                           
which the outstanding Capital Stock having at least a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast in the election of directors under ordinary circumstances
shall at the time be owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or (ii) any
other Person of which at least a majority of the voting interest under ordinary
circumstances is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person.

          "Surviving Entity" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01.
           ----------------                                            

          "Tender Offer" means the purchase of the Company's common stock,
           ------------                                                   
including shares underlying certain options, pursuant to the Company's offer to
purchase dated February 19, 1999, as amended through the Issue Date.

          "TIA" means the Trust Indenture act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. (S)(S) 77aaa-
           ---                                                               
77bbbb), as amended, as in effect on the date of the execution of this Indenture
until such time as this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, and thereafter as
in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, except
as otherwise provided in Section 9.03.

          "Trust Officer" means any officer or assistant officer of the Trustee
           -------------                                                       
assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters or, in the
case of a successor trustee, an officer assigned to the department, division or
group performing the corporate trust work of such successor.

          "Trustee" means the party named as such in this Indenture until a
           -------                                                         
successor replaces it in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and
thereafter means such successor.

          "Unrestricted Securities" means one or more Securities that do not and
           -----------------------                                              
are not required to bear the Private 

                                     -35-
<PAGE>
 
Placement Legend in the form set forth in Exhibit B, including, without 
                                          ---------
limitation, the Exchange Securities.

          "Unrestricted Subsidiary" of any Person means (i) any Subsidiary of
           -----------------------                                           
such Person that at the time of determination shall be or continue to be
designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of such Person
in the manner provided below and (ii) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted
Subsidiary.  The Board of Directors may designate any Subsidiary (including any
newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary
unless such Subsidiary owns any Capital Stock of, or owns or holds any Lien on
any property of, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company that is not
a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided that (x) the
                                                    --------             
Company certifies to the Trustee that such designation complies with Section
4.03 and (y) each Subsidiary to be so designated and each of its Subsidiaries
has not at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, create, incur,
issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with
respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of
the assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.  The Board of
Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted
Subsidiary only if (x) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the
Company is able to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other than
Permitted Indebtedness) in compliance with Section 4.04 and (y) immediately
before and immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.  Any such designation by
the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with
the Trustee a copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and
an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the
foregoing provisions.

          "U.S. Government Obligations" means direct obligations of, and
           ---------------------------                                  
obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which
the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which
are not callable or redeemable at the issuer's option.

                                     -36-
<PAGE>
 
          "U.S. Legal Tender" means such coin or currency of the United States
           -----------------                                                  
of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of
public and private debts.

          "Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any
           ---------------------------------                            
Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (a) the then
outstanding aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness into (b) the sum of
the total of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then
remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment
of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii)
the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) which will elapse
between such date and the making of such payment.

          "Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary" of any Person means any Wholly
           ----------------------------------                                
Owned Subsidiary of such Person which at the time of determination is a
Restricted Subsidiary of such Person.

          "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" of any Person means any Subsidiary of such
           -----------------------                                            
Person of which all the outstanding voting securities (other than in the case of
a foreign Subsidiary, directors' qualifying shares or an immaterial amount of
shares required to be owned by other Persons pursuant to applicable law) are
owned by such Person or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such Person.

SECTION 1.02.  Incorporation by Reference of TIA.
               --------------------------------- 

          Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, such
provision is incorporated by reference in, and made a part of, this Indenture.
The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

          "indenture securities" means the Securities.
           --------------------                       

          "indenture security holder" means a Holder or a Securityholder.
           -------------------------                                     

          "indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture.
           -------------------------                       

                                     -37-
<PAGE>
 
          "indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee.
           -----------------      ---------------------                    

          "obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company, any Guarantor
           -------                                                              
or any other obligor on the Securities.

          All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the
TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by Commission rule
and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them therein.

SECTION 1.03.  Rules of Construction.
               --------------------- 

          Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

             (3)  "or" is not exclusive;

             (4) words in the singular include the plural, and words in the
     plural include the singular;

             (5) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

             (6) "herein," "hereof" and other words of similar import refer to
     this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or
     other subdivision.

                                  ARTICLE TWO


                                 THE SECURITIES

SECTION 2.01.  Form and Dating.
               --------------- 

          The Securities and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall
be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.  The Securities may have
                                ----------                                
notations, legends or endorse-

                                     -38-
<PAGE>
 
ments required by law, stock exchange rule or usage.  The Company shall 
approve the form of the Securities and any notation, legend or endorsement on 
them.  Each Security shall be dated the date of its issuance and show the date 
of its authentication.  Each Security shall have an executed Guarantee from 
each of the Guarantors endorsed thereon substantially in the form of Exhibit E.
                                                                     --------- 

          The terms and provisions contained in the Securities and the
Guarantees shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this
Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Company, the Guarantors and the
Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to
such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.

          Securities offered and sold in reliance on Rule 144 and Securities
offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the
form of one or more Global Securities, substantially in the form set forth in
                                                                             
Exhibit A, deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depository, duly
- ---------                                                                   
executed by the Company (and having an executed Guarantee from each of the
Guarantors endorsed thereon) and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter
provided and shall bear the legends set forth in Exhibit B.  The aggregate
                                                 ---------                
principal amount of the Global Securities may from time to time be increased or
decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for
the Depository, as hereinafter provided.

          Securities issued in exchange for interests in a Global Security
pursuant to Section 2.16 may be issued in the form of permanent certificated
Securities in registered form in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A
                                                                     ---------
(the "Physical Securities").
      -------------------   

SECTION 2.02.  Execution and Authentication.
               ---------------------------- 

          Two Officers, or an Officer and an Assistant Secretary, shall sign, or
one Officer shall sign and one Officer or an Assistant Secretary (each of whom
shall, in each case, have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate
actions) shall attest to, the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile
signature.

                                     -39-
<PAGE>
 
          If an Officer whose signature is on a Security or Guarantee, as the
case may be, was an Officer at the time of such execution but no longer holds
that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security
shall nevertheless be valid.

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

          The Trustee shall authenticate Securities for original issue on the
Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $200,000,000 upon a written
order of the Company in the form of an Officers' Certificate.  In addition, the
Trustee shall authenticate Securities for original issue after the Issue Date in
the aggregate principal amount of up to $200,000,000 upon a written order of the
Company in the form of an Officers' Certificate.  Each such Officers'
Certificate shall specify the amount of Securities to be authenticated and the
date on which the Securities are to be authenticated.  The aggregate principal
amount of Securities outstanding at any time may not exceed $400,000,000, except
as provided in Section 2.07.

          The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable
to the Company to authenticate Securities.  Unless otherwise provided in the
appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the
Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the
Trustee includes authentication by such agent.  An authenticating agent has the
same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company and Affiliates of the Company.

          The Securities shall be issuable only in registered form without
coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.

SECTION 2.03.  Registrar and Paying Agent.
               -------------------------- 

          The Company shall maintain an office or agency in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, where (a) Securi-

                                     -40-
<PAGE>
 
ties may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for 
exchange ("Registrar"), (b) Securities may be presented or surrendered for 
           ---------       
payment ("Paying Agent") and (c) notices and demands to or upon the Company 
          ------------          
in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served.  The Company 
may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies 
where the Securities 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 manner 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 may act as its
own Registrar, Paying Agent or Calculation Agent except that for the purposes of
Articles Three and Eight and Sections 4.15 and 4.16, neither the Company nor any
Affiliate of the Company shall act as Paying Agent. The Registrar shall keep a
register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The Company, upon
notice to the Trustee, may have one or more co-Registrars and one or more
additional paying agents reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The term "Paying
Agent" includes any additional paying agent. The Company initially appoints the
Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent until such time as the Trustee has
resigned or a successor has been appointed.

          The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any
Agent not a party to this Indenture, which agreement shall implement the
provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent.  The Company shall
notify the Trustee, in advance, of the name and address of any such Agent.  If
the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act
as such.

SECTION 2.04.  Paying Agent To Hold Assets in Trust.
               ------------------------------------ 

          The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to
agree in writing that, subject to Article Four and Article Twelve, each Paying
Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all assets
held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, or interest on, the
Securities (whether such assets have been distributed to it by the Company or
any other obligor on the Securities), 

                                     -41-
<PAGE>
 
and shall notify the Trustee of any Default by the Company (or any other obligor
on the Securities) in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary
acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate such assets and hold them as a separate
trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to distribute all
assets held by it to the Trustee and account for any assets disbursed and the
Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any payment Default, upon
written request to a Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to distribute all
assets held by it to the Trustee and to account for any assets distributed. Upon
distribution to the Trustee of all assets that shall have been delivered by the
Company to the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability
for such assets.

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
Holders.  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the
Trustee on or before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the
Trustee may request in writing a list in such form and as of such date as the
Trustee may reasonably require of the names  and addresses of Holders, which
list may be conclusively relied upon by the Trustee.

SECTION 2.06.  Transfer and Exchange.
               --------------------- 

          Subject to Sections 2.15 and 2.16, when Securities are presented to
the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to register the transfer of such
Securities or to exchange such Securities for an equal principal amount of
Securities of other authorized denominations, the Registrar or co-Registrar
shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its
requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the
                                           --------  -------          
Securities surrendered for transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Registrar or co-Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof
or his attorney duly authorized in writing.  To permit registrations of
transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the 

                                     -42-
<PAGE>
 
Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar's or co-Registrar's
request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith. The
Registrar or co-Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or
exchange of any Security (i) during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities and
ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, (ii) selected for
redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article Three, except the unredeemed
portion of any Security being redeemed in part, and (iii) during a Change of
Control Offer or an Net Proceeds Offer if such Security is tendered pursuant to
such Change of Control Offer or Net Proceeds Offer and not withdrawn.

          Any Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Security shall, by
acceptance of such beneficial interest, agree that transfers of beneficial
interests in such Global Securities may be effected only through a book entry
system maintained by the Holder of such Global Security (or its agent), and that
ownership of a beneficial interest in the Security shall be required to be
reflected in a book entry system.

SECTION 2.07.  Replacement Securities.
               ---------------------- 

          If a mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee or if the Holder
of a Security claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully
taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement
Security if the Trustee's requirements are met.  If required by the Trustee or
the Company, such Holder must provide an indemnity bond or other indemnity,
sufficient in the judgment of both the Company and the Trustee, to protect the
Company, the Trustee or any Agent from any loss which any of them may suffer if
a Security is replaced.  The Company may charge such Holder for its reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses in replacing a Security pursuant to this Section 2.07,
including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel.

                                     -43-
<PAGE>
 
          Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company
and every replacement Guarantee shall constitute an additional obligation of the
Guarantors.

SECTION 2.08.  Outstanding Securities.
               ---------------------- 

          Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities that have
been authenticated by the Trustee except those cancelled by it, those delivered
to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding.
A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company, the Guarantors
or any of their respective Affiliates holds the Security (subject to the
provisions of Section 2.09).

          If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 (other than a
mutilated Security surrendered for replacement), it ceases to be outstanding
unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security
is held by a bona fide purchaser.  A mutilated Security ceases to be outstanding
             ---- ----                                                          
upon surrender of such Security and replacement thereof pursuant to Section
2.07.  If the principal amount of any Security is considered paid under Section
4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest ceases to accrue.

          If on a Redemption Date or the Maturity Date the Paying Agent (other
than the Company or a Subsidiary) holds U.S. Legal Tender or U.S. Government
Obligations sufficient to pay all of the principal and interest due on the
Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities
cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

SECTION 2.09.  Treasury Securities.
               ------------------- 

          In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of
Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned
by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates
shall be disregarded, except that, for the purposes of determining whether the
Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent,
only Securities that the Trustee knows or has reason to know are so owned shall
be disregarded.

                                     -44-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 2.10.  Temporary Securities.
               -------------------- 

          Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may
prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities.  Temporary
Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may
have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities.
Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall
authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.  Until
such exchange, temporary Securities shall be entitled to the same rights,
benefits and privileges as definitive Securities.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, so long as the Securities are represented by a Global Security, such
Global Security may be in typewritten form.

SECTION 2.11.  Cancellation.
               ------------ 

          The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for
cancellation.  The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee
any Securities surrendered to them for transfer, exchange or payment.  The
Trustee, or at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent
(other than the Company or a Subsidiary), and no one else, shall cancel and, at
the written direction of the Company, shall dispose of all Securities
surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation.  Subject to Section
2.07, the Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has
paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.  If the Company or any
Guarantor shall acquire any of the Securities, such acquisition shall not
operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented by such
Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for
cancellation pursuant to this Section 2.11.

SECTION 2.12.  Defaulted Interest.
               ------------------ 

          If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities, it
shall, unless the Trustee fixes another record date pursuant to Section 6.10,
pay the defaulted interest, plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on
the defaulted interest, in any lawful manner.  The Company may pay 

                                     -45-
<PAGE>
 
the defaulted interest to the persons who are Holders on a subsequent special
record date, which date shall be the fifteenth day next preceding the date fixed
by the Company for the payment of defaulted interest or the next succeeding
Business Day if such date is not a Business Day. At least 15 days before any
such subsequent special record date, the Company shall mail to each Holder, with
a copy to the Trustee, a notice that states the subsequent special record date,
the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest, and interest payable on
such defaulted interest, if any, to be paid.

SECTION 2.13.  CUSIP Number.
               ------------ 

          The Company in issuing the Securities may use a "CUSIP" number, and if
so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP number in notices of redemption or exchange
as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, 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 Securities, and that reliance may be
placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities.

SECTION 2.14.  Deposit of Moneys.
               ----------------- 

          Prior to 11:00 a.m. New York City time on each Interest Payment Date,
Maturity Date, Redemption Date, Change of Control Payment Date and Net Proceeds
Offer Payment Date, the Company shall have deposited with the Paying Agent in
immediately available funds money sufficient to make cash payments, if any, due
on such Interest Payment Date, Maturity Date, Redemption Date, Change of Control
Payment Date and Net Proceeds Offer Payment Date, as the case may be, in a
timely manner which permits the Paying Agent to remit payment to the Holders on
such Interest Payment Date, Maturity Date, Redemption Date, Change of Control
Payment Date and Net Proceeds Offer Payment Date, as the case may be.

SECTION 2.15.  Book-Entry Provisions for Global Securities.
               ------------------------------------------- 

          (a) The Global Securities initially shall (i) be registered in the
name of the Depository or the nominee of such Depository, (ii) be delivered to
the Trustee as custodian for 

                                     -46-
<PAGE>
 
such Depository and (iii) bear legends as set forth in Exhibit B.
                                                       --------- 

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

          (b) Transfers of Global Securities shall be limited to transfers in
whole, but not in part, to the Depository, its successors or their respective
nominees.  Interests of beneficial owners in the Global Securities may be
transferred or exchanged for Physical Securities in accordance with the rules
and procedures of the Depository and the provisions of Section 2.16.  In
addition, Physical Securities shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in
exchange for their beneficial interests in Global Securities if (i) the
Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
Depository for any Global Security and a successor Depository is not appointed
by the Company within 90 days of such notice or (ii) an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the
Depository to issue Physical Securities.

          (c) In connection with any transfer or exchange of a portion of the
beneficial interest in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to
paragraph (b), the Registrar shall (if one or more Physical Securities are to be
issued) reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the
principal amount of such Global Security in an amount equal to the principal
amount of the beneficial interest in the Global Security to be transferred, and
the Company shall execute, and 

                                     -47-
<PAGE>
 
the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Physical Securities 
of  authorized denominations in an aggregate principal amount equal to the 
principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Global Security so 
transferred.

          (d) In connection with the transfer of a Global Security as an
entirety to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 2.15,
such Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for
cancellation, and the Company shall execute, the Guarantors shall execute
Guarantees on and the Trustee shall upon written instructions from the Company
authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depository
in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Security, an equal
aggregate principal amount of Physical Securities of authorized denominations.

          (e) Any Physical Security constituting a Restricted Security delivered
in exchange for an interest in a Global Security pursuant to paragraph (b) or
(c) of this Section 2.15 shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.16,
bear the Private Placement Legend.

          (f) The Holder of any Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise
authorize any Person, including Participants and Persons that may hold interests
through Participants, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take
under this Indenture or the Securities.

SECTION 2.16.  Special Transfer Provisions.
               --------------------------- 

          (a) Transfers to Non-QIB Institutional Accredited Investors and Non-
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Persons.  The following additional provisions shall apply with respect to
- ------------                                                                  
the registration of any proposed transfer of a Restricted Security to any
Institutional Accredited Investor which is not a QIB or to any Non-U.S. Person:

            (i) the Registrar shall register the transfer of any Restricted
     Security, whether or not such Security bears the Private Placement Legend,
     if (x) the requested transfer is after the second anniversary of the Issue
     Date; provided, however, that neither the Company nor any Af-
           --------  -------                                                   

                                     -48-
<PAGE>
 
     filiate of the Company has held any beneficial interest in such Security, 
     or portion thereof, at any time on or prior to the second anniversary of 
     the Issue Date or (y) (1) in the case of a transfer to an Institutional
     Accredited Investor which is not a QIB (excluding Non-U.S. Persons), the
     proposed transferee has delivered to the Registrar a certificate
     substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto and any legal opinions and
                                  ---------
     certifications required thereby and (2) in the case of a transfer
     to a Non-U.S. Person, the proposed transferor has delivered to the
     Registrar a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto;
                                                          ---------

            (ii) if the proposed transferee is a Participant and the Securities
     to be transferred consist of Physical Securities which after transfer are
     to be evidenced by an interest in the IAI Global Security or Regulation S
     Global Security, as the case may be, upon receipt by the Registrar of (x)
     written instructions given in accordance with the Depository's and the
     Registrar's procedures and (y) the appropriate certificate, if any,
     required by clause (y) of paragraph (i) above, the Registrar shall register
     the transfer and reflect on its books and records the date and an increase
     in the principal amount of the IAI Global Security or Regulation S Global
     Security, as the case may be, in an amount equal to the principal amount of
     Physical Securities to be transferred, and the Trustee shall cancel the
     Physical Securities so transferred; and

            (iii)  if the proposed transferor is a Participant seeking to
     transfer an interest in a Global Security, upon receipt by the Registrar of
     (x) written instructions given in accordance with the Depository's and the
     Registrar's procedures and (y) the appropriate certificate, if any,
     required by clause (y) of paragraph (i) above, the Registrar shall register
     the transfer and reflect on its books and records the date and (A) a
     decrease in the principal amount of the Global Security from which such
     interests are to be transferred in an amount equal to the principal amount
     of the Securities to be transferred and (B) an increase in the principal
     amount of the IAI Global Security or the Regulation S Global Security, as
     the case may be, 

                                     -49-
<PAGE>
 
     in an amount equal to the principal amount of the Securities to be 
     transferred.

          (b) Transfers to QIBs.  The following provisions shall apply with
              -----------------                                            
respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of a Restricted Security to
a QIB:

            (i) the Registrar shall register the transfer of any Restricted
     Security, whether or not such Security bears the Private Placement Legend,
     if (x) the requested transfer is after the second anniversary of the Issue
     Date; provided, however, that neither the Company nor any Affiliate of the
           --------  -------                                                   
     Company has held any beneficial interest in such Security, or portion
     thereof, at any time on or prior to the second anniversary of the Issue
     Date or (y) such transfer is being made by a proposed transferor who has
     checked the box provided for on the form of Security stating, or has
     otherwise advised the Company and the Registrar in writing, that the sale
     has been made in compliance with the provisions of Rule 144A to a
     transferee who has signed the certification provided for on the form of
     Security stating, or has otherwise advised the Company and the Registrar in
     writing, that it is purchasing the Security for its own account or an
     account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and
     that it and any such account is a QIB within the meaning of Rule 144A, and
     is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and
     acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as
     it has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request
     such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon
     its foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from
     registration provided by Rule 144A;

            (ii) if the proposed transferee is a Participant and the Securities
     to be transferred consist of Physical Securities which after transfer are
     to be evidenced by an interest in the 144A Global Security, upon receipt by
     the Registrar of written instructions given in accordance with the
     Depository's and the Registrar's procedures, the Registrar shall register
     the transfer and reflect on its book and records the date and an increase
     in the principal 

                                     -50-
<PAGE>
 
     amount of the 144A Global Security in an amount equal to the principal 
     amount of Physical Securities to be transferred, and the Trustee shall 
     cancel the Physical Securities so transferred; and

            (iii)  if the proposed transferor is a Participant seeking to
     transfer an interest in the IAI Global Security or the Regulation S Global
     Security, upon receipt by the Registrar of written instructions given in
     accordance with the Depository's and the Registrar's procedures, the
     Registrar shall register the transfer and reflect on its books and records
     the date and (A) a decrease in the principal amount of the IAI Global
     Security or the Regulation S Global Security, as the case may be, in an
     amount equal to the principal amount of the Securities to be transferred
     and (B) an increase in the principal amount of the 144A Global Security in
     an amount equal to the principal amount of the Securities to be
     transferred.

          (c) Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Global Securities.
              ----------------------------------------------------------  
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, a Global Security may
not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the
Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another
nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a
successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.

          (d) Private Placement Legend.  Upon the transfer, exchange or
              ------------------------                                 
replacement of Securities not bearing the Private Placement Legend, the
Registrar or co-Registrar shall deliver Securities that do not bear the Private
Placement Legend.  Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Securities
bearing the Private Placement Legend, the Registrar or co-Registrar shall
deliver only Securities that bear the Private Placement Legend unless (i) there
is delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Company and the Trustee to the effect that neither such legend nor the related
restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain compliance with the
provisions of the Securities Act or (ii) such Security has been sold pursuant to
an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.

                                     -51-
<PAGE>
 
          (e) General.  By its acceptance of any Security bearing the Private
              -------                                                        
Placement Legend, each Holder of such a Security acknowledges the restrictions
on transfer of such Security set forth in this Indenture and in the Private
Placement Legend and agrees that it will transfer such Security only as provided
in this Indenture.

          The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other
written communications received pursuant to Section 2.15 or this Section 2.16.
The Company shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters,
notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving
of reasonable written notice to the Registrar.

                                 ARTICLE THREE

                                  REDEMPTION

SECTION 3.01.  Notices to Trustee.
               ------------------ 

          If the Company elects to redeem Securities pursuant to Paragraph 6 or
Paragraph 7 of the Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the
Redemption Date, the Redemption Price and the principal amount of Securities to
be redeemed.  The Company shall give notice of redemption to the Paying Agent
and Trustee at least 45 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption
Date (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee in writing),
together with an Officers' Certificate stating that such redemption will comply
with the conditions contained herein.

SECTION 3.02.  Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed.
               -------------------------------------- 

          In the event that less than all of the Securities are to be redeemed
at any time, selection of such Securities for redemption will be made by the
Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities
exchange, if any, on which such Securities are listed or, if such Securities are
not then listed on a national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot
                                                        --- ----              
or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate; provided,
                                                                  -------- 
however, that no Securities of 
- -------
                                     -52-
<PAGE>
 
a principal amount of $1,000 or less shall be redeemed in part; and provided,
                                                                    --------
further, that if a partial redemption is made with the net cash proceeds of an
- -------
Equity Offering, selection of the Securities or portions thereof for redemption
shall be made by the Trustee only on a pro rata basis or on as nearly a pro 
                                       --- ----                         ---
rata basis as is practicable (subject to the procedures of the Depository), 
- ----
unless such method is otherwise prohibited.

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 by first class mail, postage
prepaid, to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed at its registered
address.  At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the notice of
redemption in the Company's name and at the Company's expense.  Each notice for
redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

             (1)  the Redemption Date;

             (2) the Redemption Price and the amount of accrued interest, if
     any, to be paid;

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

             (4) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to
     the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price plus accrued interest, if
     any;

             (5) that, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption
     payment, interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on
     and after the Redemption Date, and the only remaining right of the Holders
     of such Securities is to receive payment of the Redemption Price upon
     surrender to the Paying Agent of the Securities redeemed;

             (6) if any Security is being redeemed in part, the portion of the
     principal amount of such Security to be redeemed and that, after the
     Redemption Date, and upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or
     Securities in 

                                     -53-
<PAGE>
 
     aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will 
     be issued;

             (7) if fewer than all the Securities are to be redeemed, the
     identification of the particular Securities (or portion thereof) to be
     redeemed, as well as the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be
     redeemed and the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be outstanding
     after such partial redemption; and

             (8) the Paragraph of the Securities pursuant to which the
     Securities are to be redeemed.

          The notice, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be
conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives
such notice.  In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in
the notice to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption in whole or
in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of
any other Security.

SECTION 3.04.  Effect of Notice of Redemption.
               ------------------------------ 

          Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03,
Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date
and at the Redemption Price  plus accrued interest, if any.  Upon surrender to
the Trustee or Paying Agent, such Securities 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.
               --------------------------- 

          On or before 11:00 a.m. New York time on the Redemption Date, the
Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent U.S. Legal Tender sufficient to pay
the Redemption Price plus accrued interest, if any, of all Securities to be
redeemed on that date.

                                     -54-
<PAGE>
 
          If the Company complies with the preceding paragraph, then, unless the
Company defaults in the payment of such Redemption Price plus accrued interest,
if any, interest on the Securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue on and
after the applicable Redemption Date, whether or not such Securities are
presented for payment.

SECTION 3.06.  Securities Redeemed in Part.
               --------------------------- 

          Upon surrender of a Security that is to be redeemed in part only, the
Trustee shall upon written instruction from the Company authenticate for the
Holder a new Security or Securities in a principal amount equal to the
unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

                                 ARTICLE FOUR

                                   COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01.  Payment of Securities.
               --------------------- 

          The Company shall pay the principal of and interest on the Securities
in the manner provided in the Securities.  An installment of principal of or
interest on the Securities shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the
Trustee or Paying Agent holds on that date U.S. Legal Tender designated for and
sufficient to pay the installment.  Interest on the Securities will be computed
on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

SECTION 4.02.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.
               ------------------------------- 

          The Company shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, the office or agency required under Section 2.03.  The Company shall
give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the
location, of such office or agency.  If at any time the Company shall fail to
maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee
with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands
may be made or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in Section 13.02.

                                     -55-
<PAGE>
 
          The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any
or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations.  The
Company will 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 initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of
the Trustee located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as such
office of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03.

SECTION 4.03.  Limitation on Restricted Payments.
               --------------------------------- 

          The Company shall not, and shall not cause or permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, (a) declare or pay any
dividend or make any distribution (other than dividends or distributions payable
in Qualified Capital Stock of the Company) on or in respect of shares of the
Company's Capital Stock to holders of such Capital Stock, (b) purchase, redeem
or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Capital Stock of the Company or any
warrants, rights or options to purchase or acquire shares of any class of such
Capital Stock, (c) make (i) any principal payment on, purchase, defease, redeem,
prepay, decrease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to any
scheduled final maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment,
any Indebtedness of the Company that is subordinate or junior in right of
payment to the Securities, including, without limitation, the Convertible
Subordinated Notes (except a conversion thereof into Qualified Capital Stock)
and (ii) any cash interest payments on the Convertible Subordinated Notes or (d)
make any Investment (other than Permitted Investments) (each of the foregoing
actions set forth in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) being referred to as a
"Restricted Payment"), if immediately after giving effect to the Restricted
- -------------------                                                        
Payment, (i) a Default or an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing or (ii) the Company is not able to incur at least $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness) in compliance with Section 4.04
or (iii) the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments (including such proposed
Restricted Payment) made subse-

                                     -56-
<PAGE>
 
quent to the Issue Date (the amount expended for such purposes, if other than in
cash, being the fair market value of such property as determined reasonably and
in good faith by senior management or, in the case of any such property in
excess of $5 million, by the Board of Directors of the Company) shall exceed the
sum of: (w) 50% of the cumulative Consolidated Net Income (or if cumulative
Consolidated Net Income shall be a loss, minus 100% of such loss) of the Company
earned subsequent to the Issue Date and on or prior to the date the Restricted
Payment occurs (the "Reference Date") (treating such period as a single 
                     --------------
accounting period); plus (x) 100% of (1) the aggregate net cash proceeds
received by the Company from any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company)
from the issuance and sale subsequent to the Issue Date and on or prior to the
Reference Date of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company and (2) the fair market
value (as determined in good faith by senior management or, in the case of a
fair market value in excess of $5 million, by the Board of Directors of the
Company) of shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company issued subsequent
to the Issue Date and on or prior to the Reference Date in connection with Asset
Acquisitions and other acquisitions of property after the Issue Date; plus (y)
without duplication of any amounts included in clause (iii)(x) above, 100% of
(1) the aggregate net cash proceeds and (2) the fair market value of property
other than cash (as determined in good faith by senior management or, in the
case of a fair market value in excess of $5 million, by the Board of Directors
of the Company), in each case of any equity contribution received by the Company
from a holder of the Company's Capital Stock subsequent to the Issue Date and on
or prior to the Reference Date; plus (z) without duplication, the sum of (1) the
aggregate amount returned in cash on or with respect to Investments (other than
Permitted Investments) made subsequent to the Issue Date whether through
interest payments, principal payments, dividends or other distributions or
payments, (2) the net cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries from the disposition of all or any portion of such
Investments (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) and (3) upon
redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the fair
market value of such Subsidiary; provided, however, that the sum of clauses
                                 --------  -------                         
(1), (2) and (3) above shall not exceed the aggregate amount of all such
Investments made subsequent to the Issue Date.

                                     -57-
<PAGE>
 
          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions set forth in the
immediately preceding paragraph do not prohibit:  (1) the payment of any
dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration of such dividend if the
dividend would have been permitted on the date of declaration; (2) if no Default
or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the acquisition of
any shares of Capital Stock of the Company, either (i) solely in exchange for
shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company or (ii) through the application
of net proceeds of a substantially concurrent sale for cash (other than to a
Subsidiary of the Company) of shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company;
(3) if no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the
acquisition of any Indebtedness of the Company that is subordinate or junior in
right of payment to the Securities either (i) solely in exchange for shares of
Qualified Capital Stock of the Company, or (ii) through the application of net
proceeds of a substantially concurrent sale for cash (other than to a Subsidiary
of the Company) of (A) shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company or (B)
Refinancing Indebtedness; (4) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, repurchases by the Company of Common Stock of
the Company from employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their
authorized representatives upon the death, disability or termination of
employment of such employees, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5 million in
any calendar year; (5) the consummation of the Tender Offer; (6) so long as no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing, the
declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of
Preferred Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) issued
after the Issue Date, provided that after giving effect to such issuance on a
                                                                             
pro forma basis, the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of
- --- -----                                                                 
additional Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness) pursuant to Section
4.04; (7) cash payments in lieu of payment of (i) fractional Convertible
Subordinated Notes in lieu of cash interest thereon or (ii) fractional shares of
Common Stock of the Company upon conversion of Convertible Subordinated Notes;
and (8) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2.0
million.  In determining the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made
subsequent to the Issue Date in accordance with clause (4)(iii) of the
immediately preceding paragraph, amounts expended pursuant to clauses (1),
(2)(ii), (4) and (6)  shall be included in such calculation.

          Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment, the Company
shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' 

                                     -58-
<PAGE>
 
Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment complies with this Indenture
and setting forth in reasonable detail the basis upon which the required
calculations were computed, which calculations may be based upon the Company's
latest available internal quarterly financial statements.

SECTION 4.04.  Limitation on Incurrence of
               Additional Indebtedness.
               ----------------------------

          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume, guarantee,
acquire, become liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to, or otherwise
become responsible for payment of (collectively, "incur") any Indebtedness
                                                  -----                   
(other than Permitted Indebtedness); provided, however, that if no Default or
                                     --------  -------                       
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or as a
consequence of the incurrence of any such Indebtedness, the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries that is or, upon such incurrence, becomes a
Guarantor may incur Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Acquired
Indebtedness) and any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not and will
not, upon such incurrence, become a Guarantor may incur Acquired Indebtedness,
in each case if on the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, after giving
effect to the incurrence thereof, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
of the Company is greater than 2.25 to 1.0 if such incurrence is on or prior to 
November 1, 2000 and 2.5 and 1.0 if such incurrence is thereafter.


SECTION 4.05.  Corporate Existence.
               ------------------- 

          Except as otherwise permitted by Article Five, 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 such Restricted Subsidiary and the rights
(charter and statutory) and material franchises of the Company and each of its
Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
                         --------  -------                               
required to preserve any such right, franchise or corporate existence with
respect to each such Restricted Subsidiary if the Board of Directors of the
Company shall determine that the loss thereof is not, and will not be, adverse
in any material respect to the Holders.

                                     -59-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 4.06.  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.
               --------------------------------- 

          The Company shall pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged,
before the same shall become delinquent, (a) all material taxes, assessments and
governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any of its Subsidiaries or
upon the income, profits or property of it or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
and (b) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, in each case,
if unpaid, might by law become a material liability or Lien upon the property of
it or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company
                                          --------  -------                  
shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any
such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, (i) the applicability or
validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for
which appropriate provision has been made or (ii) where the failure to effect
such payment or discharge is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

SECTION 4.07.  Maintenance of Properties and Insurance.
               --------------------------------------- 

          (a)  The Company shall cause all material properties owned by or
leased by it or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries used or useful to the conduct
of its business or the business of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to be
maintained and kept in normal condition, repair and working order and supplied
with all necessary equipment and shall cause to be made all repairs, renewals,
replacements, and betterments thereof, all as in its judgment 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 4.07 shall prevent the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
from discontinuing the use, operation or maintenance of any of such properties,
or disposing of any of them, if such discontinuance or disposal is, in the
judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company or any such Restricted
Subsidiary desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or any such
Restricted Subsidiary, and if such discontinuance or disposal is not adverse in
any material respect to the Holders; provided, further, that nothing in this
                                     --------  -------                      
Section 4.07 shall prevent the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
from 

                                     -60-
<PAGE>
 
discontinuing or disposing of any properties to the extent otherwise
permitted by this Indenture.

          (b)  The Company shall maintain, and shall cause its Restricted
Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance with responsible carriers against such risks
and in such amounts, and with such deductibles, retentions, self-insured amounts
and co-insurance provisions, as are customarily carried by similar businesses of
similar size, including property and casualty loss, workers' compensation and
interruption of business insurance.

SECTION 4.08.  Compliance Certificate; Notice of Default.
               ----------------------------------------- 

          (a)  The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after
the close of each fiscal year an Officers' Certificate stating that a review of
the activities of the Company has been made under the supervision of the signing
officers with a view to determining whether it 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 such Officer's
knowledge, the Company during such preceding fiscal year has kept, observed,
performed and fulfilled each and every such covenant and no Default or Event of
Default occurred during such year and at the date of such certificate there is
no Default or Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing or, if such
signers do know of such Default or Event of Default, the certificate shall
describe its status with particularity.  The Officers' Certificate shall also
notify the Trustee should the Company elect to change the manner in which it
fixes its fiscal year end.

          (b)  The annual financial statements delivered pursuant to Section
4.10 shall be accompanied by a written report of the Company's independent
accountants (who shall be a firm of established national reputation) that in
conducting their audit of such financial statements nothing has come to their
attention that would lead them to believe that the Company has violated any
provisions of Article Four, Five or Six of this Indenture insofar as they relate
to accounting matters or, if any such violation has occurred, specifying the
nature and period of existence thereof, it being understood that such
accountants 

                                     -61-
<PAGE>
 
shall not be liable directly or indirectly to any Person for any failure to 
obtain knowledge of any such violation.

          (c)  The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon becoming
aware of any Default or Event of Default in the performance of any covenant,
agreement or condition contained in this Indenture, an Officers' Certificate
specifying the Default or Event of Default and describing its status with
particularity.

SECTION 4.09.  Compliance with Laws.
               -------------------- 

          The Company shall comply, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to
comply, with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, orders and
restrictions of the United States, all states and municipalities thereof, and of
any governmental department, commission, board, regulatory authority, bureau,
agency and instrumentality of the foregoing, in respect of the conduct of their
respective businesses and the ownership of their respective properties, except
for such noncompliances as would not in the aggregate have a material adverse
effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

SECTION 4.10.  Reports to Holders.
               ------------------ 

          Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the
Commission, so long as any Securities are outstanding, the Company shall furnish
the Holders of Securities:

          (1) all quarterly and annual financial information that would be
     required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and
     10-K if the Company were required to file such Forms, including a
     "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
     Operations" that describes the financial condition and results of
     operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries (showing in
     reasonable detail, either on the face of the financial statements or in the
     footnotes thereto, the financial condition and results of operations of the
     Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial
     condition and results of operations of 

                                     -62-
<PAGE>
 
     the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company, if any) and, with respect to
     the annual information only, a report thereon by the Company's certified
     independent accountants; and

          (2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the
     Commission on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports,
     in each case within two days after the time periods specified in the
     Commission's rules and regulations.

          In addition, following the consummation of the exchange offer
contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, whether or not required by
the rules and regulations of the Commission, the Company will file a copy of all
such information and reports with the Commission for public availability within
the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and regulations (unless the
Commission will not accept such a filing) and make such information available to
securities analysts and prospective investors upon request.  In addition, for so
long as any Securities remain outstanding, the Company shall 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.

SECTION 4.11.  Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.
               --------------------------------------- 

          Each of the Company and each Guarantor 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 or
extension law or any usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive the
Company or such Guarantor from paying all or any portion of the principal of
and/or interest on the Securities or the Guarantee of any such Guarantor as
contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or
which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture, and (to the
extent that it may lawfully do so) each hereby expressly waives all benefit or
advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or
impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer
and permit the 

                                     -63-
<PAGE>
 
execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

SECTION 4.12.  Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates.
               ------------------------------------------- 

          (a)  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any
transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation,
the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any
service) with, or for the benefit of, any of its Affiliates (each an "Affiliate
                                                                      ---------
Transaction"), other than (x) Affiliate Transactions permitted under paragraph
- -----------                                                                   
(b) below and (y) Affiliate Transactions on terms that are no less favorable
than those that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction
at such time on an arm's-length basis from a Person that is not an Affiliate of
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary.  All Affiliate Transactions (and each
series of related Affiliate Transactions which are similar or part of a common
plan) involving aggregate payments or other property with a fair market value in
excess of $3.0 million shall be approved by the Board of Directors of the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, such approval to be
evidenced by a Board Resolution stating that such Board of Directors has
determined that such transaction complies with the foregoing provisions.  If the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company enters into an Affiliate
Transaction (or a series of related Affiliate Transactions related to a common
plan) that involves an aggregate fair market value of more than $10.0 million,
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall, prior to
the consummation thereof, obtain a favorable opinion as to the fairness of such
transaction or series of related transactions to the Company or the relevant
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from a financial point of view, from
an Independent Financial Advisor and file the same with the Trustee.

          (b)  The restrictions set forth in clause (a) shall not apply to (i)
reasonable fees and compensation paid to and indemnity provided on behalf of,
officers, directors, employees, consultants or investment bankers of the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as determined in good 

                                     -64-
<PAGE>
 
faith by the Company's Board of Directors or senior management; (ii)
transactions exclusively between or among the Company and any of its Wholly
Owned Restricted Subsidiaries or exclusively between or among such Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiaries,
                                                                          
provided such transactions are not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture; (iii)
- --------                                                                        
any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date or any amendment thereto or any
transaction contemplated thereby (including pursuant to any amendment thereto)
or any replacement agreement thereto so long as any such amendment or
replacement agreement is not more disadvantageous to the Holders in any material
respect than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date; (iv)
Restricted Payments permitted by this Indenture; (v) transactions in which the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to
the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such
transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a
financial point of view or meets the requirements of the first sentence of this
Section 4.12; (vi) the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, the
Investors' Rights Agreement, the Securities Purchase Agreement, any stockholders
agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement
related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Issue Date and any similar
agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the
                                               --------  -------          
existence of, or the performance by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of obligations under, any future amendment to any such existing
agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the Issue Date shall
only be permitted by this clause (vi) to the extent that the terms of any such
amendment or new agreement are not otherwise disadvantageous to the Holders of
the Securities in any material respect; (vii) the issuance of securities or
other payments, awards or grants, in cash, securities or otherwise, pursuant to,
or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock options and stock ownership
plans approved by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith and loans
to employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries which are approved by senior
management of the Company in good faith; (viii) the payment of all fees and
expenses related to the Transactions; (ix) transactions with customers, clients,
suppliers, purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the
ordinary 

                                     -65-
<PAGE>
 
course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this 
Indenture, which are fair to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in the
reasonable determination of senior management of the Company, or are on terms at
least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an
unaffiliated party; and (x) transactions reasonably related to (x) the exercise
of rights and remedies with respect to the Convertible Subordinated Notes or (y)
the conversion or exchange of the Convertible Subordinated Notes (each to the
extent not otherwise prohibited in this Indenture).

SECTION 4.13.  Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
               Restricted Subsidiaries.
               ---------------------------------------------------------------

          The Company shall not, and shall not cause or permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or
permit to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the
ability of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to (a) pay dividends or make
any other distributions on or in respect of its Capital Stock; (b) make loans or
advances or to pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to the Company or
any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or (c) transfer any of its
property or assets to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company, except, with respect to each of clauses (a), (b) or (c), for such
encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:  (1) applicable
law; (2) this Indenture; (3) customary non-assignment provisions of any contract
or any lease governing a leasehold interest of, or any license held by, any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; (4) any instrument governing Acquired
Indebtedness, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person,
or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person or the
properties or assets of the Person so acquired; (5) the Credit Agreement; (6)
agreements existing on the Issue Date to the extent and in the manner such
agreements are in effect on the Issue Date; (7) an agreement governing
Indebtedness incurred to Refinance the Indebtedness issued, assumed or incurred
pursuant to an agreement referred to in clauses (2), (4), (5) or (6) above and
(8) and (10) below; provided, however, that the provisions relating to such
                    --------  -------                                      
encumbrance or restriction contained in any such 

                                     -66-
<PAGE>
 
Indebtedness are no less favorable to the Company in any material respect as
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company or senior management in its
reasonable and good faith judgment than the provisions relating to such
encumbrance or restriction contained in agreements referred to in such clause
(2), (4), (5), (6), (8) and (10); (8) purchase money obligations for property
acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the
nature discussed in clause (c) above on the property so acquired; (9) contracts
for the sale of assets, including without limitation, customary restrictions
with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to an agreement
that has been entered into for the sale or disposition of the Capital Stock or
assets of such Restricted Subsidiary; (10) secured Indebtedness otherwise
permitted to be incurred pursuant to Sections 4.04 and 4.14 that limits the
right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness; (11)
customary provisions in joint venture agreements, licenses and leases and other
similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business; (12) net
worth provisions in leases and other agreements entered into by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary; and (13) an agreement governing Indebtedness
(including any Credit Facilities) permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section
4.04; provided that provisions relating to such encumbrance or restriction 
      --------
contained in such Indebtedness are no less favorable to the Company in any 
material respect as determined by senior management of the Company in its 
reasonable and good faith judgment than the provisions contained in the 
Credit Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date.

SECTION 4.14.  Limitation on Liens.
               ------------------- 

          The Company shall not, and shall not cause or permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or
permit or suffer to exist any Liens of any kind against or upon any property or
assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries whether owned on the
Issue Date or acquired after the Issue Date, or any proceeds therefrom, or
assign or otherwise convey any right to receive income or profits therefrom
unless (i) in the case of Liens securing Indebtedness that is expressly
subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Securities, the Securities are
secured 

                                     -67-
<PAGE>
 
by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to 
such Liens and (ii) in all other cases, the Securities are equally and ratably 
secured, except for (A) Liens existing as of the Issue Date to the extent and 
in the manner such Liens are in effect on the Issue Date; (B) Liens securing 
Senior Debt and Liens securing Guarantor Senior Debt; (C) Liens securing the 
Securities and the Guarantees; (D) Liens of the Company or a Wholly Owned 
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company on assets of any Restricted Subsidiary 
of the Company; (E) Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness which is incurred 
to Refinance any Indebtedness which has been secured by a Lien permitted under 
this Indenture and which has been incurred in accordance with the provisions 
of this Indenture; provided, however, that such Liens (x) are no less favorable 
                   --------  -------                            
to the Holders and are not more favorable to the lienholders with respect to 
such Liens than the Liens in respect of the Indebtedness being Refinanced and 
(y) do not extend to or cover any property or assets of the Company or any of 
its Restricted Subsidiaries not securing the Indebtedness so Refinanced; and 
(F) Permitted Liens.


SECTION 4.15.  Change of Control.
               ----------------- 

          (a)  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall be
obligated to make an offer to purchase (the "Change of Control Offer"), and
                                             -----------------------       
shall purchase, on a Business Day (the "Change of Control Payment Date") as
                                        ------------------------------     
described below, all of the then outstanding Securities at a purchase price
equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest,
if any, thereon to the Change of Control Payment Date.  The Change of Control
Offer shall remain open for at least 20 Business Days and until the close of
business on the Change of Control Payment Date.

          (b)  Prior to the mailing of the notice referred to below, but in any
event within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company covenants to
(i) repay in full and terminate all commitments under Indebtedness under the
Credit Agreement and all other Senior Debt 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 Credit Agreement and all other such Senior Debt
and to repay 

                                     -68-
<PAGE>
 
the Indebtedness owed to each lender which has accepted such offer or (ii) 
obtain the requisite consents under the Credit Agreement and all other Senior 
Debt to permit the repurchase of the Securities as provided below.  The 
Company shall first comply with the covenant in the immediately preceding 
sentence before it shall be required to repurchase Securities pursuant to the
provisions described below.  The Company's failure to comply with the covenant
described in the second preceding sentence may (with notice and lapse of time)
constitute an Event of Default described in clause (c) of Section 6.01 but shall
not constitute an Event of Default described in clause (b) of Section 6.01.

          (c)  Within 30 days following the date upon which a Change of Control
occurs (the "Change of Control Date"), the Company shall send, by first class
             ----------------------                                          
mail, a notice to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, which notice shall
govern the terms of the Change of Control Offer.  The notice to the Holders
shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to
tender Securities pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.  Such notice shall
state:

             (1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this
     Section 4.15 and that all Securities tendered and not withdrawn will be
     accepted for payment;

             (2) the purchase price (including the amount of accrued interest)
     and the Change of Control Payment Date, which shall be a Business Day, that
     is not earlier than 30 days or later than 60 days from the date such notice
     is mailed;

             (3) that any Security not tendered will continue to accrue
     interest;

             (4) that, unless the Company defaults in making payment therefor,
     any Security accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer
     shall cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;

             (5) that Holders electing to have a Security purchased pursuant to
     a Change of Control Offer will be re-

                                     -69-
<PAGE>
 
     quired to surrender the Security, with the form entitled "Option of 
     Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the Security completed, to 
     the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the 
     close of business on the third Business Day prior to the Change of 
     Control Payment Date;

             (6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the
     Paying Agent receives, not later than the second Business Day prior to the
     Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission
     or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the
     Securities the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such
     Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Security purchased;

             (7) that Holders whose Securities are purchased only in part will
     be issued new Securities in a principal amount equal to the unpurchased
     portion of the Securities surrendered; and

             (8) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such Change of
     Control.

          On or before the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall (i)
accept for payment Securities or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the
Change of Control Offer, (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent U.S. Legal Tender
sufficient to pay the purchase price plus accrued interest, if any, of all
Securities so tendered and (iii) deliver to the Trustee Securities so accepted
together with an Officers' Certificate stating the Securities or portions
thereof being purchased by the Company.  The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to
the Holders of Securities so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase
price plus accrued interest, if any, and upon written order of the Company the
Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail to such Holders new Securities
equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Securities
surrendered.  Any Securities not so accepted shall be promptly mailed by the
Company to the Holder thereof.  For purposes of this Section 4.15, the Trustee
shall act as the Paying Agent.

                                     -70-
<PAGE>
 
          Any amounts remaining with the Paying Agent after the purchase of
Securities pursuant to a Change of Control Offer shall be returned by the
Trustee to the Company.

          The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the
repurchase of Securities pursuant to a Change of Control Offer.  To the extent
the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the
provisions of this Section 4.15, the Company shall comply with the applicable
securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its
obligations under this Section 4.15 by virtue thereof.

SECTION 4.16.  Limitation on Asset Sales.
               ------------------------- 

          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless (i) the Company or the
applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at
the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the
assets sold or otherwise disposed of (as determined in good faith by senior
management or, in the case of an Asset Sale in excess of $5 million, by the
Company's Board of Directors); (ii) at least 75% of the consideration received
by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from such Asset
Sale shall be in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents and is received at the
time of such disposition; provided that the amount of (a) any liabilities (as
                          --------                                           
shown on the Company's or such Restricted Subsidiary's most recent balance
sheet) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than liabilities that
are by their terms subordinated to the Securities) that are assumed by the
transferee of any such assets, and (b) any notes or other obligations received
by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are
converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days
after such Asset Sale (to the extent of the cash received) shall be deemed to be
cash for the purposes of this provision; and (iii) upon the consummation of an
Asset Sale, the Company shall apply, or cause such Restricted Subsidiary to
apply, the Net Cash Proceeds relating to such Asset Sale within 360 days of
receipt thereof either (A) to prepay any Senior Debt or Guarantor Senior Debt
and, in the case of any Senior Debt or Guarantor Senior Debt under any revolving
credit facil-

                                     -71-
<PAGE>
 
ity, effect a permanent reduction in the availability under such revolving 
credit facility, (B) to make an Investment in properties and assets that 
replace the properties and assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale
or in properties and assets that will be used in the business of the Company 
and its Restricted Subsidiaries as existing on the Issue Date or in businesses
reasonably related, complementary or ancillary thereto or a reasonable expansion
thereof ("Replacement Assets"), and/or (C) a combination of prepayment and
          ------------------                                              
investment permitted by the foregoing clauses (iii)(A) and (iii)(B).  On the
361st day after an Asset Sale or such earlier date, if any, as the senior
management or Board of Directors, as the case may be, of the Company or of such
Restricted Subsidiary determines not to apply the Net Cash Proceeds relating to
such Asset Sale as set forth in clauses (iii)(A), (iii)(B) and (iii)(C) of the
next preceding sentence (each, a "Net Proceeds Offer Trigger Date"), such
                                  -------------------------------        
aggregate amount of Net Cash Proceeds which have not been applied on or before
such Net Proceeds Offer Trigger Date as permitted in clauses (iii)(A), (iii)(B)
and (iii)(C) of the next preceding sentence (each a "Net Proceeds Offer Amount")
                                                     -------------------------  
shall be applied by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to make an offer
to purchase (the "Net Proceeds Offer") on a date (the "Net Proceeds Offer
                  ------------------                   ------------------
Payment Date") not less than 30 nor more than 60 days following the applicable
- ------------                                                                  
Net Proceeds Offer Trigger Date, from all Holders on a pro rata basis, that
                                                       --------            
amount of Securities equal to the Net Proceeds Offer Amount at a price equal to
100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be purchased, plus accrued and
unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of purchase; provided, however,
                                                          --------  ------- 
that if at any time any non-cash consideration received by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, as the case may be, in connection with any
Asset Sale is converted into or sold or otherwise disposed of for cash (other
than interest received with respect to any such non-cash consideration), then
such conversion or disposition shall be deemed to constitute an Asset Sale
hereunder and the Net Cash Proceeds thereof shall be applied in accordance with
this Section 4.16.  The Company may defer the Net Proceeds Offer until there is
an aggregate unutilized Net Proceeds Offer Amount equal to or in excess of $10.0
million resulting from one or more Asset Sales (at which time, the entire
unutilized Net Proceeds Offer Amount, and not just the amount in excess of $10.0
million, shall be applied as required pursuant to this paragraph).

          In the event of the transfer of substantially all (but not all) of the
property and assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as an
entirety to a Person in a trans-

                                     -72-
<PAGE>
 
action permitted under Section 5.01, which transaction does not constitute a 
Change of Control, the successor corporation shall be deemed to have sold the 
properties and assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries not so 
transferred for purposes of this Section 4.16, and shall comply with the 
provisions of this Section 4.16 with respect to such deemed sale as if it 
were an Asset Sale.  In addition, the fair market value of such properties 
and assets of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries deemed to be sold 
shall be deemed to be Net Cash Proceeds for purposes of this Section
4.16.

          Notwithstanding the first two paragraphs of this Section 4.16, the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will be permitted to consummate an Asset
Sale without complying with such paragraphs to the extent that:

          (1) at least 75% of the consideration for such Asset Sale constitutes
     Replacement Assets; and

          (2) such Asset Sale is for fair market value;

provided that any consideration not constituting Replacement Assets received by
- --------                                                                       
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any Asset
Sale permitted to be consummated under this paragraph shall constitute Net Cash
Proceeds subject to the provisions of the first two paragraphs of this Section
4.16.

          Notice of each Net Proceeds Offer pursuant to this Section 4.16 shall
be mailed or caused to be mailed, by first class mail, by the Company within 30
days following the applicable Net Proceeds Offer Trigger Date to all Holders at
their last registered addresses, with a copy to the Trustee.  A Net Proceeds
Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days or such longer period
as may be required by law.  The notice shall contain all instructions and
materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Securities pursuant to the
Net Proceeds Offer and shall state the following terms:

             (1) that the Net Proceeds Offer is being made pursuant to this
     Section 4.16 and that all Securities tendered will be accepted for payment;
                                                                                
     provided, however, that if 
     --------  -------                                                        

                                     -73-
<PAGE>
 
     the principal amount of Securities tendered in the Net Proceeds Offer 
     exceeds the aggregate amount of Net Proceeds Offer Amount, the Company 
     shall select the Securities to be purchased on a pro rata basis;

             (2) the purchase price (including the amount of accrued interest,
     if any) and the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor
     later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, other than as may
     be required by applicable law);

             (3) that any Security not tendered will continue to accrue
     interest;

             (4) that, unless the Company defaults in making payment therefor,
     any Security accepted for payment pursuant to the Net Proceeds Offer shall
     cease to accrue interest after the Net Proceeds Offer Payment Date;

             (5) that Holders electing to have a Security purchased pursuant to
     the Net Proceeds Offer will be required to surrender the Security, with the
     form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the
     Security completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the
     notice prior to the close of business on the Net Proceeds Offer Payment
     Date;

             (6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the
     Paying Agent receives, not later than the second Business Day prior to the
     Net Proceeds Offer Payment Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting
     forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Security the
     Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is
     withdrawing his election to have such Security purchased; and

             (7) that Holders whose Securities are purchased only in part will
     be issued new Securities in a principal amount at maturity equal to the
     unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered.

          On or before the Net Proceeds Offer Payment Date, the Company shall
(i) accept for payment Securities or portions 

                                     -74-
<PAGE>
 
thereof tendered pursuant to the Net Proceeds Offer, (ii) deposit with the
Paying Agent U.S. Legal Tender sufficient to pay the purchase price, plus
accrued interest, if any, of all Securities to be purchased and (iii) deliver to
the Trustee Securities so accepted together with an Officers' Certificate
stating the Securities or portions thereof being purchased by the Company. The
Paying Agent shall promptly mail to the Holders of Securities so accepted
payment in an amount equal to the purchase price, plus accrued interest, if any,
thereon set forth in the notice of such Net Proceeds Offer. Any Security not so
accepted shall be promptly mailed by the Company to the Holder thereof. For
purposes of this Section 4.16, the Trustee shall act as the Paying Agent. Any
amounts remaining after the purchase of Securities pursuant to a Net Proceeds
Offer shall be returned by the Trustee to the Company.

          The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the
repurchase of Securities pursuant to a Net Proceeds Offer.  To the extent that
the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the
provisions of this Section 4.16, the Company shall comply with the applicable
securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its
obligations under this Section 4.16 by virtue thereof.

SECTION 4.17.  Prohibition on Incurrence of Senior Subordinated Debt.
                                            -------------------------

          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
that is a Guarantor to, incur or suffer to exist Indebtedness that is senior in
right of payment to the Securities or such Guarantor's Guarantee, as the case
may be, and subordinate in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the
Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be.

SECTION 4.18.  Additional Subsidiary Guarantees.
               -------------------------------- 

          If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries transfers or
causes to be transferred, in one transaction or a series of related
transactions, any property to any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary that is not a
Guarantor, or if the Com-

                                     -75-
<PAGE>
 
pany or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall organize, acquire or otherwise
invest in another Domestic Restricted Subsidiary having total assets with a book
value in excess of $1 million, then such transferee or acquired or other
Restricted Subsidiary shall (i) execute and deliver to the Trustee a
supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee pursuant
to which such Restricted Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the
Company's obligations under the Securities and this Indenture on the terms set
forth in this Indenture and (ii) deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by such Restricted Subsidiary and constitutes a legal, valid, binding
and enforceable obligation of such Restricted Subsidiary. Thereafter, such
Restricted Subsidiary shall be a Guarantor for all purposes of this Indenture.

SECTION 4.19.  Conduct of Business.
               ------------------- 

          The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not engage in any
businesses which are not substantially related, ancillary or complementary to
the businesses in which the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged
on the Issue Date or a reasonable expansion thereof.

                                  ARTICLE FIVE


                             SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

SECTION 5.01.  Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets.
               ---------------------------------------- 

          (a)  The Company shall not, in a single transaction or series of
related transactions, consolidate or merge with or into any Person, or sell,
assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of (or cause or permit any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or
otherwise dispose of) all or substantially all of the Company's assets
(determined on a consolidated basis for the Company and the Company's Restricted
Subsidiaries) whether as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any
Person unless:  (i) either (1) the Company shall be the surviving or continuing
corporation or (2) the Person (if other than the 

                                     -76-
<PAGE>
 
Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or 
the Person which acquires by sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or 
other disposition the properties and assets of the Company and of the Company's 
Restricted Subsidiaries substantially as an entirety (the "Surviving Entity");
                                                           ----------------
(x) shall be a corporation, partnership, trust or a limited liability company 
organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States or any 
State thereof or the District of Columbia and (y) shall expressly assume, by 
supplemental indenture (in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee), 
executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the 
principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on all of the Securities and 
the performance of every covenant of the Securities, this Indenture and the 
Registration Rights Agreement on the part of the Company to be performed or 

observed; provided that if at any time the Company or the Surviving Entity is 
          --------
a limited liability company, partnership or trust, there shall be a co-issuer of
the Securities that is a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and that is a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any
State thereof or the District of Columbia; (ii) immediately after giving effect
to such transaction and the assumption contemplated by clause (i)(2)(y) above
(including giving effect to any Indebtedness and Acquired Indebtedness incurred
or anticipated to be incurred in connection with or in respect of such
transaction), the Company or such Surviving Entity, as the case may be shall be
able to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other than Permitted
Indebtedness) pursuant to Section 4.04; (iii) immediately before and immediately
after giving effect to such transaction and the assumption contemplated by
clause (i)(2)(y) above (including, without limitation, giving effect to any
Indebtedness and Acquired Indebtedness incurred or anticipated to be incurred
and any Lien granted in connection with or in respect of the transaction), no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing; and (iv) the
Company or the Surviving Entity shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation,
merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition and,
if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction,
such supplemental indenture comply with the ap-

                                     -77-
<PAGE>
 
plicable provisions of this Indenture and that all conditions precedent in this
Indenture relating to such transaction have been satisfied. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the merger of the Company with an Affiliate incorporated solely for
the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction shall be
permitted.

          (b)  For purposes of the foregoing paragraph (a), the transfer (by
lease, assignment, sale or otherwise, in a single transaction or series of
transactions) of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of one or
more Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company the Capital Stock of which
constitutes all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the
Company, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the
properties and assets of the Company.

          (c)  Each Guarantor (other than any Guarantor whose Guarantee is to be
released in accordance with the terms of the Guarantee and this Indenture in
connection with any transaction complying with the provisions of Section 4.16)
shall not, and the Company shall not cause or permit any Guarantor to,
consolidate with or merge with or into any Person other than the Company or any
other Guarantor unless:  (i) the entity formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) is a corporation,
partnership, trust or limited liability company organized and existing under the
laws of the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia; (ii)
such entity assumes by supplemental indenture all of the obligations of the
Guarantor on the Guarantee; (iii) immediately after giving effect to such
transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing; and (iv) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and the
use of any net proceeds therefrom on a pro forma basis, the Company could
                                       --- -----                         
satisfy the provisions of clause (a) (ii) of this Section 5.01.  Any merger or
consolidation of a Guarantor with and into the Company (with the Company being
the surviving entity) or another Guarantor that is a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company need only comply with clause (a) (iv) of Section 5.01.

                                     -78-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 5.02.  Successor Corporation Substituted.
               --------------------------------- 

          Upon any consolidation, combination or merger or any transfer of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section
5.01 in which the Company is not the continuing corporation, the successor
Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to
which such conveyance, lease or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be
substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under
this Indenture and the Securities with the same effect as if such Surviving
Entity had been named as such.

                                  ARTICLE SIX


                              DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01.  Events of Default.
               ----------------- 

          Each of the following shall be an "Event of Default":
                                             ----------------  

          (a)  the failure to pay interest on any Securities when the same
     becomes due and payable and the default continues for a period of 30 days
     (whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by Article Ten or Article
     Twelve of this Indenture);

          (b)  the failure to pay the principal on any Securities, when such
     principal becomes due and payable, at maturity, upon redemption or
     otherwise (including the failure to make a payment to purchase Securities
     tendered pursuant to a Change of Control Offer or a Net Proceeds Offer on
     the date specified for such payment in the applicable offer to purchase)
     (whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by Article Ten or Article
     Twelve of this Indenture);

          (c)  a default in the observance or performance of any other covenant
     or agreement contained in this Indenture, which default continues for a
     period of 30 days after the Company receives written notice specifying the
     de-

                                     -79-
<PAGE>
 
     fault (and demanding that such default be remedied) from the Trustee or
     the Holders of at least 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the
     Securities;

          (d)  the failure to pay at final maturity (giving effect to any
     applicable grace periods and any extensions thereof) the principal amount
     of any Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of the
     Company which failure continues for at least 20 days, or the acceleration
     of the final stated maturity of any such Indebtedness (which acceleration
     is not rescinded, annulled or otherwise cured within 20 days of receipt by
     the Company or such Significant Subsidiary of notice of any such
     acceleration) if the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness,
     together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in
     default for failure to pay principal at final maturity or which has been
     accelerated (in each case with respect to which the 20-day period described
     above has passed), aggregates $10.0 million or more at any time;

          (e)  one or more judgments in an aggregate amount in excess of $10.0
     million (exclusive of amounts covered by insurance) shall have been
     rendered against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries and
     such judgments remain undischarged, unpaid or unstayed for a period of 60
     days after such judgment or judgments become final and non-appealable;

          (f)  the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (i) commences
     a voluntary case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law with respect to
     itself, (ii) consents to the entry of a judgment, decree or order for
     relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy
     Law, (iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for
     substantially all of its property, (iv) consents to or acquiesces in the
     institution of a bankruptcy or an insolvency proceeding against it, (v)
     makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or (vi) takes
     any corporate action to authorize or effect any of the foregoing;

                                     -80-
<PAGE>
 
          (g)  a court of competent jurisdiction enters a judgment, decree or
     order for relief in respect of the Company or any of its Significant
     Subsidiaries in an involuntary case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law,
     which shall (i) approve as properly filed a petition seeking
     reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition in respect of the
     Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, (ii) appoint a Custodian of
     the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or for substantially all
     of any of its property or (iii) order the winding-up or liquidation of its
     affairs; and such judgment, decree or order shall remain unstayed and in
     effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

          (h)  any Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full
     force and effect or any Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary is declared
     to be null and void and unenforceable or any Guarantee of a Significant
     Subsidiary is found to be invalid or any Guarantor that is a Significant
     Subsidiary denies its liability under its Guarantee (other than by reason
     of release of a Guarantor in accordance with the terms of this Indenture).

SECTION 6.02.  Acceleration.
               ------------ 

          If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in
either clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01 above with respect to the Company)
shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of outstanding Securities may declare the principal of and
accrued interest on all the Securities 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 (i) shall become immediately due and payable or (ii) if there are
any amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement, shall become immediately due
and payable upon the first to occur of an acceleration under the Credit
Agreement or 5 business days after receipt by the Company and the Representative
under the Credit Agreement of such Acceleration Notice but only if such Event of
Default is then continuing.  If an Event of Default specified in either clause
(f) or (g) of Section 6.01 above 

                                     -81-
<PAGE>
 
with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, then all unpaid principal
of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the
outstanding Securities shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and 
                             ---- -----
payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any 
Holder.

          At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the
Securities as described in the preceding paragraph, the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Securities may rescind and cancel such declaration and
its consequences (i) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or
decree, (ii) if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except
nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of the
acceleration, (iii) to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful,
interest on overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has
become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid,
(iv) if the Company has paid the Trustee its reasonable compensation and
reimbursed the Trustee for its expenses, disbursements and advances and (v) in
the event of the cure or waiver of an Event of Default of the type described in
either clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01, the Trustee shall have received an
Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that such Event of Default has
been cured or waived.  No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or
impair any right consequent thereto.

SECTION 6.03.  Other Remedies.
               -------------- 

          If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may
pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the
payment of principal of or interest on the Securities or to enforce the
performance of any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.

          The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any
of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  A delay or
omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right or remedy
accruing upon an Event of De-

                                     -82-
<PAGE>
 
fault shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or
acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other
remedy. All available remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

SECTION 6.04.  Waiver of Past Defaults.
               ----------------------- 

          Subject to Sections 2.09, 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of not less than
a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities by notice to the
Trustee may waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences,
except a Default in the payment of principal of or interest on any Security as
specified in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 6.01.  The Company shall deliver to
the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that the requisite percentage of
Holders have consented to such waiver and attaching copies of such consents.
When a Default or Event of Default is waived, it is cured and ceases.

SECTION 6.05.  Control by Majority.
               ------------------- 

          The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Securities 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.  Subject to Section 7.01, however, the Trustee may refuse
to follow any direction that conflicts with any law or this Indenture, that the
Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another
Securityholder, or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided
                                                                       --------
that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is
not inconsistent with such direction.

          In the event the Trustee takes any action or follows any direction
pursuant to this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification
satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against any loss or expense caused by
taking such action or following such direction.

SECTION 6.06.  Limitation on Suits.
               ------------------- 

          A Securityholder may not pursue any remedy with respect to this
Indenture or the Securities unless:

                                     -83-
<PAGE>
 
             (1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing
     Event of Default;

             (2) the Holder or Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
     the outstanding Securities make a written request to the Trustee to pursue
     the remedy;

             (3) such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the
     Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability
     or expense;

             (4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 45 days
     after receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision
     of indemnity; and

             (5) during such 45-day period the Holder or Holders of a majority
     in principal amount of the outstanding Securities do not give the Trustee a
     direction which, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with the
     request.

          A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of
another Securityholder or to obtain a preference or priority over such other
Securityholder.

SECTION 6.07.  Rights of Holders To Receive Payment.
               ------------------------------------ 

          Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of
any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on a Security, on or
after the respective due dates expressed in such Security, or to bring suit for
the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not
be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

SECTION 6.08.  Collection Suit by Trustee.
               -------------------------- 

          If an Event of Default in payment of principal or interest specified
in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may
recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the
Company or any other obligor on the Securities for the whole amount of principal
and accrued interest and fees remaining unpaid, together with interest on
overdue principal and, to the extent 

                                     -84-
<PAGE>
 
that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of
interest, in each case at the rate per annum borne by the Securities and 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.

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 in order to have the claims of the
Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the
Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relating to the Company, its
creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and
receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims
and to distribute the same, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceedings
is hereby authorized by each Securityholder to make such payments to the Trustee
and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments
directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for
the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agent and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under
Section 7.07.  Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee
to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder
any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the
Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to
vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.

SECTION 6.10.  Priorities.
               ---------- 

          If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article
Six, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

          First:  to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

                                     -85-
<PAGE>
 
          Second:  to Holders for interest accrued on the Securities, ratably,
     without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due
     and payable on the Securities for interest;

          Third:  to Holders for principal amounts due and unpaid on the
     Securities, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according
     to the amounts due and payable on the Securities for principal; and

          Fourth:  to the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors, as their
     respective interests may appear.

          The Trustee, upon prior notice to the Company, may fix a record date
and payment date for any payment to Securityholders pursuant to this Section
6.10.

SECTION 6.11.  Undertaking for Costs.
               --------------------- 

          In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by
it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party
litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the
court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to
the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.
This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder
pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by a Holder or Holders of more than 10% in
principal amount of the outstanding Securities.

                                 ARTICLE SEVEN

                                    TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01.  Duties of Trustee.
               ----------------- 

          (a)  If a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the 

                                     -86-
<PAGE>
 
rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care
and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the
circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

          (b)  Except during the continuance of a Default or an Event of
Default:

             (1) The Trustee need perform only those duties as are specifically
     set forth herein or in the TIA and no duties, covenants, responsibilities
     or obligations shall be implied in this Indenture against the Trustee.

             (2) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
     conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of
     the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates (including Officers'
     Certificates) or opinions (including Opinions of Counsel) furnished to the
     Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture.  However, the
     Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or
     not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

          (c)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Trustee may
not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent
failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

             (1) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of
     this Section 7.01.

             (2) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made
     in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the
     Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

             (3) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it
     takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction
     received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.

          (d)  No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to
expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any 

                                     -87-
<PAGE>
 
financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or to take
or omit to take any action under this Indenture or take any action at the
request or direction of Holders if it shall have reasonable grounds for
believing that repayment of such funds is not assured to it.

          (e)  Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the
Trustee is subject to this Section 7.01.

          (f)  The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money
received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.
Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds
except to the extent required by law.

          (g)  In the absence of bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct on
the part of the Trustee, the Trustee shall not be responsible for the
application of any money by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee.

SECTION 7.02.  Rights of Trustee.
               ----------------- 

          Subject to Section 7.01:

          (a)  The Trustee may rely on any document believed by it to be genuine
     and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person.  The Trustee
     need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

          (b)  Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require
     an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, which shall conform to
     the provisions of Section 13.05.  The Trustee shall not be liable for any
     action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such
     certificate or opinion.

          (c)  The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall
     not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent (other
     than an agent who is an employee of the Trustee) appointed with due care.

          (d)  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits
     to take in good faith which it reasona-

                                     -88-
<PAGE>
 
     bly believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers.

          (e)  The Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice or opinion of
     such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization
     and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or
     suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or
     opinion of such counsel.

          (f)  The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
     rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or
     direction of any of the Holders pursuant to the provisions of this
     Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable
     security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may
     be incurred therein or thereby.

          (g)  The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
     facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate (including any
     Officers' Certificate), statement, instrument, opinion (including any
     Opinion of Counsel), notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
     debenture, or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion,
     may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters
     as it may see fit and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further
     inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled, upon reasonable notice to
     the Company, to examine the books, records, and premises of the Company,
     personally or by agent or attorney.

          (h)  The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in
     respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

          (i)  The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in
     this Indenture shall not be construed as duties.

                                     -89-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 7.03.  Individual Rights of Trustee.
               ---------------------------- 

          The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the
owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company, its
Subsidiaries, or their respective Affiliates with the same rights it would have
if it were not Trustee.  Any Agent may do the same with like rights.  However,
the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

SECTION 7.04.  Trustee's Disclaimer.
               -------------------- 

          The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation
as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not
be accountable for the Company's use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it
shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or
any document issued in connection with the sale of Securities or any statement
in the Securities other than the Trustee's certificate of authentication.  The
Trustee makes no representations with respect to the effectiveness or adequacy
of this Indenture.

SECTION 7.05.  Notice of Default.
               ----------------- 

          If a Default or an Event of Default occurs and is continuing and the
Trustee receives actual notice of such Default or Event of Default, the Trustee
shall mail to each Securityholder notice of the uncured Default or Event of
Default within 60 days after such Default or Event of Default occurs.  Except in
the case of a Default or an Event of Default in payment of principal of, or
interest on, any Security, including an accelerated payment and the failure to
make payment on the Change of Control Payment Date pursuant to a Change of
Control Offer or the Net Proceeds Offer Payment Date pursuant to a Net Proceeds
Offer, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the Board of
Directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors and/or
Responsible Officers, of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding
the notice is in the interest of the Securityholders.

                                     -90-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 7.06.  Reports by Trustee to Holders.
               ----------------------------- 

          Within 60 days after each April 1, beginning with the first April 1
following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall, to the extent that any
of the events described in TIA (S) 313(a) occurred within the previous twelve
months, but not otherwise, mail to each Securityholder a brief report dated as
of such date that complies with TIA (S) 313(a).  The Trustee also shall comply
with TIA (S)(S) 313(b), 313(c) and 313(d).

          A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders
shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the Commission and each securities
exchange, if any, on which the Securities are listed.

          The Company shall notify the Trustee if the Securities become listed
on any securities exchange or of any delisting thereof and the Trustee shall
comply with TIA (S) 313(d).

SECTION 7.07.  Compensation and Indemnity.
               -------------------------- 

          The Company shall pay to the Trustee 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, expenses and advances (including reasonable fees and expenses of
counsel) incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its
services, except any such disbursements, expenses and advances as may be
attributable to the Trustee's negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.  Such
expenses shall include the reasonable fees and expenses of the Trustee's agents
and counsel.

          The Company shall indemnify the Trustee and its agents, employees,
officers, stockholders and directors for, and hold them harmless against, any
loss, liability or expense incurred by them except for such actions to the
extent caused by any negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on their part,
arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this
trust including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves
against or investigating any 

                                     -91-
<PAGE>
 
claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of the
Trustee's rights, powers or duties hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the
Company promptly of any claim asserted against the Trustee or any of its agents,
employees, officers, stockholders and directors for which it may seek indemnity.
The Company may, subject to the approval of the Trustee, defend the claim and
the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee and its agents,
employees, officers, stockholders and directors subject to the claim may have
separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of
such counsel; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to pay
              --------  -------
such fees and expenses if, subject to the approval of the Trustee, it assumes
the Trustee's defense and there is no conflict of interest between the Company
and the Trustee and its agents, employees, officers, stockholders and directors
subject to the claim in connection with such defense as reasonably determined by
the Trustee. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its
written consent. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against
any loss or liability to the extent incurred by the Trustee through its
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

          To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the
Trustee shall have a senior claim prior to the Securities against all money or
property held or collected by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee.  The
obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section shall not be
subordinated to the payment of Senior Debt pursuant to Article Ten or Article
Twelve except assets or money held in trust to pay principal of or interest on
particular Securities.

          When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of
Default specified in clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01 occurs, such expenses and
the compensation for such services shall be paid to the extent allowed under any
Bankruptcy Law.

          Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the foregoing
provisions of this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of
the Indenture or the appointment of a successor Trustee.

                                     -92-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 7.08.  Replacement of Trustee.
               ---------------------- 

          The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company in
writing.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Company and the Trustee
and may appoint a successor Trustee.  The Company may remove the Trustee if:

             (1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

             (2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;

             (3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee
     or its property; or

             (4) 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 notify each Holder of such
event and shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.  Within one year after the
successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee
appointed by the Company.

          A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Immediately after that,
the retiring Trustee shall transfer, after payment of all sums then owing to the
Trustee pursuant to Section 7.07, all property held by it as Trustee to the
successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided in Section 7.07, 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.  A successor Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each
Securityholder.

          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 outstanding Securities may
petition any 

                                     -93-
<PAGE>
 
court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

          If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Securityholder
may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee
and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

          Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section
7.08, the Company's obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the
benefit of the retiring Trustee.

SECTION 7.09.  Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.
               -------------------------------- 

          If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or
transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another
corporation, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any
further act shall, if such resulting, surviving or transferee corporation is
otherwise eligible hereunder, be the successor Trustee; provided that such
                                                        --------          
corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article Seven.

SECTION 7.10.  Eligibility; Disqualification.
               ----------------------------- 

          This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the
requirement of TIA (S)(S) 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5).  The Trustee shall
have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 as set forth in its
most recent published annual report of condition.  In addition, if the Trustee
is a corporation included in a bank holding company system, the Trustee,
independently of the bank holding company, shall meet the capital requirements
of TIA (S) 310(a)(2).  The Trustee shall comply with TIA (S) 310(b); provided,
                                                                     -------- 
however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA (S) 310(b)(1)
- -------                                                                      
any indenture or indentures under which other securities, or certificates of
interest or participation in other securities, of the Company are outstanding,
if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA (S) 310(b)(1) are met.
The provisions of TIA (S) 310 shall apply to the Company and any other obligor
of the Securities.

                                     -94-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 7.11.  Preferential Collection of Claims
               Against Company.
               ---------------------------------

          The Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee hereunder shall comply with
TIA (S) 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA (S) 311(b).  A
Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA (S) 311(a) to
the extent indicated.

                                 ARTICLE EIGHT


                       DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

SECTION 8.01.  Termination of the Company's Obligations.
               ---------------------------------------- 

          The Company may terminate its obligations under the Securities and
this Indenture, except those obligations referred to in the penultimate
paragraph of this Section 8.01, if all Securities previously authenticated and
delivered (other than destroyed, lost or stolen Securities which have been
replaced or paid or Securities for whose payment U.S. Legal Tender has
theretofore been deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent in trust or
segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the
Company, as provided in Section 8.05) have been delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation and the Company has paid all sums payable by it hereunder, or if:

          (a)  either (i) pursuant to Article Three, the Company shall have
     given notice to the Trustee and mailed a notice of redemption to each
     Holder of the redemption of all of the Securities in accordance with the
     provisions hereof or (ii) all Securities have otherwise become due and
     payable hereunder;

          (b)  the Company shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be
     deposited with the Trustee or a trustee satisfactory to the Trustee, under
     the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form and substance
     satisfactory to the Trustee, as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit
     of the Holders of that purpose, U.S. Legal Tender in 

                                     -95-
<PAGE>
 
     such amount as is sufficient without consideration of reinvestment of such
     interest, to pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the
     outstanding Securities to maturity or redemption; provided that the Trustee
                                                       --------
     shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such U.S. Legal Tender to
     the payment of said principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect
     to the Securities and provided, further, that from and after the time of
                           --------  -------
     deposit, the money deposited shall not be subject to the rights of holders
     of Senior Debt or Guarantor Senior Debt pursuant to the provisions of
     Article Ten or Twelve, as the case may be;

          (c)  no Default or Event of Default with respect to this Indenture or
     the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such
     deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will
     not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any
     other instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

          (d)  the Company shall have paid all other sums payable by it
     hereunder; and

          (e)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
     Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
     precedent providing for or relating to the termination of the Company's
     obligations under the Securities and this Indenture have been complied
     with.  Such Opinion of Counsel shall also state that such satisfaction and
     discharge does not result in a default under the Credit Agreement or any
     other material agreement or instrument then known to such counsel that
     binds or affects the Company.

          Subject to the next sentence and notwithstanding the foregoing
paragraph, the Company's obligations in Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 4.01,
4.02, 7.07, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive until the Securities are no longer
outstanding pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 2.08.  After the
Securities are no longer outstanding, the Company's obligations in Sections
7.07, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive.

                                     -96-
<PAGE>
 
          After such delivery or irrevocable deposit, the Trustee upon request
shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company's obligations under
the Securities and this Indenture except for those surviving obligations
specified above.

SECTION 8.02.  Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.
               ---------------------------------------- 

          (a)  The Company may, at its option by Board Resolution of the Board
of Directors of the Company, at any time, elect to have either paragraph (b) or
(c) below be applied to all outstanding Securities upon compliance with the
conditions set forth in Section 8.03.

          (b)  Upon the Company's exercise under paragraph (a) hereof of the
option applicable to this paragraph (b), the Company shall, subject to the
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.03, be deemed to have been
discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Securities on
the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, "Legal
                                                                     -----
Defeasance").  For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall
- ----------                                                                    
be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the
outstanding Securities, which shall thereafter be deemed to be "outstanding"
only for the purposes of Section 8.04 hereof and the other Sections of this
Indenture referred to in (i) and (ii) below, and to have satisfied all its other
obligations under such Securities and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand
of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments
acknowledging the same), and Holders of the Securities and any amounts deposited
under Section 8.03 hereof shall cease to be subject to any obligations to, or
the rights of, any holder of Senior Debt under Article Ten or otherwise, except
for the following provisions, which shall survive until otherwise terminated or
discharged hereunder:  (i) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities to
receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more
fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of
premium, if any, and interest on such Securities when such payments are due,
(ii) the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities under Article Two
and Section 4.02 hereof, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities
of the Trustee hereunder and the Company's obligations in connection 

                                     -97-
<PAGE>
 
therewith and (iv) this Article Eight.  Subject to compliance with this 
Article Eight, the Company may exercise its option under this paragraph (b) 
notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under paragraph (c) hereof.

          (c)  Upon the Company's exercise under paragraph (a) hereof of the
option applicable to this paragraph (c), the Company shall, subject to the
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.03 hereof, be released
from its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04 and
Sections 4.12 through 4.19 and Article Five hereof with respect to the
outstanding Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth below are
satisfied (hereinafter, "Covenant Defeasance"), and the Securities shall
                         -------------------                            
thereafter be deemed not "outstanding" for the purposes of any direction,
waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any
thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed
"outstanding" for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such
Securities shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes) and Holders
of the Securities and any amounts deposited under Section 8.03 hereof shall
cease to be subject to any obligations to, or the rights of, any holder of
Senior Debt under Article Ten or otherwise.  For this purpose, such Covenant
Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Securities, the Company
may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term,
condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or
indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or
by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or
in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default
or an Event of Default under Section 6.01(c) hereof, but, except as specified
above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected
thereby.  In addition, upon the Company's exercise under paragraph (a) hereof of
the option applicable to this paragraph (c), subject to the satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in Section 8.03 hereof, Sections 6.01(c), 6.01(d) and
6.01(e) shall not constitute Events of Default.

                                     -98-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 8.03.  Conditions to Legal Defeasance
               or Covenant Defeasance.
               -------------------------------

          The following shall be the conditions to the application of either
Section 8.02(b) or 8.02(c) hereof to the outstanding Securities:

     In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

          (a)  the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust,
     for the benefit of the Holders, U.S. Legal Tender or U.S. Government
     Obligations or a combination thereof which through the scheduled payment of
     principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms,
     will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment on
     the Securities, U.S. Legal Tender in such amounts as will be sufficient, in
     the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public
     accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the
     Securities on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable
     redemption date, as the case may be;

          (b)  in the case of an election under Section 8.02(b) hereof, the
     Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the
     United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (A) the
     Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal
     Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this Indenture, there has
     been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to
     the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm
     that, the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal
     income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be
     subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and
     at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had
     not occurred;

          (c)  in the case of an election under Section 8.02(c) hereof, the
     Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an 

                                     -99-
<PAGE>
 
     Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the
     Trustee confirming that the Holders of the Securities will not recognize
     income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such
     Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same
     amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
     case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

          (d)  no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
     continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of
     Default resulting from the incurrence of Indebtedness all or a portion of
     the proceeds of which will be used to defease the Securities pursuant to
     this Article Eight concurrently with such incurrence) or insofar as
     Sections 6.01(f) and 6.01(g) hereof are concerned, at any time in the
     period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit;

          (e)  such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in
     a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under this Indenture, the
     Credit Agreement or any other material agreement or instrument to which the
     Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or
     any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

          (f)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
     Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the
     intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company or
     with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other
     creditors of the Company or others;

          (g)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
     Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
     precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant
     Defeasance have been complied with; and

          (h)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
     Counsel to the effect that (i) the trust funds will not be subject to any
     rights of any holders of 

                                     -100-
<PAGE>
 
     Senior Debt, including, without limitation, those arising under this
     Indenture, and (ii) assuming no intervening bankruptcy or insolvency of the
     Company between the date of deposit and the 91st day following the deposit
     and that no Holder is an insider of the Company, after the 91st day
     following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of
     any applicable Bankruptcy Law.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by
clause (b) above of this Section 8.03 with respect to a Legal Defeasance need
not be delivered if all Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation (i) have become due and payable or (ii) will become due and payable
on the Maturity Date within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the
Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and
at the expense, of the Company.

SECTION 8.04.  Application of Trust Money.
               -------------------------- 

          The Trustee or Paying Agent shall hold in trust U.S. Legal Tender or
U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article Eight,
and shall apply the deposited U.S. Legal Tender and the money from U.S.
Government Obligations in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of
principal of and interest on the Securities.  The Trustee shall be under no
obligation to invest said U.S. Legal Tender or U.S. Government Obligations
except as it may agree with the Company.

          The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee
or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Legal Tender or U.S.
Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.03 hereof or the
principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee
or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the
outstanding Securities.

          Anything in this Article Eight to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the Company's
request any U.S. Legal Tender or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as
provided in Section 8.03 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized
firm of independent public accountants expressed in a 

                                     -101-
<PAGE>
 
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the
amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an
equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

SECTION 8.05.  Repayment to the Company.
               ------------------------ 

          Subject to this Article Eight, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall
promptly pay to the Company upon request any excess U.S. Legal Tender or U.S.
Government Obligations held by them at any time and thereupon shall be relieved
from all liability with respect to such money.  The Trustee and the Paying Agent
shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of
principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years; provided that the
                                                            --------         
Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any payment, may at
the expense of the Company cause to be published once in a newspaper of general
circulation in the City of New York or mail to each Holder entitled to such
money notice that such money remains unclaimed and that after a date specified
therein which shall be at least 30 days from the date of such publication or
mailing any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the
Company.  After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to such money must look
to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable law
designates another Person.

SECTION 8.06.  Reinstatement.
               ------------- 

          If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. Legal
Tender or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article Eight by
reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any
court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting
such application, the Company's obligations under this Indenture and the
Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred
pursuant to this Article Eight until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is
permitted to apply all such U.S. Legal Tender or U.S. Government Obligations in
accordance with this Article Eight; provided that if the Company has made any
                                    --------                                 
payment of interest on or principal of any Securities because of the
reinstatement of its obligations, the Company 

                                     -102-
<PAGE>
 
shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive
such payment from the U.S. Legal Tender or U.S. Government Obligations held by
the Trustee or Paying Agent.

                                 ARTICLE NINE

                      AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

SECTION 9.01.  Without Consent of Holders.
               -------------------------- 

          The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, together, may amend or
supplement this Indenture, the Securities or the Guarantees without notice to or
consent of any Securityholder:

             (1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

             (2) to evidence the succession in accordance with Article Five
     hereof of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such
     successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities;

             (3) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in
     place of certificated Securities;

             (4) to make any other change that does not adversely affect the
     rights of any Securityholders hereunder in any material respect;

             (5) to comply with any requirements of the Commission in connection
     with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA; or

             (6) to add or release any Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this
     Indenture;

provided that the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and
- --------                                                                        
an Officers' Certificate, each stating that such amendment or supplement
complies with the provisions of this Section 9.01.

                                     -103-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 9.02.  With Consent of Holders.
               ----------------------- 

          Subject to Section 6.07, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee,
together, with the written consent of the Holder or Holders of at least a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities, may amend
or supplement this Indenture, the Securities or the Guarantees, without notice
to any other Securityholders.  Subject to Section 6.07, the Holder or Holders of
a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities may waive
compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture, the Securities
or the Guarantees without notice to any other Securityholder.  Without the
consent of each Securityholder affected, however, no amendment, supplement or
waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section 6.04, may:

             (1) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to
     an amendment, supplement or waiver;

             (2) reduce the rate of or change or have the effect of changing the
     time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any
     Securities;

             (3) reduce the principal of or change or have the effect of
     changing the fixed maturity of any Securities, or change the date on which
     any Securities may be subject to redemption or repurchase, or reduce the
     redemption or purchase price therefor;

             (4) make any Securities payable in money other than that stated in
     the Securities;

             (5) make any change in provisions of this Indenture protecting the
     right of each Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on
     such Security on or after the due date thereof or to bring suit to enforce
     such payment, or permitting Holders of a majority in principal amount of
     the Securities to waive Defaults or Events of Default;

             (6) modify or change any provision of this Indenture or the related
     definitions affecting the subordination or ranking of the Securities or any
     Guarantee, in a manner which adversely affects the Holders;

                                     -104-
<PAGE>
 
             (7) after the Company's obligation to purchase Securities arises
     thereunder, amend, modify or change in any material respect the obligation
     of the Company to make and consummate a Change of Control Offer in the
     event of a Change of Control or make and consummate a Net Proceeds Offer
     with respect to any Asset Sale that has been consummated, or modify any of
     the provisions or definitions with respect thereto; or

             (8) release any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary from any
     of its obligations under its Guarantee or this Indenture otherwise than in
     accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

          It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this
Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or
waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance
thereof.

          After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02
becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders 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 supplemental indenture.

SECTION 9.03.  Effect on Senior Debt.
               --------------------- 

          No amendment of this Indenture shall adversely affect the rights of
any holder of Senior Debt or Guarantor Senior Debt under Article Ten or Article
Twelve, as the case may be, of this Indenture, without the consent of such
holder.

SECTION 9.04.  Compliance with TIA.
               ------------------- 

          From the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA,
every amendment, waiver or supplement of this Indenture, the Securities or the
Guarantees shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

                                     -105-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 9.05.  Revocation and Effect of Consents.
               --------------------------------- 

          Until an amendment, waiver or supplement becomes effective, a consent
to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent
Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as
the consenting Holder's Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on
any Security.  However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the
consent as to his Security or portion of his Security by notice to the Trustee
or the Company received before the date on which the Trustee receives an
Officers' Certificate certifying that the Holders of the requisite principal
amount of Securities have consented (and not theretofore revoked such consent)
to the amendment, supplement or waiver.

          The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for
the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment,
supplement or waiver which record date shall be at least 30 days prior to the
first solicitation of such consent.  If a record date is fixed, then
notwithstanding the last sentence of the immediately preceding paragraph, those
Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies),
and only those Persons, shall be entitled to revoke any consent previously
given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record
date.  No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after
such record date.

          After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall
bind every Securityholder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses
(1) through (9) of Section 9.02, in which case, the amendment, supplement or
waiver shall bind only each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and
every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences
the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security; provided that any such waiver
                                                   --------                     
shall not impair or affect the right of any Holder to receive payment of
principal of and interest on a Security, on or after the respective due dates
expressed in such Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such
payment on or after such respective dates without the consent of such Holder.

                                     -106-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 9.06.  Notation on or Exchange of Securities.
               ------------------------------------- 

          If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security,
the Company may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee.
The Company shall provide the Trustee with an appropriate notation on the
Security about the changed terms and cause the Trustee to return it to the
Holder at the Company's expense.  Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee
so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the
Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms.
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Security shall not
affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

SECTION 9.07.  Trustee To Sign Amendments, Etc.
               ------------------------------- 

          The Trustee shall execute any amendment, supplement or waiver
authorized pursuant to this Article Nine; provided that the Trustee may, but
                                          --------                          
shall not be obligated to, execute any such amendment, supplement or waiver
which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this
Indenture.  The Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully
protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers' Certificate
each stating that the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver
authorized pursuant to this Article Nine is authorized or permitted by this
Indenture and constituted the legal, valid and binding obligations of the
Company enforceable in accordance with its terms.  Such Opinion of Counsel shall
be at the expense of the Company.

                                  ARTICLE TEN

                          SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 10.01.  Securities Subordinated to
                Senior Debt.
                --------------------------

          Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company, for
itself and its successors, and each Holder, by his or her acceptance of
Securities, agrees that the payment of all 

                                     -107-
<PAGE>
 
Obligations owing to the Holders in respect of the Securities is subordinated,
to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article Ten, to the prior
payment in full in cash or Cash Equivalents, or such payment duly provided for
to the satisfaction of the holders of Senior Debt, of all Obligations on Senior
Debt (including the Obligations with respect to the Credit Agreement).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments and distributions made relating to the
Notes pursuant to the trust described under Article Eight shall not be so
subordinated in right of payment.

          This Article Ten shall constitute a continuing offer to all Persons
who become holders of, or continue to hold, Senior Debt, and such provisions are
made for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt and such holders are made
obligees hereunder and any one or more of them may enforce such provisions.

SECTION 10.02.  Suspension of Payment When Senior
                Debt Is in Default.
                ---------------------------------

          (a)  Unless Section 10.03 shall be applicable, if any default occurs
and is continuing in the payment when due, whether at maturity, upon any
redemption, by declaration or otherwise, of any principal of, interest on,
unpaid drawings for letters of credit issued in respect of, or regularly
accruing fees with respect to, any Senior Debt (a "Payment Default"), then no
                                                   ---------------           
payment of any kind or character shall be made by or on behalf of the Company or
any other Person on its or their behalf with respect to any Obligations on or
relating to the Securities or to acquire any of the Securities for cash or
property or otherwise and until such Payment Default shall have been cured or
waived or shall have ceased to exist or such Senior Debt as to which such
Payment Default relates shall have been discharged or paid in full in cash or
Cash Equivalents, after which the Company shall resume making any and all
required payments in respect of the Securities, including any missed payments.

          (b)  Unless Section 10.03 shall be applicable, if any other event of
default (other than a Payment Default) occurs and is continuing with respect to
any Designated Senior Debt 

                                     -108-
<PAGE>
 
(as such event of default is defined in the instrument creating or evidencing
such Designated Senior Debt) permitting the holders of such Designated Senior
Debt then outstanding to accelerate the maturity thereof (a "Non-payment
                                                             -----------
Default") and if the Representative for the respective issue of Designated 
- -------
Senior Debt gives notice of the event of default to the Trustee (a "Default
                                                                    -------
Notice"), then, unless and until all events of default have been cured or waived
- ------
or have ceased to exist or the Trustee receives notice thereof from the
Representative for the respective issue of Designated Senior Debt terminating
the Payment Blockage Period (as defined below), during the 180 days after the
delivery of such Default Notice (the "Payment Blockage Period"), neither the 
                                      -----------------------
Company nor any other Person on its behalf shall (x) make any payment of any
kind or character with respect to any Obligations on or with respect to the
Securities or (y) acquire any of the Securities for cash or property or
otherwise. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) in no event will
a Payment Blockage Period extend beyond 180 days from the date the payment on
the Securities was due and (y) only one such Payment Blockage Period may be
commenced within any 360 consecutive days. For all purposes of this Section
10.02(b), no event of default which existed or was continuing on the date of the
commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated
Senior Debt shall be, or be made, the basis for the commencement of a second
Payment Blockage Period by the Representative of such Designated Senior Debt
whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such event of
default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90
consecutive days (it being acknowledged that any subsequent action, or any
breach of any financial covenants for a period commencing after the date of
commencement of such Payment Blockage Period that, in either case, would give
rise to an event of default pursuant to any provisions under which an event of
default previously existed or was continuing shall constitute a new event of
default for this purpose).

          (c)  In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment
shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder when such payment is prohibited
by the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.02, such payment shall be held in
trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders 

                                     -109-
<PAGE>
 
of Senior Debt (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amount 
of Senior Debt held by such holders) or their respective Representatives, as 
their respective interests may appear.  The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on
information regarding amounts then due and owing on the Senior Debt, if any,
received from the holders of Senior Debt (or their Representatives) or, if such
information is not received from such holders or their Representatives, from the
Company and only amounts included in the information provided to the Trustee
shall be paid to the holders of Senior Debt.

          Nothing contained in this Article Ten shall limit the right of the
Trustee or the Holders of Securities to take any action to accelerate the
maturity of the Securities pursuant to Section 6.02 or to pursue any rights or
remedies hereunder; provided that all Senior Debt thereafter due or declared to
                    --------                                                   
be due shall first be paid in full in cash or Cash Equivalents before the
Holders are entitled to receive any payment of any kind or character with
respect to Obligations on the Securities.

SECTION 10.03.  Securities Subordinated to Prior Payment of All Senior Debt on
                Dissolution, Liquidation or Reorganization of Company.
                --------------------------------------------------------------

          (a)  Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any
kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon
any liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, assignment for the
benefit of creditors or marshaling of assets of the Company or in a bankruptcy,
reorganization, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding relating to
the Company or its property, whether voluntary or involuntary, all Obligations
due or to become due upon all Senior Debt shall first be paid in full in cash or
Cash Equivalents, or such payment duly provided for to the satisfaction of the
holders of Senior Debt, before any payment or distribution of any kind or
character is made on account of any Obligations on or relating to the
Securities, or for the acquisition of any of the Securities for cash or property
or otherwise.  Upon any such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation,
reorganization, receivership or similar proceeding, any payment or distribution
of assets of the Company of any kind or charac-

                                     -110-
<PAGE>
 
ter, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the
Securities or the Trustee under this Indenture would be entitled, except for the
provisions hereof, shall be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in
bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or
distribution, or by the Holders or by the Trustee under this Indenture if
received by them, directly to the holders of Senior Debt (pro rata to such
holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Debt held by such
holders) or their respective Representatives, or to the trustee or trustees
under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Debt may have been
issued, as their respective interests may appear, for application to the payment
of Senior Debt remaining unpaid until all such Senior Debt has been paid in full
in cash or Cash Equivalents after giving effect to any concurrent payment,
distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of Senior Debt.

          (b)  To the extent any payment of Senior Debt (whether by or on behalf
of the Company, as proceeds of security or enforcement of any right of setoff or
otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required
to be paid to any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or
other similar Person under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, fraudulent
conveyance or similar law, then, if such payment is recovered by, or paid over
to, such receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other
similar Person, the Senior Debt or part thereof originally intended to be
satisfied shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment
had not occurred.

          (c)  In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or
distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash,
property or securities, shall be received by any Holder when such payment or
distribution is prohibited by this Section 10.03(c), such payment or
distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over
or delivered to, the holders of Senior Debt (pro rata to such holders on the
basis of the respective amount of Senior Debt held by such holders) or their
respective Representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture
pursuant to which any of such Senior Debt may have been issued, 

                                     -111-
<PAGE>
 
as their respective interests may appear, for application to the payment of 
Senior Debt remaining unpaid until all such Senior Debt has been paid in full 
in cash or Cash Equivalents, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, 
distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Senior Debt.

          (d)  The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the
Company with or into, another corporation, partnership, trust or limited
liability company or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the
conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, to another
corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company upon the terms and
conditions provided in Article Five hereof and as long as permitted under the
terms of the Senior Debt shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up,
liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section if such other
corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or
transfer, assume the Company's obligations hereunder in accordance with Article
Five hereof.

SECTION 10.04.  Payments May Be Paid Prior
                to Dissolution.
                --------------------------

          Nothing contained in this Article Ten or elsewhere in this Indenture
shall prevent (i) the Company, except under the conditions described in Sections
10.02 and 10.03, from making payments at any time for the purpose of making
payments of principal of and interest on the Securities, or from depositing with
the Trustee any moneys for such payments, or (ii) in the absence of actual
knowledge by the Trustee that a given payment would be prohibited by Section
10.02 or 10.03, the application by the Trustee of any moneys deposited with it
for the purpose of making such payments of principal of, and interest on, the
Securities to the Holders entitled thereto unless at least two Business Days
prior to the date upon which such payment would otherwise become due and payable
a Trust Officer shall have actually received the written notice provided for in
the first sentence of Section 10.02(b) or in Section 10.07 (provided that,
                                                            ---------     
notwithstanding the foregoing, such application shall otherwise be subject to
the provisions of Section 10.02(a) and Section 10.03).  The Company shall give
prompt written notice 

                                     -112-
<PAGE>
 
to the Trustee of any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization 
of the Company.

SECTION 10.05.  Holders To Be Subrogated to Rights
                of Holders of Senior Debt.
                ----------------------------------

          Subject to the payment in full in cash or Cash Equivalents of all
Senior Debt, the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of
the holders of Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions of cash,
property or securities of the Company applicable to the Senior Debt until the
Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no
such payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Debt by or on behalf
of the Company, or by or on behalf of the Holders by virtue of this Article Ten,
which otherwise would have been made to the Holders shall, as between the
Company and the Holders, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on
account of the Senior Debt, it being understood that the provisions of this
Article Ten are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative
rights of the Holders, on the one hand, and the holders of Senior Debt, on the
other hand.

SECTION 10.06.  Obligations of the Company Unconditional.
                ---------------------------------------- 

          Nothing contained in this Article Ten or elsewhere in this Indenture
or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company, its
creditors other than the holders of Senior Debt, and the Holders, the obligation
of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders the
principal of and any interest on the Securities as and when the same shall
become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or
shall affect the relative rights of the Holders and creditors of the Company
other than the holders of the Senior Debt, nor shall anything herein or therein
prevent the Holder of any Security or the Trustee on its behalf from exercising
all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this
Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, in respect of cash, property or
securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

                                     -113-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 10.07.  Notice to Trustee.
                ----------------- 

          The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any
fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment to or
by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this
Article Ten.  Regardless of anything to the contrary contained in this Article
Ten or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with
knowledge of the existence of any default or event of default with respect to
any Senior Debt or of any other facts which would prohibit the making of any
payment to or by the Trustee unless and until the Trustee shall have received
notice in writing from the Company, or from a holder of Senior Debt or a
Representative therefor, together with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of such
holding of Senior Debt or of the authority of such Representative, and, prior to
the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall be entitled to assume
(in the absence of actual knowledge to the contrary) that no such facts exist.

          In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that any
evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of
Senior Debt to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this
Article Ten, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amounts of Senior Debt held by
such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such
payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such
Person under this Article Ten, and if such evidence is not furnished the Trustee
may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the
right of such Person to receive such payment.

SECTION 10.08.  Reliance on Judicial Order or
                Certificate of Liquidating Agent.
                -------------------------------- 

          Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to
in this Article Ten, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article Seven
hereof, and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any
order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which any
insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, dissolution, winding-up, 

                                     -114-
<PAGE>
 
liquidation, reorganization or similar case or proceeding is pending, or upon a
certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee,
assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other person making such payment
or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities, for
the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such payment
or distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt 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
Ten.

SECTION 10.09.  Trustee's Relation to Senior Debt.
                --------------------------------- 

          The Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be
entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Ten with respect to any
Senior Debt which may at any time be held by it in its individual or any other
capacity to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Debt and nothing in
this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee or any such agent of any of its rights
as such holder.

          With respect to the holders of Senior Debt, the Trustee undertakes to
perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are
specifically set forth in this Article Ten, and no implied covenants or
obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Debt 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 Debt.

          Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders or
owners of Senior Debt, the distribution may be made and the notice may be given
to their Representative, if any.

SECTION 10.10.  Subordination Rights Not Impaired
                by Acts or Omissions of the Company
                or Holders of Senior Debt.
                -----------------------------------

          No right of any present or future holders of any Senior Debt to
enforce subordination as provided herein shall at any time in any way be
prejudiced or impaired by any act or 

                                     -115-
<PAGE>
 
failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in 
good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with 
the terms of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any 
such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.

          Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph,
the holders of Senior Debt may, at any time and from time to time, without the
consent of or notice to the Trustee, without incurring responsibility to the
Trustee or the Holders of the Securities and without impairing or releasing the
subordination provided in this Article Ten or the obligations hereunder of the
Holders of the Securities to the holders of the Senior Debt, do any one or more
of the following:  (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend
the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Senior Debt, or otherwise amend or
supplement in any manner Senior Debt, or any instrument evidencing the same or
any agreement under which Senior Debt is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange,
release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise
securing Senior Debt; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the
payment or collection of Senior Debt; and (iv) exercise or refrain from
exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.

SECTION 10.11.  Securityholders Authorize Trustee To
                Effectuate Subordination of Securities.
                -------------------------------------- 

          Each Holder of Securities by its acceptance of them authorizes and
expressly directs the Trustee on its behalf to take such action as may be
necessary or appropriate to effectuate, as between the holders of Senior Debt
and the Holders of Securities, the subordination provided in this Article Ten,
and appoints the Trustee its attorney-in-fact for such purposes, including, in
the event of any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of the
Company (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization or
similar proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of credits or
otherwise) tending towards liquidation of the business and assets of the
Company, the filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of its Securities and
accrued interest in the form required in those proceedings.

                                     -116-
<PAGE>
 
          If the Trustee does not file a proper claim or proof of debt in the
form required in such proceeding prior to 30 days before the expiration of the
time to file such claim or claims, then the holders of the Senior Debt or their
Representative are or is hereby authorized to have the right to file and are or
is hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf of the
Holders of said Securities.  Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to
authorize the Trustee or the holders of Senior Debt or their Representative to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities
or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee or the holders
of Senior Debt or their Representative to vote in respect of the claim of any
Holder in any such proceeding.

SECTION 10.12.  This Article Ten Not To
                Prevent Events of Default.
                ------------------------- 

          The failure to make a payment on account of principal of or interest
on the Securities by reason of any provision of this Article Ten will not be
construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default.

SECTION 10.13.  Trustee's Compensation
                Not Prejudiced.
                ----------------------

          Nothing in this Article Ten will apply to amounts due to the Trustee
pursuant to other sections of this Indenture.

                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN


                            GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES

SECTION 11.01.  Unconditional Guarantee.
                ----------------------- 

          Subject to the provisions of this Article Eleven, each of the
Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally and irrevocably
guarantees, on a senior subordinated basis (such guarantees to be referred to
herein as a "Guarantee") to each Holder of a Security authenticated and
             ---------                                                 
delivered 

                                     -117-
<PAGE>
 
by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective
of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Securities or the
obligations of the Company or any other Guarantors to the Holders or the Trustee
hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on the Securities shall be duly and punctually paid in full when due,
whether at maturity, upon redemption at the option of Holders pursuant to the
provisions of the Securities relating thereto, by acceleration or otherwise, and
interest on the overdue principal and (to the extent permitted by law) interest,
if any, on the Securities and all other obligations of the Company or the
Guarantors to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder (including
amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof) and all other obligations
shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms
hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or
renewal of any Securities or any of such other obligations, the same shall be
promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the
extension or renewal, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing
payment when due of any amount so guaranteed, or failing performance of any
other obligation of the Company to the Holders under this Indenture or under the
Securities, for whatever reason, each Guarantor shall be obligated to pay, or to
perform or cause the performance of, the same immediately. An Event of Default
under this Indenture or the Securities shall constitute an event of default
under this Guarantee, and shall entitle the Holders of Securities to accelerate
the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder in the same manner and to the same
extent as the obligations of the Company.

          Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder
shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or
enforceability of the Securities or this Indenture, the absence of any action to
enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Securities with
respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, any release of any other Guarantor,
the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the
same, whether or not a Guarantee is affixed to any particular Security, or any
other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable
discharge or defense of a Guarantor.  Each of the Guarantors hereby 

                                     -118-
<PAGE>
 
waives the benefit of diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of
claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any
right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all
demands whatsoever and covenants that its Guarantee shall not be discharged
except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Securities,
this Indenture and this Guarantee. This Guarantee is a guarantee of payment and
not of collection. If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or
otherwise to return to the Company or to any Guarantor, or any custodian,
trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to the Company
or such Guarantor, any amount paid by the Company or such Guarantor to the
Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged,
shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Guarantor further agrees
that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders of Securities and the
Trustee, on the other hand, (a) subject to this Article Eleven, the maturity of
the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six
hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction
or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations
guaranteed hereby, and (b) in the event of any acceleration of such obligations
as provided in Article Six hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and
payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the
purpose of this Guarantee.

          No stockholder, officer, director, employee or incorporator, past,
present or future, or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any personal liability
under this Guarantee by reason of his, her or its status as such stockholder,
officer, director, employee or incorporator.

          Each Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under its
Guarantee shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor,
determined in accordance with GAAP.

SECTION 11.02.  Limitations on Guarantees.
                ------------------------- 

          The obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee are limited to
the maximum amount which, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed
liabilities of such Guarantor 

                                     -119-
<PAGE>
 
and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf
of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor
under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this
Indenture, will result in the obligations of such Guarantor under the Guarantee
not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or
state law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a Guarantee
shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount pro
                                                                           ---
rata, based on the net assets of each Guarantor, determined in accordance with 
- ----
GAAP.

SECTION 11.03.  Execution and Delivery of Guarantee.
                ----------------------------------- 

          To further evidence the Guarantee set forth in Section 11.01, each
Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Guarantee, substantially in the
form of Exhibit E hereto, shall be endorsed on each Security authenticated and
        ---------                                                             
delivered by the Trustee.  Such Guarantee shall be executed on behalf of each
Guarantor by either manual or facsimile signature of one Officer of each
Guarantor who shall have been duly authorized to so execute by all requisite
corporation action.  The validity and enforceability of any Guarantee shall not
be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any particular Security.

          Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in
Section 11.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure
to endorse on each Security a notation of such Guarantee.

          If an Officer of a Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or a
Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the
Security on which such Guarantee is endorsed or at any time thereafter, such
Guarantor's Guarantee of such Security shall nevertheless be valid.

          The delivery of any Security by the Trustee, after the authentication
thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of any Guarantee set forth in
this Indenture on behalf of each Guarantor.

                                     -120-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 11.04.  Release of a Guarantor.
                ---------------------- 

          (a)  If no Default exists or would exist under this Indenture, upon
the sale or disposition of all of the Capital Stock of a Guarantor by the
Company, in a transaction or series of related transactions that either (i) does
not constitute an Asset Sale or (ii) constitutes an Asset Sale the Net Cash
Proceeds of which are applied in accordance with Section 4.16, or upon the
consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into any Person in compliance
with Article Five (in each case, other than to the Company or an Affiliate of
the Company), or if any Guarantor is dissolved or liquidated in accordance with
this Indenture, such Guarantor's Guarantee will be automatically discharged and
released from all obligations under this Article Eleven without any further
action required on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.  Any Guarantor not so
released or the entity surviving such Guarantor, as applicable, shall remain or
be liable under its Guarantee as provided in this Article Eleven.

          (b)  The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing
the release of a Guarantor upon receipt of a request by the Company or such
Guarantor accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel
certifying as to the compliance with this Section 11.04; provided, however, that
                                                         --------  -------      
the legal counsel delivering such Opinion of Counsel may rely as to matters of
fact on one or more Officers' Certificates of the Company.

          The Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the
Company or a Guarantor in order to evidence the release of such Guarantor from
its obligations under its Guarantee endorsed on the Securities and under this
Article Eleven.

          Except as set forth in Articles Four and Five and this Section 11.04,
nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall prevent
any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another
Guarantor or shall prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor
as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another
Guarantor.

                                     -121-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 11.05.  Waiver of Subrogation.
                --------------------- 

          Until this Indenture is discharged and all of the Securities are
discharged and paid in full, each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives and agrees
not to exercise any claim or other rights which it may now or hereafter acquire
against the Company that arise from the existence, payment, performance or
enforcement of the Company's obligations under the Securities or this Indenture
and such Guarantor's obligations under this Guarantee and this Indenture, in any
such instance including, without limitation, any right of subrogation,
reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnification, and any right to
participate in any claim or remedy of the Holders against the Company, whether
or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute
or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from
the Company, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or
in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim or other
rights.  If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the
preceding sentence and any amounts owing to the Trustee or the Holders of
Securities under the Securities, this Indenture, or any other document or
instrument delivered under or in connection with such agreements or instruments,
shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall have been deemed to have
been paid to such Guarantor for the benefit of, and held in trust for the
benefit of, the Trustee or the Holders and shall forthwith be paid to the
Trustee for the benefit of itself or such Holders to be credited and applied to
the obligations in favor of the Trustee or the Holders, as the case may be,
whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits
from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the
waiver set forth in this Section 11.05 is knowingly made in contemplation of
such benefits.

SECTION 11.06.  Immediate Payment.
                ----------------- 

          Each Guarantor agrees to make immediate payment to the Trustee on
behalf of the Holders of all Obligations owing or payable to the respective
Holders upon receipt of a demand 

                                     -122-
<PAGE>
 
for payment therefor by the Trustee to such Guarantor in writing.

SECTION 11.07.  No Set-Off.
                ---------- 

          Each payment to be made by a Guarantor hereunder in respect of the
Obligations shall be payable in the currency or currencies in which such
Obligations are denominated, and shall be made without set-off, counterclaim,
reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

SECTION 11.08.  Obligations Absolute.
                -------------------- 

          The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are and shall be absolute
and unconditional and any monies or amounts expressed to be owing or payable by
each Guarantor hereunder which may not be recoverable from such Guarantor on the
basis of a Guarantee shall be recoverable from such Guarantor as a primary
obligor and principal debtor in respect thereof.

SECTION 11.09.  Obligations Continuing.
                ---------------------- 

          The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall be continuing and
shall remain in full force and effect until all the obligations have been paid
and satisfied in full.  Each Guarantor agrees with the Trustee that it will from
time to time deliver to the Trustee suitable acknowledgments of this continued
liability hereunder and under any other instrument or instruments in such form
as counsel to the Trustee may advise and as will prevent any action brought
against it in respect of any default hereunder being barred by any statute of
limitations now or hereafter in force and, in the event of the failure of a
Guarantor so to do, it hereby irrevocably appoints the Trustee the attorney and
agent of such Guarantor to make, execute and deliver such written acknowledgment
or acknowledgments or other instruments as may from time to time become
necessary or advisable, in the judgment of the Trustee on the advice of counsel,
to fully maintain and keep in force the liability of such Guarantor hereunder.

                                     -123-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 11.10.  Obligations Not Reduced.
                ----------------------- 

          The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be satisfied,
reduced or discharged solely by the payment of such principal, premium, if any,
interest, fees and other monies or amounts as may at any time prior to discharge
of this Indenture pursuant to Article Eight be or become owing or payable under
or by virtue of or otherwise in connection with the Securities or this
Indenture.

SECTION 11.11.  Obligations Reinstated.
                ---------------------- 

          The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall continue to be
effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment
which would otherwise have reduced the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder
(whether such payment shall have been made by or on behalf of the Company or by
or on behalf of a Guarantor) is rescinded or reclaimed from any of the Holders
upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of the Company or
any Guarantor or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.  If
demand for, or acceleration of the time for, payment by the Company is stayed
upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of the Company,
all such Indebtedness otherwise subject to demand for payment or acceleration
shall nonetheless be payable by each Guarantor as provided herein.

SECTION 11.12.  Obligations Not Affected.
                ------------------------ 

          The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected,
impaired or diminished in any way by any act, omission, matter or thing
whatsoever, occurring before, upon or after any demand for payment hereunder
(and whether or not known or consented to by any Guarantor or any of the
Holders) which, but for this provision, might constitute a whole or partial
defense to a claim against any Guarantor hereunder or might operate to release
or otherwise exonerate any Guarantor from any of its obligations hereunder or
otherwise affect such obligations, whether occasioned by default of any of the
Holders or otherwise, including, without limitation:

                                     -124-
<PAGE>
 
          (a)  any limitation of status or power, disability, incapacity or
     other circumstance relating to the Company or any other Person, including
     any insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization, readjustment,
     composition, dissolution, winding-up or other proceeding involving or
     affecting the Company or any other Person;

          (b)  any irregularity, defect, unenforceability or invalidity in
     respect of any indebtedness or other obligation of the Company or any other
     Person under this Indenture, the Securities or any other document or
     instrument;

          (c)  any failure of the Company, whether or not without fault on its
     part, to perform or comply with any of the provisions of this Indenture or
     the Securities, or to give notice thereof to a Guarantor;

          (d)  the taking or enforcing or exercising or the refusal or neglect
     to take or enforce or exercise any right or remedy from or against the
     Company or any other Person or their respective assets or the release or
     discharge of any such right or remedy;

          (e)  the granting of time, renewals, extensions, compromises,
     concessions, waivers, releases, discharges and other indulgences to the
     Company or any other Person;

          (f)  any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any
     other term of, any of the Securities, or any other amendment, variation,
     supplement, replacement or waiver of, or any consent to departure from, any
     of the Securities or this Indenture, including, without limitation, any
     increase or decrease in the principal amount of or premium, if any, or
     interest on any of the Securities;

          (g)  any change in the ownership, control, name, objects, businesses,
     assets, capital structure or constitution of the Company or a Guarantor;

          (h)  any merger or amalgamation of the Company or a Guarantor with any
     Person or Persons;

                                     -125-
<PAGE>
 
          (i)  the occurrence of any change in the laws, rules, regulations or
     ordinances of any jurisdiction by any present or future action of any
     governmental authority or court amending, varying, reducing or otherwise
     affecting, or purporting to amend, vary, reduce or otherwise affect, any of
     the Obligations or the obligations of a Guarantor under its Guarantee; and

          (j)  any other circumstance, including release of the Guarantor
     pursuant to Section 11.04 (other than by complete, irrevocable payment)
     that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense
     of the Company under this Indenture or the Securities or of a Guarantor in
     respect of its Guarantee hereunder.

SECTION 11.13.  Waiver.
                ------ 

          Without in any way limiting the provisions of Section 11.01 hereof,
each Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance hereof, notice of any
liability of any Guarantor hereunder, notice or proof of reliance by the Holders
upon the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder, and diligence, presentment,
demand for payment on the Company, protest, notice of dishonor or non-payment of
any of the Obligations, or other notice or formalities to the Company or any
Guarantor of any kind whatsoever.

SECTION 11.14.  No Obligation To Take Action Against
                the Company.
                ------------------------------------

          Neither the Trustee nor any other Person shall have any obligation to
enforce or exhaust any rights or remedies or to take any other steps under any
security for the Obligations or against the Company or any other Person or any
property of the Company or any other Person before the Trustee is entitled to
demand payment and performance by any or all Guarantors of their liabilities and
obligations under their Guarantees or under this Indenture.

SECTION 11.15.  Dealing with the Company and Others.
                ----------------------------------- 

          The Holders, without releasing, discharging, limiting or otherwise
affecting in whole or in part the obligations and 

                                     -126-
<PAGE>
 
liabilities of any Guarantor hereunder and without the consent of or notice to 
any Guarantor, may

          (a)  grant time, renewals, extensions, compromises, concessions,
     waivers, releases, discharges and other indulgences to the Company or any
     other Person;

          (b)  take or abstain from taking security or collateral from the
     Company or from perfecting security or collateral of the Company;

          (c)  release, discharge, compromise, realize, enforce or otherwise
     deal with or do any act or thing in respect of (with or without
     consideration) any and all collateral, mortgages or other security given by
     the Company or any third party with respect to the obligations or matters
     contemplated by this Indenture or the Securities;

          (d)  accept compromises or arrangements from the Company;

          (e)  apply all monies at any time received from the Company or from
     any security upon such part of the Obligations as the Holders may see fit
     or change any such application in whole or in part from time to time as the
     Holders may see fit; and

          (f)  otherwise deal with, or waive or modify their right to deal with,
     the Company and all other Persons and any security as the Holders or the
     Trustee may see fit.

SECTION 11.16.  Default and Enforcement.
                ----------------------- 

          If any Guarantor fails to pay in accordance with Section 11.06 hereof,
the Trustee may proceed in its name as trustee hereunder in the enforcement of
the Guarantee of any such Guarantor and such Guarantor's obligations thereunder
and hereunder by any remedy provided by law, whether by legal proceedings or
otherwise, and to recover from such Guarantor the obligations.

                                     -127-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 11.17.  Amendment, Etc.
                -------------- 

          No amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this
Indenture relating to any Guarantor or consent to any departure by any Guarantor
or any other Person from any such provision will in any event be effective
unless it is signed by such Guarantor and the Trustee.

SECTION 11.18.  Acknowledgment.
                -------------- 

          Each Guarantor hereby acknowledges communication of the terms of this
Indenture and the Securities and consents to and approves of the same.

SECTION 11.19.  Costs and Expenses.
                ------------------ 

          Each Guarantor shall pay on demand by the Trustee any and all costs,
fees and expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees on a solicitor and
client basis) incurred by the Trustee, its agents, advisors and counsel or any
of the Holders in enforcing any of their rights under any Guarantee.

SECTION 11.20.  No Merger or Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.
                ---------------------------------------- 

          No Guarantee shall operate by way of merger of any of the obligations
of a Guarantor under any other agreement, including, without limitation, this
Indenture.  No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of
the Trustee or the Holders, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or
under this Indenture or the Securities, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor
shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege
hereunder or under this Indenture or the Securities preclude any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or
privilege.  The rights, remedies, powers and privileges in the Guarantee and
under this Indenture, the Securities and any other document or instrument
between a Guarantor and/or the Company and the Trustee are cumulative and not
exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privilege provided by law.

                                     -128-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 11.21.  Survival of Obligations.
                ----------------------- 

          Without prejudice to the survival of any of the other obligations of
each Guarantor hereunder, the obligations of each Guarantor under Section 11.01
shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and shall be enforceable
against such Guarantor without regard to and without giving effect to any
defense, right of offset or counterclaim available to or which may be asserted
by the Company or any Guarantor.

SECTION 11.22.  Guarantee in Addition to Other Obligations.
                ------------------------------------------ 

          The obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee and this
Indenture are in addition to and not in substitution for any other obligations
to the Trustee or to any of the Holders in relation to this Indenture or the
Securities and any guarantees or security at any time held by or for the benefit
of any of them.

SECTION 11.23.  Severability.
                ------------ 

          Any provision of this Article Eleven which is prohibited or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate the remaining provisions
and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not
invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction
unless its removal would substantially defeat the basic intent, spirit and
purpose of this Indenture and this Article Eleven.

SECTION 11.24.  Successors and Assigns.
                ---------------------- 

          Each Guarantee shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each
Guarantor and the Trustee and the other Holders and their respective successors
and permitted assigns, except that no Guarantor may assign any of its
obligations hereunder or thereunder.

                                     -129-
<PAGE>
 
                                ARTICLE TWELVE

                          SUBORDINATION OF GUARANTEE

SECTION 12.01.  Guarantee Obligations Subordinated
                to Guarantor Senior Debt.
                -----------------------------------

          Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each of the
Guarantors, for itself and its successors, and each Holder, by his or her
acceptance of Guarantees, agrees that the payment of all Obligations owing to
the Holders in respect of its Guarantee (collectively, as to any Guarantor, its
"Guarantee Obligations") is subordinated, to the extent and in the manner
 ---------------------                                                   
provided in this Article Twelve, to the prior payment in full in cash or Cash
Equivalents, or such payment duly provided for to the satisfaction of the
holders of Guarantor Senior Debt, of all Obligations on Guarantor Senior Debt of
such Guarantor.

          This Article Twelve shall constitute a continuing offer to all Persons
who become holders of, or continue to hold, Guarantor Senior Debt, and such
provisions are made for the benefit of the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt and
such holders are made obligees hereunder and any one or more of them may enforce
such provisions.

SECTION 12.02.  Suspension of Guarantee Obligations
                When Guarantor Senior Debt Is in Default.
                -----------------------------------------

          (a)  Unless Section 12.03 shall be applicable, if any Payment Default
occurs and is continuing with respect to any Guarantor Senior Debt, then no
payment of any kind or character shall be made by or on behalf of such Guarantor
or any other Person on its behalf with respect to any Guarantee Obligations or
to acquire any of the Securities for cash or property or otherwise and until
such Payment Default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to
exist or such Guarantor Senior Debt shall have been discharged or paid in full
in cash or Cash Equivalents, after which such Guarantor shall resume making any
and all required payments in respect of its obligations under this Guarantee,
including any missed payments.

                                     -130-
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  Unless Section 12.03 shall be applicable, if any Non-payment
Default occurs and is continuing with respect to any Designated Senior Debt
under which a Guarantor is a primary obligor or which is guaranteed by a
Guarantor (which obligation or guarantee constitutes Guarantor Senior Debt of
such Guarantor) (as such event of default is defined in the instrument creating
or evidencing such Designated Senior Debt) and if the Representative for the
respective issue of Designated Senior Debt gives a Default Notice to the
Trustee, then, unless and until all events of default have been cured or waived
or have ceased to exist or the Trustee receives notice thereof from the
Representative for the respective issue of Designated Senior Debt terminating
the Guarantor Payment Blockage Period (as defined below), during the 180 days
after the delivery of such Default Notice (the "Guarantor Payment Blockage
                                                --------------------------
Period"), neither such Guarantor nor any other Person on its behalf shall (x)
- ------                                                                       
make any payment of any kind or character with respect to any Obligations on its
Guarantee or (y) acquire any of the Securities for cash or otherwise.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) in no event will a
Guarantor Payment Blockage Period extend beyond 180 days from the date the
payment on a Guarantee was due and (y) only one such Guarantor Payment Blockage
Period may be commenced within any 360 consecutive days.  For all purposes of
this Section 12.02(b), no event of default which existed or was continuing on
the date of the commencement of any Guarantor Payment Blockage Period with
respect to the Designated Senior Debt of a Guarantor shall be, or be made, the
basis for the commencement of a second Guarantor Payment Blockage Period by the
Representative of such Designated Senior Debt whether or not within a period of
360 consecutive days, unless such event of default shall have been cured or
waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days (it being acknowledged
that any subsequent action, or any breach of any financial covenants for a
period commencing after the date of commencement of such Guarantor Payment
Blockage Period that, in either case, would give rise to an event of default
pursuant to any provisions under which an event of default previously existed or
was continuing shall constitute a new event of default for this purpose).

          (c)  In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment
shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder 

                                     -131-
<PAGE>
 
when such payment is prohibited by the foregoing provisions of this Section
12.02, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid
over or delivered to, the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt (pro rata to such
holders on the basis of the respective amount of Guarantor Senior Debt held by
such holders) or their respective Representatives, as their respective interests
may appear. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on information regarding
amounts then due and owing on the Guarantor Senior Debt, if any, received from
the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt (or their Representatives) or, if such
information is not received from such holders or their Representatives, from a
Guarantor and only amounts included in the information provided to the Trustee
shall be paid to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt.

SECTION 12.03.  Guarantee Obligations Subordinated
                to Prior Payment of All Guarantor
                Senior Debt on Dissolution, Liquidation
                or Reorganization of Such Guarantor.
                ---------------------------------------

          (a)  Upon any payment or distribution of assets of any Guarantor of
any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors
upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, assignment for
the benefit of creditors or marshaling of assets of such Guarantor or in a
bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding
relating to such Guarantor or its property, whether voluntary or involuntary,
all Obligations due or to become due upon all Guarantor Senior Debt shall first
be paid in full in cash or Cash Equivalents, or such payment duly provided for
to the satisfaction of the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt, before any payment
or distribution of any kind or character is made on account of any Guarantee
Obligations or for the acquisition of any of the Securities for cash or property
or otherwise.  Upon any such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation,
reorganization, receivership or similar proceeding, any payment or distribution
of assets of such Guarantor of any kind or character, whether in cash, property
or securities, to which the Holders or the Trustee under this Indenture would be
entitled, except for the provisions hereof, shall be paid by such Guarantor or
by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other
Person making such payment or dis-

                                     -132-
<PAGE>
 
tribution, or by the Holders or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received
by them, directly to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt (pro rata to such
holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Guarantor Senior Debt held by
such holders) or their respective Representatives, or to the trustee or trustees
under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Guarantor Senior Debt may have
been issued, as their respective interests may appear, for application to the
payment of Guarantor Senior Debt remaining unpaid until all such Guarantor
Senior Debt has been paid in full in cash or Cash Equivalents after giving
effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for
the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt.

          (b)  To the extent any payment of Guarantor Senior Debt (whether by or
on behalf of a Guarantor, as proceeds of security or enforcement of any right of
setoff or otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or
required to be paid to any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee,
agent or other similar Person under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership,
fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then, if such payment is recovered by, or
paid over to, such receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent
or other similar Person, the Guarantor Senior Debt or part thereof originally
intended to be satisfied shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if
such payment had not occurred.

          (c)  In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or
distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash,
property or securities, shall be received by any Holder when such payment or
distribution is prohibited by this Section 12.03(c), such payment or
distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over
or delivered to, the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt (pro rata to such holders
on the basis of the respective amount of Guarantor Senior Debt held by such
holders) or their respective Representatives, or to the trustee or trustees
under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Guarantor Senior Debt may have
been issued, as their respective interests may appear, for application to the
payment of Guarantor Senior Debt remaining unpaid until all such Guarantor
Senior 

                                     -133-
<PAGE>
 
Debt has been paid in full in cash or Cash Equivalents, after giving
effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for
the holders of such Guarantor Senior Debt.

          (d)  The consolidation of any Guarantor with, or the merger of any
Guarantor with or into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of
a Guarantor following the conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all of
its assets, to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided in
Article Five hereof and as long as permitted under the terms of the Guarantor
Senior Debt shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or
reorganization for the purposes of this Section if such other corporation shall,
as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, assumes the
Guarantee of such Guarantor hereunder in accordance with Article Five hereof.

SECTION 12.04.  Payments May Be Paid Prior
                to Dissolution.
                --------------------------

          Nothing contained in this Article Twelve or elsewhere in this
Indenture shall prevent (i) any Guarantor, except under the conditions described
in Sections 12.02 and 12.03, from making payments at any time for the purpose of
making payments on Guarantee Obligations, or from depositing with the Trustee
any moneys for such payments, or (ii) in the absence of actual knowledge by the
Trustee that a given payment would be prohibited by Section 12.02 or 12.03, the
application by the Trustee of any moneys deposited with it for the purpose of
making such payments on Guarantee Obligations to the Holders entitled thereto
unless at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which such payment
would otherwise become due and payable a Trust Officer shall have actually
received the written notice provided for in the first sentence of Section
12.02(b) or in Section 12.07 (provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, such
                              --------                                          
application shall otherwise be subject to the provisions of Section 12.02(a) and
Section 12.03). Each Guarantor shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee
of any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of such Guarantor.

                                     -134-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 12.05.  Holders of Guarantee Obligations
                To Be Subrogated to Rights of
                Holders of Guarantor Senior Debt.
                -------------------------------- 

          Subject to the payment in full in cash or Cash Equivalents of all
Guarantor Senior Debt, the Holders of Guarantee Obligations of any Guarantor
shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt of
such Guarantor to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or
securities of such Guarantor applicable to such Guarantor Senior Debt until all
amounts owing on or in respect of the Guarantee Obligations shall be paid in
full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no such payments or
distributions to the holders of such Guarantor Senior Debt by or on behalf of
such Guarantor, or by or on behalf of the Holders by virtue of this Article
Twelve, which otherwise would have been made to the Holders shall, as between
such Guarantor and the Holders, be deemed to be a payment by such Guarantor to
or on account of such Guarantor Senior Debt, it being understood that the
provisions of this Article Twelve are and are intended solely for the purpose of
defining the relative rights of the Holders, on the one hand, and the holders of
Guarantor Senior Debt, on the other hand.

SECTION 12.06.  Obligations of the Guarantors Unconditional.
                ------------------------------------------- 

          Nothing contained in this Article Twelve or elsewhere in this
Indenture or in the Guarantees is intended to or shall impair, as among the
Guarantors, their creditors other than the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt, and
the Holders, the obligation of the Guarantors, which is absolute and
unconditional, to pay to the Holders all amounts due and payable under the
Guarantees as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with
their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the
Holders and creditors of the Guarantors other than the holders of the Guarantor
Senior Debt, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent any Holder or the
Trustee on its behalf from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by
applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any,
in respect of cash, property or securities of the Guarantors received upon the
exercise of any such remedy.

                                     -135-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 12.07.  Notice to Trustee.
                ----------------- 

          Each Guarantor shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any
fact known to such Guarantor which would prohibit the making of any payment to
or by the Trustee in respect of the Guarantees pursuant to the provisions of
this Article Twelve.  Regardless of anything to the contrary contained in this
Article Twelve or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged
with knowledge of the existence of any default or event of default with respect
to any Guarantor Senior Debt or of any other facts which would prohibit the
making of any payment to or by the Trustee unless and until the Trustee shall
have received notice in writing from a Guarantor, or from a holder of Guarantor
Senior Debt or a Representative therefor, together with proof satisfactory to
the Trustee of such holding of Guarantor Senior Debt or of the authority of such
Representative, and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the
Trustee shall be entitled to assume (in the absence of actual knowledge to the
contrary) that no such facts exist.

          In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that any
evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of
Guarantor Senior Debt to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to
this Article Twelve, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to
the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amounts of Guarantor Senior
Debt held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to
participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the
rights of such Person under this Article Twelve, and if such evidence is not
furnished the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial
determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

SECTION 12.08.  Reliance on Judicial Order or
                Certificate of Liquidating Agent.
                -------------------------------- 

          Upon any payment or distribution of assets of a Guarantor referred to
in this Article Twelve, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article Seven
hereof, and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made
by any 

                                     -136-
<PAGE>
 
court of competent jurisdiction in which any insolvency, bankruptcy,
receivership, dissolution, winding-up, liquidation, reorganization or similar
case or proceeding is pending, or upon a certificate of the trustee in
bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, receiver, assignee for the benefit of
creditors, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered
to the Trustee or the Holders, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons
entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the
Guarantor Senior Debt and other Indebtedness of such Guarantor, the amount
thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon
and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Twelve.

SECTION 12.09.  Trustee's Relation to Guarantor Senior Debt.
                ------------------------------------------- 

          The Trustee and any agent of a Guarantor or the Trustee shall be
entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Twelve with respect to any
Guarantor Senior Debt which may at any time be held by it in its individual or
any other capacity to the same extent as any other holder of Guarantor Senior
Debt and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee or any such agent
of any of its rights as such holder.

          With respect to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt, the Trustee
undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations
as are specifically set forth in this Article Twelve, and no implied covenants
or obligations with respect to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt shall be
read into this Indenture against the Trustee.  The Trustee shall not be deemed
to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt.

          Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders or
owners of Guarantor Senior Debt, the distribution may be made and the notice may
be given to their Representative, if any.

                                     -137-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 12.10.  Subordination Rights Not Impaired
                by Acts or Omissions of the Guarantors
                or Holders of Guarantor Senior Debt.
                ------------------------------------

          No right of any present or future holders of any Guarantor Senior Debt
to enforce subordination as provided herein shall at any time in any way be
prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of any Guarantor
or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any
noncompliance by any Guarantor with the terms of this Indenture, regardless of
any knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged
with.

          Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph,
the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt may, at any time and from time to time,
without the consent of or notice to the Trustee, without incurring
responsibility to the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities and without
impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article Twelve or the
obligations hereunder of the Holders of the Securities to the holders of
Guarantor Senior Debt, do any one or more of the following:  (i) change the
manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or
alter, Guarantor Senior Debt, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner
Guarantor Senior Debt, or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement
under which Guarantor Senior Debt is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release
or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing
Guarantor Senior Debt; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the
payment or collection of Guarantor Senior Debt; and (iv) exercise or refrain
from exercising any rights against the Guarantors and any other Person.

SECTION 12.11.  Holders Authorize Trustee To Effectuate
                Subordination of Guarantee Obligations.
                ---------------------------------------

          Each Holder of Guarantee Obligations by its acceptance of them
authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee on its behalf to take such action
as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, as between the holders of
Guarantor Senior Debt and the Holders, the subordination provided in this
Article Twelve, and appoints the Trustee its attorney-in-fact for 

                                     -138-
<PAGE>
 
such purposes, including, in the event of any dissolution, winding-up,
liquidation or reorganization of any Guarantor (whether in bankruptcy,
insolvency, receivership, reorganization or similar proceedings or upon an
assignment for the benefit of credits or otherwise) tending towards liquidation
of the business and assets of any Guarantor, the filing of a claim for the
unpaid balance under its Guarantee Obligations and accrued interest in the form
required in those proceedings.

          If the Trustee does not file a proper claim or proof of debt in the
form required in such proceeding prior to 30 days before the expiration of the
time to file such claim or claims, then the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt
or their Representative are or is hereby authorized to have the right to file
and are or is hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf
of the Holders of said Guarantee Obligations.  Nothing herein contained shall be
deemed to authorize the Trustee or the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt or their
Representative to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any
Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition
affecting the Guarantee Obligations or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to
authorize the Trustee or the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt or their
Representative to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such
proceeding.

SECTION 12.12.  This Article Twelve Not To
                Prevent Events of Default.
                --------------------------

          The failure to make a payment on account of principal of or interest
on the Guarantees by reason of any provision of this Article Twelve will not be
construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default.

SECTION 12.13.  Trustee's Compensation
                Not Prejudiced.
                -----------------------

          Nothing in this Article Twelve will apply to amounts due to the
Trustee pursuant to other sections of this Indenture.

                                     -139-
<PAGE>
 
                                ARTICLE THIRTEEN

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 13.01.  TIA Controls.
                ------------ 

          If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts
with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the
TIA, the required provision shall control.

SECTION 13.02.  Notices.
                ------- 

          Any notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder
shall be in writing, and shall be sufficiently given if made by hand delivery,
by telex, by telecopier or registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested, addressed as follows:

          if to the Company or a Guarantor:

          Building One Services Corporation
          800 Connecticut Avenue, NW
          Washington, DC  20006
          Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

          Telephone:  (202) 261-6000
          Facsimile:  (202) 261-6020

          with a copy to:

          Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP
          1800 M Street, NW
          Washington, DC  20036
          Attention:  Linda L. Griggs

          Telephone:  (202) 467-7245
          Facsimile:  (202) 467-7176

                                     -140-
<PAGE>
 
          if to the Trustee:

          [           ]

          Attention:  Corporate Trust Administration

          Telephone:
          Facsimile:

          Each of the Company and the Trustee by written notice to each other
such Person may designate additional or different addresses for notices to such
Person.  Any notice or communication to the Company and the Trustee, shall be
deemed to have been given or made as of the date so delivered if personally
delivered; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if
telecopied; and five (5) calendar days after mailing if sent by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid (except that a notice of change of address shall
not be deemed to have been given until actually received by the addressee).

          Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder shall be mailed
to him by first class mail or other equivalent means at his address as it
appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently
given to him if so mailed within the time prescribed.

          Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any
defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other
Securityholders.  If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided
above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

SECTION 13.03.  Communications by Holders
                with Other Holders.
                -------------------------

          Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA (S) 312(b) with other
Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture, the
Securities or the Guarantees.  The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and any
other Person shall have the protection of TIA (S) 312(c).

                                     -141-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 13.04.  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 at the
request of the Trustee:

             (1) an Officers' Certificate, in form and substance satisfactory to
     the Trustee, stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions
     precedent to be performed or effected by the Company, if any, provided for
     in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with;
     and

             (2) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such
     counsel, any and all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

SECTION 13.05.  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 the Officers'
Certificate required by Section 4.08, 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 or not, in the opinion of each such
     Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided,
                                                                -------- 
     however, that with respect to 
     -------                                                                

                                     -142-
<PAGE>
 
     matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers' 
     Certificate or certificates of public officials.

SECTION 13.06.  Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar.
                ----------------------------------------- 

          The Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar may make reasonable rules for
its functions.

SECTION 13.07.  Legal Holidays.
                -------------- 

          If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment may be made on the
next succeeding day that is a Business Day.

SECTION 13.08.  Governing Law.
                ------------- 

          THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE GUARANTEES WILL BE GOVERNED BY
AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED
TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.  Each of the parties hereto agrees 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 Indenture, the Securities or the
Guarantees.

SECTION 13.09.  No Adverse Interpretation
                of Other Agreements.
                -------------------------

          This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or
debt agreement of any of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.  Any such
indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

SECTION 13.10.  No Recourse Against Others.
                -------------------------- 

          A director, officer, employee, stockholder or incorporator, as such,
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries shall not have any liability for any
obligations of the Company under the Securities, this Indenture or the
Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such
obligations or their creation.  Each Securityholder by accepting a Security
waives and releases all such liability.  Such waiver and release are part of the
consideration for the issuance of the Securities.

                                     -143-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 13.11.  Successors.
                ---------- 

          All agreements of the Company and the Guarantors in this Indenture,
the Securities and the Guarantees shall bind their respective successors.  All
agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

SECTION 13.12.  Duplicate Originals.
                ------------------- 

          All parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.  Each
signed copy or counterpart shall be an original, but all of them together shall
represent the same agreement.

SECTION 13.13.  Severability.
                ------------ 

          In case any one or more of the provisions in this Indenture, in the
Securities or in the Guarantees shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable,
in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any
such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions shall not
in any way be affected or impaired thereby, it being intended that all of the
provisions hereof shall be enforceable to the full extent permitted by law.

                                     -144-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to
be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed
and attested, all as of the date first written above.

                              BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION,

                                as Issuer

                              By: 
                                 -------------------------------
                                 Name:
                                 Title:

                              [            ],
                                as Guarantor

                              By:
                                 -------------------------------
                                 Name:
                                 Title:

                              [            ],
                                as Guarantor

                              By:
                                 -------------------------------
                                 Name:
                                 Title:

                              [            ],
                                as Guarantor

                              By:
                                 -------------------------------
                                 Name:
                                 Title:

                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                              [            ],
                                as Guarantor

                              By:
                                 -------------------------------
                                 Name:
                                 Title:

                              [            ],
                                as Trustee

                              By:
                                 -------------------------------
                                 Name:
                                 Title:

                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
                       BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION
                       10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Note
                                due May 1, 2009

                                                            CUSIP No.
No.                                                         $

          BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company", which term includes any successor corporation), for value received
promises to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns, the principal sum of
on May 1, 2009.

          Interest Payment Dates:  May 1 and November 1, commencing
, 1999.

          Record Dates:  April 15 and October 15.

          Reference is made to the further provisions of this Security contained
herein, which will for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this
place.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Security to be signed
manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.

Dated:  April [  ], 1999

                              BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION

                              By: ______________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title:

                              By: ______________________
                                 Name
                                 Title:

                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
               [FORM OF TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION]

          This is one of the 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009
described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:  April [  ], 1999      IBJ Whitehall Bank & Trust Company
                              as Trustee

                              By:____________________________
                                     Authorized Signatory

                                      A-2
<PAGE>
 
                             (REVERSE OF SECURITY)

                       BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION

                       10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Note
                                due May 1, 2009

1.  Interest.
    -------- 

          BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security at
the rate per annum shown above.  The Company will pay interest semi-annually on
May 1 and November 1 of each year (the "Interest Payment Date"), commencing
November 1, 1999. Interest on this Security will accrue from the most recent
date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from
November 1, 1999. Interest on this Security will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

          The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal from time to time
on demand at the rate borne by this Security plus 2% and on overdue installments
of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) to the extent
lawful.

2.  Method of Payment.
    ----------------- 

          The Company shall pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted
interest) to the persons who are the registered Holders at the close of business
on the Record Date immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date even if the
Securities are cancelled on registration of transfer or registration of exchange
after such Record Date.  Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to
collect principal payments.  The Company shall pay principal and interest in
money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for
payment of public and private debts ("U.S. Legal Tender").  However, the Company
may pay principal and interest by wire transfer of Federal funds, or interest by
check payable in such U.S. Legal Tender.  The Company may deliver any such
interest payment to the Paying Agent or to a Holder at the Holder's registered
address.

                                      A-3
<PAGE>
 
3.  Paying Agent and Registrar.
    -------------------------- 

          Initially, IBJ Whitehall Bank & Trust Company (the "Trustee") will
act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent,
Registrar or co-Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Company or any of
its Subsidiaries may, subject to certain exceptions, act as Registrar or co-
Registrar.

4.  Indenture.
    --------- 

          The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture, dated as of
April [  ], 1999 (the "Indenture"), among the Company, the Guarantors named
therein and the Trustee.  This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of
Securities of the Company designated as its [   ]% Senior Subordinated Notes due
2009 (the "Securities").  The Securities are treated as a single class of
securities under the Indenture unless otherwise specified in the Indenture.
Capitalized terms herein are used as defined in the Indenture unless otherwise
defined herein.  The terms of the Securities include those stated in the
Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. (S)(S) 77aaa-77bbbb) (the "TIA"), as in effect
on the date of the Indenture until such time as the Indenture is qualified under
the TIA, and thereafter as in effect on the date on which the Indenture is
qualified under the TIA.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the
Securities are subject to all such terms, and Holders of Securities are referred
to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of them.  The Securities are
general obligations of the Company limited in aggregate principal amount to
$400,000,000.

5.  Subordination.
    ------------- 

          The Securities are subordinated in right of payment, in the manner and
to the extent set forth in the Indenture, to the prior payment in full in cash
or Cash Equivalents of all Senior Debt of the Company, whether outstanding on
the date of the Indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or
guaranteed.  Each Holder by his acceptance hereof agrees to be bound by such
provisions and authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee, on his behalf, to
take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the
subordination provided 

                                      A-4
<PAGE>
 
for in the Indenture and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for such 
purposes.

6.  Optional Redemption.
    ------------------- 

          The Securities will be redeemable, at the Company's option, in whole
at any time or in part from time to time, on and after May 1, 2004, upon not
less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at the following redemption prices
(expressed as percentages of the principal amount) if redeemed during the 
twelve-month period commencing on May 1 of the years set forth below, plus, in
each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of
redemption:

            Year                               Percentage
            ----                               ----------
            2004..............................  105.438%
            2005..............................  104.350%
            2006..............................  103.263%
            2007..............................  102.175%
            2008..............................  101.088%
            2009..............................  100.000%

7.  Optional Redemption upon Equity Offerings.
    --------------------------------------------

          At any time, or from time to time, on or prior to May 1, 2002, the
Company may, at its option, use the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity
Offerings to redeem up to 35% aggregate principal amount of the Securities
issued pursuant to the Indenture at a redemption price equal to 110.875% of the
principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to
the date of redemption; provided that after any such redemption the aggregate
                        --------
principal amount of Securities outstanding must equal at least 65% of the
aggregate principal amount of the Securities issued pursuant to the Indenture.
In order to effect the foregoing redemption with the net cash proceeds of any
Equity Offering, the Company shall make such redemption not more than 90 days
after the consummation of any such Equity Offering.

          As used in the preceding paragraph, "Equity Offering" means a public
or private offering of Qualified Capital Stock (other than public offerings with
respect to the Company's Common Stock on Form S-8 or any replacement form for
the Form S-8) 

                                      A-5
<PAGE>
 
of the Company for aggregate net cash proceeds to the Company of at least $20 
million.

8.  Notice of Redemption.
    -------------------- 

          Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed
at such Holder's registered address.  Securities in denominations of $1,000 may
be redeemed only in whole.  The Trustee may select for redemption portions
(equal to $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal of
Securities that have denominations larger than $1,000.

          If any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of
redemption that relates to such Security shall state the portion of the
principal amount thereof to be redeemed.  A new Security in a principal amount
equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder
thereof upon cancellation of the original Security.  On and after the Redemption
Date, interest will cease to accrue on Securities or portions thereof called for
redemption.

9.  Change of Control Offer.
    ----------------------- 

          Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will be
required to offer to purchase all of the outstanding Securities at a purchase
price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, thereon to the date of repurchase.

10.  Limitation on Asset Sales.
     ------------------------- 

          The Company is, subject to certain conditions, obligated to make an
offer to purchase Securities at 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of repurchase with certain net cash
proceeds of certain sales or other dispositions of assets in accordance with the
Indenture.

11.  Denominations; Transfer; Exchange.
     --------------------------------- 

          The Securities are in registered form, without coupons, in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.  A Holder shall
register the transfer of or exchange 

                                      A-6
<PAGE>
 
Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder,
among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents
and to pay certain transfer taxes or similar governmental charges payable in
connection therewith as permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not
register the transfer of or exchange any Securities or portions thereof selected
for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any security being redeemed in
part.

12.  Persons Deemed Owners.
     --------------------- 

          The registered Holder of a Security shall be treated as the owner of
it for all purposes.

13.  Unclaimed Funds.
     --------------- 

          If funds for the payment of principal or interest remain unclaimed for
one year, the Trustee and the Paying Agent will repay the funds to the Company
at its request.  After that, all liability of the Trustee and such Paying Agent
with respect to such funds shall cease.

14.  Discharge Prior to Redemption or Maturity.
     ----------------------------------------- 

          The Company and the Guarantors may be discharged from their
obligations under the Indenture, the Securities and the Guarantees except for
certain provisions thereof, and may be discharged from obligations to comply
with certain covenants contained in the Indenture, the Securities and the
Guarantees, in each case upon satisfaction of certain conditions specified in
the Indenture.

15.  Amendment; Supplement; Waiver.
     ----------------------------- 

          Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture, the Securities and the
Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the written consent of the
Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities
then outstanding, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance
with any provision may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding.  Without
notice to or consent of any Holder, the parties thereto may amend or supplement
the Indenture, the Securities and the Guarantees to, among other things, cure
any 

                                      A-7
<PAGE>
 
ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, provide for uncertificated Securities in
addition to or in place of certificated Securities or comply with any
requirements of the Commission in connection with the qualification of the
Indenture under the TIA, or make any other change that does not materially
adversely affect the rights of any Holder of a Security.

16.  Restrictive Covenants.
     --------------------- 

          The Indenture contains certain covenants that, among other things,
limit the ability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to make
restricted payments, to incur indebtedness, to create liens, to sell assets, to
permit restrictions on dividends and other payments by Restricted Subsidiaries
of the Company to the Company, to consolidate, merge or sell all or
substantially all of its assets or to engage in transactions with affiliates.
The limitations are subject to a number of important qualifications and
exceptions.  The Company must annually report to the Trustee on compliance with
such limitations.

17.  Defaults and Remedies.
     --------------------- 

          If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the
Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Securities then
outstanding may declare all the Securities to be due and payable immediately in
the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.  Holders of Securities
may not enforce the Indenture, the Securities or the Guarantees except as
provided in the Indenture.  The Trustee is not obligated to enforce the
Indenture, the Securities or the Guarantees unless it has received indemnity
satisfactory to it.  The Indenture permits, subject to certain limitations
therein provided, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities then outstanding to direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust
or power.  The Trustee may withhold from Holders of Securities notice of certain
continuing Defaults or Events of Default if it determines that withholding
notice is in their interest.

                                      A-8
<PAGE>
 
18.  Trustee Dealings with Company.
     ----------------------------- 

          The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other
capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal
with the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective Affiliates as if it were
not the Trustee.

19.  No Recourse Against Others.
     -------------------------- 

          No stockholder, director, officer, employee or incorporator, as such,
of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company shall have any liability for any
obligation of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim
based on, in respect of or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.
Each Holder of a Security by accepting a Security waives and releases all such
liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the
issuance of the Securities.

20.  Authentication.
     -------------- 

          This Security shall not be valid until the Trustee or authenticating
agent signs the certificate of authentication on this Security.

21.  Abbreviations and Defined Terms.
     ------------------------------- 

          Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder of a
Security 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).

22.  Governing Law.
     ------------- 

          This Security shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to applicable principles
of conflicts of laws to the extent that the application of the laws of another
jurisdiction would be required thereby.

                                      A-9
<PAGE>
 
23.  CUSIP Numbers.
     ------------- 

          Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform
Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be
printed on the Securities as a convenience to the Holders of the Securities.  No
representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers as printed on the
Securities and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers
printed hereon.

24.  Registration Rights./*/
     -------------------    

          Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company and the
Guarantors will be obligated to consummate an exchange offer pursuant to which
the Holder of this Security shall have the right to exchange this Security for a
[   ]% Senior Subordinated Note due 2009 of the Company which shall have been
registered under the Securities Act, in like principal amount and having terms
identical in all material respects as this Security.  The Holders shall be
entitled to receive certain additional interest payments in the event such
exchange offer is not consummated and upon certain other conditions, all
pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights
Agreement.

25.  Indenture.
     --------- 

          Each Holder, by accepting a Security, agrees to be bound by all of the
terms and provisions of the Indenture, as the same may be amended from time to
time.  Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein have the meanings
ascribed thereto in the Indenture.

26.  Guarantees.
     ---------- 

          This Security will be entitled to the benefits of certain senior
subordinated Guarantees made for the benefit of the Holders.  Reference is
hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights,
limitations of rights, du-

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

/*/  Not applicable to Form of Exchange Securities.

                                     A-10
<PAGE>
 
ties and obligations thereunder of the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders.

          The Company will furnish to any Holder of a Security upon written
request and without charge a copy of the Indenture.  Requests may be made to:
BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION, 800 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
20006, Attention: Office of General Counsel.

                                     A-11
<PAGE>
 
                                ASSIGNMENT FORM

I or we assign and transfer this Security to

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________
(Print or type name, address and zip code of assignee or
transferee)

_______________________________________________________________
(Insert Social Security or other identifying number of assignee 
or transferee)

and irrevocably appoint _______________________________________ agent to
transfer this Security on the books of the Company.  The agent may substitute
another to act for him.


Dated: _________________                Signed:  _________________________
                                                 (Sign exactly as name
                                                 appears on the other
                                                 side of this Security)

Signature Guarantee:            ______________________________________
                                Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee
                                Medallion Program (or other signature 
                                guarantor program reasonably acceptable 
                                to the Trustee)

          In connection with any transfer of this Security occurring prior to
the date which is the earlier of (i) the date of the declaration by the
Commission of the effectiveness of a registration statement under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") covering resales of this Security
(which effectiveness shall not have been suspended or terminated at the date of
the transfer) and (ii) April [  ], 2001 the undersigned confirms that it has not
utilized any general solicitation or general advertising in connection with the
transfer:

                                  [Check One]
                                   --------- 
<PAGE>
 
(1)  ___   to the Company or a subsidiary thereof; or
(2)  ___   pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act
          of 1933, as amended; or

(3)  ___   to an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined in Rule
           501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
           amended) that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter containing
           certain representations and agreements (the form of which letter can
           be obtained from the Trustee); or

(4)  ___   outside the United States to a "foreign purchaser" in compliance with
           Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as 
           amended; or

(5)  ___   pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 
           under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or

(6)  ___   pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities
           Act of 1933, as amended; or

(7)  ___   pursuant to another available exemption from the registration
           statement requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

and unless the box below is checked, the undersigned confirms that such Security
is not being transferred to an "affiliate" of the Company as defined in Rule 144
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (an "Affiliate"):

                                The transferee is an Affiliate of the Company.

          Unless one of the items is checked, the Trustee will refuse to
register any of the Securities evidenced by this certificate in the name of any
person other than the registered Holder thereof; provided, however, that if item
                                                 --------  -------              
(3), (4), (5) or (7) is checked, the Company or the Trustee may require, prior
to registering any such transfer of the Securities, in their sole discretion,
such written legal opinions, certifications (including an investment letter in
the case of box (3) or (4) and other information as the Trustee or the Company
have 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant
to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

          If none of the foregoing items are checked, the Trustee or Registrar
shall not be obligated to register this Security in the name of any person other
than the Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of
registration set forth herein and in Section 2.16 of the Indenture shall have
been satisfied.

Dated:                       Signed:
      --------------------           ------------------------------
                                     (Sign exactly as name appears 
                                     on the other side of this 
                                     Security)

Signature Guarantee:
                    ------------------------------------------------

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (2) ABOVE IS CHECKED

          The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this
Security for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises
sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a "qualified
institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on
Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the
Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined
not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is
relying upon the undersigned's foregoing representations in order to claim the
exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

Dated:
      --------------------           ------------------------------
                                     NOTICE: To be executed by an 
                                     executive officer

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

          If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 4.15 or Section 4.16 of the Indenture, check the appropriate
box:

Section 4.15 [      ] Section 4.16 [       ]

          If you want to elect to have only part of this Security purchased by
the Company pursuant to Section 4.15 or Section 4.16 of the Indenture, state the
amount:  $
          -------------
Dated: _________________   Signed:  _________________________
                                    (Sign exactly as name
                                    appears on the other
                                    side of this Security)

Signature Guarantee:                ______________________________________
                                    Participant in a recognized Signature 
                                    Guarantee Medallion Program (or other 
                                    signature guarantor program reasonably
                                    acceptable to the Trustee)
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT B
                                                                       ---------

                                FORM OF LEGENDS

          Each Global Note and Physical Note that constitutes a Restricted
Security or is sold in compliance with Regulation S shall bear the following
legend (the "Private Placement Legend") on the face thereof until after the
             ------------------------                                      
second anniversary of the Issue Date, unless otherwise agreed by the Issuer and
the Holder thereof:

          THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR
SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S.
PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW.  BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1)
REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE
144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING
THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER THE ORIGINAL
ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A)
TO THE COMPANY THEREOF OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES
TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, (C) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR (AS
DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3), OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AN
"ACCREDITED INVESTOR") THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES (OR HAS FURNISHED
ON ITS BEHALF BY A U.S. BROKER-DEALER) TO THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING
CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
OF THIS SECURITY (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE FOR
THIS SECURITY), (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN
COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) PURSUANT
TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
(IF AVAILABLE), OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS
SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.  IN
CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY WITHIN TWO YEARS 

                                      B-1
<PAGE>
 
AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY, IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN
ACCREDITED INVESTOR, THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE
TRUSTEE AND THE COMPANY SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION
AS EITHER OF THEM MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING
MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS
"OFFSHORE TRANSACTION," "UNITED STATES" AND "U.S. PERSON" HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN
TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

          Each Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall also
bear the following legend:

          THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
     HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A
     NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITORY OR A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.  THIS SECURITY IS NOT
     EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN
     THE DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED
     IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER
     OF THIS SECURITY 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) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED
     CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

          UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
     OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO THE
     COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT,
     AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN
     SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND
     ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED
     BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE
     HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS
     THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

          TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN
     WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO. OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF
     OR SUCH SUCCESSOR'S NOMINEE

                                      B-2
<PAGE>
 
     AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO 
     TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN 
     SECTION 2.16 OF THE INDENTURE.

                                      B-3
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT C
                                                                       ---------

                           Form of Certificate To Be
                          Delivered in Connection with
                   Transfers to Non-QIB Accredited Investors
                   -----------------------------------------

                                                         [             ], [    ]

[                        ]
[                        ]
[                        ]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          In connection with our proposed purchase of [   ]% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2009 (the "Notes") of BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), we confirm that:

          1.  We have received a copy of the Offering Memorandum (the "Offering
Memorandum"), dated April [  ], 1999, relating to the Securities and such other
information as we deem necessary in order to make our investment decision.  We
acknowledge that we have read and agreed to the matters stated in the section
entitled "Transfer Restrictions" of such Offering Memorandum, including the
restrictions on duplication and circulation of the Offering Memorandum.

          2.  We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Securities is
subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture
relating to the Securities (the "Indenture") as described in the Offering
Memorandum and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge
or otherwise transfer the Securities except in compliance with, such
restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and all applicable State securities laws.

          3.  We understand that the offer and sale of the Securities have not
been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Securities may not be
offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence.  We agree, on our
own behalf 

                                      C-1
<PAGE>
 
and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated,
that if we should sell any Securities, we will do so only (i) to the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, (ii) inside the United States in accordance with Rule
144A under the Securities Act to a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined
in Rule 144A under the Securities Act), (iii) inside the United States to an
institutional "accredited investor" (as defined below) that, prior to such
transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to
the Trustee (as defined in the Indenture) a signed letter containing certain
representations and agreements relating to the restrictions on transfer of the
Securities (the form of which letter can be obtained from the Trustee), (iv)
outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S
promulgated under the Securities Act to non-U.S. persons, (v) pursuant to the
exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act (if
available), or (vi) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any person purchasing any of
the Securities from us a notice advising such purchaser that resales of the
Securities are restricted as stated herein.

          4.  We are not acquiring the Securities for or on behalf of, and will
not transfer the Securities to, any pension or welfare plan (as defined in
Section 3 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), except as
permitted in the section entitled "Transfer Restrictions" of the Offering
Memorandum.

          5.  We understand that, on any proposed resale of any Securities, we
will be required to furnish to the Trustee and the Company such certification,
legal opinions and other information as the Trustee and the Company may
reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing
restrictions.  We further understand that the Securities purchased by us will
bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

          6.  We are an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined in Rule
501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have
such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable
of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Securities, and we
and any accounts for which we are acting are 

                                      C-2
<PAGE>
 
each able to bear the economic risk of our or their investment, as the case 
may be.

          7.  We are acquiring the Securities purchased by us for our account or
for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional "accredited
investor") as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

                                      C-3
<PAGE>
 
          You, the Company, the Trustee and others are entitled to rely upon
this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy
hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or
official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

                              Very truly yours,

                              [Name of Transferee]

                              By:
                                 ----------------------------
                                 Name:
                                 Title:


                                      C-4
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT D
                                                                       ---------
                      Form of Certificate To Be Delivered
                         in Connection with Transfers
                           Pursuant to Regulation S
                      -----------------------------------

                                                           [           ], [    ]
[                  ]
[                  ]
[                  ]
[                  ]

               Re:  Building One Services Corporation (the 
                    "Company") [   ]% Senior Subordinated 
                    Notes due 2009 (the "Securities")
                    --------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:

          In connection with our proposed sale of [$        ] aggregate
principal amount of the Securities, we confirm that such sale has been effected
pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and, accordingly, we represent that:

          (1) the offer of the Securities was not made to a person in the United
     States;

          (2) either (a) at the time the buy offer 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, or (b) the transaction was executed in, on or through the
     facilities of a designated off-shore securities market and neither we nor
     any person acting on our behalf knows that the transaction has been pre-
     arranged with a buyer in the United States;

          (3) no directed selling efforts have been made in the United States in
     contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of
     Regulation S, as applicable;

                                      D-1
<PAGE>
 
          (4) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the
     registration requirements of the Securities Act; and

          (5) we have advised the transferee of the transfer restrictions
     applicable to the Securities.

          You, the Company and counsel for the Company are entitled to rely upon
this letter and 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:
                                 --------------------------------
                                       Authorized Signature

                                      D-2
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT E
                                                                       ---------

                                   GUARANTEE
                                   ---------

          For value received, each of the undersigned hereby unconditionally
guarantees, as principal obligor and not only as a surety, to the Holder of this
Security the cash payments in United States dollars of principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on this Security in the amounts and at the times when due and
interest on the overdue principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, of
this Security, if lawful, and the payment or performance of all other
obligations of the Company under the Indenture (as defined below) or the
Securities, to the Holder of this Security and the Trustee, all in accordance
with and subject to the terms and limitations of this Security, Article Eleven
of the Indenture and this Guarantee.  This Guarantee will become effective in
accordance with Article Eleven of the Indenture and its terms shall be evidenced
therein.  The validity and enforceability of any Guarantee shall not be affected
by the fact that it is not affixed to any particular Security.

          Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Indenture dated as of April [  ], 1999, among Building
One Services Corporation, a Delaware corporation, as issuer (the "Company"), the
Guarantors named therein and [           ], as trustee (the "Trustee"), as
amended or supplemented (the "Indenture").

          The obligations of the undersigned to the Holders of Securities and to
the Trustee pursuant to this Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth
in Article Eleven of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture
for the precise terms of the Guarantee and all of the other provisions of the
Indenture to which this Guarantee relates.

          THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO PRINCIPLES OF
CONFLICTS OF LAW.  The undersigned Guarantor hereby agrees 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 Guarantee.

                                      E-1
<PAGE>
 
          This Guarantee is subject to release upon the terms set forth in the
Indenture.

                                      E-2
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Guarantor has caused its Guarantee to be duly
executed.

Date:  April [  ], 1999


                             [                     ]

                            By:
                               --------------------------
                               Name:
                               Title:


                             [                     ]

                            By:
                               --------------------------
                               Name:
                               Title:


                             [                     ]

                            By:
                               --------------------------
                               Name:
                               Title:


                             [                     ]

                            By:
                               --------------------------
                               Name:
                               Title:

                                      E-3


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission