HOWMET INTERNATIONAL INC
8-K, 2000-02-11
AIRCRAFT ENGINES & ENGINE PARTS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               Washington, D.C. 20549




                                      FORM 8-K

                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                          SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 11, 2000



                             HOWMET INTERNATIONAL INC.
      ------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                      Delaware
      ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


            1-13645                                         52-1946684
      --------------------                        ----------------------------
     Commission File Number                      IRS Employer Identification No.


         475 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, CT        06830
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip Code)


                                   (203) 661-4600
                                --------------------

                             Registrant's Telephone Number




<PAGE>



Item 5                                 OTHER EVENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(a) The following news release was issued on February 11, 2000.


HOWMET REPORTS ANNUAL EARNINGS
SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH; RECORD SALES AND EARNINGS


GREENWICH,  CONNECTICUT,  FEBRUARY 11, 2000 - Howmet International Inc. reported
net income  available to common  shareholders  of $135.9  million,  or $1.36 per
share,  for the year ended 1999 compared to $104.8 million,  or $1.05 per share,
for 1998.  Excluding  a $.02 per  share  benefit  related  to a  variable  stock
compensation  plan in 1999,  1999  earnings per share  increased 28 percent over
1998.

Sales  for  1999  increased  eight  percent  over  1998.  Reported  income  from
operations  was 14 percent  higher than in 1998 (12 percent after  excluding the
variable  stock  compensation  benefit,  which is discussed on the attached full
year earnings  table).  Lower interest  expense and the elimination of preferred
stock dividends contributed to the earnings improvement.

President  and Chief  Executive  Officer  David  Squier  commented,  "Howmet had
another  excellent  year.  Despite a greater than expected  downturn in our aero
business and production problems at our aluminum casting facilities, the Company
achieved substantial growth resulting in record

                                       (more)


<PAGE>



HOWMET REPORTS ANNUAL EARNINGS, PG. 2

setting levels for both sales and earnings. We have again exceeded our long-term
goal of 15 percent growth in earnings per share,  and we are well positioned for
continued improvement in 2000 and beyond."

FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
- ----------------------
Net income  available  to common  shareholders  was $32.8  million,  or $.33 per
share, for the three months ended December 31, 1999, compared to $19 million, or
$.19 per share,  for 1998.  Excluding the items discussed on the attached fourth
quarter  earnings  table,  1999 earnings per share increased 38 percent over the
1998 fourth quarter.

Sales for the three months ended  December 31, 1999, increased  two percent over
1998. Reported income from operations was 44 percent higher for the three months
ended 1999 in comparison to 1998. However,  income from operations  increased 18
percent after excluding the items  discussed  below the fourth quarter  earnings
table.  Lower interest  expense and the elimination of preferred stock dividends
were significant contributors to the earnings improvement.

                                       (more)


<PAGE>



HOWMET REPORTS ANNUAL EARNINGS, PG. 3

Headquartered in Greenwich, CT, Howmet International Inc. is the world's largest
manufacturer of precision  investment  castings,  primarily for jet aircraft and
industrial  gas  turbine  engines.   Howmet  and  its  subsidiaries  operate  29
production facilities in the United States,  Canada,  France, the United Kingdom
and Japan.

This press release includes forward-looking  statements. Such statements include
those relating to future sales and earnings growth among others. Pursuant to the
safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
the Company cautions readers that such forward-looking statements are subject to
certain  risks and  uncertainties,  which could cause  actual  results to differ
materially   from  those  projected  in  those   statements.   These  risks  and
uncertainties  include, but are not limited to, worldwide economic and political
conditions,   the  effects  of  aerospace   industry  economic   conditions  and
cyclicality,  the nature of the company's  customer base,  competition,  pricing
pressures,  availability  and cost of raw materials  and others  detailed in the
Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year 1998 and other reports filed
with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission.   The  Company  undertakes  no
obligation  to  publicly  update or revise  any  forward-looking  statements  to
reflect future events or developments.






<PAGE>


HOWMET REPORTS ANNUAL EARNINGS, PG. 4

Summary unaudited financial information for the year ended December 31 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions, except per share                             Better
  amounts)                              1999       1998    (Worse)       Percent
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>
Net sales                            $1,459.7   $1,350.6     $ 109.1        8
================================================================================

Income from operations                  215.4      189.7        25.7       14

  Interest income                         1.0        1.6         (.6)     (38)
  Interest expense                       (6.3)     (12.7)        6.4       50
  Other, net                             (3.0)      (3.4)         .4       12
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes              207.1      175.2        31.9       18

Income taxes                            (70.4)     (64.8)       (5.6)      (9)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income                              136.7      110.4        26.3       24

Preferred stock dividend                  (.8)      (5.6)        4.8       86
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income available to
  common stockholders                $  135.9   $  104.8     $  31.1       30
================================================================================

Net income per common share,
  basic and diluted                  $   1.36   $   1.05     $   .31       30
================================================================================
</TABLE>


The 1999 earnings include a $.02 per share positive impact related to a variable
stock  compensation  plan.  This  benefit  results  from a  decline  in  Cordant
Technologies  Inc.  (Howmet's 85 percent  owner)  common  stock  price.  It will
reverse  ratably in future periods if the Cordant common stock price rises above
its December 31, 1999 closing price.  Excluding this benefit,  1999 earnings per
share increased 28 percent over 1998.

In the 1999 fourth quarter, the effective tax rate was reduced  retroactively to
the beginning of the year from a 36 percent to 34 percent  rate,  primarily as a
result of higher foreign sales  corporation  benefits and legislation  extending
the R&D tax credit to June 2004.


                                       (more)


<PAGE>


HOWMET REPORTS ANNUAL EARNINGS, PG. 5

Summary unaudited  financial  information for the three months ended December 31
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions, except per share                              Better
  amounts)                              1999       1998     (Worse)      Percent
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>
Net sales                              $362.1     $354.9      $  7.2        2
================================================================================

Income from operations                   46.7       32.5        14.2       44

  Interest income                          .5         .5         -          -
  Interest expense                       (1.1)      (2.3)        1.2       52
  Other, net                             (1.3)       (.6)        (.7)    (117)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes               44.8       30.1        14.7       49

Income taxes                            (12.0)      (9.7)       (2.3)     (24)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income                               32.8       20.4        12.4       61

Preferred stock dividend                  -         (1.4)        1.4        -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income available to
  common stockholders                  $ 32.8     $ 19.0      $ 13.8       73
================================================================================

Net income per common share,
  basic and diluted                    $  .33     $  .19      $  .14       74
================================================================================
</TABLE>


The 1999 fourth quarter  earnings were reduced by a $.03 per share reversal of a
third quarter benefit related to the Company's Stock  Appreciation  Rights (SAR)
plan and another  variable stock  compensation  plan. The Company warned of this
unusual  charge in its third quarter  earnings  release,  where it described the
third quarter benefit as one that would reverse when Howmet's common stock price
rose above $15 per share and when  Cordant's  common  stock price rose above its
September 30, 1999 closing price.  The 1998 fourth quarter earnings were reduced
by a $.07 per share  reversal of a prior  quarter SAR  benefit,  resulting  from
fluctuations in Howmet's common stock price.

In the 1999 and 1998  fourth  quarters,  the  effective  tax rates were  reduced
retroactively  to the  beginning  of  the  years  by 2  percent  and 1  percent,
respectively.  The  retroactive  effect of the  change  on the first  nine-month
periods  benefited  the fourth  quarters  by $.03 per share in 1999 and $.02 per
share in 1998.

Excluding both the effects of all of the items  discussed  above,  1999 earnings
per share increased 38 percent over the 1998 fourth quarter.

                                        ####


<PAGE>



HOWMET REPORTS ANNUAL EARNINGS, PG. 6



   Contact:

 Doreen L. Deary                             Shannon P. Sebahar
 Corporate Communications                    Investor Relations
 (203) 625-8735                              (801) 933-4030
 [email protected]                           [email protected]

                               (End of Press Release)



<PAGE>


(b) The  following  additional  information  is provided for the benefit of
     investors.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Year ended December 31,
                                       -----------------------------------------
(in millions, except per share data)      1999          1998          1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>           <C>
Net sales                               $1,459.7      $1,350.6      $1,258.2

Operating expenses:
  Cost of sales                          1,115.8       1,039.1         963.8
  Selling, general and administrative
    expense                                108.6         101.6         122.3
  Research and development expense          19.9          20.2          17.6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total operating expenses            1,244.3       1,160.9       1,103.7

Income from operations                     215.4         189.7         154.5

Interest income                              1.0           1.6           1.2
Interest expense                            (6.3)        (12.7)        (31.0)
Other, net                                  (3.0)         (3.4)         (6.4)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income before income taxes and
  extraordinary item                       207.1         175.2         118.3
Income taxes                               (70.4)        (64.8)        (46.3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income before extraordinary item           136.7         110.4          72.0
Extraordinary item - loss on early
  retirement of debt, net of income
  taxes of $7.9                              -             -           (12.3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income                                 136.7         110.4          59.7

Dividends on redeemable preferred
  stock                                      (.8)         (5.6)         (5.1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income applicable to common stock   $  135.9      $  104.8      $   54.6
================================================================================

Per common share amounts, basic and diluted:
  Income before extraordinary item      $   1.36      $   1.05      $    .67
  Extraordinary item                          -             -           (.12)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net income                            $   1.36      $   1.05      $    .55
================================================================================
</TABLE>





<PAGE>


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                December 31,
                                                           -----------------------
(in millions, except share data)                              1999        1998
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>          <C>
ASSETS
- ------
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                                 $   39.4    $    37.6
  Accounts receivable (less allowance of $3.7 and $5.2)         80.7         84.1
  Inventories                                                  165.3        161.9
  Retained receivables                                          35.6         32.0
  Deferred income taxes                                         14.3         16.2
  Other current assets                                           3.7          3.0
  Restricted Trust  (a)                                          -          716.4
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets                                           339.0      1,051.2

Property, plant and equipment, net                             396.5        334.9
Goodwill, net                                                  209.5        221.1
Patents and technology and other intangible assets, net         94.9        115.1
Deferred income taxes                                           11.9          -
Other noncurrent assets                                         68.3         78.3
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                                $1,120.1    $ 1,800.6
==================================================================================

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS'
- ---------------------------------------------------------
EQUITY
- ------
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                                          $   81.3    $   101.5
  Accrued compensation                                          59.8         45.0
  Other accrued liabilities                                     98.0        108.7
  Advance on accounts receivable                                40.0          -
  Income taxes payable                                          47.8         44.8
  Short-term debt                                               45.7         28.0
  Pechiney Notes  (a)                                            -          716.4
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities                                      372.6      1,044.4

Noncurrent liabilities:
  Accrued retiree benefits other than pensions                 101.2         96.8
  Accrued pension liability                                     35.9         49.0
  Other noncurrent liabilities                                 109.7        108.4
  Deferred income taxes                                          -            2.1
  Long-term debt                                                 -           63.0
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noncurrent liabilities                                   246.8        319.3

Commitments and contingencies

Redeemable preferred stock                                       -           65.6

Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, authorized - 9,993,470 shares,
   issued and outstanding - 0 shares                             -            -
  Common stock,  $.01 par value;  authorized - 400,000,000
   shares,issued and outstanding: 1999 - 100,028,833 shares;
   1998 - 100,005,356 shares                                     1.0          1.0
  Capital surplus                                              195.4        195.1
  Retained earnings                                            316.0        180.1
  Accumulated other comprehensive income                       (11.7)        (4.9)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total stockholders' equity                                     500.7        371.3
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and
  stockholders' equity                                      $1,120.1    $ 1,800.6
==================================================================================
</TABLE>

(a)  The Restricted  Trust  held a  note receivable  from  Pechiney,  S.A., the
     Company's  previous  owner,  and  related  letters of credit  that  secured
     Pechiney, S.A.'s agreement to repay the Pechiney Notes. Pechiney, S.A. (the
     Company's previous owner) paid the Notes in full on January 4, 1999 and the
     Restricted Trust was terminated.  No Company funds were used in the payment
     of the Notes.


<PAGE>



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Year ended December 31,
                                           -----------------------------------
(in millions)                                 1999         1998        1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>         <C>         <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
- --------------------
Net income                                  $ 136.7      $ 110.4     $  59.7
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
  cash provided by operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization               66.8         60.2        66.9
   Equity in income of unconsolidated
     affiliates                                 -            (.4)       (1.5)
   Extraordinary item                           -            -          12.3
   Changes in assets and liabilities:
     Receivables                               (2.5)        (3.5)        8.4
     Inventories                               (4.6)         2.2       (17.9)
     Accounts payable and accrued
      liabilities                             (12.6)        10.3        12.1
     Deferred income taxes                    (14.8)        (2.1)        (.3)
     Income taxes payable                       3.4         17.8        16.9
     Long-term SARs accrual                     6.3          5.5        31.4
     Advance on accounts receivable            40.0          -           -
     Other,  net                               14.2          7.0         4.6
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net cash provided by operating             232.9        207.4       192.6
   activities

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
- --------------------
Purchases of property, plant and equipment   (112.9)       (83.0)      (56.9)
Payments made for investments and other
  assets                                        -           (3.0)       (1.8)
Proceeds from sale of refurbishment
  business, net                                 -            -          44.9
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net cash used by investing activities     (112.9)       (86.0)      (13.8)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
- --------------------
Net change in short-term debt                  14.6         15.1         -
Issuance of long-term debt                     65.0         36.6       326.2
Repayment of long-term debt                  (128.0)      (182.0)     (467.6)
Redemption of preferred stock                 (66.4)         -           -
Premiums paid on early retirement of debt       -            -         (13.7)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net cash used by financing activities     (114.8)      (130.3)     (155.1)
Foreign currency rate changes                  (3.4)         1.1        (1.7)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash
  equivalents                                   1.8         (7.8)       22.0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
  period                                       37.6         45.4        23.4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $  39.4      $  37.6     $  45.4
================================================================================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND REDEEMABLE PREFERRED
STOCK (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   Accumulated     Total
                                                                     Other        Common        Redeemable
                                   Common Stock  Capital Retained Comprehensive Stockholders' Preferred Stock
                                   -------------                                              ---------------
(in millions, except share data)  Shares  Amount Surplus Earnings    Income        Equity      Shares Amount
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>         <C>   <C>    <C>       <C>             <C>         <C>    <C>
Balance, December 31, 1996      100,000,000 $1.0  $195.0 $ 20.7    $  2.1          $218.8      5,490  $ 54.9
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income:
  Net income                                               59.7                      59.7
  Othercomprehensive income
   Foreign exchange
     translation adjustment                                          (7.7)           (7.7)
                                                                                 -----------
  Total comprehensive income                                                         52.0
                                                                                 -----------
Dividends - redeemable
  preferred stock                                          (5.1)                     (5.1)       511     5.1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance, December 31, 1997      100,000,000 $1.0  $195.0 $ 75.3    $ (5.6)         $265.7      6,001  $ 60.0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income:
  Net income                                              110.4                     110.4
  Other comprehensive income
   Foreign exchange
     translation adjustment                                           3.1             3.1
   Minimum pension liability
     adjustment                                                      (2.4)           (2.4)
                                                                                 -----------
  Total comprehensive income                                                        111.1
                                                                                 -----------
Dividends - redeemable
  preferred stock                                          (5.6)                     (5.6)       559     5.6
Shares issued                         5,356           .1                               .1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance, December 31, 1998      100,005,356 $1.0  $195.1 $180.1    $ (4.9)         $371.3      6,560  $ 65.6
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income:
  Net income                                              136.7                     136.7
  Other comprehensive income
   Foreign exchange
     translation adjustment                                         (10.4)          (10.4)
   Minimum pension liability
     adjustment                                                       2.4             2.4
   Unrealized gain on
     securities                                                       1.2             1.2
                                                                                 -----------
  Total comprehensive income                                                        129.9
                                                                                 -----------
Dividends - redeemable
  preferred stock                                           (.8)                      (.8)        78      .8
Redeemable preferred stock
  redemption                                                                                  (6,638)  (66.4)
Shares issued                        23,527           .3                               .3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1999      100,028,883 $1.0  $195.4 $316.0    $(11.7)         $500.7          -   $   -
=============================================================================================================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


(c) On February 9, 2000,  Howmet  Corporation  terminated  its $300 Million
    revolving  credit  agreement with Bank One, NA and entered into a new Credit
    Agreement, also with Bank One, NA for a $25 million line of credit.



Item 7                 Financial Statements and Exhibits
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(c)      Exhibits

         4.8   Credit Agreement between Howmet Corporation and Bank One, NA
               dated February 9, 2000.


This Form 8-K includes forward-looking statements. Such statements include those
relating to future sales and earnings growth among others.  Pursuant to the safe
harbor provisions of the Private  Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the
Company  cautions  readers that such  forward-looking  statements are subject to
certain  risks and  uncertainties,  which could cause  actual  results to differ
materially   from  those  projected  in  those   statements.   These  risks  and
uncertainties  include, but are not limited to, worldwide economic and political
conditions,   the  effects  of  aerospace   industry  economic   conditions  and
cyclicality,  the nature of the company's  customer base,  competition,  pricing
pressures,  availability  and cost of raw materials  and others  detailed in the
Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year 1998 and other reports filed
with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission.   The  Company  undertakes  no
obligation  to  publicly  update or revise  any  forward-looking  statements  to
reflect future events or developments.




                                    SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  and Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                    HOWMET INTERNATIONAL INC.
                                    (Registrant)

                                    By:  /s/ John C.Ritter
                                         ---------------
                                         John C. Ritter
                                         Senior Vice President and
                                         Chief Financial Officer
Date: February 11, 2000




                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

      This Credit Agreement (as it may be amended or modified and in effect from
time to time, the "Agreement"),  dated as of February 9, 2000, is between Howmet
Corporation,  a Delaware corporation  (together with its successors and assigns,
the  "Borrower"),  and Bank One,  NA, with its main office in Chicago,  Illinois
(together  with its successors  and assigns,  the "Lender").  The parties hereto
agree as follows:


                            ARTICLE I -- DEFINITIONS
      As used in this Agreement:

      "Alternate  Base Rate"  means,  for any day, a rate of interest  per annum
equal to the higher of (i) the prime  rate of  interest  announced  from time to
time by the Lender or by its parent  (which is not  necessarily  the lowest rate
charged to any customer),  changing when and as said prime rate changes and (ii)
the sum of the federal funds effective rate (as published by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York) for such day plus 1/2% per annum.

      "Alternate  Base Rate  Loan"  means a Loan that  bears  interest  at the
Alternate Base Rate.

      "Borrowing Date" means a date on which a Loan is made hereunder.

      "Borrowing Notice" is defined in Section 2.5.

      "Business  Day" means (i) with respect to any  borrowing,  payment or rate
selection of Eurodollar  Loans, a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which
banks   generally  are  open  in  Chicago  and  New  York  for  the  conduct  of
substantially all of their commercial  lending  activities and on which dealings
in United States dollars are carried on in the London  interbank market and (ii)
for all other  purposes,  a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks
generally  are open in Chicago  for the  conduct of  substantially  all of their
commercial lending activities.

      "Code" means the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended,  reformed or
otherwise modified from time to time.

      "Commitment"  means  the  obligation  of the  Lender  to  make  Loans  not
exceeding the amount set forth  opposite its signature  below or as set forth in
any notice of assignment  relating to any assignment  that has become  effective
pursuant  to Section  11.3,  as such  amount may be  modified  from time to time
pursuant to the terms hereof.

      "Controlled Group" means all members of a controlled group of corporations
or  other  business  entities  and all  trades  or  businesses  (whether  or not
incorporated)  under common control which,  together with the Borrower or any of
its  Subsidiaries,  are treated as a single  employer  under  Section 414 of the
Code.

      "Conversion/Continuation Notice" is defined in Section 2.6.

      "Cordant  Credit  Agreement"  means that certain 5-Year  Revolving  Credit
Agreement  dated as of February 9, 2000 among  Cordant  Technologies  Inc.,  the
institutions  from time to time  parties  thereto as lenders,  Bank One,  NA, as
Administrative  Agent,  ABN AMRO Bank  N.V.,  as  Syndication  Agent and Bank of
America,  N.A. and Wachovia Bank, N.A. as  Co-Documentation  Agents, as the same
may be amended,  modified,  supplemented  and/or  restated and as in effect from
time to time.

      "Default" means an event described in Article VII.
<PAGE>

      "ERISA"  means the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974,  as
amended from time to time, and any rule or regulation issued thereunder.

      "Eurodollar  Base Rate" means,  with respect to a Eurodollar  Loan for the
relevant Interest Period, the applicable British Bankers'  Association  Interest
Settlement Rate for deposits in U.S. dollars appearing on Reuters Screen FRBD as
of 11:00 a.m.  (London  time) two  Business  Days prior to the first day of such
Interest Period,  and having a maturity equal to such Interest Period,  provided
that,  (i) if Reuters Screen FRBD is not available to the Lender for any reason,
the  applicable  Eurodollar  Base Rate for the  relevant  Interest  Period shall
instead be the applicable British Bankers'  Association Interest Settlement Rate
for  deposits  in U.S.  dollars as reported  by any other  generally  recognized
financial  information  service as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days
prior to the first day of such Interest  Period,  and having a maturity equal to
such Interest Period, and (ii) if no such British Bankers'  Association Interest
Settlement Rate is available to the Lender, the applicable  Eurodollar Base Rate
for the relevant  Interest  Period shall  instead be the rate  determined by the
Lender to be the rate at which the Lender or one of its  affiliate  banks offers
to place deposits in U.S. dollars with first-class banks in the London interbank
market at approximately  11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the
first day of such Interest Period,  in the approximate  amount of the Eurodollar
Loan and having a maturity equal to such Interest Period.

      "Eurodollar Loan" means a Loan that bears interest at a Eurodollar Rate.

      "Eurodollar  Rate"  means,  with  respect  to a  Eurodollar  Loan  for the
relevant Interest Period, the sum of (i) the quotient of (a) the Eurodollar Base
Rate  applicable to such Interest  Period,  divided by (b) one minus the Reserve
Requirement  (expressed as a decimal)  applicable to such Interest Period,  plus
(ii) 0.925% per annum.

      "Indebtedness"  of  any  Person  means,  without   duplication,   (a)  the
obligations of such Person (i) for borrowed money, (ii) under or with respect to
notes payable and drafts accepted which represent  extensions of credit (whether
or not  representing  obligations  for  borrowed  money) to such  Person,  (iii)
reimbursement  obligations  with  respect to  letters  of credit  issued for the
account of such Person (other than letters of credit utilized for  non-financial
obligations (i.e., performance on contracts,  workers' compensation,  to support
self-insurance  programs  and  for  the  benefit  of  governmental  entities  in
connection  with  environmental  clean-up  activities)) or (iv) for the deferred
purchase  price of property  or services  other than  current  accounts  payable
arising in the ordinary course of business on terms customary in the trade,  (b)
the obligations of others, whether or not assumed,  secured by Liens on property
of such Person or payable out of the proceeds of or production from property now
or  hereafter  owned or  acquired  by such  Person,  (c) the  Capitalized  Lease
Obligations of such Person,  (d) the obligations of such Person under Guaranties
by such Person of any  Indebtedness  (other than  obligations for borrowed money
incurred to finance the purchase of property leased to such Person pursuant to a
Capitalized  Lease of such  Person)  of any other  Person,  (e) all  Receivables
Facility Attributed Indebtedness of such Person on the date of determination and
(f) Off Balance Sheet  Liabilities  of such Person (with all  capitalized  terms
used in this  definitions  and not  defined  in this  Agreement  having the same
meanings given to such terms in the Cordant Credit Agreement).

      "Interest  Period" means,  with respect to a Eurodollar  Loan, a period of
one, two or three months  commencing  on a Business Day selected by the Borrower
pursuant  to this  Agreement.  Such  Interest  Period  shall end on the day that
corresponds  numerically  to such  date  one,  two or three  months  thereafter,
provided,  however,  that if there is no such numerically  corresponding  day in
such next,  second or third succeeding  month, such Interest Period shall end on
the last  Business Day of such next,  second or third  succeeding  month.  If an
Interest  Period would  otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, such
Interest  Period  shall  end on the  next  succeeding  Business  Day,  provided,
however,  that if said next  succeeding  Business  Day  falls in a new  calendar
month, such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day.
<PAGE>

      "Lending   Installation"  means  any  office,   branch,   subsidiary  or
affiliate of the Lender.

      "Lien"   means  any  lien   (statutory   or  other),   mortgage,   pledge,
hypothecation,  assignment,  deposit  arrangement,  encumbrance  or  preference,
priority or other security agreement or preferential  arrangement of any kind or
nature whatsoever  (including,  without limitation,  the interest of a vendor or
lessor under any conditional  sale,  capitalized  lease or other title retention
agreement).

      "Loan"  means a borrowing  hereunder  (or a conversion  or  continuation
thereof).

      "Loan  Documents"  means this Agreement and, if requested,  a Note and the
other documents and agreements  contemplated hereby and executed by the Borrower
in favor of the Lender.

      "Material  Adverse  Effect"  means a  material  adverse  effect on (i) the
business, Property,  condition (financial or otherwise),  results of operations,
or prospects of the Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole,  (ii) the
ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents,  or
(iii) the validity or  enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or the rights
or remedies of the Lender thereunder.

      "Note" is defined in Section 2.10.

      "Obligations"  means  all  unpaid  principal  of and  accrued  and  unpaid
interest  on  the  Loans,   all  accrued  and  unpaid  fees  and  all  expenses,
reimbursements,  indemnities and other obligations of the Borrower to the Lender
or any indemnified party arising under the Loan Documents.

      "Person"  means any natural  person,  corporation,  firm,  joint  venture,
partnership,  association, limited liability company, enterprise, trust or other
entity or  organization,  or any  government  or  political  subdivision  or any
agency, department or instrumentality thereof.

      "Plan" means an employee pension benefit plan which is covered by Title IV
of ERISA or subject to the minimum  funding  standards  under Section 412 of the
Code as to which the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group may have any
liability.

      "Prior Howmet  Agreement"  means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of
December 16, 1997 among the Borrower, the financial institutions parties thereto
as lenders,  ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and Bankers Trust Company,  as  Co-Documentation
Agents and Bank One, NA (formerly The First National Bank of Chicago),  as Swing
Line  Lender,  LC Issuer and Agent,  as the same has been  amended  from time to
time.

      "Property" of a Person means any and all property, whether real, personal,
tangible, intangible, or mixed, of such Person, or other assets owned, leased or
operated by such Person.

      "Reserve  Requirement"  means,  with  respect to an Interest  Period,  the
maximum  aggregate  reserve  requirement  (including  all  basic,  supplemental,
marginal and other reserves) which is imposed under Regulation D of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System on Eurocurrency liabilities.

      "Subsidiary"  of a Person means (i) any  corporation  more than 50% of the
outstanding  securities  having ordinary voting power of which shall at the time
be owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more
of its  Subsidiaries or by such Person and one or more of its  Subsidiaries,  or
(ii) any partnership,  limited liability company, association,  joint venture or
similar business  organization  more than 50% of the ownership  interests having
ordinary  voting  power  of which  shall at the time be so owned or  controlled.
Unless otherwise  expressly  provided,  all references  herein to a "Subsidiary"
shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

      "Termination Date" means May 9, 2000.
<PAGE>

      "Type" means,  with respect to any Loan,  its nature as an Alternate  Base
Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.

      "Unmatured  Default" means an event which but for the lapse of time or the
giving of notice, or both, would constitute a Default.

      The foregoing definitions shall be equally applicable to both the singular
and plural forms of the defined terms.


                            ARTICLE II -- THE CREDITS

      2.1. Commitment;  Reduction of Commitment.  From and including the date of
           -------------------------------------
this Agreement and prior to the  Termination  Date,  the Lender  agrees,  on the
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement,  to make Loans to the Borrower
from time to time in  amounts  not to exceed  in the  aggregate  at any one time
outstanding  the amount of the Commitment.  The Borrower may permanently  reduce
the Commitment, in integral multiples of $1,000,000, upon at least five Business
Days' written notice to the Lender;  provided,  however,  that the amount of the
Commitment  may not be  reduced  below  the  aggregate  principal  amount of the
outstanding Loans.

      2.2. Types of Loans; Minimum Amount; Lending Installations. Subject to the
           ------------------------------------------------------
terms of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow at any time
prior to the  Termination  Date.  The Loans may be Alternate  Base Rate Loans or
Eurodollar  Loans,  or a  combination  thereof,  selected  by  the  Borrower  in
accordance  with Sections 2.5 and 2.6. Each Loan shall be in the minimum  amount
of $1,000,000 and increments of $100,000 in excess thereof.  The Lender may book
the Loans at any Lending  Installation,  as selected by the Lender. All terms of
the Loan  Documents  shall  apply to and may be  enforced by or on behalf of any
such Lending Installation.

      2.3. Principal  Payments.  The Borrower may from time to time pay, without
           --------------------
penalty or premium,  in a minimum  aggregate amount of $100,000,  any portion of
the  outstanding  Alternate Base Rate Loans upon two Business Days' prior notice
to the  Lender.  The  Borrower  may from time to time pay,  without  penalty  or
premium, all outstanding  Eurodollar Loans, or, in a minimum aggregate amount of
$1,000,000 or any integral  multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof,  any portion
of the  outstanding  Eurodollar  Loans upon three Business Days' prior notice to
the Lender; provided,  however, that if any such payment occurs, whether because
of  acceleration,  prepayment or otherwise,  or a Eurodollar Loan is not made on
the date  specified  by the  Borrower  for any reason  other than default by the
Lender,  the Borrower will indemnify the Lender for any loss or cost incurred by
it  resulting  therefrom,  including,  without  limitation,  any loss or cost in
liquidating  or employing  deposits  acquired to fund or maintain the Eurodollar
Loan. Any outstanding  Loans and all other unpaid  Obligations  shall be paid in
full by the Borrower,  and the Commitment to lend hereunder shall expire, on the
Termination Date.

      2.4.  Fees.  The  Borrower  agrees to pay to the Lender a facility  fee of
            -----
0.20% per  annum on the  amount of the  Commitment  from the date  hereof to and
including the Termination Date, payable on the last day of each calendar quarter
hereafter and on the Termination  Date. All accrued fees shall be payable on the
effective date of any termination of the obligations of the Lender to make Loans
hereunder.

      2.5.  Method of Selecting  Types and Interest  Periods for New Loans.  The
            ---------------------------------------------------------------
Borrower  shall  select  the  Type of  Loan  and the  Interest  Period,  if any,
applicable  to each Loan from time to time.  The Borrower  shall give the Lender
irrevocable  notice (a  "Borrowing  Notice") not later than 11:00 a.m.  (Chicago
time) at least one Business Day before the Borrowing Date of each Alternate Base
Rate Loan and three Business Days before the Borrowing Date for each  Eurodollar
Loan,  specifying  for each  Loan:  (i) the  Borrowing  Date,  which  shall be a
Business Day, (ii) the aggregate  amount,  (iii) the Type, and (iv) the Interest
Period, if any, applicable thereto.  The Lender will make the funds available to
the Borrower at the Lender's address specified pursuant to Article XII.
<PAGE>

      2.6. Conversion and Continuation of Outstanding Loans. Alternate Base Rate
           -------------------------------------------------
Loans shall continue as such unless and until converted into Eurodollar Loans or
are repaid.  Each Eurodollar Loan shall continue until, and may not be converted
prior to, the end of the then applicable Interest Period therefor, at which time
such  Eurodollar  Loan shall be  automatically  converted into an Alternate Base
Rate Loan  unless such  Eurodollar  Loan was repaid or the  Borrower  shall have
given  the  Lender  irrevocable  notice  (a  "Conversion/Continuation   Notice")
requesting  that,  at the end of such  Interest  Period,  such  Eurodollar  Loan
continue as such for the same or another  Interest  Period.  The Borrower  shall
give  the  Lender  a  Conversion/Continuation  Notice  prior  to the date of the
requested conversion or continuation, but not later than the times identified in
Section 2.5 for Borrowing  Notices,  specifying for each Loan being converted or
continued:  (i) the  requested  date  which  shall be a Business  Day;  (ii) the
aggregate  amount and Type;  and (iii) the amount  and  Type(s) of Loan(s)  into
which such Loan is to be converted or continued and the duration of the Interest
Period, if any, applicable thereto.

      2.7.  Changes in Interest  Rate.  Each Alternate Base Rate Loan shall bear
            --------------------------
interest,  at the  Alternate  Base Rate,  on the  outstanding  principal  amount
thereof,  for  each  day from and  including  the date  such  Loan is made or is
automatically  converted  from a Eurodollar  Loan pursuant to Section 2.6 to but
excluding the date it is paid or is converted into a Eurodollar Loan pursuant to
Section 2.6. Changes in the Alternate Base Rate will take effect  simultaneously
with each change in the Alternate  Base Rate.  Each  Eurodollar  Loan shall bear
interest on the  outstanding  principal  amount  thereof for each day during the
Interest  Period  applicable  thereto from and  including  the first day of such
Interest  Period to (but not including) the last day of such Interest  Period at
the Eurodollar Rate applicable thereto.
No Interest Period may end after the Termination Date.

      2.8.  Rates  Applicable  After  Default.  Notwithstanding  anything to the
            ----------------------------------
contrary contained in Section 2.5 or 2.6, during the continuance of a Default or
Unmatured  Default the Lender may,  at its  option,  by notice to the  Borrower,
declare that no Loan may be made as, converted into or continued as a Eurodollar
Loan.  During the  continuance of a Default,  the Lender may, at its option,  by
notice  to the  Borrower,  declare  that (i) each  Eurodollar  Loan  shall  bear
interest  for the  remainder  of the  applicable  Interest  Period  at the  rate
otherwise  applicable to such Interest  Period plus 2% per annum,  and (ii) each
Alternate  Base Rate Loan shall bear  interest  at a rate per annum equal to the
Alternate  Base Rate in effect  from  time to time plus 2% per  annum,  provided
that,  during the  continuance  of a Default  under Section 7.2, 7.5 or 7.6, the
interest  rates set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) above shall be  applicable  to
all Loans without any election or action on the part of the Lender.

      2.9. Method of Payment. All payments of the Obligations hereunder shall be
           ------------------
made, without setoff, deduction, or counterclaim, in immediately available funds
to the Lender at the  Lender's  address,  by noon (local  time) on the date when
due.  The  Lender is hereby  authorized  to charge the  account of the  Borrower
maintained  with the Lender for each payment of principal,  interest and fees as
it becomes due hereunder.

      2.10.  Noteless  Agreement;  Evidence of  Indebtedness.  The Lender  shall
             ------------------------------------------------
maintain in accordance  with its usual  practice an account or accounts in which
it will record (a) the amount of each Loan made hereunder,  the Type thereof and
the Interest  Period with respect  thereto,  (b) the amount of any  principal or
interest  due and payable or to become due and payable  from the Borrower to the
Lender  hereunder and (c) the amount of any sum received by the Lender hereunder
from the Borrower.  The entries maintained in such accounts shall be prima facie
evidence of the  existence  and  amounts of the  Obligations  therein  recorded;
provided,  however,  that the failure of the Lender to maintain such accounts or
any error therein shall not in any manner affect the  obligation of the Borrower
to repay the Obligations in accordance with their terms.  The Lender may request
that the Loans be evidenced by a promissory note (a "Note").  In such event, the
Borrower shall prepare,  execute and deliver to the Lender a Note payable to the
order of the Lender in a form  supplied  by the  Lender.  Thereafter,  the Loans
evidenced by such Note and interest  thereon shall at all times (including after
any  assignment  pursuant to Section 11.3) be  represented  by one or more Notes
payable to the order of the payee  named  therein or any  assignee  pursuant  to
Section  11.3,  except  to the  extent  that the  Lender  or any  such  assignee
subsequently returns any such Note for cancellation and requests that such Loans
once again be evidenced as described above.
<PAGE>

      2.11.  Telephonic  Notices.  The Borrower hereby  authorizes the Lender to
             --------------------
extend,  convert or continue Loans,  effect  selections of Types of Loans and to
transfer  funds based on  telephonic  notices  made by any person or persons the
Lender in good faith  believes  to be acting on behalf of the  Borrower.  If the
Borrower's  records differ in any material  respect from the action taken by the
Lender, the records of the Lender shall govern absent manifest error.


      2.12. Interest Payment Dates;  Interest and Fee Basis. Interest accrued on
            ------------------------------------------------
each  Alternate Base Rate Loan shall be payable on the last day of each calendar
quarter,  commencing with the first such date to occur after the date hereof and
at maturity.  Interest  accrued on each  Eurodollar Loan shall be payable on the
last day of its applicable  Interest Period, on any date on which the Eurodollar
Loan is prepaid, whether by acceleration or otherwise, and at maturity. Interest
accrued on Eurodollar Loans, commitment fees and Alternate Base Rate Loans where
the basis of calculation is the federal funds effective rate shall be calculated
for actual days elapsed on the basis of a year of 360 days, and interest accrued
on Alternate  Base Rate Loans where the basis of  calculation  is the prime rate
shall be  calculated  for actual days  elapsed on the basis of a year or 365, or
when appropriate 366, days. Interest shall be payable for the day a Loan is made
but not for the day of any payment if payment is  received  prior to noon (local
time) at the place of payment.  If any payment of  principal of or interest on a
Loan shall become due on a day which is not a Business  Day,  such payment shall
be made on the next  succeeding  Business  Day and,  in the case of a  principal
payment,  such  extension  of time shall be  included in  computing  interest in
connection with such payment.


                     ARTICLE III -- CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES

      The Borrower  agrees to pay to the Lender such amounts as will  compensate
the Lender for any  increase in the cost to the Lender of making or  maintaining
any Loan hereunder or of maintaining the Commitment to make Loans hereunder,  by
reason of a change in any reserve (except Reserve  Requirements),  tax,  capital
guidelines,  special deposit,  or similar requirement with respect to assets of,
deposits  with or for the  account  of, or credit  extended  by, or  commitments
extended  by, the Lender  which are  imposed  on, or deemed  applicable  by, the
Lender, under any law, treaty, rule, regulation (including,  without limitation,
Regulation  D of the Board of  Governors  of the Federal  Reserve  System),  any
interpretation thereof by any governmental,  fiscal, monetary or other authority
charged with the administration thereof or having jurisdiction over such Loan or
the Lender,  or any requirement  imposed by any such  authority,  whether or not
having the force of law. Such additional amounts shall be payable on demand. The
Lender  may  suspend  the  availability  of  any  Type  of  Eurodollar  Loan  if
maintenance of such Loan at a suitable Lending  Installation  becomes illegal or
if  deposits  matching  such  Loan  are  unavailable  to  the  Lender  or if the
Eurodollar Rate fails to reflect the cost to the Lender of making or maintaining
such Loan.


                       ARTICLE IV -- CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

      4.1.  Initial  Loan.  The Lender shall not be required to make the initial
            --------------
Loan hereunder unless the Borrower has furnished to the Lender a Note payable to
the  Lender,  if so  requested  by the  Lender,  and such  opinions  of counsel,
certificates of incumbency,  resolutions,  by-laws and articles of incorporation
and such other closing documents as the Lender has requested.

      4.2.  Each Loan.  The Lender shall not be required to make any Loan (other
            ----------
than a Loan that,  after giving  effect  thereto and to the  application  of the
proceeds thereof,  does not increase the aggregate amount of outstanding Loans),
unless on the  applicable  Borrowing  Date:  (i)  there  exists  no  Default  or
Unmatured Default;  (ii) the representations and warranties contained in Article
V are true and correct as of such  Borrowing  Date except to the extent any such
representation  or warranty is stated to relate  solely to an earlier  date,  in
which case such  representation  or warranty shall be true and correct on and as
of such earlier date; and (iii) all legal matters incident to the making of such
<PAGE>

Loan shall be satisfactory to the Lender and its counsel.  Each Borrowing Notice
with respect to each such Loan shall constitute a representation and warranty by
the Borrower that the conditions contained in Sections 4.2(i) and (ii) have been
satisfied.  The Lender may require a duly completed compliance  certificate as a
condition to making a Loan.


                 ARTICLE V -- REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

      The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lender that:

      5.1.  Incorporation of the Prior Howmet Agreement Provisions.  Each of the
representations  and  warranties  contained  in Article  VI of the Prior  Howmet
Agreement  is true and  correct in all  material  respects  with  respect to the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as though such representations and warranties (and
all  relevant  definitions)  were  included  herein and whether or not the Prior
Howmet Agreement has terminated.

      5.2.  Authorization and Validity. The Borrower has the power and authority
            ---------------------------
and legal right to execute and  deliver  the Loan  Documents  and to perform its
obligations  thereunder.  The execution and delivery by the Borrower of the Loan
Documents  and the  performance  of its  obligations  thereunder  have been duly
authorized by proper corporate  proceedings,  and the Loan Documents  constitute
legal,  valid and binding  obligations of the Borrower  enforceable  against the
Borrower in accordance with their terms, except as enforceability may be limited
by  bankruptcy,   insolvency  or  similar  laws  affecting  the  enforcement  of
creditors' rights generally.

      5.3. No Conflict;  Government Consent.  Neither the execution and delivery
           ---------------------------------
by the Borrower of the Loan Documents,  nor the consummation of the transactions
therein  contemplated,  nor compliance with the provisions  thereof will violate
(i) any law, rule,  regulation,  order, writ,  judgment,  injunction,  decree or
award binding on the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries or (ii) the Borrower's
or any  Subsidiary's  articles  or  certificate  of  incorporation,  partnership
agreement, certificate of partnership,  articles or certificate of organization,
by-laws,  or operating  or other  management  agreement,  as the case may be, or
(iii) the  provisions  of any  indenture,  instrument  or agreement to which the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or is subject, or by which it, or
its Property, is bound, or conflict with or constitute a default thereunder,  or
result in, or require,  the creation or  imposition of any Lien in, of or on the
Property  of the  Borrower  or a  Subsidiary  pursuant  to the terms of any such
indenture,  instrument or agreement. No order, consent, adjudication,  approval,
license,  authorization,  or validation of, or filing, recording or registration
with, or exemption by, or other action in respect of any  governmental or public
body or authority,  or any subdivision  thereof,  which has not been obtained by
the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries,  is  required  to be obtained by the
Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  in  connection  with  the  execution  and
delivery of the Loan Documents, the borrowings under this Agreement, the payment
and  performance by the Borrower of the  Obligations or the legality,  validity,
binding effect or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents.

                             ARTICLE VI -- COVENANTS

      During  the term of this  Agreement,  unless the  Lender  shall  otherwise
consent in writing:

      6.1.  Incorporation  of Certain  Prior  Howmet  Agreement  Covenants.  The
            ---------------------------------------------------------------
Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall comply with each of the covenants  contained
in Article VII of the Prior Howmet  Agreement as though such  covenants (and all
relevant  definitions)  were included herein and whether or not the Prior Howmet
Agreement has terminated.


                             ARTICLE VII -- DEFAULTS
<PAGE>

      The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute
a Default:

       7.1. Any  representation  or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf
of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries to the Lender under or in connection
with this Agreement,  any Loan, or any  certificate or information  delivered in
connection  with this  Agreement or any other Loan Document  shall be materially
false on the date as of which made.

       7.2.  Nonpayment  of  principal  of any Loan when due, or  nonpayment  of
interest upon any Loan or of any commitment fee or other  obligations  under any
of the Loan Documents within five days after the same becomes due.

       7.3. The breach by the Borrower (other than a breach which  constitutes a
Default  under  another  Section  of this  Article  VII) of any of the  terms or
provisions  of this  Agreement  which is not remedied  within  thirty days after
written notice from the Lender.

       7.4.  Failure of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries to pay when due
any Indebtedness aggregating in excess of $20,000,000 ("Material Indebtedness");
or the default by the Borrower or any of its  consolidated  subsidiaries  in the
performance (beyond the applicable grace period with respect thereto, if any) of
any term,  provision or condition  contained  in any  agreement  under which any
Material Indebtedness was created or is governed, or any other event shall occur
or  condition  exist,  the effect of which  default or event is to cause,  or to
permit  the  holder or  holders of such  Material  Indebtedness  to cause,  such
Material  Indebtedness  to  become  due  prior to its  stated  maturity;  or any
Material  Indebtedness  of the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall  be
declared to be due and payable or required to be prepaid or  repurchased  (other
than by a regularly  scheduled payment) prior to the stated maturity thereof; or
the Borrower or any of its Consolidated  Subsidiaries shall not pay, or admit in
writing its inability to pay, its debts generally as they become due.

       7.5. The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries  shall (i) have an order for
relief  entered with respect to it under the Federal  bankruptcy  laws as now or
hereafter in effect, (ii) make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iii)
apply for,  seek,  consent to, or acquiesce in, the  appointment  of a receiver,
custodian,  trustee,  examiner,  liquidator  or similar  official  for it or any
substantial  portion of its Property,  (iv) institute any proceeding  seeking an
order for relief under the Federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter in effect
or seeking to  adjudicate it a bankrupt or  insolvent,  or seeking  dissolution,
winding up, liquidation, reorganization,  arrangement, adjustment or composition
of it or  its  debts  under  any  law  relating  to  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or
reorganization  or relief of debtors or fail to file an answer or other pleading
denying the material  allegations of any such  proceeding  filed against it, (v)
take any  corporate  or  partnership  action to  authorize  or effect any of the
foregoing  actions set forth in this Section 7.5 or (vi) fail to contest in good
faith any appointment or proceeding described in Section 7.6.

       7.6. Without the application,  approval or consent of the Borrower or any
of its  Subsidiaries,  a  receiver,  trustee,  examiner,  liquidator  or similar
official shall be appointed for the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  or any
substantial  portion  of its  Property,  or a  proceeding  described  in Section
7.5(iv) shall be instituted  against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and
such appointment continues undischarged or such proceeding continues undismissed
or unstayed for a period of 30 consecutive days.

       7.7. The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail within 30 days to
pay,  bond or otherwise  discharge  one or more (i)  judgments or orders for the
payment of money in excess of $20,000,000 in the aggregate,  or (ii) nonmonetary
judgments or orders which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, which judgment(s), in any such case,
is/are not stayed on appeal or otherwise being  appropriately  contested in good
faith.

       7.8. The acquisition by any Person other than Cordant  Technologies Inc.,
or two or more Persons acting in concert,  of beneficial  ownership  (within the
meaning  of Rule  13d-3 of the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  under the
<PAGE>

Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934) of 20% or more of the  outstanding  shares of
voting stock of the Borrower.


        ARTICLE VIII -- ACCELERATION, WAIVERS, AMENDMENTS AND REMEDIES

      8.1.  Acceleration.  If any Default described in Section 7.5 or 7.6 occurs
            -------------
with  respect  to the  Borrower,  the  obligation  of the  Lender to make  Loans
hereunder shall  automatically  terminate and the Obligations  shall immediately
become due and payable without any election or action on the part of the Lender.
If any other Default occurs, the Lender may terminate or suspend the obligations
to make Loans  hereunder,  or declare the Obligations to be due and payable,  or
both,  whereupon  the  Obligations  shall  become  immediately  due and payable,
without  presentment,  demand,  protest or notice of any kind,  all of which the
Borrower hereby expressly waives.

      8.2.  Amendments.  Subject to the  provisions  of this Article  VIII,  the
            -----------
Lender and the Borrower may enter into  agreements  supplemental  hereto for the
purpose of  amending  the Loan  Documents  in any manner or waiving  any Default
hereunder.

      8.3.  Preservation  of  Rights.  No delay or  omission  of the  Lender  to
            -------------------------
exercise  any right  under the Loan  Documents  shall  impair  such  right or be
construed  to be a waiver of any  Default or an  acquiescence  therein,  and the
making of a Loan  notwithstanding the existence of a Default or the inability of
the  Borrower  to  satisfy  the  conditions  precedent  to such  Loan  shall not
constitute  any waiver or  acquiescence.  Any single or partial  exercise of any
such right shall not preclude other or further  exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right,  and no waiver,  amendment or other  variation of the terms,
conditions or provisions of the Loan Documents  whatsoever shall be valid unless
in writing  signed by the  Lender,  and then only to the extent in such  writing
specifically set forth.  All remedies  contained in the Loan Documents or by law
afforded  shall be cumulative and all shall be available to the Lender until the
Obligations have been paid in full.


                        ARTICLE IX -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

      9.1.  Entire  Agreement;  Severability  of Provisions.  The Loan Documents
            ------------------------------------------------
embody the entire  agreement  and  understanding  between the  Borrower  and the
Lender  and  supersede  all prior  agreements  and  understandings  between  the
Borrower and the Lender relating to the subject matter thereof. Any provision in
any Loan Document that is held to be inoperative,  unenforceable,  or invalid in
any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be inoperative,  unenforceable,
or invalid without  affecting the remaining  provisions in that  jurisdiction or
the  operation,  enforceability,  or  validity  of that  provision  in any other
jurisdiction,  and to this end the provisions of all Loan Documents are declared
to be severable.

      9.2. Benefits of this Agreement.  This Agreement shall not be construed so
           ---------------------------
as to confer any right or benefit upon any Person other than the parties to this
Agreement and their respective successors and assigns,  provided,  however, that
the parties  hereto  expressly  agree that Banc One Capital  Markets,  Inc. (the
"Arranger")  shall enjoy the  benefits of the  provisions  of Section 9.3 to the
extent  specifically  set forth therein and shall have the right to enforce such
provisions  on its own  behalf  and in its own name to the same  extent as if it
were a party to this Agreement

      9.3.  Expenses;  Indemnification.  The Borrower shall reimburse the Lender
            ---------------------------
and the  Arranger for any costs,  internal  charges and  out-of-pocket  expenses
(including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees and time charges of  attorneys  for the
Lender,  which attorneys may be employees of the Lender) paid or incurred by the
Lender  or  the  Arranger  in  connection  with  the  preparation,  negotiation,
execution,   delivery,   syndication,   review,  amendment,   modification,  and
administration of the Loan Documents.  The Borrower also agrees to reimburse the
<PAGE>

Arranger  and the Lender  for any  costs,  internal  charges  and  out-of-pocket
expenses  (including  attorneys'  fees and time  charges  of  attorneys  for the
Arranger and the Lender, which attorneys may be employees of the Arranger or the
Lender)  paid or incurred by the Arranger or the Lender in  connection  with the
collection and enforcement of the Loan Documents. The Borrower further agrees to
indemnify  the Arranger and the Lender,  its  directors,  officers and employees
against all losses,  claims,  damages,  penalties,  judgments,  liabilities  and
expenses  (including,   without  limitation,   all  expenses  of  litigation  or
preparation  therefor  whether  or not the  Arranger  or the  Lender  is a party
thereto)  which any of them may pay or incur  arising out of or relating to this
Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the transactions contemplated hereby or the
direct or indirect  application  or proposed  application of the proceeds of any
Loan  hereunder  except  to the  extent  that  they  are  determined  in a final
non-appealable  judgment by a court of competent  jurisdiction  to have resulted
from  the  gross   negligence  or  willful   misconduct  of  the  party  seeking
indemnification.  The  obligations  of the  Borrower  under this  Section  shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.

      9.4.  Survival  of   Representations;   Taxes.  All   representations  and
            ----------------------------------------
warranties of the Borrower contained in this Agreement shall survive delivery of
the Note and the making of the Loans herein  contemplated.  Any taxes (excluding
federal  income taxes on the overall net income of the Lender) or other  similar
assessments or charges made by any governmental or revenue  authority in respect
of the Loan Documents shall be paid by the Borrower,  together with interest and
penalties, if any.

      9.5.   Confidentiality.   The  Lender  agrees  to  hold  any  confidential
             ----------------
information which it may receive from the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement in
confidence,  except for disclosure (i) to its affiliates, (ii) to legal counsel,
accountants,  and other professional  advisors to the Lender or to a Transferee,
(iii) to regulatory officials, (iv) to any Person as requested pursuant to or as
required by law,  regulation,  or legal process, (v) to any Person in connection
with any legal  proceeding to which the Lender is a party,  (vi) to the Lender's
direct or indirect  contractual  counterparties  in swap  agreements or to legal
counsel, accountants and other professional advisors to such counterparties, and
(vii) as permitted by Section 11.4.


                               ARTICLE X -- SETOFF

      In addition to, and without  limitation of, any rights of the Lender under
applicable law, if the Borrower becomes  insolvent,  however  evidenced,  or any
Default occurs,  any and all deposits  (including all account balances,  whether
provisional  or final and whether or not collected or  available)  and any other
Indebtedness  at any time held or owing by the  Lender or any  affiliate  of the
Lender to or for the credit or account of the Borrower may be offset and applied
toward the payment of the  Obligations  owing to the Lender,  whether or not the
Obligations, or any part hereof, shall then be due.


                  ARTICLE XI -- ASSIGNMENTS; PARTICIPATIONS

      11.1.  Successors  and  Assigns.  The  terms  and  provisions  of the Loan
             -------------------------
Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower and the
Lender and their respective successors and assigns, except that (i) the Borrower
shall not have the  right to assign  its  rights or  obligations  under the Loan
Documents and (ii) any assignment by the Lender must be made in compliance  with
Section 11.3. Notwithstanding clause (ii) of this Section, the Lender may at any
time,  without  the  consent of the  Borrower,  assign all or any portion of its
rights under this  Agreement and any Note to a Federal  Reserve Bank;  provided,
however,  that no such  assignment  to a Federal  Reserve Bank shall release the
transferor Lender from its obligations hereunder.  Any assignee or transferee of
the rights to any Loan or any Note agrees by  acceptance  thereof to be bound by
all the terms and provisions of the Loan  Documents.  Any request,  authority or
consent of any  Person,  who at the time of making  such  request or giving such
authority  or consent is the owner of the rights to any Loan  (whether  or not a
<PAGE>

Note has been issued in evidence  thereof),  shall be conclusive  and binding on
any subsequent holder, transferee or assignee of the rights to such Loan.

      11.2.  Participations.  The  Lender  may,  in the  ordinary  course of its
             ---------------
business and in accordance  with applicable law, at any time sell to one or more
banks or other  entities  ("Participants")  participating  interests in any Loan
owing to it, any Note held by it, the  Commitment  or any other  interest of the
Lender under the Loan Documents.  In the event of any such sale by the Lender of
participating  interests to a Participant,  the Lender's  obligations  under the
Loan  Documents  shall  remain   unchanged,   the  Lender  shall  remain  solely
responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations,
the Lender shall remain the owner of its Loans and the holder of any Note issued
to it in evidence thereof for all purposes under the Loan Documents, all amounts
payable by the  Borrower  under this  Agreement  shall be  determined  as if the
Lender  had not sold such  participating  interests,  and the  Borrower  and the
Lender shall  continue to deal solely and directly with each other in connection
with the Lender's rights and obligations under the Loan Documents.  The Borrower
agrees  that  each  Participant  shall be  deemed  to have the  right of  setoff
provided in Article X in respect of its participating  interest in amounts owing
under  the  Loan  Documents  to  the  same  extent  as  if  the  amount  of  its
participating  interest  were owing  directly  to it as a Lender  under the Loan
Documents, provided that the Lender shall retain the right of setoff provided in
Article X with  respect to the amount of  participating  interests  sold to each
Participant.  The  Lender  agrees  to  share  with  each  Participant,  and each
Participant,  by exercising the right of setoff provided in Article X, agrees to
share with the Lender, any amount received pursuant to the exercise of its right
of setoff,  such  amounts to be shared in  accordance  with Article X as if each
Participant were a Lender.

      11.3. Assignments.  The Lender may, in the ordinary course of its business
            ------------
and in accordance  with  applicable law, at any time assign to one or more banks
or other entities  ("Purchasers")  all or any part of its rights and obligations
under the Loan  Documents.  The Borrower  hereby agrees to execute any amendment
and/or  any  other  document  that  may  be  necessary  to  effectuate  such  an
assignment. Such assignment shall be evidenced by the Lender's standard form (to
be supplied upon  request).  The consent of the Borrower shall be required prior
to an assignment  becoming  effective  with respect to a Purchaser that is not a
Lender  or an  affiliate  thereof;  provided,  however,  that if a  Default  has
occurred and is  continuing,  the consent of the Borrower shall not be required.
Such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Upon delivering to the Borrower
a notice of  assignment,  together with any required  consent,  such  assignment
shall  become  effective  on the  effective  date  specified  in such  notice of
assignment.  On and after the effective date of such assignment,  such Purchaser
shall for all purposes be a Lender party to the other Loan  Documents  and shall
have all the rights and obligations of a Lender under the Loan Documents, to the
same extent as if it were an original  party hereto,  and no further  consent or
action by the  Borrower  shall be required to release the Lender with respect to
the percentage of the Commitment and Loans assigned to such Purchaser.  Upon the
consummation of any such assignment to a Purchaser,  the transferor  Lender, the
Lender and the Borrower  shall,  if the Lender or the  Purchaser  desires,  make
appropriate  arrangements  so that new  Notes or,  as  appropriate,  replacement
Notes, are issued to the Lender and Purchaser, in each case in principal amounts
reflecting  their  respective   Commitments,   as  adjusted   pursuant  to  such
assignment.

      11.4. Dissemination of Information; Tax Treatment. The Borrower authorizes
            --------------------------------------------
the Lender to disclose  to any  Participant  or  Purchaser  or any other  Person
acquiring  an  interest  in the  Loan  Documents  by  operation  of law  (each a
"Transferee")  and any  prospective  Transferee  any and all  information in the
Lender's  possession  concerning  the  creditworthiness  of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries.  If any  interest  in any  Loan  Document  is  transferred  to any
Transferee which is organized under the laws of any jurisdiction  other than the
United  States or any State  thereof,  the  transferor  Lender  shall cause such
Transferee,  concurrently with the effectiveness of such transfer, to deliver to
the Lender  such  completed  forms  with  respect  to  withholding  taxes as the
Borrower may reasonably require.




                             ARTICLE XII -- NOTICES
<PAGE>

      All notices,  requests  and other  communications  to any party  hereunder
shall be in writing  (including  bank wire,  telex,  facsimile  transmission  or
similar  writing)  and  shall  be given  to such  party:  (x) in the case of the
Borrower or the Lender,  at its  address,  facsimile  number or telex number set
forth on the signature pages hereof, or (y) in the case of any party, such other
address,  facsimile  number or telex number as such party may hereafter  specify
for the  purpose  by notice to the  other.  Each such  notice,  request or other
communication  shall be  effective  (i) if given by telex,  when  such  telex is
transmitted  to the telex number  specified in this Section and the  appropriate
answerback  is  received,  (ii)  if  given  by  facsimile   transmission,   when
transmitted to the facsimile  number  specified in this Section and confirmation
of  receipt  is  received,   (iii)  if  given  by  mail,  72  hours  after  such
communication  is  deposited  in the mails with  first  class  postage  prepaid,
addressed as aforesaid  or (iv) if given by any other means,  when  delivered at
the address specified in this Section; provided that notices to the Lender under
Article II shall not be effective until received.

                          ARTICLE XIII -- COUNTERPARTS

      This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which
taken together shall constitute one agreement, and any of the parties hereto may
execute this Agreement by signing any such counterpart.  This Agreement shall be
effective when it has been executed by the Borrower and the Lender.


        ARTICLE XIV -- GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; JURY TRIAL WAIVER

      14.1.  CHOICE OF LAW; CONSENT TO  JURISDICTION.  THE LOAN DOCUMENTS (OTHER
             ----------------------------------------
THAN THOSE  CONTAINING  A CONTRARY  EXPRESS  CHOICE OF LAW  PROVISION)  SHALL BE
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS (AND NOT THE LAW OF CONFLICTS) OF
THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,  BUT GIVING EFFECT TO FEDERAL LAWS APPLICABLE TO NATIONAL
BANKS. THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION
OF ANY UNITED STATES  FEDERAL OR ILLINOIS  STATE COURT SITTING IN CHICAGO IN ANY
ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY LOAN  DOCUMENTS AND THE
BORROWER HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SUCH ACTION OR
PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH COURT AND IRREVOCABLY  WAIVES
ANY  OBJECTION  IT MAY NOW OR  HEREAFTER  HAVE AS TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT,
ACTION  OR  PROCEEDING  BROUGHT  IN  SUCH A  COURT  OR  THAT  SUCH  COURT  IS AN
INCONVENIENT FORUM.  NOTHING HEREIN SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT OF THE LENDER TO BRING
PROCEEDINGS  AGAINST THE BORROWER IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER  JURISDICTION.  ANY
JUDICIAL  PROCEEDING BY THE BORROWER AGAINST THE LENDER OR ANY AFFILIATE THEREOF
INVOLVING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY MATTER IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF, RELATED
TO, OR  CONNECTED  WITH ANY LOAN  DOCUMENT  SHALL BE BROUGHT  ONLY IN A COURT IN
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

      14.2. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE BORROWER AND THE LENDER HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL
            ---------------------
BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY MATTER
(WHETHER  SOUNDING IN TORT,  CONTRACT OR  OTHERWISE)  IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF,
RELATED TO, OR CONNECTED WITH ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE RELATIONSHIP  ESTABLISHED
THEREUNDER.
<PAGE>


      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  Borrower  and the  Lender  have  executed  this
Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                          HOWMET CORPORATION


                                          By:-----------------------------------

                                          Print Name:---------------------------

                                          Title:--------------------------------
                                                15 West South Temple
                                                Suite 1600
                                                Salt Lake City, UT  84101-1532
                                                Phone:  (801) 933-4025
                                                Fax:  (801) 933-4014
                                                Attention:  Nicholas J. Iuanow
       Commitment

      $25,000,000                         BANK ONE, NA

                                          By:-----------------------------------

                                          Print Name:---------------------------


                                          Title:--------------------------------


                                                1 Bank One Plaza
                                                Mail Code IL1-0374
                                                Chicago, Illinois  60670
                                                Phone:  (312) 732- 8872
                                                Fax:  (312) 732- 3885
                                                Attention: Gregory J. Sjullie



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