US CONCRETE INC
SC 13D, 1999-10-08
CONCRETE PRODUCTS, EXCEPT BLOCK & BRICK
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                  SCHEDULE 13D

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


                               U.S. CONCRETE, INC.

                                (Name of Issuer)


                     Common Stock, par value $.001 per share

                         (Title of Class of Securities)


                                   90333L 10 2

                                 (CUSIP Number)


                               Thomas J. Albanese
                                15435 Pepper Lane
                           Saratoga, California 95070
                                 (408) 293-6272

       (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive
                           Notices and Communications)


                                  May 28, 1999

             (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)


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

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

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

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


                                  Page 1 of 4

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
                                                            SCHEDULE 13D

- ----------------------                                                                                             -----------------
CUSIP No. 90333L 10 2                                                                                              Page 2 of 4 Pages
- ----------------------                                                                                             -----------------
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                                                <C>
    1       NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
            SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO  OF ABOVE PERSON

            Thomas J. Albanese
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    2       CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP                                                               (a)
            [ ]
                                                                                                                           (b)
            [ ]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    3       SEC USE ONLY

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    4       SOURCE OF FUNDS
            00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    5       CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(D) OR
            2(E)  [ ]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    6       CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
            United States of America
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    NUMBER OF SHARES           7       SOLE VOTING POWER                   1,313,574
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   BENEFICIALLY OWNED          8       SHARED VOTING POWER                 -0-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    BY EACH REPORTING          9       SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER              1,313,574
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       PERSON WITH             10      SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER            -0-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    11      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON                  1,313,574
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    12      CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
            SHARES  [ ]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    13      PERCENT OF CLASS  REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)                           8.1%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    14      TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*                                                     IN
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
                                                            SCHEDULE 13D

- ----------------------                                                                                             -----------------
CUSIP No. 90333L 10 2                                                                                              Page 3 of 4 Pages
- ----------------------                                                                                             -----------------
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                                                <C>
    1       NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
            SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO  OF ABOVE PERSON

            Maureen H. Albanese
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    2       CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP                                                               (a)
            [ ]
                                                                                                                           (b)
            [ ]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    3       SEC USE ONLY

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    4       SOURCE OF FUNDS
            00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    5       CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(D) OR
            2(E)  [ ]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    6       CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
            United States of America
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    NUMBER OF SHARES           7       SOLE VOTING POWER                   1,313,574
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   BENEFICIALLY OWNED          8       SHARED VOTING POWER                 -0-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    BY EACH REPORTING          9       SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER              1,313,574
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       PERSON WITH             10      SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER            -0-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    11      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON                  1,313,574
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    12      CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
            SHARES  [ ]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    13      PERCENT OF CLASS  REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)                           8.1%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    14      TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*                                                     IN
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
                                                *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
                                    INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
                                 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION
</FN>
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
                                                            SCHEDULE 13D
- ----------------------                                                                                             -----------------
CUSIP No. 90333L 10 2                                                                                              Page 4 of 4 Pages
- ----------------------                                                                                             -----------------
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                                                <C>
    1       NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
            SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO  OF ABOVE PERSON

            Thomas and Maureen Albanese Revocable Trust Agreement Dated January 27, 1981, as amended
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    2       CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP                                                               (a)
            [ ]
                                                                                                                           (b)
            [ ]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    3       SEC USE ONLY

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    4       SOURCE OF FUNDS
            00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    5       CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(D) OR
            2(E)  [ ]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    6       CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
            United States of America
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    NUMBER OF SHARES           7       SOLE VOTING POWER                   1,313,574
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   BENEFICIALLY OWNED          8       SHARED VOTING POWER                 -0-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    BY EACH REPORTING          9       SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER              1,313,574
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       PERSON WITH             10      SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER            -0-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    11      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON                  1,313,574
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    12      CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
            SHARES  [ ]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    13      PERCENT OF CLASS  REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)                           8.1%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    14      TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*                                                     00 - Trust
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
                                                *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
                                     INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
                                  (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION
</FN>
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                            ADDENDUM TO SCHEDULE 13D

          On March 22, 1999,  Central  Concrete  Supply Co.,  Inc., a California
corporation ("Central") and its shareholders,  including William T. Albanese and
Mari  C.  Albanese,  each as a  co-trustee  of the  William  and  Mari  Albanese
Revocable  Trust  Agreement  dated  March 17,  1981,  as amended  (the  "William
Albanese  Trust")  and Thomas J.  Albanese  and Maureen H.  Albanese,  each as a
co-trustee of the Thomas and Maureen  Albanese  Revocable  Trust Agreement dated
January 27,  1981,  as amended (the "Thomas  Albanese  Trust"),  entered into an
Agreement and Plan of  Reorganization,  in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A
(the   "Reorganization   Agreement")  with  U.S.  Concrete,   Inc.,  a  Delaware
corporation  (the  "Issuer"),  providing  for  the  acquisition  of  all  of the
outstanding shares of Central by the Issuer.

          Pursuant to the  Reorganization  Agreement and upon the closing of the
transactions  contemplated  thereby on May 28, 1999, the Issuer  acquired all of
the  outstanding  shares of Central in exchange  for the payment of an aggregate
purchase price of  $3,888,392.02  in cash  (excluding any increases or decreases
which may have  resulted  from  post-closing  working-capital  adjustments)  and
3,120,130  shares of the Issuer's  common stock,  par value $.001 per share (the
"Common Stock").

          As shareholders  of Central,  William T. Albanese and Mari C. Albanese
as  co-trustees  of the William  Albanese Trust received from the Issuer cash in
the approximate amount of $1,637,008.77 (excludes post-closing  adjustments) and
1,313,574 shares of the Issuer's Common Stock and Thomas J. Albanese and Maureen
H. Albanese as co-trustees of the Thomas Albanese Trust received from the Issuer
cash  in  the  approximate  amount  of  $1,637,008.77   (excludes   post-closing
adjustments) and 1,313,574 shares of the Issuer's Common Stock.

          Thus,  William T.  Albanese and Mari C. Albanese each can be deemed to
"beneficially  own" 1,313,574 shares of the Issuer's Common Stock as co-trustees
of the William  Albanese Trust,  and if considered a separate legal entity,  the
William Albanese Trust itself can also be deemed to own such 1,313,574 shares of
Common Stock held by it through the above-named co-trustees.

          Further,  Thomas J.  Albanese and Maureen H. Albanese can be deemed to
"beneficially  own" an additional  1,313,574 shares of the Issuer's Common Stock
as co-trustees of the Thomas Albanese Trust,  and if considered a separate legal
entity,  the  Thomas  Albanese  Trust  itself  can  also be  deemed  to own such
1,313,574 shares of Common Stock held by it through the above-named co-trustees.

          In  addition to the  Agreement  and Plan of  Reorganization  described
above,  the  Issuer   simultaneously   entered  into  Agreements  and  Plans  of
Reorganization  with five (5) other corporations and subsequently filed its Form
S-1  Registration  Statement  to  register  its  shares  for an  initial  public
offering.

Item 1.   Security and Issuer

          The class of  securities  to which this  Schedule  13D  relates is the
Common Stock, par value $.001 per share (defined above as the "Common Stock") of
U.S.  Concrete,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation  (defined above as the "Issuer"),
whose principal executive offices are located at 1360 Post Oak Boulevard,  Suite
800, Houston, Texas 77056.

                                       1

<PAGE>

Item 2.   Identity and Background

          The  Thomas and  Maureen  Albanese  Revocable  Trust  Agreement  dated
January 27, 1981, as amended (defined above as the "Thomas Albanese Trust") is a
trust formed under the laws of the State of California. Its principal address is
15435 Pepper Lane, Saratoga, California 95070. Thomas J. Albanese and Maureen H.
Albanese are the co-trustees of the Thomas Albanese Trust.

          Thomas J. Albanese is a citizen of the United  States whose  principal
business  address is 610  McKendrie  Street,  San Jose,  California  95110.  Mr.
Albanese's  principal  occupation is Executive Vice President,  Sales of Central
Concrete  Supply Co.,  Inc.  which has the same  business  address as  described
above.

          Maureen  H.  Albanese  is a  homemaker  and is a citizen of the United
States whose residence address is 15435 Pepper Lane, Saratoga, California 95070.

          None of the persons or  entities  reporting  hereunder,  nor, to their
knowledge, any executive officer, director or controlling person of any of them,
has,  during the last five years,  been  convicted in any  criminal  proceeding,
excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors.

          None of the persons or  entities  reporting  hereunder,  nor, to their
knowledge, any executive officer, director or controlling person of any of them,
has,  during  the  last  five  years,  been a party to a civil  proceeding  of a
judicial  or  administrative  body of  competent  jurisdiction  which would have
resulted in or caused him,  her, or it to be subject to a judgment,  decree,  or
final order  enjoining  violations of, or  prohibiting  or mandating  activities
subject to, federal or state securities laws, or a finding of any violation with
respect to such laws.

Item 3.   Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

          The shares of the Issuer's  Common Stock owned by Mr. Albanese and Ms.
Albanese,  in the name of the Thomas  Albanese Trust were acquired as of May 28,
1999 as described in the introductory paragraphs of this Addendum. The source of
funds used by them in making the purchases was the shares of Central  previously
held by them as trustees of the Thomas Albanese Trust which were  transferred to
the Issuer as part of the transactions described in the introductory  paragraphs
of this Addendum.

Item 4.   Purpose of Transaction

          The shares  acquired by Mr.  Albanese,  Ms.  Albanese,  and the Thomas
Albanese Trust have been acquired for investment purposes.

          Except  as set forth in the  description  of the  transactions  in the
introductory  paragraphs of this Addendum,  Mr. Albanese,  Ms. Albanese, and the
Thomas  Albanese  Trust have no plans or proposals  that relate to or that would
result in any of the actions specified in clauses (a) through (j) of Item 4.

Item 5.   Interest in Securities of the Issuer

                                       2

<PAGE>

          (a)-(b)  Reference  is made to Items 7 through 13 on the  Schedule 13D
and to Item 2 of the Addendum to this Schedule 13D, which items are incorporated
by reference  herein,  for the  description of the beneficial  ownership of each
reporting person herein.

          (c)  None  of  the  persons  named  in  Item  5(a)  has  effected  any
transactions in the Issuer's Common Stock during the past 60 days, except as set
forth herein.

          (d)-(e) Paragraphs (d) through (e) of Item 5 are inapplicable.

Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to
Securities of the Issuer

          Not applicable.

Item 7.   Material to be Filed as Exhibits

          Exhibit A - Agreement and Plan of Reorganization  dated March 22, 1999
by and among the Issuer,  Central  Concrete Supply Co., Inc.,  Central  Concrete
Acquisition Inc., and the shareholders of Central, including William T. Albanese
and Mari C. Albanese as  co-trustees  of the William  Albanese  Family Trust and
Thomas J. Albanese and Maureen H. Albanese as co-trustees of the Thomas Albanese
Trust.

          Exhibit  B -  Agreement  with  Respect  to Group  Filing  pursuant  to
Regulation 240.13d- 1(k)(1).

                                       3

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

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

Dated: September 3, 1999

                                                 THOMAS AND MAUREEN ALBANESE
                                                 REVOCABLE TRUST AGREEMENT DATED
                                                 JANUARY 27, 1981, AS AMENDED


/s/ Thomas J. Albanese                           /s/ Thomas J. Albanese
- -----------------------                          ----------------------
Thomas J. Albanese                               By: Thomas J. Albanese
                                                 Its: Co-Trustee

/s/ Maureen H. Albanese                          /s/ Maureen H. Albanese
- -----------------------                          -----------------------
Maureen H. Albanese                              By: Maureen H. Albanese
                                                 Its: Co-Trustee

                                       4

<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT A

                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION





                                       5

<PAGE>



                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

                           dated as of March 22, 1999

                                  by and among

                              U.S. CONCRETE, INC.,

                       CENTRAL CONCRETE ACQUISITION INC.,

                        CENTRAL CONCRETE SUPPLY CO., INC.

                                       and

                          the STOCKHOLDERS named herein










Reverse Triangular Merger; Non-Delaware Company; Multiple Stockholders;  Company
Financial Statements

                                       6

<PAGE>



                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION


          THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION  (this  "Agreement") is made
as of March 22, 1999 by and among U.S.  Concrete,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation
("USC"),  Central Concrete Acquisition Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly
owned  subsidiary  of USC ("USC  Sub"),  Central  Concrete  Supply Co.,  Inc., a
California  corporation (the "Company"),  and the persons and trustees listed on
the signature page hereof under the caption  "Stockholders"  (collectively,  the
"Stockholders," and each of those persons, individually, a "Stockholder").

                              PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

          The  parties to this  Agreement  have  determined  it is in their best
long-term interests to effect a business combination pursuant to which:

          (a) USC Sub will  merge into the  Company on the terms and  subject to
the conditions set forth herein (that merger being the "Merger");

          (b) USC will acquire the stock of all or some of the  entities  listed
in the accompanying Addendum 1 (each, other than the Company, an "Other Founding
Company" and,  collectively with the Company, the "Founding Companies") pursuant
to agreements that are (i) similar to this Agreement and (ii) entered into among
those  entities  and  their  equity  owners,   USC  and   subsidiaries   of  USC
(collectively, the "Other Agreements"); and

          (c) USC will effect a public  offering  of shares of its common  stock
and issue and sell those shares.

          The  respective  boards of  directors  of USC, USC Sub and the Company
have  approved and adopted this  Agreement  to effect a  transaction  subject to
Section 351 of the Code.

          NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and the  mutual
agreements,  representations  and  undertakings  this  Agreement  contains,  the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

          Paragraph 1 Certain Defined Terms.  The following terms this Agreement
uses have the  meanings  this  Paragraph  1  specifies.  Capitalized  terms this
Agreement  uses,  but this  Paragraph 1 does not define,  have the  meanings the
preamble to this Agreement, the Preliminary Statement above or Article IX of the
Uniform Provisions, as the case may be, specifies.

          "Acquired Business" means the Company.

          "Acquisition" means the Merger.

          "Acquisition Consideration" has the meaning Paragraph 2 specifies.

                                       7

<PAGE>



          "Additional Cash Consideration"  means the product of (i) the quotient
obtained  from  dividing  (A) the sum of (i) the amount of cash  Paragraph  B of
Schedule 2(D) sets forth in dollars and (ii) the 1998 Restricted  Payment Amount
by (B) $8.50  multiplied by (ii) the amount,  if any, by which (A) the IPO Price
exceeds (B) $8.50.

          "Ceiling Amount" means the sum of (i) $35,361,472, (ii) the Additional
Cash Consideration,  if any, (iii) the Positive Net Adjustment, if any, and (iv)
the Negative Net Adjustment,  if any; provided,  however,  that, for purposes of
Sections 6.06(b) and 7.06(b), the Ceiling Amount is $26,521,104

          "CGCL" means the General Corporation Law of the State of California.

          "Closing" has the meaning Paragraph 3 specifies.

          "Closing Date" means the IPO Pricing Date.

          "Company  Capital Stock" means the Common Stock,  no par value, of the
Company.

          "Company Financial Statements" means the audited balance sheets of the
Company as of December 31, 1997 and  December  31, 1998 and the related  audited
statements of operations,  cash flows and  shareholders'  equity for each of the
years in the  three-year  period  ended  December 31,  1998,  together  with the
related audit report of the Independent Accountants.

          "Counsel for the Company and the Stockholders"  means Ferrari,  Olsen,
Ottoboni & Bebb, LLP.

          "Counsel for USC and USC Sub" means Baker & Botts, L.L.P.

          "Current Balance Sheet" means the audited balance sheet of the Company
as of December 31, 1998.

          "Current Balance Sheet Date" means December 31, 1998.

          "Current Balance Sheet Date Working Capital" means $4,861,000.

          "Effective Date" means the IPO Closing Date.

          "Executive  Employment  Agreements"  means  the  Employment  Agreement
entered  into  effective as of the IPO Closing Date between the Company and each
of William T. Albanese and Thomas J. Albanese.

          "Facilities"  means the real property and improvements  located at 610
McKendrie  Street,  San Jose  California  and 755  Stockton  Avenue,  San  Jose,
California, as more fully described in the Facilities Lease.

                                       8

<PAGE>



          "Facilities  Leases"  means the  leases in the form  thereof  attached
hereto as Exhibit 1-A and Exhibit 1-B  pursuant to which the  Stockholders  will
lease the  Facilities  to the  Company  for the  period  and on the other  terms
specified therein.

          "Initial Financial Statements" means the Company Financial Statements.

          "Minimum Cash Balance" means $500,000.

          "Pro Rata  Share" of a  Stockholder  means:  (i) 42.10% in the case of
William T. Albanese and Mari C. Albanese  (jointly),  trustees of the William T.
Albanese 1981 Trust,  as amended;  (ii) 42.10% in the case of Thomas J. Albanese
and Maureen H. Albanese (jointly),  trustees of the Thomas T. Albanese Trust, as
amended;  (iii) 4.17% in the case of Daniel C. Albanese;  (iv) 4.17% in the case
of Lauren M. Albanese;  (v) 2.49% in the case of Nicole M. Albanese;  (vi) 2.49%
in the case of Jennifer A. Albanese;  and (vii) 2.48% in the case of Michelle L.
Albanese.

          "Responsible Officer" means William T. Albanese.

          "Surviving  Corporation"  means the Company,  which the Certificate of
Merger will designate as the surviving corporation of the Merger.

          "Termination Date" means May 31, 1999; provided,  however, that if (i)
USC has filed  the  Registration  Statement  with the SEC prior to that date and
(ii) the Stockholders  would not be entitled to terminate this Agreement on that
date otherwise than pursuant to Section  11.01(a)(ii),  "Termination Date" means
September 30, 1999.

          "Uniform Provisions" has the meaning Paragraph 4 specifies.

          "USC Award Agreements" means the award agreements, each in the form of
Exhibit 1-C,  pursuant to which USC, on the Closing Date,  will grant to certain
key  employees  of the Company  William T.  Albanese has  designated  by written
notice to USC and USC has approved by written notice to the Responsible  Officer
(which approval USC will not  unreasonably  withhold) prior to the Closing Date,
pursuant to the U.S.  Concrete,  Inc.  1999  Employee  Incentive  Plan, or other
similar  stock  option  plan,  options to  purchase an  aggregate  not to exceed
166,529  shares of USC Common Stock at a per share  exercise  price equal to the
IPO Price.

          "USC Sub Common  Stock"  means the Common  Stock,  par value $1.00 per
share, of USC Sub.

          "1998 Restricted Payment Amount" means $4,952,000.

          Paragraph  2 (A)  Certificate  of  Merger.  Subject  to the  terms and
conditions  hereof,  the Company will cause the Certificate of Merger to be duly
executed and delivered on or promptly  after the Closing Date and filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of California  and the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware.

                                       9

<PAGE>



          (B)  The  Effective  Time.  The  effective  time  of the  Merger  (the
"Effective  Time") will be the time on the Effective Date which the  Certificate
of Merger  specifies or, if the  Certificate of Merger does not specify  another
time, 8:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time, on the Effective Date.

          (C) Certain  Effects of the Merger.  At and as of the Effective  Time,
(1) USC Sub will be merged  with and into the  Company  in  accordance  with the
provisions  of the  CGCL  and the  DGCL,  (2) USC Sub  will  cease to exist as a
separate legal entity,  (3) the articles of incorporation of the Company will be
amended  to change the  Company's  authorized  shares of capital  stock to 1,000
shares,  par value $1.00 per share, of Common Stock, (4) the Company will be the
Surviving  Corporation  and, as such,  will, all with the effect provided by the
CGCL and the DGCL, (a) possess all the properties and rights,  and be subject to
all the restrictions and duties,  of the Company and USC Sub and (b) be governed
by the laws of the State of California, (5) the Charter Documents of the Company
then in effect (after  giving effect to the amendment to the Company's  articles
of  incorporation  specified  in clause (3) of this  sentence)  will  become and
thereafter  remain (until changed in accordance  with (a) applicable law (in the
case of the  articles of  incorporation)  or (b) their terms (in the case of the
bylaws)) the Charter  Documents of the  Surviving  Corporation,  (6) the initial
board of directors of the  Surviving  Corporation  will be the persons  Schedule
2(C) names as such,  and those  persons  will hold the office of director of the
Surviving  Corporation,  subject to the provisions of the applicable laws of the
State of California and the Charter Documents of the Surviving Corporation,  and
(7) the initial  officers of the Surviving  Corporation will be as Schedule 2(C)
sets forth,  and each of those  persons will serve in each office  Schedule 2(C)
specifies for that person, subject to the provisions of the Charter Documents of
the Surviving  Corporation,  until that  person's  successor is duly elected to,
and, if necessary, qualified for, that office.

          (D) Effect of the Merger on Capital Stock.  As of the Effective  Time,
as a result of the  Merger  and  without  any  action on the part of any  holder
thereof:

          (1) the  shares  of  Company  Capital  Stock  issued  and  outstanding
       immediately  prior to the Effective  Time will (a) convert into the right
       to  receive,  subject  to  the  provisions  of  Paragraph  2(E),  without
       interest,  on surrender of the certificates  evidencing those shares, the
       amount  of cash and the  number  of whole  and  fractional  shares of USC
       Common Stock  Schedule 2(D) sets forth and, if any, the  Additional  Cash
       Consideration  (the  "Acquisition   Consideration"),   (b)  cease  to  be
       outstanding and to exist and (c) be canceled and retired;

          (2) each share of Company  Capital  Stock held in the  treasury of the
       Company or any Company Subsidiary will (a) cease to be outstanding and to
       exist and (b) be canceled and retired; and

          (3)  each  share  of USC  Sub  Common  Stock  issued  and  outstanding
       immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time will convert into one share of
       Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Surviving Corporation and
       the shares of Common Stock of the  Surviving  Corporation  issued on that
       conversion  will  constitute  all the  issued and  outstanding  shares of
       Capital Stock of the Surviving Corporation.

Each  holder of a  certificate  representing  shares of  Company  Capital  Stock
immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time will,  as of the  Effective  Time and
thereafter, cease to have any rights respecting those

                                       10

<PAGE>



shares other than the right to receive,  subject to the  provisions of Paragraph
2(E), without interest,  the Acquisition  Consideration and the additional cash,
if any, owing with respect to those shares as provided in Paragraph 2(F).

          (E)  Delivery,  Exchange  and Payment.  (1) At or after the  Effective
Time: (a) the Stockholders,  as holders of certificates  representing  shares of
Company Capital Stock,  will, on surrender of those  certificates to USC (or any
agent that USC may  appoint  for  purposes  of this  Paragraph  2(E)),  receive,
subject  to the  provisions  of this  Paragraph  2(E) and  Paragraph  2(F),  the
Acquisition  Consideration;  and (b) until any certificate  representing Company
Capital Stock has been surrendered and replaced pursuant to this Paragraph 2(E),
that certificate will, for all purposes,  be deemed to evidence ownership of the
number  of  whole  shares  of USC  Common  Stock  included  in  the  Acquisition
Consideration payable in respect of that certificate pursuant to Paragraph 2(D).
All shares of USC Common  Stock  issuable  in the Merger  will be deemed for all
purposes to have been issued by USC at the Effective Time.

          (2) Each  Stockholder  will  deliver to USC (or any agent that USC may
appoint for purposes of this  Paragraph  2(E)) on or before the IPO Closing Date
the  certificates  representing  all the  Company  Capital  Stock  owned by that
Stockholder,  duly endorsed in blank,  or  accompanied  by stock powers in blank
duly  executed,  by that Person,  and with all necessary  transfer tax and other
revenue stamps,  acquired at that Person's expense,  affixed and canceled.  Each
Stockholder will cure any deficiencies in the endorsement of the certificates or
other documents of conveyance  respecting,  or in the stock powers accompanying,
the certificates representing Company Capital Stock that Person delivers.

          (3) No  dividends  (or  interest) or other  distributions  declared or
earned after the Effective  Time with respect to USC Common Stock and payable to
the  holders  of record  thereof  after the  Effective  Time will be paid to the
holder of any unsurrendered  certificates representing shares of Company Capital
Stock for which whole  shares of USC Common Stock have been issued in the Merger
until those  certificates  are surrendered as provided  herein,  but (a) on that
surrender  USC  will  cause  to be  paid,  to  the  Person  in  whose  name  the
certificates  representing  those whole  shares of USC Common Stock will then be
issued,  the amount of dividends  or other  distributions  previously  paid with
respect to those whole shares of USC Common  Stock with a record date,  or which
have accrued, subsequent to the Effective Time, but prior to that surrender, and
the  amount of any cash  payable to that  Person  for and in lieu of  fractional
shares pursuant to Paragraph 2(F) and (b) at the appropriate  payment date or as
soon as  practicable  thereafter,  USC will cause to be paid to that  Person the
amount of dividends  or other  distributions  with a record date,  or which have
been accrued,  subsequent to the Effective Time, but which are not payable until
a date  subsequent to  surrender,  which are payable with respect to those whole
shares of USC Common Stock, subject in all cases to any applicable escheat laws.
No interest  will be payable with  respect to the payment of those  dividends or
other distributions or cash for and in lieu of fractional shares on surrender of
outstanding certificates.

          (F) Notwithstanding any other provision herein, USC will not issue any
fractional  shares of USC Common Stock, and if any Stockholder would be entitled
hereunder  to  receive  a  fractional  share of USC  Common  Stock  but for this
Paragraph 2(F), that  Stockholder  will be entitled  hereunder to receive a cash
payment for and in lieu thereof in the amount (rounded upward to the

                                       11

<PAGE>



nearest whole cent) equal to that Stockholder's  fractional  interest in a share
of USC Common Stock multiplied by the IPO Price.

          Paragraph 3 The Closing.  On or before the Closing  Date,  the parties
hereto will take all actions necessary to (A) effect the Acquisition (including,
as permitted by the CGCL and the DGCL,  (i) the  execution of a  Certificate  of
Merger (a) meeting the  requirements  of the CGCL and the DGCL and (b) providing
that  the  Merger  will  become  effective  on the  Effective  Date and (ii) the
transmitting  for filing of that  Certificate  of Merger with the  Secretary  of
State of the  State of  California  and the  Secretary  of State of the State of
Delaware), (B) verify the existence and ownership of the certificates evidencing
the Company  Capital  Stock to be exchanged  for the  Acquisition  Consideration
pursuant to Paragraph 2(E) and (C) satisfy the document delivery requirements on
which the  obligations  of the parties to effect the  Acquisition  and the other
transactions  contemplated hereby are conditioned by the provisions of Article V
(all those  actions  collectively  being the  "Closing").  The Closing will take
place at the  offices  of Baker & Botts,  L.L.P.,  30th  Floor,  910  Louisiana,
Houston,  Texas at 10:00 a.m.,  Houston  time,  on the Closing  Date, or at such
later  time on the  Closing  Date as USC  specifies  by  written  notice  to the
Responsible  Officer.  The  actions  taken at the  Closing  will not include the
delivery of the Company  Capital Stock to USC or the payment of the  Acquisition
Consideration to the Stockholders. Instead, on the IPO Closing Date, the Company
Capital Stock will be surrendered in exchange for the Acquisition  Consideration
(with the cash  portion  of the  Acquisition  Consideration  being  paid by wire
transfer  pursuant  to  instructions  the  Stockholders  deliver to USC prior to
Closing  or,  in the  absence  of  those  instructions,  a USC  check),  and all
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  to be closed or  completed on or
before the IPO Closing Date will be closed and completed, as the case may be.

          Paragraph  4  Incorporation  of  Uniform  Provisions.   (A)  The  U.S.
Concrete,  Inc.  Uniform  Provisions for the  Acquisition of Founding  Companies
attached hereto as Annex 1 (the "Uniform Provisions") hereby are incorporated in
this  Agreement by this  reference and  constitute a part of this Agreement with
the same force and effect as if set forth at length herein.

          (B) The Uniform Provisions are hereby amended by adding a Section 1.08
which reads in its entirety as follows:

                                       12

<PAGE>



          Section 1.08 Trusts.

          (a) Schedule 1.08 sets forth the legal name of each  Stockholder  that
       is a trustee  (the  "Trustees"),  the name of the trust  over  which that
       Trustee serves (each a "Trust"),  the state or other  jurisdiction  which
       governs that Trustee's duties with respect to that Trust, and the name of
       each beneficiary of that Trust (the "Beneficiaries").

          (b) There has not been any challenge to (i) the authority, appointment
       or capacity of any Trustee to serve as such over the applicable  Trust or
       (ii) the validity of any Trust.

          (c) Full and complete  copies of all documents  under which each Trust
       was created and all documents  otherwise  pertaining to each Trust or the
       duties and  obligations  of each Trustee  serving over each Trust and all
       amendments,  supplements or  modifications  thereto have been provided to
       USC.

          (d) The Trustees set forth opposite the name of each Trust on Schedule
       1.08 are the sole  Trustees  of that Trust and each  Trustee  listed is a
       duly acting and qualified trustee of that Trust. Each of the Trustees has
       all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver each Transaction
       Document,  to consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  thereby and to
       perform  all the terms and  conditions  thereof to be  performed  by that
       Trustee.

          (e) No notice is  required to be given to and no consent or joinder is
       required to be  acquired  from any  Beneficiary  in  connection  with the
       Transaction Documents or any of the transactions contemplated thereby and
       no  objection  has been  received  from any  Beneficiary  relating to the
       Transaction Documents or any of the transactions contemplated thereby.

       (C)  Section  2.23(vi)  is hereby  amended by  replacing  "$25,000"  with
       "$50,000."

       (D)  Section  4.03 is hereby  amended  by adding at the end  thereof  the
       following:

;  provided,  however,  that the  Company  may make  Restricted  Payments to its
Stockholders as dividends  consisting of: (i) cash or Permitted Promissory Notes
(valued at the principal  amount  thereof) in an aggregate  amount not to exceed
the amount by which (A) the 1998  Restricted  Payment Amount exceeds (B) the sum
of all  Restricted  Payments the Company has made from and after January 1, 1999
to the  date of this  Agreement;  and  (ii)  Permitted  Promissory  Notes  in an
aggregate  principal amount not to exceed the 1999 Restricted Payment Amount. As
used herein,  "Permitted  Promissory Note" means an unsecured promissory note of
the Company  which bears  interest  from the date of its issue until paid at the
rate of 6% per  annum  and will  become  due and  payable  no  earlier  than the
Adjustment Determination Date.

                                       13

<PAGE>



          (E) Section 6.02 is hereby amended by adding a second  paragraph which
reads in its entirety as follows:

          The  Stockholders  will have the right to prepare the initial draft of
       the  Company's  income tax Returns  for the period  from  January 1, 1999
       through the  Closing  Date,  provided  that (i) they  deliver  such draft
       Returns  to USC at least 45 days  prior to their  due dates and (ii) they
       prepare  such  draft  Returns  in  accordance  with  the  Company's  past
       practices and consistent with applicable Governmental  Requirements.  USC
       will  have the right to review  and  revise  such  draft  Returns  before
       filing,  provided  that  USC (i)  will  consult  in good  faith  with the
       Responsible  Officer  regarding  any such  revision  before it makes such
       filing and (ii) will not make any such  revision  without  the consent of
       the  Responsible  Officer  (which  will not be  unreasonably  withheld or
       delayed) if such revision would be  inconsistent  with the Company's past
       practices,  to the extent those practices were consistent with applicable
       Governmental Requirements. USC will not file any amendments to any income
       tax Return  covering any period ending on or prior to the Effective  Date
       without  the  consent  of the  Responsible  Officer  (which  will  not be
       unreasonably  withheld  or  delayed),  unless  USC  determines  that such
       amendment is required by applicable Governmental Requirements.

          (F) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10.07,  Article VIII and
the rights and obligations thereunder of the parties thereto will be governed by
and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of California
without regard to the conflicts of law provisions thereof.

          Paragraph 5 Certain  Conditions to Closing and  Consummation.  (A) The
obligations of the  Stockholders  with respect to the actions to be taken on the
IPO Closing Date are subject to the  satisfaction of the following  condition in
addition to those set forth or referred to in Section  5.02(b):  (i) each of the
Executive  Employment  Agreements and the Facilities Leases then will be in full
force and effect and (ii) USC shall have  tendered the USC Award  Agreements  to
the respective  recipients  thereof,  duly signed on its behalf by an authorized
officer of USC.

          (B) The  obligations of USC and USC Sub with respect to the actions to
be  taken  on the IPO  Closing  Date  are  subject  to the  satisfaction  of the
following  condition  in  addition  to those set forth or referred to in Section
5.03(b):  each of the Executive Employment  Agreements and the Facilities Leases
then will be in full force and effect.

          Paragraph 6  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in multiple
counterparts,  each of which will be an original, but all of which together will
constitute one and the same agreement.

          Paragraph 7 Notices.  For purposes of Section  10.06,  notices will be
initially addressed to the Stockholders and the Company, as follows:

          (A) if to a Stockholder, addressed to him or her at:

              Mr. William T. Albanese and Mrs. Mari C. Albanese
              17070 Lon Road

                                       14

<PAGE>



              Los Gatos, California 95033

                         or

              Mr. Daniel C. Albanese
              272 Bieber Avenue
              San Jose, California 95123

                         or

              Ms. Lauren M. Albanese
              111 Edelen Avenue
              Los Gatos, California 90530

                         or

              Mr. Thomas J. Albanese and Mrs. Maureen H. Albanese
              15435 Pepper Lane
              Saratoga, California 95070

                         or

              Ms. Nicole M. Albanese
              15435 Pepper Lane
              Saratoga, California 95070

                         or

              Ms. Jennifer A. Albanese
              15435 Pepper Lane
              Saratoga, California 95070

                         or

              Ms. Michelle L. Albanese
              15435 Pepper Lane
              Saratoga, California 95070

          ; and

              (B) if to the Company, addressed to it at:

              Central Concrete Supply Co., Inc.
              610 McKendrie Street
              San Jose, California 95110
              Fax No.: (408) 294-3162

                                       15

<PAGE>



              Attn: William T. Albanese

           with copies  (which will not  constitute  notice for purposes of this
Agreement) to:

              Ferrari, Olsen, Ottoboni & Bebb, LLP
              333 West Santa Clara Street, Suite 700
              San Jose, California 95113
              Fax No.:  (408) 280-0151
              Attn:  Richard S. Bebb

           Paragraph 8 Abandonment  of Merger.  If this  Agreement is terminated
pursuant to Section  11.01,  the Merger will be deemed for all  purposes to have
been  abandoned and of no force or effect and, if the  Certificate of Merger has
been filed with the Secretary of State of the Company's Organization State prior
to that  termination,  each of the Company and USC Sub is  authorized to execute
and file  with the  Secretary  of State of the  Company's  Organization  State a
certificate of that termination pursuant to Section 110 of the CGCL.


                         [Signatures on following page]

                                       16

<PAGE>



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

                         U.S. CONCRETE, INC.


                         By:    /s/ Eugene P. Martineau
                                Eugene P. Martineau
                                President and Chief Executive Officer

                         CENTRAL CONCRETE ACQUISITION INC.



                         By:    /s/ Eugene P. Martineau
                                Eugene P. Martineau
                                President

                         CENTRAL CONCRETE SUPPLY CO., INC.



                         By:    /s/ William T. Albanese
                                William T. Albanese
                                President


                         Stockholders:



                         /s/ William T. Albanese
                         William T. Albanese, trustee under the Revocable Trust
                         Agreement dated March 17, 1981, as amended, for the
                         benefit of William T. Albanese



                         /s/ Mari C. Albanese
                         Mari C. Albanese, trustee under the Revocable
                         Trust Agreement dated March 17, 1981, as amended,
                         the benefit of William T. Albanese




                                       17

<PAGE>




                         /s/ Daniel C. Albanese
                         Daniel C. Albanese



                         /s/ Lauren M. Albanese Cerrito
                         Lauren M. Albanese Cerrito



                         /s/ Thomas J. Albanese
                         Thomas J. Albanese, trustee under the Revocable
                         Trust Agreement dated March 17, 1981, as amended,
                         for the benefit of Thomas J. Albanese


                         /s/ Maureen H. Albanese
                         Maureen H. Albanese, trustee under the Revocable
                         Trust Agreement dated March 17, 1981, as amended,
                         for the benefit of Thomas J. Albanese


                         /s/ Nicole M. Albanese
                         Nicole M. Albanese



                         /s/ Jennifer A. Albanese
                         Jennifer A. Albanese



                         /s/ Michelle L. Albanese
                         Michelle L. Albanese


                                       18

<PAGE>



           Each  of the  undersigned  hereby  joins  in the  execution  of  this
Agreement  individually  to be bound  as if the  undersigned  was a  Stockholder
individually for the purposes of Article VIII.


                         /s/ William T. Albanese
                         William T. Albanese



                         /s/ Maureen H. Albanese
                         Maureen H. Albanese



                         /s/ Thomas J. Albanese
                         Thomas J. Albanese



                         /s/ Mari C. Albanese
                         Mari C. Albanese



           THE  UNDERSIGNED,  being the  spouse of Lauren M.  Albanese  Cerrito,
hereby  joins in the  execution of this  Agreement to reflect the  undersigned's
understanding and agreement to the terms herein contained, and to consent to the
Merger and the  conversion  of the entire  interest of that  Stockholder  in the
shares  of  Company  Capital  Stock   (including  any  community   interest  the
undersigned may have in those shares) into that  Stockholder's Pro Rata Share of
the  Acquisition  Consideration  on the terms and for the  consideration  herein
expressed.



                                                          /s/ Joseph Cerrito
                                                          Joseph Cerrito


                                       19

<PAGE>



                                   ADDENDUM 1

                                     to the

                      Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
                                    to which
                               U.S. Concrete, Inc.
                                       and
                        Central Concrete Supply Co., Inc.
                                   are parties

         A.       Capitalized  terms this  Addendum  uses,  but does not define,
                  have the meanings the captioned Agreement specifies.

         B.       The Founding Companies are:

                  Baer Concrete, Incorporated
                  Bay Cities Building Materials Co., Inc.
                  Central Concrete Supply Co., Inc.
                  Opportunity Concrete Corporation
                  R.G. Evans/Associates d/b/a Santa Rosa Cast Products Co.
                  Walker's Concrete, Inc.

                                       20

<PAGE>



                                  SCHEDULE 2(C)

                                     to the

                      Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
                                    to which
                               U.S. Concrete, Inc.
                                       and
                        Central Concrete Supply Co., Inc.
                                   are parties


                  A. Capitalized  terms this Schedule uses, but does not define,
have the meanings the captioned Agreement specifies.

                  B. The  directors  of the  Surviving  Corporation  immediately
after the  Effective  Time are as follows:  Eugene P.  Martineau  and Michael W.
Harlan.

                  C. The officers of the Surviving Corporation immediately after
the Effective Time are as follows:


President..................................................  William T. Albanese
Senior Vice President......................................  Eugene P. Martineau
Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary....................  Michael W. Harlan


                                 End of Schedule

                                       21

<PAGE>



                                  SCHEDULE 2(D)

                                     to the

                      Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
                                    to which
                               U.S. Concrete, Inc.
                                       and
                        Central Concrete Supply Co., Inc.
                                   are parties


                  A. Capitalized  terms this Schedule uses, but does not define,
have the meanings the captioned Agreement specifies.

                  B.  Subject  to  increase  by the amount of the  Positive  Net
Adjustment,  if  any,  and  to  decrease  by the  amount  of  the  Negative  Net
Adjustment, if any, the aggregate Acquisition Consideration will be comprised of
(1)  $3,888,368 in cash,  (2)  3,120,130  shares of USC Common Stock and (3) the
Additional Cash Consideration.

                  C. Each  Stockholder  will be entitled to receive his Pro Rata
Share of the Acquisition  Consideration  pursuant to Paragraph 2(D),  subject to
the provisions of Paragraphs 2(E) and 2(F).





                                 End of Schedule

                                       22

<PAGE>


                                                                         Annex 1

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










                               U.S. CONCRETE, INC.


                               UNIFORM PROVISIONS

                                       FOR

                      THE ACQUISITION OF FOUNDING COMPANIES









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




                                       23

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                                                                                Page
<S>                   <C>                                                                                                        <C>
ARTICLE I             REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EACH
                      STOCKHOLDER..................................................................................................1
         Section 1.01 Ownership and Status of Company Capital Stock................................................................1
         Section 1.02 Power of the Stockholder; Approval of the Acquisition........................................................1
         Section 1.03 No Conflicts or Litigation...................................................................................2
         Section 1.04 No Brokers...................................................................................................2
         Section 1.05 Preemptive and Other Rights; Waiver; No Commitments..........................................................2
         Section 1.06 Control of Related Businesses................................................................................2
         Section 1.07 Accredited Investor Status; Sophistication; Review of Private
                      Placement Memorandum.........................................................................................3

ARTICLE II            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
                      THE COMPANY AND THE STOCKHOLDERS.............................................................................3
         Section 2.01 Organization.................................................................................................3
         Section 2.02 Qualification................................................................................................4
         Section 2.03 Authorization; Enforceability; Absence of Conflicts;
                      Required Consents............................................................................................4
         Section 2.04 Charter Documents and Records; No Violation..................................................................5
         Section 2.05 No Defaults..................................................................................................5
         Section 2.06 Company Subsidiaries.........................................................................................5
         Section 2.07 Controlling Affiliates.......................................................................................6
         Section 2.08 Capital Stock of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries....................................................6
         Section 2.09 Transactions in Capital Stock................................................................................6
         Section 2.10 No Bonus Shares..............................................................................................6
         Section 2.11 Predecessor Status; etc......................................................................................6
         Section 2.12 Related Party Agreements.....................................................................................6
         Section 2.13 Litigation...................................................................................................7
         Section 2.14 Financial Statements; Disclosure.............................................................................7
         Section 2.15 Compliance With Laws.........................................................................................8
         Section 2.16 Certain Environmental Matters................................................................................9
         Section 2.17 Liabilities and Obligations..................................................................................9
         Section 2.18 Receivables.................................................................................................10
         Section 2.19 Real Properties.............................................................................................10
         Section 2.20 Other Tangible Assets.......................................................................................11
         Section 2.21 Proprietary Rights..........................................................................................11
         Section 2.22 Relations With Governments, etc.............................................................................11
         Section 2.23 Commitments.................................................................................................12
         Section 2.24 Capital Expenditures........................................................................................13
         Section 2.25 Inventories.................................................................................................13
         Section 2.26 Insurance...................................................................................................13
         Section 2.27 Employee Matters............................................................................................14
         Section 2.28 Compliance With ERISA.......................................................................................17


                                                                 24

<PAGE>



         Section 2.29 Taxes.......................................................................................................19
         Section 2.30 Government Contracts........................................................................................20
         Section 2.31 Absence of Changes..........................................................................................20
         Section 2.32 Bank Relations; Powers of Attorney..........................................................................22

ARTICLE III           REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF USC.......................................................................23
         Section 3.01 Organization; Power.........................................................................................23
         Section 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability; Absence of Conflicts;
                      Required Consents...........................................................................................23
         Section 3.03 Charter Documents...........................................................................................24
         Section 3.04 Capital Stock of USC and USC Sub............................................................................24
         Section 3.05 Subsidiaries................................................................................................25
         Section 3.06 Compliance With Laws; No Litigation.........................................................................25
         Section 3.07 Conduct of Operations to Date; Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities...........................................25
         Section 3.08 Capitalization of USC.......................................................................................25
         Section 3.09 No Brokers..................................................................................................25
         Section 3.10 Private Placement Memorandum................................................................................26

ARTICLE IV            COVENANTS EXTENDING TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME...................................................................26
         Section 4.01 Access and Cooperation; Due Diligence.......................................................................26
         Section 4.02 Conduct of Business Pending the Effective Time..............................................................27
         Section 4.03 Prohibited Activities.......................................................................................28
         Section 4.04 No Shop.....................................................................................................29
         Section 4.05 Notice to Bargaining Agents.................................................................................30
         Section 4.06 Notification of Certain Matters.............................................................................30
         Section 4.07 Supplemental Information....................................................................................30
         Section 4.08 Cooperation in Connection With the IPO......................................................................31
         Section 4.09 Additional Financial Statements.............................................................................31
         Section 4.10 Termination of Plans........................................................................................32
         Section 4.11 Disposition of Unwanted Assets..............................................................................32
         Section 4.12 HSR Act Matters.............................................................................................32

ARTICLE V             THE CLOSING AND CONDITIONS TO CLOSING AND
                      CONSUMMATION................................................................................................32
         Section 5.01 Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party.................................................................32
         Section 5.02 Conditions to the Obligations of the Company and the Stockholders...........................................34
         Section 5.03 Conditions to the Obligations of USC and USC Sub............................................................35

ARTICLE VI            COVENANTS FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE TIME......................................................................36
         Section 6.01 Disclosure..................................................................................................36
         Section 6.02 Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns.......................................................................37
         Section 6.03 Directors...................................................................................................37
         Section 6.04 Removal of Guaranties.......................................................................................37
         Section 6.05 Survival of Representations and Warranties..................................................................37
         Section 6.06 Limitations on Damage Claims................................................................................38

                                                                 25

<PAGE>



         Section 6.07 Working Capital Adjustment..................................................................................39

ARTICLE VII           INDEMNIFICATION.............................................................................................41
         Section 7.01 In Respect of Representations and Warranties................................................................41
         Section 7.02 Indemnification of USC Indemnified Parties..................................................................41
         Section 7.03 Indemnification of Stockholder Indemnified Parties..........................................................42
         Section 7.04 Conditions of Indemnification...............................................................................42
         Section 7.05 Remedies Not Exclusive......................................................................................45
         Section 7.06 Limitations on Indemnification..............................................................................45

ARTICLE VIII          LIMITATIONS ON COMPETITION..................................................................................46
         Section 8.01 Prohibited Activities.......................................................................................46
         Section 8.02 Damages.....................................................................................................47
         Section 8.03 Reasonable Restraint........................................................................................47
         Section 8.04 Severability; Reformation...................................................................................47
         Section 8.05 Independent Covenant........................................................................................48
         Section 8.06 Materiality.................................................................................................48

ARTICLE IX            ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS AND DEFINITIONAL
                      PROVISIONS..................................................................................................48
         Section 9.01 Defined Terms...............................................................................................48
         Section 9.02 Other Defined Terms.........................................................................................63
         Section 9.03 Other Definitional Provisions...............................................................................63
         Section 9.04 Captions....................................................................................................63

ARTICLE X              GENERAL PROVISIONS.........................................................................................64
         Section 10.01 Treatment of Confidential Information......................................................................64
         Section 10.02 Brokers and Agents.........................................................................................65
         Section 10.03 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries...................................................................65
         Section 10.04 Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waivers.......................................................................65
         Section 10.05 Expenses...................................................................................................66
         Section 10.06 Notices....................................................................................................66
         Section 10.07 Governing Law..............................................................................................67
         Section 10.08 Exercise of Rights and Remedies............................................................................67
         Section 10.09 Time.......................................................................................................67
         Section 10.10 Reformation and Severability...............................................................................67
         Section 10.11 Remedies Cumulative........................................................................................67
         Section 10.12 Release....................................................................................................67
         Section 10.13 Respecting the IPO.........................................................................................68
         Section 10.14 Restrictions on Transfer of USC Common Stock...............................................................69

ARTICLE XI             TERMINATION................................................................................................70
         Section 11.01 Termination of This Agreement..............................................................................70
         Section 11.02 Liabilities in the Event of Termination....................................................................71

</TABLE>

                                                                 26

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE 1.

               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EACH STOCKHOLDER

           Each of the  Stockholders  represents  and  warrants to USC that,  as
applied solely to himself,  all the following  representations and warranties in
this Article I are as of the date of this Agreement,  and will be, as amended or
supplemented pursuant to Section 4.07, on the Closing Date and immediately prior
to the Effective Time, true and correct:

           Section    a.            Ownership  and  Status  of  Company  Capital
                           Stock.  The  Stockholder is the record and beneficial
                           owner  (or,  if the  Stockholder  is a  trust  or the
                           estate of a deceased natural person, the legal owner)
                           of the  number  of shares of  Company  Capital  Stock
                           Schedule 1.01 sets forth  opposite the  Stockholder's
                           name,  by  each  class,  and by each  series  in each
                           class,  thereof,  free and clear of all Liens, except
                           for the Liens that Schedule sets forth,  all of which
                           will be released on or before the Closing Date.

           Section    b.            Power of the  Stockholder;  Approval  of the
                           Acquisition.  (a) The Stockholder has the full power,
                           legal  capacity and  authority to execute and deliver
                           this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to
                           which the  Stockholder  is a party and to perform the
                           Stockholder's  obligations  in this  Agreement and in
                           all  other   Transaction   Documents   to  which  the
                           Stockholder is a party.  This Agreement  constitutes,
                           and  each  such  other  Transaction  Document,   when
                           executed in the Stockholder's individual capacity and
                           delivered by the Stockholder,  will  constitute,  the
                           legal,   valid   and   binding   obligation   of  the
                           Stockholder,  enforceable  against the Stockholder in
                           accordance   with   its   terms,   except   as   that
                           enforceability  may be (i) limited by any  applicable
                           bankruptcy,    insolvency,    fraudulent    transfer,
                           reorganization,  moratorium or similar laws affecting
                           the enforcement of creditors' rights generally or any
                           applicable law that limits rights to  indemnification
                           and (ii)  subject  to  general  principles  of equity
                           (regardless   of  whether  that   enforceability   is
                           considered  in a proceeding  in equity or at law). If
                           the  Stockholder is an Entity,  the  Stockholder  has
                           obtained,   in   accordance   with   all   applicable
                           Governmental  Requirements and its Charter Documents,
                           all approvals and the taking of all actions necessary
                           for  the  authorization,   execution,   delivery  and
                           performance by the  Stockholder of this Agreement and
                           the other Transaction Documents to

                                       27

<PAGE>



                           which the  Stockholder is a party. If the Stockholder
                           is acting  otherwise than in his individual  capacity
                           (whether as an executor or a guardian or in any other
                           fiduciary or representative capacity), all actions on
                           the part of the  Stockholder  and all  other  Persons
                           (including    any    court)    necessary    for   the
                           authorization, execution, delivery and performance by
                           the  Stockholder  of this  Agreement  and  the  other
                           Transaction  Documents to which the  Stockholder is a
                           party have been duly taken.

                  (b) The  Stockholder,  acting in each  capacity in which he is
entitled,  by reason of the  Company's  Charter  Documents  or the  Governmental
Requirements  of the Company's  Organization  State or for any other reason,  to
vote to approve or disapprove the consummation of the Acquisition, has voted all
the shares of Company Capital Stock owned by him and entitled to a vote or votes
on that matter, in any one or more of the manners prescribed or permitted by the
Company's  Charter  Documents or the Governmental  Requirements of the Company's
Organization State, whichever are controlling, to approve this Agreement and the
consummation of the Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

           Section    c.            No    Conflicts    or    Litigation.     The
                           Stockholder's execution,  delivery and performance in
                           accordance  with  their   respective  terms  of  this
                           Agreement  and the  other  Transaction  Documents  to
                           which the  Stockholder is a party do not and will not
                           (i)  violate  or  conflict   with  any   Governmental
                           Requirement,  (ii)  breach  or  constitute  a default
                           under  any  agreement  or  instrument  to  which  the
                           Stockholder is a party or by which the Stockholder or
                           any shares of Company  Capital Stock the  Stockholder
                           owns  is  bound,  (iii)  result  in the  creation  or
                           imposition  of, or  afford  any  Person  the right to
                           obtain,  any Lien upon any shares of Company  Capital
                           Stock  the  Stockholder  owns (or upon any  revenues,
                           income or profits of the  Stockholder  therefrom)  or
                           (iv) if the  Stockholder  is an Entity,  violate  the
                           Stockholder's  Charter  Documents.  No  Litigation is
                           pending  or,  to the  knowledge  of the  Stockholder,
                           threatened to which the  Stockholder is or may become
                           a party which (i)  questions or involves the validity
                           or   enforceability   of  any  of  the  Stockholder's
                           obligations  under any  Transaction  Document or (ii)
                           seeks (or  reasonably may be expected to seek) (A) to
                           prevent or delay the  consummation by the Stockholder
                           of the transactions  this Agreement  contemplates the
                           Stockholder   will   consummate  or  (B)  damages  in
                           connection with any such consummation.


                                       28

<PAGE>



           Section    d.            No  Brokers.  Except as  Schedule  1.04 sets
                           forth,   the   Stockholder   has  not,   directly  or
                           indirectly,  in connection with this Agreement or the
                           transactions  contemplated  hereby (i)  employed  any
                           broker,  finder  or  agent or (ii)  agreed  to pay or
                           incurred  any  obligation  to  pay  any  broker's  or
                           finder's  fee,  any sales  commission  or any similar
                           form of compensation.

           Section    e.            Preemptive  and  Other  Rights;  Waiver;  No
                           Commitments.  Except for the right of the Stockholder
                           to receive  shares of USC Common Stock as a result of
                           the Acquisition,  the Stockholder either (i) does not
                           own or otherwise  have any  statutory or  contractual
                           preemptive or other right of any kind  (including any
                           right  of first  offer or  refusal)  to  acquire  any
                           shares of Company  Capital  Stock or USC Common Stock
                           or (ii) hereby  irrevocably waives each right of that
                           type the  Stockholder  does own or otherwise has. The
                           Stockholder  does not have any binding  commitment to
                           sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of the USC Common
                           Stock the  Stockholder  will  receive  as part of the
                           Acquisition Consideration, and the representation and
                           warranty in this  sentence is for the benefit of each
                           other  Stockholder  and  each  owner  of  each  Other
                           Founding Company.

           Section    f.            Control  of  Related  Businesses.  Except as
                           Schedule  1.06 sets forth,  the  Stockholder  is not,
                           alone  or  with  one  or  more  other  Persons,   the
                           controlling  Affiliate  of any  Entity,  business  or
                           trade (other than the Acquired Business or any Entity
                           the Acquired Business includes, if the Stockholder is
                           an Affiliate  of any thereof)  that (i) is engaged in
                           any line of business  which is the same as or similar
                           to  any  line  of  business  in  which  the  Acquired
                           Business or any Entity the Acquired Business includes
                           is engaged  or (ii) is, or has within the  three-year
                           period ending on the date of this Agreement,  engaged
                           in any  transaction  with  any  Entity  the  Acquired
                           Business  includes,  except for  transactions  in the
                           ordinary course of business of that Entity.

         Section 1.07  Accredited  Investor  Status;  Sophistication;  Review of
Private Placement  Memorandum.  The Stockholder (i) will be acquiring the shares
of USC Common  Stock to be issued to him  pursuant to Paragraph 2 solely for his
account,  for investment  purposes only and with no current intention or plan to
distribute,  sell or otherwise dispose of any of those shares in connection with
any distribution  and (ii) is not a party to any agreement or other  arrangement
for the  disposition of any shares of USC Common Stock other than this Agreement
and the  Registration  Rights  Agreement.  Schedule  1.07  correctly  states (i)
whether he is, or is not, an "accredited

                                       29

<PAGE>


investor"  as defined in  Securities  Act Rule  501(a) and, if he is not such an
investor,  (ii) the name  and  address  of his  "purchaser  representative"  (as
defined in Securities Act Rule 501(h)).  The Stockholder (i) is able to bear the
economic risk of an investment in the USC Common Stock acquired pursuant to this
Agreement, (ii) can afford to sustain a total loss of that investment, (iii) has
such  knowledge  and  experience  in financial  and business  matters that he is
capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the proposed investment in the USC
Common  Stock,  (iv) his  purchaser  representative,  if any,  has  received and
reviewed  a  copy  of the  Private  Placement  Memorandum  and  had an  adequate
opportunity  to ask  questions  and  receive  answers  from the  officers of USC
concerning any and all matters relating to the transactions  contemplated hereby
and thereby, including the background and experience of the current and proposed
officers and directors of USC, the plans for the business and operations of USC,
the business, operations and financial condition of the Other Founding Companies
and any  plans  of USC for  additional  acquisitions,  and (v) or his  purchaser
representative,  if any,  has asked all  questions  of the nature  described  in
preceding  clause  (iv)  and all  those  questions  have  been  answered  to his
satisfaction and the satisfaction of his purchaser representative, if any.


                                   ARTICLE 2.

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                                       OF
                        THE COMPANY AND THE STOCKHOLDERS

         The Company and each  Stockholder  jointly and severally  represent and
warrant  to, and agree  with,  USC that all the  following  representations  and
warranties in this Article II are as of the date of this Agreement, and will be,
as amended or  supplemented  pursuant to Section  4.07,  on the Closing Date and
immediately prior to the Effective Time, true and correct:

           Section    a.            Organization.  Schedule  2.01 sets forth the
                           Organization  State  of each of the  Company  and the
                           Company  Subsidiaries.  Each of the  Company  and the
                           Company   Subsidiaries  (i)  is  a  corporation  duly
                           organized,  validly  existing  and in  good  standing
                           under the laws of its  Organization  State,  (ii) has
                           all requisite  corporate  power and  authority  under
                           those laws and its Charter  Documents to own or lease
                           and to  operate  its  properties  and to carry on its
                           business as now conducted and (iii) is duly qualified
                           and in good standing as a foreign  corporation in all
                           jurisdictions  in which it owns or leases property or
                           in  which  the  carrying  on of its  business  as now
                           conducted so requires, except where the failure to be
                           so qualified,  singly or in the aggregate,  would not
                           have a Material Adverse Effect.

           Section    b.            Qualification.  Schedule  2.02 lists all the
                           jurisdictions  in which each of the  Company  and the
                           Company Subsidiaries

                                       30

<PAGE>



                           is  authorized  or  qualified  to own or lease and to
                           operate its properties or to carry on its business as
                           now  conducted,  and  neither  the  Company  nor  any
                           Company  Subsidiary  owns,  leases  or  operates  any
                           properties,  or  carries  on any  business,  that  is
                           Material to the Acquired Business in any jurisdiction
                           that Schedule does not list.

           Section    c.            Authorization;  Enforceability;  Absence  of
                           Conflicts;  Required  Consents.  (a)  The  execution,
                           delivery  and  performance  by the  Company  of  this
                           Agreement  and each  other  Transaction  Document  to
                           which  it is a  party,  and the  effectuation  of the
                           Acquisition and the other  transactions  contemplated
                           hereby and thereby, are within its corporate or other
                           power under its Charter  Documents and the applicable
                           Governmental  Requirements of its Organization  State
                           and have been  duly  authorized  by all  proceedings,
                           including  actions  permitted  to be taken in lieu of
                           proceedings, required under its Charter Documents and
                           those Governmental Requirements.

                  (b) This Agreement has been, and each of the other Transaction
Documents to which the Company is a party,  when  executed and  delivered by the
parties  thereto will have been,  duly executed and delivered by the Company and
is, or when so  executed  and  delivered  will be, the legal,  valid and binding
obligation of the Company,  enforceable  against the Company in accordance  with
its terms,  except as that  enforceability  may be (i) limited by any applicable
bankruptcy,  insolvency,  fraudulent  transfer,  reorganization,  moratorium  or
similar laws  affecting the  enforcement of creditors'  rights  generally or any
applicable law that limits rights to indemnification and (ii) subject to general
principles of equity (regardless of whether that enforceability is considered in
a proceeding in equity or at law).

                  (c) The execution, delivery and performance in accordance with
their respective  terms by the Company of the Transaction  Documents to which it
is a party have not and will not (i)  violate,  breach or  constitute  a default
under  (A)  the  Charter  Documents  of any  of  the  Company  and  the  Company
Subsidiaries,  (B) any Governmental Requirement applicable to any of the Company
and the  Company  Subsidiaries  or (C) any  Material  Agreement  of the  Company
(except  as  Schedule  2.03 sets  forth),  (ii)  result in the  acceleration  or
mandatory  prepayment  of any  Indebtedness,  or any Guaranty  not  constituting
Indebtedness,  of any of the Company and the Company  Subsidiaries or afford any
holder  of  any  of  that  Indebtedness,  or any  beneficiary  of  any of  those
Guaranties, the right to require any of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries
to  redeem,  purchase  or  otherwise  acquire,  reacquire  or repay  any of that
Indebtedness,  or to perform any of those  Guaranties  (except as Schedule  2.03
sets forth),  (iii) cause or result in the  imposition  of, or afford any Person
the right to obtain,  any Lien upon any property or assets of any of the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries (or upon any revenues,  income or profits of any of
the Company and the Company  Subsidiaries  therefrom) or (iv) except as Schedule
2.03 sets forth, result in the revocation,

                                       31

<PAGE>


cancellation,  suspension or material modification, in any single case or in the
aggregate,  of any Governmental Approval possessed by any of the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries at the date hereof and necessary for the ownership or lease
or the  operation  of its  properties  or the carrying on of its business as now
conducted,  including any necessary  Governmental Approval under each applicable
Environmental Law and Industry Law.

                  (d) Except for (i) the filing of the  Certificates  of Merger,
if any,  with the  applicable  Governmental  Authorities  , (ii)  filings of the
Registration  Statement under the Securities Act and the SEC order declaring the
Registration  Statement  effective  under the Securities Act and (iii) as may be
required by the HSR Act or the applicable  state securities or blue sky laws, no
Governmental Approvals are required to be obtained, and no reports or notices to
or filings with any  Governmental  Authority  are required to be made, by any of
the  Company  and the  Company  Subsidiaries  for  the  execution,  delivery  or
performance by the Company of the Transaction  Documents to which it is a party,
the  enforcement  against  the  Company  of its  obligations  thereunder  or the
effectuation of the Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated thereby.

           Section    d.            Charter Documents and Records; No Violation.
                           Except as Schedule  2.04 sets forth,  the Company has
                           caused  true,  complete  and  correct  copies  of the
                           Charter  Documents,  each as in  effect  on the  date
                           hereof, and the minute books and similar corporate or
                           other  Entity  records of each of the Company and the
                           Company  Subsidiaries  to be  delivered  to  USC.  No
                           breach or violation of any Charter Document of any of
                           the Company and the Company Subsidiaries has occurred
                           and is continuing.

           Section    e.            No  Defaults.  Except as Schedule  2.05 sets
                           forth,  no  condition or state of facts  exists,  or,
                           with the  giving  of  notice  or the lapse of time or
                           both,  would exist,  which (i) entitles any holder of
                           any  outstanding  Indebtedness,  or any  Guaranty not
                           constituting Indebtedness,  of any of the Company and
                           the Company Subsidiaries, or a representative of that
                           holder,  to  accelerate  the  maturity,  or require a
                           mandatory   prepayment,   of  that   Indebtedness  or
                           Guaranty,    or   affords    that   holder   or   its
                           representative,  or any beneficiary of that Guaranty,
                           the  right  to  require  any of the  Company  and the
                           Company Subsidiaries to redeem, purchase or otherwise
                           acquire, reacquire or repay any of that Indebtedness,
                           or to perform that Guaranty in whole or in part, (ii)
                           entitles  any Person to obtain any Lien (other than a
                           Permitted   Lien)  on  any   properties   or   assets
                           constituting  any part of the  Acquired  Business (or
                           upon any  revenues,  income or  profits of any of the
                           Company and the Company  Subsidiaries  therefrom)  or
                           (iii)  constitutes  a  violation  or breach  of, or a
                           default under, any Material Agreement of the

                                       32

<PAGE>



                           Company  (including  this  Agreement)  by  any of the
                           Company and the Company Subsidiaries.

           Section    f.            Company  Subsidiaries.  Schedule 2.01 either
                           (i) sets forth the form of organization,  legal name,
                           each  assumed  name  and  Organization  State of each
                           Company Subsidiary or (ii) correctly states no Entity
                           is a Company Subsidiary. Except as Schedule 2.06 sets
                           forth,  each  Company  Subsidiary  is a Wholly  Owned
                           Subsidiary.  In the  case of any  Company  Subsidiary
                           that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary,  Schedule 2.06
                           sets forth, by each class and each series within each
                           class, (i) the number of outstanding shares (or other
                           percentage  ownership  interests) of Capital Stock of
                           the Company Subsidiary,  (ii) the Company's aggregate
                           direct and  indirect  ownership  of those  shares (or
                           interests)  and (iii) the name and  address of record
                           and   percentage   ownership   of  those  shares  (or
                           interests)  of each  holder of record  thereof  other
                           than the  Company  or a Company  Subsidiary.  No Lien
                           exists   upon  any   outstanding   share   (or  other
                           percentage  ownership  interests) of Capital Stock of
                           any Company  Subsidiary which the Company directly or
                           indirectly  owns other  than (i) the  Liens,  if any,
                           Schedule  2.06  describes,   all  of  which  will  be
                           released at or before the  Effective  Time,  and (ii)
                           Permitted Liens.  Except as Schedule 2.06 sets forth,
                           the Company does not own, of record or  beneficially,
                           directly or indirectly  through any Person,  and does
                           not  control,  directly  or  indirectly  through  any
                           Person or otherwise,  any Capital Stock or Derivative
                           Securities   of  any  Entity  other  than  a  Company
                           Subsidiary.

           Section    g.            Controlling  Affiliates.  Schedule 2.07 sets
                           forth  the  name of each  Person  who at the time the
                           Acquisition  was submitted for vote or consent to the
                           Stockholders,  is, was or will be an Affiliate of the
                           Company  by reason of that  Person's  control  of the
                           Company.

           Section    h.            Capital Stock of the Company and the Company
                           Subsidiaries. Schedule 2.08 sets forth, by each class
                           and by each  series  within  each  class,  the  total
                           number of shares of authorized  Company Capital Stock
                           and the total  number of such  shares  that have been
                           issued and are now  outstanding.  Except as  Schedule
                           2.08 sets  forth:  (i) no shares of  Company  Capital
                           Stock  are  held  by  the   Company  or  any  Company
                           Subsidiary   as   treasury   shares;   and   (ii)  no
                           outstanding options,

                                       33

<PAGE>



                           warrants  or rights to acquire  Capital  Stock of the
                           Company  or any  Company  Subsidiary  exist.  All the
                           issued and  outstanding  shares of  Capital  Stock of
                           each of the Company and the Company  Subsidiaries (i)
                           have  been  duly  authorized  and  validly  issued in
                           accordance    with   the   applicable    Governmental
                           Requirements of their issuer's Organization State and
                           Charter   Documents  and  (ii)  are  fully  paid  and
                           nonassessable.  Neither  the  Company nor any Company
                           Subsidiary  has  issued  or sold  any  shares  of its
                           outstanding  Capital  Stock in breach or violation of
                           (i)   any   applicable   statutory   or   contractual
                           preemptive  rights,  or any other  rights of any kind
                           (including any rights of first offer or refusal),  of
                           any Person or (ii) the terms of any of its Derivative
                           Securities  which  then were  outstanding.  No Person
                           has, otherwise than solely by reason of that Person's
                           right, if any, to vote shares of the Capital Stock of
                           the  Company or any Company  Subsidiary  it holds (to
                           the extent those shares afford the holder thereof any
                           voting  rights)  any right to vote on any matter with
                           the  holders of Capital  Stock of the  Company or any
                           Company Subsidiary.

           Section    i.            Transactions  in  Capital  Stock.  Except as
                           Schedule  2.09 sets  forth:  (i) the  Company  has no
                           obligation  (contingent  or  otherwise)  to purchase,
                           redeem or otherwise  acquire or reacquire  any of its
                           equity  securities or any interests therein or to pay
                           any  dividend  or make any  distribution  in  respect
                           thereof;  and (ii) no transaction  has been effected,
                           and no action in  contemplation  of the  transactions
                           described   in  this   Agreement   has  been   taken,
                           respecting the equity ownership of either the Company
                           or any Company Subsidiary.

           Section    j.            No Bonus  Shares.  Except as  Schedule  2.10
                           sets forth, no outstanding  share of Capital Stock of
                           the  Company was issued for less than the fair market
                           value  thereof at the time of  issuance or was issued
                           in exchange for any consideration other than cash.

           Section    k.            Predecessor  Status; etc. Except as Schedule
                           2.11  sets   forth,   the  Company  has  not  been  a
                           Subsidiary  or division of another  Entity during the
                           past five years.

           Section    l.            Related Party Agreements. Schedule 2.12 sets
                           forth all Related  Party  Agreements in effect on the
                           date   hereof.   Except  for  those   Related   Party
                           Agreements that Schedule specifically

                                       34

<PAGE>



                           refers to as "Retained Related Party Agreements" (the
                           "Retained  Related Party  Agreements"),  each Related
                           Party  Agreement  in effect on the date  hereof  will
                           have been  terminated,  and all  Indebtedness of each
                           Related Person and its Affiliates  owed to any of the
                           Company and the Company  Subsidiaries  will have been
                           paid in full,  prior to the  Effective  Time,  and no
                           Related Party  Agreement  then will exist.  The terms
                           and conditions of each of the Retained  Related Party
                           Agreements  are no less favorable to the Company than
                           the Company  reasonably could have expected to obtain
                           in an  arm's-length  transaction  with a Person other
                           than  an  Affiliate  of  the  Company,   the  rentals
                           provided for in the Retained Related Party Agreements
                           constituting  leases  of  property  to  the  Acquired
                           Business  (other than the leases,  if any,  that this
                           Agreement defines as a Facilities Lease Agreement, as
                           to which no  representation  is made pursuant to this
                           Section  2.12) do not and will not exceed fair market
                           rentals  of the  properties  being  rented  or leased
                           under those Retained Related Party Agreements and the
                           payments  provided  to be made by the  Company or any
                           Company  Subsidiary  in the  Retained  Related  Party
                           Agreements do not exceed the fair market value of the
                           goods or other  property  provided to or the services
                           performed for the Acquired Business.

           Section    m.            Litigation.  Except  as  Schedule  2.13 sets
                           forth,  no Litigation is pending or, to the knowledge
                           of the  Company  or any  Stockholder,  threatened  to
                           which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is or may
                           become a party.

           Section    n.            Financial   Statements;    Disclosure.   (a)
                           Financial  Statements.  (i) The Financial  Statements
                           (including  in each case the  related  schedules  and
                           notes)  delivered  to  USC  present  fairly,  in  all
                           material  respects,  the  financial  position  of the
                           Acquired  Business  at the  respective  dates  of the
                           balance  sheets  included  therein and the results of
                           operations,  cash  flows and  stockholders'  or other
                           owners'  equity  of the  Acquired  Business  for  the
                           respective  periods  set forth  therein and have been
                           prepared  in  accordance  with  GAAP,  except,   with
                           respect to any  financial  statements of the Acquired
                           Business  delivered to USC pursuant to the provisions
                           of Section  4.09,  for the  provision  of  applicable
                           footnotes and  adjustments  customarily  made at year
                           end. As of the date of any balance sheet  included in
                           those Financial  Statements,  neither the Company nor
                           any Company Subsidiary then had

                                       35

<PAGE>



                           any  outstanding  Indebtedness  to any  Person or any
                           liabilities   of  any  kind   (including   contingent
                           obligations,  tax  assessments or unusual  forward or
                           long-term   commitments),   or  any   unrealized   or
                           anticipated  loss,  which in the aggregate  then were
                           Material to the Acquired  Business and required to be
                           reflected  in those  Financial  Statements  or in the
                           notes related  thereto in accordance  with GAAP which
                           were not so reflected.

                  (ii)  Since the  Current  Balance  Sheet  Date,  no change has
         occurred   in  the   business,   operations,   properties   or  assets,
         liabilities, condition (financial or other) or results of operations of
         the Acquired  Business that could reasonably be expected,  either alone
         or together  with all other such  changes,  to have a Material  Adverse
         Effect.

                  (b)  Disclosure.  (i) As of the date hereof,  all  Information
that has been made  available to USC by or on behalf of the Company prior to the
date of this Agreement in connection with the transactions  contemplated  hereby
(other than financial  budgets and  projections)  is, taken  together,  true and
correct in all material  respects and does not contain any untrue statement of a
material  fact or omit to state a material  fact  necessary in order to make the
statements  contained  therein  not  materially   misleading  in  light  of  the
circumstances under which those statements were made.

                  (ii) All  Information  that is furnished to USC after the date
         hereof from time to time prior to the Effective Time by or on behalf of
         the Company in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement, any other
         Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby
         (other  than  financial  budgets  and  projections)  will be, when made
         available and taken together, true and correct in all material respects
         and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
         state a  material  fact  necessary  in  order  to make  the  statements
         contained   therein  not   materially   misleading   in  light  of  the
         circumstances under which those statements are made.

                  (iii)  Schedule  2.14  sets  forth  a  complete  list  of  all
         financial  budgets and  projections  respecting  the Acquired  Business
         that,  as of the date of this  Agreement,  the  Company,  or any of its
         Representatives  have made  available  to USC in  connection  with this
         Agreement or the transactions  contemplated hereby. All those financial
         budgets and projections and any other financial  budgets or projections
         respecting  the  Acquired  Business  that  the  Company  or  any of its
         Representatives  hereafter  provide  to USC  in  writing  prior  to the
         Effective Time pursuant to or in connection  with this  Agreement,  any
         other Transaction  Document or the transactions  contemplated hereby or
         thereby  have been and will be prepared  and  furnished  to USC in good
         faith  and were and will be  based on facts  and  assumptions  that are
         believed by the  management of the Company to be reasonable in light of
         the then current and foreseeable business conditions of the Company and
         the  Company  Subsidiaries  and  represented  and will  represent  that
         management's   good  faith  estimate  of  the  consolidated   projected
         financial performance of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries based
         on the information  available to the Responsible Officer at the time so
         furnished.


                                       36

<PAGE>


           Section    o.            Compliance With Laws. (a) Except as Schedule
                           2.15  sets  forth:  (i) each of the  Company  and the
                           Company  Subsidiaries  possesses,  or, if required by
                           the applicable  Environmental  Laws and Industry Laws
                           (including those relating to hazardous air pollutants
                           or  Solid  Wastes,   Hazardous  Wastes  or  Hazardous
                           Substances), one or more of its employees as required
                           by  those   Environmental   Laws  and  Industry  Laws
                           possesses,  all necessary certifications and licenses
                           and similar  Governmental  Approvals required for the
                           conduct of its business; and (ii) each of the Company
                           and the Company  Subsidiaries and such one or more of
                           its  employees  are in  compliance  in  all  material
                           respects  with  the  terms  and   conditions  of  all
                           Governmental Approvals necessary for the ownership or
                           lease and the operation of its properties  (including
                           all the  facilities  and sites it owns or holds under
                           any lease) and the carrying on of its business as now
                           conducted.  The  Company  has  provided  USC  with  a
                           complete   written  list  of  all  the   Governmental
                           Approvals   so   possessed.   All  the   Governmental
                           Approvals  so listed  are valid and in full force and
                           effect,  and,  except as  Schedule  2.15 sets  forth,
                           neither the Company  nor any Company  Subsidiary  has
                           received, nor to the knowledge of any Stockholder has
                           any employee of either received,  any notice from any
                           Governmental  Authority  of its  intention to cancel,
                           terminate  or not  renew  any of  those  Governmental
                           Approvals.

                  (b) Except as Schedule  2.15 sets  forth,  each of the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries:  (i) has been and continues to be in compliance in
all material respects with all Governmental Requirements applicable to it or any
of its presently or previously owned or operated  properties  (including all the
facilities  and sites now or  previously  owned or held by it under any  lease),
businesses or  operations,  including all applicable  Governmental  Requirements
under ERISA,  Environmental  Laws and  Industry  Laws;  and (ii)(A)  neither the
Company nor any Company  Subsidiary  has  received,  nor to the knowledge of the
Company has any employee of either  received,  any notice from any  Governmental
Authority  which  asserts,  or raises  the  possibility  of  assertion  of,  any
noncompliance with any of those Governmental  Requirements and, to the knowledge
of each of the Company,  the Company  Subsidiaries and the Stockholders,  (B) no
condition  or state of facts  exists  which would  provide a valid basis for any
such assertion.

           Section    p.            Certain  Environmental  Matters.  Except  as
                           Schedule  2.16 sets  forth:  (i) the Company and each
                           Company  Subsidiary  have  complied,  and  remain  in
                           compliance,  with the provisions of all Environmental
                           Laws  applicable  to any  of  them  or  any of  their
                           respective  presently  owned or operated  facilities,
                           sites or other properties, businesses and operations

                                       37

<PAGE>



                           and which relate to the  reporting by the Company and
                           each Company  Subsidiary of all sites presently owned
                           or  operated  by  any of  them  where  Solid  Wastes,
                           Hazardous  Wastes or Hazardous  Substances  have been
                           treated,  stored,  disposed of or otherwise  handled;
                           (ii) no release  (as  defined in those  Environmental
                           Laws) at,  from,  in or on any site owned or operated
                           by the Company or any Company Subsidiary has occurred
                           which,  if  all  relevant  facts  were  known  to the
                           relevant Governmental  Authorities,  reasonably could
                           be  expected  to  require  remediation  to avoid deed
                           record  notices,  restrictions,  liabilities or other
                           consequences  that  would not be  applicable  if that
                           release had not  occurred;  (iii) neither the Company
                           nor  any   Company   Subsidiary   (or  any  agent  or
                           contractor of either) has transported or arranged for
                           the  transportation  of any Solid  Wastes,  Hazardous
                           Wastes or  Hazardous  Substances  to, or  disposed or
                           arranged  for the  disposition  of any Solid  Wastes,
                           Hazardous  Wastes or  Hazardous  Substances  at,  any
                           off-site  location  that  could  lead  to  any  claim
                           against  the  Company,  any Company  Subsidiary,  the
                           Acquired Business,  any Other Founding Company or any
                           of its Subsidiaries, USC or any Subsidiary of USC, as
                           a potentially responsible party or otherwise, for any
                           clean-up  costs,  remedial  work,  damage to  natural
                           resources,   personal  injury  or  property   damage,
                           including any claim under CERCLA; and (iv) no storage
                           tanks exist on or under any of the  properties  owned
                           or operated by the Company or any Company  Subsidiary
                           from  which any  Solid  Wastes,  Hazardous  Wastes or
                           Hazardous  Substances  have  been  released  into the
                           surrounding environment. The Company has provided USC
                           with copies (or, if not available,  accurate  written
                           summaries)  of  all   environmental   investigations,
                           studies, audits, reviews and other analyses conducted
                           by or on  behalf,  or  which  otherwise  are  in  the
                           possession,  of the Company or any Company Subsidiary
                           respecting  any facility,  site or other property the
                           Company or any Company  Subsidiary  presently owns or
                           operates.

           Section    q.            Liabilities and  Obligations.  Schedule 2.17
                           lists or describes all present liabilities,  of every
                           kind,  character and description and whether accrued,
                           absolute,  fixed, contingent or otherwise, of each of
                           the Company and the  Company  Subsidiaries  which (i)
                           exceed  or  reasonably  could be  expected  to exceed
                           $10,000 and (ii) (A) had been  incurred  prior to the
                           Current  Balance Sheet Date, but are not reflected on
                           the

                                       38

<PAGE>



                           Current Balance Sheet, or (B) were incurred after the
                           Current  Balance  Sheet  Date  otherwise  than in the
                           ordinary course of business,  and consistent with the
                           past  practice,  of that Entity.  That  Schedule also
                           lists and describes,  for each of the Company and the
                           Company  Subsidiaries:  (i)  each of its  outstanding
                           secured and unsecured Guaranties not constituting its
                           Indebtedness  and,  for  each  of  those  Guaranties,
                           whether  any   Stockholder   or  Related   Person  or
                           Affiliate  of  any  Stockholder  is  a  Person  whose
                           obligation is covered by that Guaranty, and (ii ) for
                           each of the items  listed  under  clause  (i) of this
                           sentence, (A) if that item is secured by any property
                           or asset of the  Company or any  Company  Subsidiary,
                           the nature of that security,  and (B) if that item is
                           covered  in  whole  or in part by a  Guaranty  of any
                           Stockholder or any Related Person or Affiliate of any
                           Stockholder, the name of the guarantor.

           Section    r.            Receivables.  Except as  Schedule  2.18 sets
                           forth,  all the accounts and notes or other  advances
                           receivable   of   the   Company   and   the   Company
                           Subsidiaries  reflected on the Current  Balance Sheet
                           were collected,  or are valid and enforceable  claims
                           arising in the  ordinary  course of business  and, in
                           the good faith  belief of the  Company's  management,
                           collectible,  in the aggregate  respective amounts so
                           reflected,  net of the reserves, if any, reflected in
                           the Current Balance Sheet.

           Section    s.            Real Properties. (a) Schedule 2.19 lists and
                           correctly describes in all material respects: (i) all
                           real  properties  owned by any of the Company and the
                           Company   Subsidiaries   and,   for   each  of  those
                           properties,   the  address  thereof,   the  type  and
                           approximate  square footage of each structure located
                           thereon  and the use  thereof in the  business of the
                           Company and the Company  Subsidiaries;  (ii) all real
                           properties  of  which  any of  the  Company  and  the
                           Company  Subsidiaries  is the lessee and, for each of
                           those properties,  the address thereof,  the type and
                           approximate  square footage of each structure located
                           thereon  the  Company  or  a  Company  Subsidiary  is
                           leasing and the expiration  date of its lease and the
                           use  thereof in the  business  of the Company and the
                           Company  Subsidiaries;  and (iii) in the case of each
                           real property  listed as being owned,  whether it was
                           previously  owned,  and  in the  case  of  each  real
                           property  listed  as  being  leased,  whether  it  is
                           presently  owned,  by any  Stockholder  or any of his
                           Related Persons or Affiliates (other

                                       39
<PAGE>



                           than the Company and the  Company  Subsidiaries,  any
                           other Entity  included in the Acquired  Business,  if
                           the Stockholder is an Affiliate of the Company or any
                           other Entity included in the Acquired Business).

                  (b) The  Company  has  provided  USC with true,  complete  and
correct  copies of all title reports and  insurance  policies the Company or its
Stockholders  possess relating to any of the real properties Schedule 2.19 lists
as being owned or leased.  Except as that  Schedule  sets forth,  and except for
Permitted Liens, the Company or a Company  Subsidiary owns in fee, and has good,
valid and marketable  title to, free and clear of all Liens,  each property that
Schedule lists as being owned.

                  (c) The  Company  has  provided  USC with  true,  correct  and
complete copies of all leases under which the Company or a Company Subsidiary is
leasing each of the properties  Schedule 2.19 lists as being leased and,  except
as that  Schedule  sets forth,  (i) each of those leases is, to the knowledge of
the Company,  valid and binding on the lessor party  thereto and (ii) the lessee
party  thereto has not sublet any of the leased  space to any Person  other than
the Company,  a Company  Subsidiary or any other Entity included in the Acquired
Business.

                  (d) The fixed  assets of each of the  Company  and the Company
Subsidiaries  are affixed  only to one or more of the real  properties  Schedule
2.19 lists and, except as that Schedule sets forth, are maintained in accordance
with  ordinary  industry  practices and adequate for the purposes for which they
presently are being used or held for use, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

           Section    t.            Other  Tangible  Assets.  (a) Schedule  2.20
                           discloses all leases,  including capital leases, that
                           are  Material to the Company  under which the Company
                           or a Company  Subsidiary  is  leasing  its  property,
                           plant and equipment and other  tangible  assets other
                           than real  properties.  Except as that  Schedule sets
                           forth,  (i) each of those leases is, to the knowledge
                           of the Company, valid and binding on the lessor party
                           thereto  and (ii) the lessee  party  thereto  has not
                           sublet any of the leased property to any Person other
                           than the Company,  a Company  Subsidiary or any other
                           Entity included in the Acquired Business.

                  (b) Except as  Schedule  2.20 sets  forth,  all the  property,
plant  and  equipment  of  the  Company  and  the  Company  Subsidiaries  are in
satisfactory condition and in a commercially  satisfactory state of repair given
the use to which they are put, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and adequate for
the purposes for which they presently are being used or held for use.

                  (c) In each  case,  free and  clear of all  Liens  except  for
Permitted Liens and as Schedule 2.20 sets forth, the Acquired  Business has good
and valid title to, or holds under a lease valid and binding on the lessor party
thereto, all its tangible personal properties and assets that individually or in
the aggregate are Material to the Acquired Business.

                                       40

<PAGE>


           Section    u.            Proprietary Rights.  Except as Schedule 2.21
                           sets  forth,  each of the  Company  and  the  Company
                           Subsidiaries  owns, free and clear of all Liens other
                           than Permitted  Liens, or has the legal right to use,
                           all  Proprietary  Rights  that are  necessary  to the
                           conduct of its  business  as now  conducted,  in each
                           case free of any claims or infringements known to the
                           Company or any  Stockholder.  Schedule 2.21 (i) lists
                           those  Proprietary  Rights and (ii)  indicates  those
                           owned by the Company or any Company  Subsidiary  and,
                           for those not listed as so owned,  the  agreement  or
                           other   arrangement   pursuant   to  which  they  are
                           possessed. Except as that Schedule sets forth, (i) no
                           consent of any Person will be required for the use of
                           any  of  these  Proprietary  Rights  by  USC  or  any
                           Subsidiary of USC  following  the Effective  Time and
                           (ii) no  governmental  registration  of any of  these
                           Proprietary  Rights  has  lapsed or  expired  or been
                           canceled,  abandoned,  opposed or the  subject of any
                           reexamination request.

           Section    v.            Relations With Governments, etc. Neither the
                           Company nor any Company  Subsidiary has made, offered
                           or  agreed  to  offer   anything   of  value  to  any
                           governmental  official,  political party or candidate
                           for  government  office which would cause the Company
                           or any Company  Subsidiary  to be in violation of the
                           Foreign   Corrupt   Practices  Act  of  1977  or  any
                           Governmental Requirement to a similar effect.

           Section    w.            Commitments.  (a) Schedule 2.23 sets forth a
                           complete  list  of  each  of the  following  (each  a
                           "Company Commitment") to which any of the Company and
                           the Company  Subsidiaries  is a party or by which any
                           of  its  properties  is  bound  and  which  presently
                           remains executory in whole or in any part:

                  (i) each partnership, joint venture or cost sharing agreement;

                  (ii)  each   guaranty  or   suretyship,   indemnification   or
         contribution agreement or performance bond;

                  (iii)  each   instrument,   agreement   or  other   obligation
         evidencing  or relating to  Indebtedness  of any of the Company and the
         Company Subsidiaries involving more than $10,000;

                  (iv) each contract to purchase or sell real property;

                                       41

<PAGE>


                  (v) each  agreement  with sales or commission  agents,  public
         relations or advertising agencies, accountants or attorneys (other than
         in connection  with this  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated
         hereby)  involving  total payments within any 12-month period in excess
         of $10,000 and which is not terminable  without  penalty and on no more
         than 30 days' prior notice;

                  (vi)  each  agreement  for the  acquisition  or  provision  of
         services, supplies,  equipment,  inventory,  fixtures or other property
         involving more than $25,000 in the aggregate;

                  (vii) each Related Party  Agreement  involving  total payments
         within  any  12-month  period  in excess  of  $10,000  and which is not
         terminable without penalty on no more than 30 days' prior notice;

                  (viii) each contract containing any noncompetition  agreement,
         covenant or undertaking;

                  (ix) each agreement providing for the purchase from a supplier
         of all or  substantially  all the  requirements  of the  Company or any
         Company Subsidiary of a particular product or service; or

                  (x)  each  other  agreement  or  commitment  not  made  in the
         ordinary course of business which is Material to the Acquired Business.

True, correct and complete copies of all written Company Commitments,  and true,
correct and complete written descriptions of all oral Company Commitments,  have
heretofore  been delivered to USC Except as Schedule 2.23 sets forth:  (i) there
are no existing or asserted defaults, events of default or events,  occurrences,
acts or  omissions  that,  with the  giving  of notice or lapse of time or both,
would  constitute  defaults or events of default  under any  Company  Commitment
Material  to  the  Acquired  Business  by any of the  Company  and  the  Company
Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company,  any other party thereto;  and
(ii) no penalties have been incurred,  nor are amendments pending,  with respect
to the  Company  Commitments  Material  to the  Acquired  Business.  The Company
Commitments  are in  full  force  and  effect  and  are  valid  and  enforceable
obligations of the Company or the Company  Subsidiaries  parties thereto and, to
the knowledge of the Company, the other parties thereto in accordance with their
respective  terms,  except  as that  enforceability  may be (i)  limited  by any
applicable bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium or similar laws
affecting the  enforcement  of creditors'  rights  generally and (ii) subject to
general  principles  of equity  (regardless  of whether that  enforceability  is
considered  in a proceeding in equity or at law),  and no defenses,  off-sets or
counterclaims  have been  asserted or, to the  knowledge of the Company,  may be
made by any party thereto  (other than by the Company or a Company  Subsidiary),
nor has the  Company  or a Company  Subsidiary,  as the case may be,  waived any
rights thereunder, except as Schedule 2.23 sets forth.

                                       42

<PAGE>


           (b) Except as Schedule 2.23 sets forth or as  contemplated  hereby or
by any other Transaction Document to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary
or  Stockholder  is a party,  neither the Company nor any Company  Subsidiary or
Stockholder  has  knowledge  of any plan or  intention of any other party to any
Company  Commitment  that is Material to the  Acquired  Business to exercise any
right to cancel or terminate  that Company  Commitment,  and neither the Company
nor that Company Subsidiary or any Stockholder has knowledge of any condition or
state of facts which would justify the exercise of such a right.

           Section    x.            Capital  Expenditures.  Schedule  2.24  sets
                           forth  the  total  amount  of  capital   expenditures
                           currently  budgeted to be  incurred  by the  Acquired
                           Business in excess of $25,000 in the aggregate during
                           the balance of the Company's current fiscal year.

           Section    y.            Inventories.  Except as  Schedule  2.25 sets
                           forth:   (i)  all   inventories,   net  of   reserves
                           determined in  accordance  with GAAP, of the Acquired
                           Business  which are classified as such on the Current
                           Balance  Sheet are, to the  knowledge of the Company,
                           merchantable  and  salable or usable in the  ordinary
                           course of business of the Acquired Business; and (ii)
                           the Acquired  Business  does not depend on any single
                           vendor for its  inventories  the loss of which  could
                           have a  Material  Adverse  Effect or during  the past
                           five years has sustained a difficulty Material to the
                           Acquired Business in obtaining its inventories.

           Section    z.            Insurance.  Except  as  Schedule  2.26  sets
                           forth:  (i) the Company has provided USC with:  (A) a
                           list  as of the  Current  Balance  Sheet  Date of all
                           insurance  policies  then  carried  by  each  of  the
                           Company and the Company  Subsidiaries;  (B) a list of
                           all  insurance  loss runs and  worker's  compensation
                           claims  received  for the most  recently  ended three
                           policy  years;  and (C) true,  complete  and  correct
                           copies of all insurance  policies  carried by each of
                           the Company and the Company Subsidiaries which are in
                           effect, all of which (1) have been issued by insurers
                           of recognized  responsibility  and (2) currently are,
                           and will  remain  without  interruption  through  the
                           Closing  Date,  in full  force  and  effect;  (ii) no
                           insurance  carried  by the  Company  or  any  Company
                           Subsidiary  has been  canceled by the insurer  during
                           the past five years,  and neither the Company nor any
                           Company Subsidiary has ever been denied coverage; and
                           (iii) neither the Company nor any Company  Subsidiary
                           or  Stockholder  has  received  any  notice  or other
                           communication from any issuer of any such insurance

                                       43

<PAGE>


                           policy of any material  increase in any  deductibles,
                           retained amounts or the premiums payable  thereunder,
                           and,  to  the   knowledge   of  the  Company  or  any
                           Stockholder,   no  such   increase  in   deductibles,
                           retainages or premiums is threatened.

           Section    aa.           Employee Matters. (a) Cash Compensation. The
                           Company has provided USC with a complete written list
                           of  the  names,  titles  and  rates  of  annual  Cash
                           Compensation,  at the Current Balance Sheet Date (and
                           the portions  thereof  attributable  to salary or the
                           equivalent, fixed bonuses,  discretionary bonuses and
                           other  Cash  Compensation,  respectively)  of the key
                           employees  (including  all employees who are officers
                           or  directors),   nonemployee  officers,  nonemployee
                           directors  and  key   consultants   and   independent
                           contractors  of each of the  Company  and the Company
                           Subsidiaries.

                  (b) Employment Agreements.  Schedule 2.27 lists all Employment
Agreements  remaining  executory in whole or in part on the date hereof, and the
Company has  provided USC with true,  complete  and correct  copies of all those
Employment Agreements. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party
to any oral Employment Agreement,  other than with respect to employment at-will
arrangements  that are terminable by either party thereto  without  liability on
the part of either  party  thereto  (except  for earned but unpaid  salaries  or
wages).

                  (c) Other  Compensation  Plans.  Schedule 2.27 lists all Other
Compensation  Plans either  remaining  executory at the date hereof or to become
effective  after the date  hereof.  The  Company has  provided  USC with a true,
correct and complete copy of each of those Other  Compensation  Plans that is in
writing and an accurate written  description of each of those Other Compensation
Plans that is not written. Except as Schedule 2.27 sets forth, each of the Other
Compensation  Plans,  including each that is a Welfare Plan, may be unilaterally
amended or terminated by the Company or any Company Subsidiary without liability
to any of them, except as to benefits accrued thereunder prior to that amendment
or termination.

                  (d)  ERISA  Benefit  Plans.  Schedule  2.27 (i) lists (A) each
ERISA Pension Benefit Plan (1) the funding  requirements of which (under Section
301 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code) are, or at any time during the six-year
period ending on the date hereof were, in whole or in part,  the  responsibility
of the Company or any Company  Subsidiary or (2) respecting which the Company or
any  Company   Subsidiary  is,  or  at  any  time  during  that  period  was,  a
"contributing  sponsor" or an "employer" as defined in Sections  4001(a)(13) and
3(5),  respectively,  of ERISA (each plan  described  in this clause (A) being a
"Company  ERISA  Pension  Plan"),  (B) each other  ERISA  Pension  Benefit  Plan
respecting  which an ERISA  Affiliate is, or at any time during that period was,
such a "contributing  sponsor" or "employer" (each plan described in this clause
(B) being an "ERISA  Affiliate  Pension Plan") and (C) each other ERISA Employee
Benefit  Plan that is being,  or at any time during that period was,  sponsored,
maintained or contributed to by the Company or

                                       44

<PAGE>


any Company  Subsidiary (each plan described in this clause (C) and each Company
ERISA  Pension  Plan being a "Company  ERISA  Benefit  Plan"),  (ii)  states the
termination date of each Company ERISA Benefit Plan and ERISA Affiliate  Pension
Plan that has been  terminated  and (iii)  identifies  for each ERISA  Affiliate
Pension Plan the relevant  ERISA  Affiliates.  The Company has provided USC with
true,  complete and correct  copies of (i) each Company  ERISA  Benefit Plan and
ERISA Affiliate Pension Plan, (ii) each trust agreement related thereto (if any)
and (iii) all amendments to those plans and trust agreements. Except as Schedule
2.27 sets forth,  (i) neither the Company nor any Company  Subsidiary  is, or at
any time during the  six-year  period  ended on the date hereof was, a member of
any ERISA  Group that  currently  includes,  or  included  when the Company or a
Company  Subsidiary  was a member,  among its members any Person  other than the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries and (ii) no Person is an ERISA Affiliate of
the  Company or any  Company  Subsidiary  (other than the Company or any Company
Subsidiary in the case of any other Company Subsidiary or any Company Subsidiary
in the case of the Company, if the Company and the Company Subsidiaries comprise
an ERISA Group).

                  (e) Employee Policies and Procedures.  Schedule 2.27 lists all
Employee  Policies and  Procedures.  The Company has provided USC with a copy of
all written  Employee  Policies and Procedures and a written  description of all
unwritten Employee Policies and Procedures that in the aggregate are Material to
the Company.

                  (f) Unwritten Amendments.  Except as Schedule 2.27 sets forth,
no unwritten  amendments have been made, whether by oral communication,  pattern
of conduct or otherwise, with respect to any of the Employment Agreements, Other
Compensation  Plans or Employee  Policies and Procedures  which in the aggregate
are Material to the Company.

                  (g) Labor Compliance. Except as Schedule 2.27 sets forth, each
of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries has been and is in compliance in all
material  respects  with all  applicable  Governmental  Requirements  respecting
employment and employment practices,  terms and conditions of employment,  wages
and hours and  workplace  health and safety in concrete  mixing  facilities  and
other work areas,  and neither the Company nor any Company  Subsidiary is liable
for any  arrears of wages or  penalties  for  failure to comply  with any of the
foregoing.  Neither the Company  nor any Company  Subsidiary  has engaged in any
unfair labor practice or  discriminated on the basis of race,  color,  religion,
sex, national origin, age,  disability or handicap in its employment  conditions
or practices.  Except as Schedule 2.27 sets forth, there are no (i) unfair labor
practice  charges or  complaints  or racial,  color,  religious,  sex,  national
origin, age, disability or handicap discrimination charges or complaints pending
or, to the  knowledge of the Company,  threatened  against the Company or any of
the  Company  Subsidiaries  before  any  Governmental  Authority  (nor,  to  the
knowledge of the Company,  does any valid basis therefor exist) or (ii) existing
or,  to the  knowledge  of the  Company,  threatened  labor  strikes,  disputes,
grievances  or  controversies  affecting  the  Company  or any  of  the  Company
Subsidiaries  (nor,  to the  knowledge  of the  Company,  does any  valid  basis
therefor exist). Each of the Company and the Company  Subsidiaries has complied,
and remains in compliance in all material  respects  with, all federal and state
Governmental  Requirements  mandating the provision of programs  offering hazard
recognition training to its employees and employees of its customers.

                                       45

<PAGE>


                  (h) Unions.  Except as Schedule  2.27 sets forth,  (i) neither
the Company nor any Company  Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate has ever been a party
to any agreement with any union,  labor  organization  or collective  bargaining
unit,  (ii) no  employees  of the  Company  and  the  Company  Subsidiaries  are
represented by any union, labor  organization or collective  bargaining unit and
(iii) to the knowledge of the Company,  none of the employees of the Company and
the Company  Subsidiaries  has  threatened  to  organize or join a union,  labor
organization or collective  bargaining unit with respect to their  employment by
the Company or any Company Subsidiary.

                  (i) Aliens.  Except as Schedule 2.27 sets forth, all employees
of each of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries are, to the knowledge of the
Company  (including any constructive  knowledge the IRCA may deem the Company to
have),  (i)  citizens  of the United  States or (ii) not  citizens of the United
States,   but,  in  accordance  with  the  IRCA  and  other  applicable  federal
Governmental  Requirements,  are either (A) immigrants authorized to work in the
United States or (B)  nonimmigrants  authorized to work in the United States for
the Company or a Company  Subsidiary in their specific jobs.  Except as Schedule
2.27 sets  forth:  neither the  Company  nor any  Company  Subsidiary  has since
November  6,  1986 (i)  hired (or by  reason  of any  contract,  subcontract  or
exchange is  considered  for purposes of the IRCA to have hired) an alien in the
United  States to perform labor or services  with  knowledge  (as  determined in
accordance with the IRCA) that the alien is an  unauthorized  alien with respect
to performing that labor or those services, (ii) continued the employment of any
employee  hired  after  November  6,  1986  with  knowledge  (as  determined  in
accordance  with the IRCA) that the  employee  is or has become an  unauthorized
alien  with  respect to that  employment  or (iii)  directly  or  indirectly  in
violation  of the IRCA  required any  individual  it has hired to post a bond or
security or provide any other  financial  assurance to it against any  potential
liability  under the IRCA as a result of that hire. The Company has provided USC
with a true, complete list of all current alien employees of the Company who (i)
are  authorized  to work in the United  States as  immigrants or (ii) hold H-1B,
H-2B or other  nonimmigrant  visas. The Company has provided USC with respect to
each current  employee of the Company or any Company  Subsidiary who has an H-1B
or H-2B visa,  true,  complete copies of the Department of Labor File and Public
Access File the Company or a Company  Subsidiary has maintained  with respect to
that employee.  The Company also has provided USC with true,  complete copies of
all Forms I-9 the Company and the Company  Subsidiaries  possess with respect to
their  (i)  current  employees,  (ii)  former  employees  whose  employment  was
terminated  within 12 months of the date hereof and who were  employed  for more
than 36 months and (iii) former employees whose employment was terminated within
36 months of the date hereof and who were employed for less than 36 months.  The
Company also has provided USC with a list of all people  employed by the Company
or  Company  Subsidiaries  within  the last 36 months  and their  hire dates and
termination  dates (if any).  Except as Schedule  2.27 sets  forth,  each of the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries has obtained, completed and maintained Form
I-9s in  accordance  with,  and has otherwise  complied with the  record-keeping
requirements of, the IRCA.

                  (j) Change of Control  Benefits.  Except as Schedule 2.27 sets
forth, neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries is a party to any
agreement, or has established any plan, policy,  practice or program,  requiring
it to make a payment or provide  any other  form of  compensation  or benefit or
vesting rights to any person performing services for the Company or any

                                       46

<PAGE>


of the  Company  Subsidiaries  which  would not be  payable or  provided  in the
absence of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions this Agreement
contemplates, including any parachute payment under Section 280G of the Code.

                  (k) Retirees.  Except as Schedule 2.27 sets forth, neither the
Company nor any of the Company  Subsidiaries has any obligation or commitment to
provide medical, dental or life insurance benefits to or on behalf of any of its
employees who may retire or any of its former  employees who have retired except
as the continuation of coverage  provisions of Section 4980B of the Code and the
applicable parallel provisions of ERISA may require.

           Section    bb.           Compliance With ERISA. (a) Compliance.  Each
                           of  the  Company   ERISA   Benefit  Plans  and  Other
                           Compensation   Plans  (each,  a  "Plan")  (i)  is  in
                           substantial compliance with all applicable provisions
                           of  ERISA,  as  well  as with  all  other  applicable
                           Governmental   Requirements,   and   (ii)   has  been
                           administered, operated and managed in accordance with
                           its governing documents.

                  (b)  Qualification.  All Plans  that are  intended  to qualify
under Section  401(a) of the Code (the  "Qualified  Plans") are so qualified and
have  been  determined  by  the  IRS  to be so  qualified  (or  application  for
determination  letters have been timely  submitted to the IRS).  The Company has
provided  USC with  true,  complete  and  correct  copies  of the  current  plan
determination  letters,  most recent actuarial  valuation reports,  if any, most
recent Form 5500, or, as applicable,  Form 5500-C/R,  filed with respect to each
such Qualified Plan and most recent trustee or custodian  report.  To the extent
that any  Qualified  Plans  have not been  amended  to  comply  with  applicable
Governmental Requirements,  the remedial amendment period permitting retroactive
amendment of these  Qualified  Plans has not expired and will not expire  within
120 days after the Effective Time. All reports and other  documents  required to
be filed with any  governmental  agency or distributed to plan  participants  or
beneficiaries  (including  annual  reports,  summary annual  reports,  actuarial
reports, PBGC-1 Forms, audits or Returns) have been timely filed or distributed,
except for any  failures to timely  file or  distribute  such  reports and other
documents  as would  not,  singly  or in the  aggregate,  result  in a  material
liability for any Tax.

                  (c) No Prohibited Transactions.  None of the Stockholders, any
Plan or the Company or any  Company  Subsidiary  has  engaged in any  Prohibited
Transaction.  No Plan has incurred an accumulated funding deficiency, as defined
in Section 412(a) of the Code and Section 302(a) of ERISA,  and no circumstances
exist as a result of which the Company or any Company  Subsidiary could have any
direct or indirect material liability whatsoever (including being subject to any
statutory Lien to secure payment of any such liability), to the PBGC under Title
IV of ERISA or to the IRS for any excise tax or penalty with respect to any Plan
now or hereafter maintained or contributed to by the Company or any of its ERISA
Affiliates. Further:

                                       47

<PAGE>


                  (i) there have been no terminations,  partial  terminations or
         discontinuances  of  contributions  to any  Qualified  Plan  without  a
         determination by the IRS that such action does not adversely affect the
         tax-qualified status of that plan;

                  (ii) no Termination Event has occurred;

                  (iii) no  Reportable  Event has  occurred  with respect to any
         Plan which was not properly reported;

                  (iv) the valuation of assets of any Qualified  Plan, as of the
         Effective Time, will equal or exceed the actuarial present value of all
         "benefit  liabilities"  (within the meaning of Section  4001(a)(16)  of
         ERISA)  under  that  plan  in  accordance   with  the  assumptions  the
         regulations  of the PBGC  governing the funding of  terminated  defined
         benefit plans contain;

                  (v) with respect to Plans  qualifying  as "group health plans"
         under  Section  4980B of the  Code or  Section  607(l)  or 609 of ERISA
         (relating  to the  benefit  continuation  rights  imposed by "COBRA" or
         qualified  medical child  support  orders),  the Company,  each Company
         Subsidiary  and each  Stockholder  have  complied (and at the Effective
         Time will have  complied) in all material  respects with all reporting,
         disclosure,   notice,  election  and  other  benefit  continuation  and
         coverage  requirements  imposed  thereunder  as and when  applicable to
         those  plans,  and neither the Company nor any Company  Subsidiary  has
         incurred  (or will  incur) any direct or indirect  liability  or is (or
         will be) subject to any loss,  assessment,  excise tax penalty, loss of
         federal income tax deduction or other  sanction,  arising on account of
         or in respect of any direct or  indirect  failure by the  Company,  any
         Company  Subsidiary  or any  Stockholder,  at  any  time  prior  to the
         Effective  Time,  to  comply  with any such  federal  or state  benefit
         continuation  or  coverage  requirement,  which  is  capable  of  being
         assessed or asserted  before or after the  Effective  Time  directly or
         indirectly   against  the   Company,   any  Company   Subsidiary,   any
         Stockholder,  USC or any Subsidiary of USC with respect to any of those
         group health plans;

                  (vi) the Financial  Statements as of the Current Balance Sheet
         Date reflect the approximate  total pension,  medical and other benefit
         liability  for  all  Plans,   and  no  material   funding   changes  or
         irregularities  are reflected therein which would cause those Financial
         Statements to be not representative of prior periods; and

                  (vii)  neither  the Company  nor any  Company  Subsidiary  has
         incurred liability under Section 4062 of ERISA.

                  (d) Multiemployer  Plans.  Except as Schedule 2.28 sets forth,
neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary, and no ERISA Affiliate of any of
them,  is, or at any time during the  six-year  period  ended on the date hereof
was,  obligated to contribute to a Multiemployer  Plan.  Neither the Company nor
any  Company  Subsidiary,  and no ERISA  Affiliate  of any of  them,  has made a
complete  or  partial  withdrawal  from  a  Multiemployer  Plan  so as to  incur
withdrawal  liability as defined in Section 4201 of ERISA.  Schedule 2.28 states
for each Multiemployer Plan it

                                       48

<PAGE>


lists or should list the  Company's  best  estimate of the amount of  withdrawal
liability  that  would be  incurred  if the  Company  and each of the its  ERISA
Affiliates were to make a complete withdrawal from that Multiemployer Plan as of
the Closing Date.  Except as that Schedule sets forth,  the aggregate  amount of
that withdrawal  liability if the Company and each of its ERISA  Affiliates were
to make a complete withdrawal from each such Multiemployer Plan would not exceed
$25,000.

                  (e) Claims and Litigation. Except as Schedule 2.28 sets forth,
no Litigation or claims (other than routine claims for benefits) are pending or,
to the knowledge of the Company,  threatened against, or with respect to, any of
the Plans or with respect to any fiduciary, administrator,  party-in-interest or
sponsor thereof (in their capacities as such).

                  (f) Excise Taxes,  Damages and Penalties.  No act, omission or
transaction  has occurred which would result in the imposition on the Company or
any  Company  Subsidiary  with  respect to any Plan of (i) a material  breach of
fiduciary  duty  liability  damages under Section 409 of ERISA,  (ii) a material
civil penalty assessed  pursuant to subsection (c), (i) or (l) of Section 502 of
ERISA or (iii) any material excise tax under applicable provisions of the Code.

                  (g)  Welfare  Trusts.  Any  trust  funding  a Plan,  which  is
intended to be exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(9)
of the Code,  satisfies  the  requirements  of that  Section and has  received a
favorable determination letter from the IRS regarding that exempt status and has
not,  since  receipt of the most recent  favorable  determination  letter,  been
amended or operated in a way that would adversely affect that exempt status.

           Section    cc.           Taxes.    (a)   Each   of   the    following
                           representations  and  warranties in this Section 2.29
                           is qualified to the extent Schedule 2.29 sets forth.

                  (b) All Returns  required to be filed with  respect to any Tax
for which any of the Company and the  Company  Subsidiaries  is liable have been
duly and timely filed with the appropriate Taxing Authority, each such Return is
true,  correct and  complete in all respects  Material to the Acquired  Business
(and,  in the  case of a Return  filed  by a  Company  Subsidiary,  the  Company
Subsidiary),  each Tax shown to be  payable  on each such  Return has been paid,
each Tax payable by the Company or a Company  Subsidiary by assessment  has been
timely paid in the amount assessed and adequate  reserves have been  established
on the consolidated  books of the Acquired  Business for all Taxes for which any
of the Company and the Company  Subsidiaries is liable, but the payment of which
is not yet due.  Neither the Company nor any Company  Subsidiary is, or ever has
been, liable for any Tax payable by reason of the income or property of a Person
other than the  Company or a Company  Subsidiary.  Each of the  Company  and the
Company Subsidiaries has timely filed true, correct and complete declarations of
estimated Tax in each  jurisdiction in which any such declaration is required to
be filed by it. No Liens for Taxes  exist upon the assets of the  Company or any
Company  Subsidiary  except  Liens for Taxes which are not yet due.  Neither the
Company nor any Company  Subsidiary is, or ever has been,  subject to Tax in any
jurisdiction outside of the United States. No Litigation with respect to any Tax
for which the  Company or any  Company  Subsidiary  is  asserted to be liable is
pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Stockholder,

                                       49

<PAGE>


threatened  and no basis  which the  Company or any  Stockholder  believes to be
valid  exists on which any claim for any such Tax can be  asserted  against  the
Company or any Company Subsidiary.  No requests for rulings or determinations in
respect of any Taxes are pending  between the Company or any Company  Subsidiary
and any Taxing Authority. No extension of any period during which any Tax may be
assessed or collected and for which the Company or any Company  Subsidiary is or
may be liable has been granted to any Taxing Authority.  Neither the Company nor
any Company  Subsidiary is or has been a party to any tax  allocation or sharing
agreement.  All  amounts  required  to be withheld by any of the Company and the
Company  Subsidiaries  and paid to  governmental  agencies  for  income,  social
security,  unemployment insurance,  sales, excise, use and other Taxes have been
collected or withheld and paid to the proper Taxing  Authority.  The Company and
each Company  Subsidiary have made all deposits  required by law to be made with
respect to employees' withholding and other employment taxes.

                  (c)  None  of  the  Company,  any  Company  Subsidiary  or any
Stockholder is a "foreign  person," as Section  1445(f)(3) of the Code refers to
that term.

                  (d) The  Company  has not filed a consent  pursuant to Section
341(f) of the Code or any comparable  provision of any other tax statute and has
not agreed to the application of Section 341(f)(2) of the Code or any comparable
provision of any other tax statute to any  disposition of an asset.  The Company
has not made, is not obligated to make and is not a party to any agreement  that
could require it to make any payment that is not  deductible  under Section 280G
of the Code.  No asset of the Acquired  Business is subject to any  provision of
applicable  law which  eliminates or reduces the allowance for  depreciation  or
amortization in respect of that asset below the allowance generally available to
an asset of its type.  No  accounting  method  changes of the Acquired  Business
exist or are proposed or threatened which could give rise to an adjustment under
Section 481 of the Code. If the Company or any  predecessor  corporation  at any
time has filed an election to be an S corporation, within the meaning of Section
1361(a)(1) of the Code or any predecessor  provision or comparable provisions of
state laws, the Company and any such  predecessor  corporation have at all times
met all requirements for that election,  and that election has at all times been
and is presently valid and in full force and effect.

           Section    dd.           Government  Contracts.  Except  as  Schedule
                           2.30 sets forth,  neither the Company nor any Company
                           Subsidiary  is a party to any  governmental  contract
                           subject to price redetermination or renegotiation.

           Section    ee.           Absence  of   Changes.   Since  the  Current
                           Balance  Sheet  Date,  except as  Schedule  2.31 sets
                           forth,  none  of  the  following  has  occurred  with
                           respect to the Company or any Company Subsidiary:

                  (i) any  circumstance,  condition,  event  or  state  of facts
         (either singly or in the aggregate),  other than  conditions  generally
         affecting  the Industry,  which has caused,  is causing or will cause a
         Material Adverse Effect;

                                       50

<PAGE>


                  (ii) any change in its  authorized  Capital Stock or in any of
         its outstanding Capital Stock or Derivative Securities;

                  (iii)  any  Restricted  Payment,  except  any  declaration  or
         payment of  dividends by any Company  Subsidiary  solely to the Company
         and any Restricted Payment that Section 4.03 permits;

                  (iv)  any  increase  in,  or  any  commitment  or  promise  to
         increase,  the rates of Cash Compensation as of the date hereof, or the
         amounts or other  benefits  paid or  payable  under any  Company  ERISA
         Pension  Plan or Other  Compensation  Plan,  except  for  ordinary  and
         customary  bonuses and salary  increases for employees  (other than the
         Stockholders or their Immediate Family Members) at the times and in the
         amounts consistent with its past practice;

                  (v) any work interruptions,  labor grievances or claims filed,
         or any similar  event or condition of any  character,  that will have a
         Material Adverse Effect following the Effective Time;

                  (vi) any  distribution,  sale or  transfer  of, or any Company
         Commitment  to  distribute,  sell or  transfer,  any of its  assets  or
         properties of any kind which singly is or in the aggregate are Material
         to the Acquired Business, other than distributions,  sales or transfers
         in the ordinary  course of its business  and  consistent  with its past
         practices to Persons other than the  Stockholders  and their  Immediate
         Family Members and Affiliates;

                  (vii)  any   cancellation,   or  agreement   to  cancel,   any
         Indebtedness,  obligation or other liability owing to it, including any
         Indebtedness,  obligation or other  liability of any Stockholder or any
         Related Person or Affiliate thereof, provided that it may negotiate and
         adjust bills in the course of good faith  disputes with  customers in a
         manner  consistent  with past practice,  if all those  adjustments  are
         included  in the  Supplemental  Information  provided  USC  pursuant to
         Section 4.07;

                  (viii)  any  plan,   agreement  or  arrangement  granting  any
         preferential  rights to purchase or acquire any  interest in any of its
         assets,  property or rights or  requiring  consent of any Person to the
         transfer and assignment of any such assets, property or rights;

                  (ix) any purchase or  acquisition  of, or  agreement,  plan or
         arrangement  to  purchase or acquire,  any  property,  rights or assets
         outside of the ordinary course of its business consistent with its past
         practices;

                  (x) any waiver of any of its rights or claims  that  singly is
         or in the aggregate are Material to the Acquired Business;

                  (xi) any  transaction by it outside the ordinary course of its
         business or not consistent with its past practices;

                                       51

<PAGE>


                  (xii) any  incurrence  by it of any  Indebtedness  (other than
         Indebtedness,  if  any,  that  Section  4.03  permits  to  be  paid  as
         Restricted Payments) or any Guaranty not constituting its Indebtedness,
         or any  Company  Commitment  to  incur  any  Indebtedness  or any  such
         Guaranty;

                  (xiii)  any  investment  in  the  Capital  Stock,   Derivative
         Securities  or  Indebtedness  of any  Person  other  than  a  Permitted
         Investment;

                  (xiv)  except  in  accordance  with the  consolidated  capital
         expenditure  budget of the Acquired  Business for the Company's current
         fiscal  year,  any  capital  expenditure  or series of related  capital
         expenditures  by  the  Acquired  Business  in  excess  of  $25,000,  or
         commitments  by the  Acquired  Business  to make  capital  expenditures
         totaling in excess of $25,000;

                  (xv) any prepayment of any  Indebtedness,  obligation or other
         liability  owing by it to any Person which this Agreement  contemplates
         the Stockholders,  or any one or more of them, will assume prior to the
         Effective Time;

                  (xvi) any change in the terms of payment by its  customers for
         any services it performs or products it sells the effect of which is to
         enable the Acquired Business to recognize  revenues in its statement of
         operations  for any  period  ending on or before  the date of the Final
         Balance Sheet which, but for that change,  the Acquired  Business would
         not so recognize  before a period beginning after the date of the Final
         Balance Sheet; or

                  (xvii) any cancellation or termination of a Material Agreement
         of the Acquired Business.

           Section    ff.           Bank Relations; Powers of Attorney. Schedule
                           2.32 sets forth:

                  (i) the name of each financial institution in which any Entity
         the   Acquired   Business   includes  has   borrowing   or   investment
         arrangements, deposit or checking accounts or safe deposit boxes;

                  (ii) the types of those arrangements and accounts,  including,
         as  applicable,  names in which accounts or boxes are held, the account
         or box numbers and the name of each Person  authorized  to draw thereon
         or have access thereto; and

                  (iii) the name of each  Person  holding a general  or  special
         power of attorney from any Entity the Acquired  Business includes and a
         description of the terms of each such power.

                                       52

<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE 3.

                      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF USC

         USC  represents  and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company and each
Stockholder  that  all the  following  representations  and  warranties  in this
Article  III are as of the date of this  Agreement,  and will be on the  Closing
Date and immediately prior to the Effective Time, true and correct:

           Section    a.            Organization; Power. Each of USC and USC Sub
                           is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
                           in good  standing  under  the  laws of the  State  of
                           Delaware,  and  each  of USC  and  USC  Sub  has  all
                           requisite  corporate  power and  authority  under the
                           laws  of  the  State  of  Delaware  and  its  Charter
                           Documents   to  own  or  lease  and  to  operate  its
                           properties presently and following the Effective Time
                           and to carry on its business as now  conducted and as
                           proposed  to be  conducted  following  the  Effective
                           Time.

           Section    b.            Authorization;  Enforceability;  Absence  of
                           Conflicts;  Required  Consents.  (a)  The  execution,
                           delivery and  performance  by each of USC and USC Sub
                           of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document
                           to which it is a party,  and the  effectuation of the
                           Acquisition and the other  transactions  contemplated
                           hereby and thereby,  are within its  corporate  power
                           under  its  Charter   Documents  and  the  applicable
                           Governmental  Requirements  of the State of  Delaware
                           and have been  duly  authorized  by all  proceedings,
                           including  actions  permitted  to be taken in lieu of
                           proceedings, required under its Charter Documents and
                           the applicable Governmental Requirements of the State
                           of Delaware.

                  (b) This Agreement has been, and each of the other Transaction
Documents  to which  either  of USC or USC Sub is a  party,  when  executed  and
delivered by the parties thereto, will have been, duly executed and delivered by
it and is, or when so  executed  and  delivered  will be, its  legal,  valid and
binding obligation,  enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except
as  that  enforceability  may  be (i)  limited  by  any  applicable  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  fraudulent  transfer,  reorganization,  moratorium  or similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors'  rights  generally or any applicable law
that limits rights to indemnification  and (ii) subject to general principles of
equity (regardless of whether that  enforceability is considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law).

                  (c) The execution, delivery and performance in accordance with
their respective  terms by each of USC and USC Sub of the Transaction  Documents
to which it is a party have not and will not (i) violate, breach or constitute a
default under (A) the Charter Documents of USC or

                                       53

<PAGE>


USC Sub, (B) any  Governmental  Requirement  applicable to USC or USC Sub or (C)
any Material  Agreement of USC or USC Sub,  (ii) result in the  acceleration  or
mandatory  prepayment  of any  Indebtedness,  or any Guaranty  not  constituting
Indebtedness,  of  USC  or  USC  Sub  or  afford  any  holder  of  any  of  that
Indebtedness,  or any  beneficiary  of any of  those  Guaranties,  the  right to
require USC or USC Sub to redeem,  purchase or otherwise  acquire,  reacquire or
repay any of that  Indebtedness,  or to perform any of those  Guaranties,  (iii)
cause or result in the  imposition of, or afford any Person the right to obtain,
any Lien upon any  property  or assets of USC or USC Sub (or upon any  revenues,
income or profits of either USC or USC Sub therefrom), other than (A) Liens that
may secure Indebtedness of USC to its commercial lenders and (B) negative pledge
covenants  of USC  respecting  its  assets,  or (iv)  result in the  revocation,
cancellation,  suspension or material modification, in any single case or in the
aggregate,  of any Governmental Approval possessed by USC or USC Sub at the date
hereof  and  necessary  for the  ownership  or lease  and the  operation  of its
properties  or the carrying on of its business as now  conducted,  including any
necessary  Governmental  Approval under each  applicable  Environmental  Law and
Industry Law.

                  (d) Except for (i) the filing of the  Certificates  of Merger,
if any,  with the  applicable  Governmental  Authorities,  (ii)  filings  of the
Registration  Statement under the Securities Act and the SEC order declaring the
Registration  Statement  effective  under the Securities Act and (iii) as may be
required by the HSR Act or the applicable  state securities or blue sky laws, no
Governmental Approvals are required to be obtained, and no reports or notices to
or filings with any  Governmental  Authority  are required to be made, by USC or
USC Sub for the  execution,  delivery  or  performance  by USC or USC Sub of the
Transaction Documents to which it is a party, the enforcement against USC or USC
Sub, as the case may be, of its  obligations  thereunder or the  effectuation of
the Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated thereby.

           Section    c.            Charter Documents.  USC has delivered to the
                           Company  true,  complete  and  correct  copies of the
                           Charter  Documents  of USC No breach or  violation of
                           any  Charter  Document  of USC  has  occurred  and is
                           continuing.

           Section    d.            Capital  Stock  of  USC  and  USC  Sub.  (a)
                           Immediately  prior  to the  Effective  Time,  (i) the
                           authorized  Capital Stock of USC will be comprised of
                           (A)  40,000,000  shares of USC Common Stock,  (B) one
                           share of class A stock,  par value  $.001 per  share,
                           and (C)  5,000,000  shares of  preferred  stock,  par
                           value $.001 per share,  (ii) before  giving effect to
                           the  Merger  and  the  merger  or  other  acquisition
                           transactions  the Other Agreements  contemplate,  (A)
                           the number of shares of USC Common  Stock then issued
                           and   outstanding   will  be  as  set  forth  in  the
                           Registration  Statement  when  it  becomes  effective
                           under the  Securities  Act,  (B) no shares of the USC
                           preferred  stock  then will be issued or  outstanding
                           and (C) USC will have reserved for issuance  pursuant
                           to  compensation  plans or the exercise of Derivative
                           Securities

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<PAGE>


                           the number of shares of USC Common Stock set forth in
                           the Registration  Statement when it becomes effective
                           under the Securities Act.

                  (b) The  authorized  Capital  Stock of USC Sub is comprised of
1,000  shares  of  USC  Sub  Common  Stock,  all of  which  shares  are  issued,
outstanding and owned, of record and beneficially,  by USC free and clear of all
Liens,  except for any liens USC may grant in favor of its lenders in connection
with its financing arrangements. No Derivative Securities of USC Sub exist.

                  (c) All  shares of USC Common  Stock and USC Sub Common  Stock
outstanding  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time,  and all  shares of USC
Common Stock to be issued  pursuant to  Paragraph 2, when issued,  (i) will have
been  duly  authorized  and  validly  issued  in  accordance  with  the  general
corporation laws of the State of Delaware and the issuer's Charter Documents and
(ii) will be fully  paid and  nonassessable.  None of the  shares of USC  Common
Stock to be issued pursuant to Paragraph 2 will,  when issued,  have been issued
in breach or violation of (i) any applicable statutory or contractual preemptive
rights,  or any other rights of any kind (including any rights of first offer or
refusal),  of any Person or (ii) the terms of any of its  Derivative  Securities
then outstanding.

           Section    e.            Subsidiaries.   Immediately   prior  to  the
                           Closing Date, (i) USC will have no Subsidiaries other
                           than those Exhibit 21 to the  Registration  Statement
                           lists,  (ii) USC Sub will  have no  Subsidiaries  and
                           (iii)  neither USC nor USC Sub will own, of record or
                           beneficially,  directly  or  indirectly  through  any
                           Person or otherwise (except pursuant hereto or to the
                           Other  Agreements),  any Capital  Stock or Derivative
                           Securities  of  any  Entity  not  described  in  this
                           Section 3.05 as a  Subsidiary  of USC (in the case of
                           USC) or any Entity (in the case of USC Sub).

           Section    f.            Compliance With Laws; No Litigation. Each of
                           USC   and  USC  Sub  is  in   compliance   with   all
                           Governmental  Requirements  applicable  to it, and no
                           Litigation  is pending or, to the  knowledge  of USC,
                           threatened to which USC or USC Sub is or may become a
                           party which (i) questions or involves the validity or
                           enforceability  of any  obligation  of USC or USC Sub
                           under  any  Transaction  Document,   (ii)  seeks  (or
                           reasonably may be expected to seek) (A) to prevent or
                           delay   consummation   by  USC  or  USC  Sub  of  the
                           transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  to be
                           consummated by USC or USC Sub, as the case may be, or
                           (B) damages  from USC or USC Sub in  connection  with
                           any such consummation.

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<PAGE>


           Section    g.            Conduct of  Operations  to Date;  Absence of
                           Undisclosed Liabilities. Except for its activities in
                           connection  with  the  proposed  acquisitions  of the
                           Founding  Companies and other acquisition  candidates
                           and  the  IPO,  USC  has  conducted  no   significant
                           operations  during the period from its  inception  to
                           the date of this Agreement,  and, except for expenses
                           it has incurred in connection with those  activities,
                           as of the date of this  Agreement USC has no material
                           liabilities  that the  Private  Placement  Memorandum
                           does not disclose.

           Section    h.            Capitalization  of USC. The  authorized  and
                           outstanding  Capital  Stock  of USC as of the date of
                           this  Agreement  is  as  set  forth  in  the  Private
                           Placement Memorandum. Except as the Private Placement
                           Memorandum  discloses,  there will be no  outstanding
                           Capital  Stock of USC,  and no  options,  warrants or
                           other  rights  to  acquire   Capital  Stock  of  USC,
                           outstanding as of the IPO Closing Date.

           Section    i.            No Brokers.  Except as the Private Placement
                           Memorandum  sets  forth,  USC has  not,  directly  or
                           indirectly,  in connection with this Agreement or the
                           transactions  contemplated  hereby (i)  employed  any
                           broker,  finder  or  agent or (ii)  agreed  to pay or
                           incurred  any  obligation  to  pay  any  broker's  or
                           finder's  fee,  any sales  commission  or any similar
                           form of compensation.

         Section  3.10  Private  Placement  Memorandum.  At the date  hereof the
Private Placement Memorandum (other than the historical financial statements and
the notes  thereto of the Company  and the  historical  information  it contains
respecting  the Acquired  Business and the  Stockholders,  to which this Section
3.10 does not apply) does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact  necessary in order to make the statements it does
contain not materially  misleading in the light of the circumstances under which
those statements were made.


                                   ARTICLE 4.

                    COVENANTS EXTENDING TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME

           Section    a.            Access and Cooperation;  Due Diligence.  (a)
                           From the date  hereof and until the  Effective  Time,
                           the Company will (i) afford to the Representatives of
                           USC  and  each  Other  Founding  Company   reasonable
                           access,   during  normal   business  hours  and  with
                           reasonable  prior notice,  to all the key

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<PAGE>


                           employees,  sites,  properties,  books and records of
                           each of the  Company  and the  Company  Subsidiaries,
                           provided  that  such  access  does  not  unreasonably
                           interfere with the Company's business and operations,
                           (ii) provide USC with such  additional  financial and
                           operating data and other information  relating to the
                           business  and  properties  of each of the Company and
                           the Company Subsidiaries as USC or any Other Founding
                           Company may from time to time reasonably  request and
                           (iii)  cooperate  with  USC and each  Other  Founding
                           Company and their respective  Representatives  in the
                           preparation  of any documents or other  material that
                           may be required in  connection  with any  Transaction
                           Documents or any Other  Transaction  Documents.  Each
                           Stockholder  and the  Company  will  treat,  and will
                           cause the  Company's  Representatives  to treat,  all
                           Confidential   Information   obtained   by   them  in
                           connection  with the  negotiation  and performance of
                           this  Agreement or the due  diligence  investigations
                           conducted with respect to each Other Founding Company
                           as  confidential in accordance with the provisions of
                           Section  10.01.  USC will cause  each Other  Founding
                           Company  to  enter  into  a  provision  substantially
                           identical  to this  Section  4.01 in order to require
                           each  Other  Founding  Company  and  its  owners  and
                           Representatives to keep confidential any Confidential
                           Information  respecting  any of the  Company  and the
                           Company  Subsidiaries  that Other Founding Company or
                           any  of its  Representatives  obtains.  Prior  to the
                           Effective Time, USC and the Other Founding  Companies
                           may provide Confidential  Information  respecting the
                           Company and the Company Subsidiaries to (i) the Other
                           Founding  Companies and  prospective  Other  Founding
                           Companies and their respective Representatives,  (ii)
                           USC's actual and  prospective  financing  sources and
                           their   respective    Representatives,    (iii)   the
                           Underwriter and its Representatives, (iv) prospective
                           investors in the IPO, (v) USC's prospective insurance
                           brokers and software or other information  technology
                           vendors and (vi) USC's Representatives, but otherwise
                           will keep that Confidential  Information confidential
                           in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.01.

                  (b)  Each of the  Company  and the  Stockholders  will use its
commercially reasonable best efforts to secure, as soon as practicable after the
date hereof,  all  approvals or consents of third Persons as may be necessary to
enable them to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. USC will use its
best  efforts to  secure,  as soon as  practicable  after the date

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<PAGE>


hereof, all approvals or consents of third Persons as may be necessary to enable
USC and USC Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  (c) From the date  hereof and until the  Effective  Time,  USC
will (i)  afford to the  Representatives  of the  Company  and the  Stockholders
access to all sites,  properties,  books and  records  of USC and USC Sub,  (ii)
provide the Company with such additional  financial and operating data and other
information  relating to the business and  properties  of USC and USC Sub as the
Company or any Stockholder  may from time to time  reasonably  request and (iii)
cooperate  with  the  Company  and  the   Stockholders   and  their   respective
Representatives  in the preparation of any documents or other material which may
be required in connection with any Transaction Documents.

                  (d) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 11.01,
USC promptly will (i) return all written Confidential Information of the Company
it and USC Sub then possess to the Company and (ii) use commercially  reasonable
efforts to facilitate the return to the Company of all Confidential  Information
of the Company that USC or any of its  Representatives has provided to any Other
Founding Company.

           Section    b.            Conduct of Business  Pending  the  Effective
                           Time.  From the date  hereof and until the  Effective
                           Time,  the Company will,  and will cause each Company
                           Subsidiary  to,  except as and only to the extent set
                           forth in Schedule 4.02:

                  (i) carry on its businesses in  substantially  the same manner
         as it has  heretofore  and not introduce any new methods of management,
         operation  or  accounting  that in the  aggregate  are  Material to the
         Acquired Business;

                  (ii) maintain its properties and  facilities,  including those
         held  under  leases,  in as good  working  order  and  condition  as at
         present, ordinary wear and tear excepted;

                  (iii) perform all its obligations under agreements relating to
         or affecting its assets, properties and other rights;

                  (iv) keep in full force and effect  without  interruption  all
         its present insurance policies or other comparable insurance coverage;

                  (v) use  reasonable  commercial  efforts to (A)  maintain  and
         preserve  its  business  organization  intact,  (B) retain its  present
         employees and (C) maintain its relationships with suppliers,  customers
         and others having business relations with it;

                  (vi) comply with all applicable Governmental Requirements that
         in the aggregate are Material to the Acquired Business; and

                  (vii) except as this Agreement  requires or expressly permits,
         maintain the  instruments  and  agreements  governing  its  outstanding
         Indebtedness and leases on their

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<PAGE>


         present terms and not enter into new or amended  Indebtedness  or lease
         instruments or agreements  involving amounts over $10,000 in any single
         case or $100,000 in the aggregate, without the prior written consent of
         USC (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld).

           Section    c.            Prohibited Activities.  From the date hereof
                           and  until  the  Effective  Time,  without  the prior
                           written  consent  of USC or unless as this  Agreement
                           requires or expressly permits,  the Company will not,
                           and will not permit any Company Subsidiary to, except
                           as and only to the extent Schedule 4.03 sets forth:

                  (i) make any change in its Charter Documents;

                  (ii)  issue  any of its  Capital  Stock or issue or  otherwise
         create any of its Derivative Securities;

                  (iii) make any Restricted Payment;

                  (iv) make any investments  (other than Permitted  Investments)
         in the Capital  Stock,  Derivative  Securities or  Indebtedness  of any
         Person;

                  (v) enter into any contract or commitment or incur or agree to
         incur  any  liability  or make  any  capital  expenditures  in a single
         transaction or a series of related transactions  involving an aggregate
         amount of more than $10,000  otherwise  than in the ordinary  course of
         its business and consistent with its past practice;

                  (vi)  increase  or  commit or  promise  to  increase  the Cash
         Compensation  payable or to become  payable to any  officer,  director,
         stockholder, employee or agent, consultant or independent contractor of
         any  of  the  Company  and  the  Company   Subsidiaries   or  make  any
         discretionary  bonus or  management  fee  payment  to any such  Person,
         except  bonuses  or  salary  increases  to  employees  (other  than the
         Stockholders or their Immediate Family Members) at the times and in the
         amounts consistent with its past practice;

                  (vii)  create,  assume or permit to be created or imposed  any
         Liens  (other  than  Permitted   Liens)  upon  any  of  its  assets  or
         properties,  whether  now  owned  or  hereafter  acquired,  except  for
         purchase  money Liens  incurred in connection  with the  acquisition of
         equipment with an aggregate cost not in excess of $10,000 and necessary
         or desirable  for the conduct of the business of any of the Company and
         the Company Subsidiaries;

                  (viii)  (A) adopt,  establish,  amend or  terminate  any ERISA
         Employee  Benefit  Plan,  or any Other  Compensation  Plan or  Employee
         Policies and Procedures or (B) take any  discretionary  action, or omit
         to take any  contractually  required action, if that action or omission
         could either (1) deplete the assets of any ERISA Employee  Benefit Plan
         or any Other  Compensation  Plan or (2)  increase  the  liabilities  or
         obligations under any such plan;

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<PAGE>


                  (ix) sell,  assign,  lease or otherwise transfer or dispose of
         any of its owned or leased property or equipment  otherwise than in the
         ordinary course of its business and consistent with its past practice;

                  (x)  negotiate  for the  acquisition  of any  business  or the
         start-up of any new business;

                  (xi) merge,  consolidate  or effect a share  exchange with, or
         agree to merge,  consolidate or effect a share exchange with, any other
         Entity;

                  (xii) waive any of its rights or claims that in the  aggregate
         are Material to the Acquired  Business,  provided that it may negotiate
         and adjust bills in the course of good faith disputes with customers in
         a manner  consistent with past practice,  but such adjustments will not
         be deemed to be  included  in  Schedule  4.03  unless the  Supplemental
         Information lists them;

                  (xiii)  commit  breaches that in the aggregate are Material to
         the Acquired  Business or amend or terminate any Material  Agreement of
         the Acquired Business or any of its Governmental Approvals; or

                  (xiv)  enter  into  any  other  transaction  (i)  outside  the
         ordinary  course of its business and consistent  with its past practice
         or (ii) prohibited hereby.

           Section    d.            No  Shop.   Each  of  the  Company  and  the
                           Stockholders  agrees  that,  from the date hereof and
                           until the first to occur of the Effective Time or the
                           termination  of this  Agreement  in  accordance  with
                           Article XI, neither the Company nor any  Stockholder,
                           nor any of their  respective  officers and  directors
                           will,  and the  Company  and  each  Stockholder  will
                           direct and use their reasonable best efforts to cause
                           each  of  their  respective  Representatives  not to,
                           initiate,  solicit, encourage or respond to, directly
                           or  indirectly,   any  inquiries  or  the  making  or
                           implementation  of any  proposal or offer  (including
                           any  proposal  or  offer  to the  Stockholders)  with
                           respect to a merger,  acquisition,  consolidation  or
                           similar transaction involving, or any purchase of all
                           or  any  significant  portion  of the  assets  or any
                           equity  securities of, the Company (any such proposal
                           or offer being an  "Acquisition  Proposal") or engage
                           in  any   activities,   discussions  or  negotiations
                           concerning,  or provide any Confidential  Information
                           respecting, the Acquired Business, any Other Founding
                           Company or USC to, or have any discussions  with, any
                           Person   relating  to  an  Acquisition   Proposal  or
                           otherwise facilitate any effort or attempt to make or
                           implement an  Acquisition  Proposal.  The

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<PAGE>


                           Company and each  Stockholder  will: (i)  immediately
                           cease  and  cause  to  be  terminated   any  existing
                           activities,  discussions  or  negotiations  with  any
                           Persons  conducted  heretofore with respect to any of
                           the foregoing, and each will take the steps necessary
                           to  inform  the  Persons  referred  to in  the  first
                           sentence  of this  Section  4.04  of the  obligations
                           undertaken in this Section 4.04;  and (ii) notify USC
                           immediately  if any such  inquiries or proposals  are
                           received by, any such  information  is requested from
                           or any such discussions or negotiations are sought to
                           be  initiated  or  continued  with the Company or any
                           Stockholder.

           Section    e.            Notice to  Bargaining  Agents.  Prior to the
                           Closing  Date,  the  Company  will  (i)  satisfy  any
                           requirement   for   notice   of   the    transactions
                           contemplated  by  this  Agreement  under   applicable
                           collective bargaining agreements and (ii) provide USC
                           with proof that any required notice has been sent.

           Section    f.            Notification   of   Certain   Matters.   The
                           Stockholders  and the Company will give prompt notice
                           to USC of (i) the  existence  or  occurrence  of each
                           condition  or state  of  facts  of which  any of them
                           become  aware  that  will  or  reasonably   could  be
                           expected to cause any  representation  or warranty of
                           the Company or any Stockholder contained herein to be
                           untrue or  incorrect  in any  material  respect at or
                           prior to the Closing or on the IPO  Closing  Date and
                           (ii) any material  failure of any  Stockholder or the
                           Company  to  comply  with or  satisfy  any  covenant,
                           condition  or  agreement  to  be  complied   with  or
                           satisfied  by that  Person  hereunder.  USC will give
                           prompt  notice to the Company of (i) the existence or
                           occurrence  of each  condition  or  state of facts of
                           which USC becomes aware that will or reasonably could
                           be expected to cause any  representation  or warranty
                           of USC or USC Sub  contained  herein  to be untrue or
                           inaccurate  at or prior to the  Closing or on the IPO
                           Closing Date and (ii) any material  failure of USC or
                           USC Sub to  comply  with  or  satisfy  any  covenant,
                           condition  or  agreement  to  be  complied   with  or
                           satisfied by it hereunder. The delivery of any notice
                           pursuant to this  Section  4.06 will not be deemed to
                           (i) modify the  representations  or warranties herein
                           of the party  delivering  that  notice,  or any other
                           party,  which  modification may be made only pursuant
                           to Section 4.07, (ii) modify the conditions set forth
                           or  referred  to  in  Article  V or  (iii)  limit  or
                           otherwise

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<PAGE>


                           affect the remedies available  hereunder to the party
                           receiving that notice.

           Section    g.            Supplemental   Information.   Each   of  the
                           Company  and  the  Stockholders   agrees  that,  with
                           respect to the representations and warranties of that
                           party  contained in this  Agreement,  that party will
                           have the continuing  obligation (except to the extent
                           Section 4.03 or 4.06  otherwise  provides)  until the
                           Closing to provide USC promptly with such  additional
                           supplemental    Information    (collectively,     the
                           "Supplemental  Information"),  in  the  form  of  (i)
                           amendments  to  then   existing   Schedules  or  (ii)
                           additional Schedules,  as would be necessary,  in the
                           light of the  circumstances,  conditions,  events and
                           states  of facts  then  known to the  Company  or any
                           Stockholder,  to make  each of those  representations
                           and warranties true and correct as of the Closing and
                           on  the  IPO  Closing  Date.  For  purposes  only  of
                           determining whether the conditions to the obligations
                           of USC and USC Sub which  are  specified  in  Section
                           5.03 have been  satisfied,  the  Schedules  as of the
                           Closing Date will be deemed to be the Schedules as of
                           the date  hereof as  amended or  supplemented  by the
                           Supplemental Information provided to USC prior to the
                           Closing  pursuant  to this  Section  4.07;  provided,
                           however,  that  if the  Supplemental  Information  so
                           provided  discloses the  existence of  circumstances,
                           conditions,  events or states of facts which,  in any
                           combination  thereof, (i) have had a Material Adverse
                           Effect that was not reflected in the determination of
                           the  Ceiling  Amount or, in the sole  judgment of USC
                           (which  will  be  conclusive  for  purposes  of  this
                           Section  4.07 and Article XI, but not for any purpose
                           of Section 6.05 or Article  VII),  (ii) are having or
                           will  have a  Material  Adverse  Effect,  USC will be
                           entitled  to  terminate  this  Agreement  pursuant to
                           Section 11.01(iv); and provided, further, that if USC
                           is entitled to terminate this  Agreement  pursuant to
                           Section  11.01(iv),  but elects not to do so, it will
                           be entitled to treat as USC Indemnified Losses or USC
                           Unindemnified   Losses  (which   treatment  will  not
                           prejudice the right of any Stockholder  under Section
                           6.05 or Article VII, as applicable, to contest Damage
                           Claims   made  by  USC  in   respect   of  those  USC
                           Indemnified Losses or USC Unindemnified  Losses),  as
                           applicable,  all  Damages  to the  Acquired  Business
                           which   are   attributable   to  the   circumstances,
                           conditions,   events  and   states  of  facts   first
                           disclosed   herein  after  the  date  hereof  in  the
                           Supplemental

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<PAGE>


                           Information. USC will provide the Company with copies
                           of  the   Registration   Statement,   including   all
                           pre-effective amendments thereto,  promptly after the
                           filing thereof with the SEC under the Securities Act.

           Section    h.            Cooperation in Connection  With the IPO. The
                           Company and the  Stockholders  will (i) provide  USC,
                           the Underwriter and their respective  Representatives
                           with all the  Information  concerning  the Company or
                           any of the Stockholders which is reasonably requested
                           by  USC,   the   Underwriter   or  their   respective
                           Representatives  from time to time in connection with
                           effecting the IPO and (ii) cooperate with USC and the
                           Underwriter and their respective  Representatives  in
                           the  preparation  and  amendment of the  Registration
                           Statement (including the Financial Statements) and in
                           responding to the comments of the SEC staff,  if any,
                           with   respect   thereto.   The   Company   and  each
                           Stockholder  agree  promptly  to (i)  advise  USC and
                           their legal counsel if, at any time during the period
                           in which a prospectus relating to the IPO is required
                           to  be  delivered   under  the  Securities  Act,  any
                           information    contained    in   the   then   current
                           Registration   Statement  prospectus  concerning  the
                           Company  or the  Stockholders  becomes  incorrect  or
                           incomplete  in any material  respect and (ii) provide
                           USC and  their  legal  counsel  with the  information
                           needed to correct or complete that information. Prior
                           to the time the  Registration  Statement or any post-
                           effective  amendment  thereto becomes effective under
                           the  Securities  Act, USC will provide an opportunity
                           to review and comment with  respect to that  document
                           to one  counsel  selected  by a majority in number of
                           the Founding Companies and reasonably satisfactory to
                           USC.

           Section    i.            Additional Financial Statements. The Company
                           will furnish to USC:

                  (i) as soon as available and in any event within 30 days after
         the end of each of the Company's  fiscal  quarters  which ends prior to
         the IPO  Pricing  Date,  an  unaudited  balance  sheet of the  Acquired
         Business  as of  the  end  of  that  fiscal  quarter  and  the  related
         statements of income or  operations,  cash flows and  stockholders'  or
         other owners'  equity for that fiscal quarter and for the period of the
         Acquired  Business'  fiscal year ended with that quarter,  in each case
         (A) setting forth in comparative form the figures for the corresponding
         portion of the Acquired Business' previous fiscal year and (B) prepared
         on the same combined,  consolidated or other basis on which the Initial
         Financial  Statements  were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on
         basis consistent (1) throughout the periods indicated

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         (excepting  footnotes)  and (2) with the  basis  on which  the  Initial
         Financial Statements including the Current Balance Sheet were prepared;
         and

                  (ii) if requested by USC in  connection  with any amendment of
         the  Registration  Statement  and promptly  following any such request,
         such  summary  combined,  consolidated  or  other  operating  or  other
         financial  information of the Acquired Business as of the end of either
         the  first or  second  fiscal  month in any of the  Acquired  Business'
         fiscal quarters as USC may request.

           Section    j.            Termination  of Plans.  If requested by USC,
                           the  Company  will,  or  will  cause  the  applicable
                           Company Subsidiary to, if permitted by all applicable
                           Governmental  Requirements  to do so,  terminate each
                           Plan  Schedule  2.27  identifies  as a  "Plan  To  Be
                           Terminated" prior to the Effective Time.

           Section    k.            Disposition of Unwanted Assets.  At or prior
                           to  the   Closing,   the   Company   will   make  all
                           arrangements   and  take  all  such  actions  as  are
                           necessary and  satisfactory to USC to dispose,  prior
                           to the  Effective  Time,  of those assets of it or of
                           one  or  more  of  the  Company   Subsidiaries  which
                           Schedule 4.11 lists as unwanted assets.

           Section    l.            HSR  Act  Matters.  If USC  determines  that
                           filings  pursuant  to  and  under  the  HSR  Act  are
                           necessary  or  appropriate  in  connection  with  the
                           effectuation of the  Acquisition or the  consummation
                           of  the   acquisitions   contemplated  by  the  Other
                           Agreements,  and  advises  the  Company in writing of
                           that determination, the Company promptly will compile
                           and file (or will cause its "ultimate  parent entity"
                           (as  determined for purposes of the HSR Act) to file)
                           under the HSR Act such  information  respecting it as
                           the HSR Act requires of an Entity to be acquired, and
                           the  expiration  or  termination  of  the  applicable
                           waiting  period and any  extension  thereof under the
                           HSR Act will be deemed a condition  precedent Section
                           5.01(b)  sets  forth.  USC will assist the Company in
                           its preparation of that information, if any.

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                                   ARTICLE 5.

             THE CLOSING AND CONDITIONS TO CLOSING AND CONSUMMATION



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           Section    a.            Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party.
                           (a) The  obligation  of each party hereto to take the
                           actions contemplated to be taken by that party at the
                           Closing is subject to the  satisfaction  on or before
                           the  Closing  Date,  or written  waiver  pursuant  to
                           Section 10.04, of each of the following conditions:

                  (i) No  Litigation.  No  Litigation  shall be  pending  on the
         Closing Date to restrain,  prohibit or otherwise  interfere with, or to
         obtain  material  damages or other relief from USC, any  Subsidiary  of
         USC, the Company or any Company  Subsidiary  in  connection  with,  the
         consummation of the Acquisition or the IPO;

                  (ii) Governmental Approvals. All Governmental Approvals (other
         than the acceptance for filing of the  Certificates of Merger) required
         to be obtained  by any of the  Company,  USC and USC Sub in  connection
         with the  consummation  of the  Acquisition and the IPO shall have been
         obtained; and

                  (iii)  The  Registration   Statement.   (A)  The  Registration
         Statement,  as amended to cover the offering,  issuance and sale by USC
         of such  number of shares of USC Common  Stock at the IPO Price  (which
         need not be set forth in the  Registration  Statement  when it  becomes
         effective  under the  Securities  Act) as shall  yield  aggregate  cash
         proceeds  to USC from that sale (net of the  Underwriter's  discount or
         commissions) in at least the amount (the "Minimum Cash Amount") that is
         sufficient,  when  added to the  funds,  if any,  available  from other
         sources (if any, and as set forth in the Registration Statement when it
         becomes  effective  under the  Securities  Act) (the  "Other  Financing
         Sources") to enable USC to pay or otherwise  deliver on the IPO Closing
         Date (1) the total cash portion of the Acquisition  Consideration  then
         to be delivered  pursuant to Paragraph 2, (2) the total cash portion of
         the  acquisition  consideration  then to be  delivered  pursuant to the
         Other  Agreements as a result of the  consummation  of the  acquisition
         transactions   contemplated   thereby  and  (3)  the  total  amount  of
         Indebtedness of the Founding  Companies and USC which the  Registration
         Statement  discloses  at  the  time  it  becomes  effective  under  the
         Securities  Act will be repaid with  proceeds  received by USC from the
         IPO and the Other Financing Sources, shall have been declared effective
         under the Securities  Act by the SEC; (B) no stop order  suspending the
         effectiveness of the  Registration  Statement shall have been issued by
         the SEC, and the SEC shall not have initiated or threatened to initiate
         Litigation for that purpose;  and (C) the Underwriter shall have agreed
         in writing  (the  "Underwriting  Agreement,"  which term  includes  the
         related  pricing  agreement,  if any) to  purchase  from  USC on a firm
         commitment  basis for resale to the public  initially at the IPO Price,
         subject to the conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, such
         number  of shares  of USC  Common  Stock  covered  by the  Registration
         Statement  as,  when  multiplied  by the price per share of USC  Common
         Stock to be paid by the Underwriter to USC pursuant to the Underwriting
         Agreement, equals at least the Minimum Cash Amount.

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                  (b) The  obligation  of each party  hereto with respect to the
actions to be taken on the IPO Closing  Date is subject to the  satisfaction  on
that date of each of the following conditions:

                  (i) No Litigation.  No Litigation  shall be pending on the IPO
         Closing Date to restrain,  prohibit or otherwise  interfere with, or to
         obtain  material  damages or other relief from USC or any Subsidiary of
         USC in connection with, the consummation of the Acquisition or the IPO;

                  (ii)  Governmental   Approvals.   All  Governmental  Approvals
         required to be obtained by the Company,  USC and USC Sub in  connection
         with the  consummation  of the  Acquisition and the IPO shall have been
         obtained; and

                  (iii)  Closing  of the IPO.  USC shall  have  issued  and sold
         shares of USC Common Stock to the  Underwriter  in accordance  with the
         Underwriting Agreement for initial resale at the IPO Price and received
         payment therefor in an amount at least equal to the amount by which (A)
         the Minimum  Cash  Amount  exceeds  (B) the  aggregate  amount of funds
         actually received on the IPO Closing Date, if any, from any one or more
         of the Other Financing Sources.

           Section    b.            Conditions to the Obligations of the Company
                           and  the  Stockholders.  (a) The  obligations  of the
                           Company and each  Stockholder with respect to actions
                           to be  taken by them at or  before  the  Closing  are
                           subject to the  satisfaction on or before the Closing
                           Date, or the written  waiver by the Company on behalf
                           of itself and each  Stockholder  pursuant  to Section
                           10.04,  of (i) all  the  conditions  Paragraph  5 and
                           Section  5.01(a) set forth and (ii) all the following
                           conditions:

                  (A)  Representations  and Warranties.  All the representations
         and warranties of USC in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of
         the Closing as though made at that time;

                  (B)  Performance  of  Covenants.  USC and USC Sub  shall  have
         complied with all their respective covenants in Article IV;

                  (C)  Delivery of  Documents.  USC shall have  delivered to the
         Company, with copies for each Stockholder:

                           (1)  a  USC  officer's  certificate   respecting  the
                  representations  and  warranties of USC in this  Agreement and
                  compliance with the covenants of USC and USC Sub in Article IV
                  and in the form thereof  attached as an exhibit to the Closing
                  Memorandum;

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                           (2) an opinion  dated the Closing Date and  addressed
                  to the Company and the  Stockholders  from Counsel for USC and
                  USC Sub  substantially  in the  form  thereof  attached  as an
                  exhibit to the Closing Memorandum;

                           (3) a  certificate  of the secretary or any assistant
                  secretary  of USC in the  form  thereof  (without  attachments
                  thereto) attached as an exhibit to the Closing  Memorandum and
                  respecting,   and  to  which  is  attached:  (a)  the  Charter
                  Documents  of  each  of USC  and  USC  Sub  (certified  by the
                  Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in the case of its
                  certificate  of  incorporation   included  therein);  (b)  the
                  resolutions  of the  boards  of  directors  of USC and USC Sub
                  respecting  the  Transaction  Documents  and the  transactions
                  contemplated   thereby;  (c)  a  certificate   respecting  the
                  incumbency and true signatures of the USC and USC Sub officers
                  who execute the Transaction Documents on behalf of USC and USC
                  Sub,  respectively;  and (d) a specimen certificate evidencing
                  shares of USC Common Stock;

                           (4) the  Registration  Rights Agreement duly executed
                  and delivered by USC; and

                           (5) for USC,  a  certificate,  dated as of a  Current
                  Date, duly issued by the appropriate  Governmental Authorities
                  in the State of Delaware showing it to be in existence or good
                  standing and authorized to do business in that State; and

                  (D) Incentive  Plan. The Incentive Plan the Private  Placement
         Memorandum describes shall be in full force and effect.

                  (b) The obligations of the Company and each  Stockholder  with
respect to the  actions to be taken on the IPO  Closing  Date are subject to the
satisfaction on that date of (i) all the conditions  Section 5.01(b) sets forth,
(ii) the condition  that all the  representations  and warranties of USC in this
Agreement shall be true and correct as of the IPO Closing Date as though made on
that date, (iii) the condition that USC and USC Sub shall have complied with all
their   respective   covenants  in  Article  IV,  (iv)  the  condition   Section
5.02(a)(ii)(D)  sets forth,  (v) the condition  that USC shall have delivered to
the Company and each  Stockholder  a copy of (A) an opinion from Counsel for USC
and USC Sub dated the IPO Closing Date and  addressed to USC and  providing  the
Stockholders  may  rely  thereon,   respecting  Section  351  of  the  Code  and
substantially  in the  form  thereof  attached  as an  exhibit  to  the  Closing
Memorandum,  and (B) a  certificate  of USC in  substantially  the form  thereof
attached to the form of opinion to which subclause (A) of this clause (v) refers
and (vi) all the conditions Paragraph 5 sets forth, if any.

           Section    c.            Conditions to the Obligations of USC and USC
                           Sub.  (a) The  obligations  of USC  and USC Sub  with
                           respect  to  actions to be taken by them at or before
                           the  Closing are  subject to the  satisfaction  on or
                           before the Closing Date, or the written waiver by USC
                           pursuant to Section 10.04, of (i)

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<PAGE>


                           all the  conditions  Paragraph 5 and Section  5.01(a)
                           set forth and (ii) all the following conditions:

                  (A)  Representations  and Warranties.  All the representations
         and  warranties of the  Stockholders  and the Company in this Agreement
         shall be true and  correct  as of the  Closing  as though  made at that
         time;

                  (B) Performance of Covenants. The Company and the Stockholders
         shall have complied with all their respective covenants in Article IV;

                  (C) Delivery of Documents.  The  Stockholders  and the Company
         shall have delivered to USC:

                           (1) a  Company  officer's  certificate,  signed  by a
                  Responsible   Officer,   respecting  the  representations  and
                  warranties  of  the  Stockholders  and  the  Company  in  this
                  Agreement   and   compliance   with  the   covenants   of  the
                  Stockholders  and the  Company  in  Article IV and in the form
                  thereof attached as an exhibit to the Closing Memorandum;

                           (2) an opinion  dated the Closing Date and  addressed
                  to USC  from  Counsel  for the  Company  and the  Stockholders
                  substantially  in the form  thereof  attached as an exhibit to
                  the Closing Memorandum;

                           (3) a  certificate  of the secretary or any assistant
                  secretary  of  the  Company  in  the  form  thereof   (without
                  attachments  thereto)  attached  as an exhibit to the  Closing
                  Memorandum and respecting,  and to which is attached,  (a) the
                  Charter  Documents of the Company;  (b) the resolutions of the
                  board of directors of the Company  respecting the  Transaction
                  Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby; and (c) a
                  certificate  respecting the incumbency and true  signatures of
                  the Responsible Officers who execute the Transaction Documents
                  on behalf of the Company;

                           (4)  from  each  Stockholder,  a  certificate  to the
                  effect that no  withholding  is required under Section 1445 of
                  the Code and in the form thereof attached as an exhibit to the
                  Closing Memorandum, with the blanks appropriately filled, duly
                  executed and delivered by that Stockholder;

                           (5) From each officer and director of the Company and
                  each Company  Subsidiary,  if any, a notice of  resignation in
                  the  form  thereof  attached  as an  exhibit  to  the  Closing
                  Memorandum; and

                           (6)  for  each  of  the   Company   and  the  Company
                  Subsidiaries, a certificate,  dated as of a Current Date, duly
                  issued  by the  appropriate  Governmental  Authorities  in its
                  Organization  State and, in each other  jurisdiction  Schedule
                  2.02 lists for it,

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                  showing  it  to be  in  good  standing  and  authorized  to do
                  business   in  its   Organization   State  and   those   other
                  jurisdictions  and that all state franchise  and/or income tax
                  returns  and  taxes  due by it in its  Organization  State and
                  those other jurisdictions for all periods prior to the Closing
                  have been filed and paid.

                  (b) The  obligations  of USC and USC Sub with  respect  to the
actions to be taken on the IPO Closing Date are subject to the  satisfaction  on
that  date of (i) all the  conditions  Section  5.01(b)  sets  forth,  (ii)  the
condition that all the  representations  and warranties of the  Stockholders and
the  Company in this  Agreement  shall be true and correct as of the IPO Closing
Date as though made on that date,  (iii) the condition  that the Company and the
Stockholders shall have complied with all their respective  covenants in Article
IV and (iv) the conditions Paragraph 5 sets forth, if any.


                                   ARTICLE 6.

                     COVENANTS FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE TIME

           Section    a.            Disclosure.   If,   subsequent  to  the  IPO
                           Pricing Date and prior to the 25th day after the date
                           of the  Final  Prospectus,  any  Stockholder  becomes
                           aware of any fact or circumstance  which would change
                           (or, if after the Effective Time, would have changed)
                           in any material respect a representation  or warranty
                           of the Company or any  Stockholder  in this Agreement
                           or  would  affect  any  document  delivered  pursuant
                           hereto in any material respect, that Stockholder will
                           promptly give notice of that fact or  circumstance to
                           USC.

           Section    b.            Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns. After
                           the Effective  Time, each party hereto will, and will
                           cause its Affiliates to, provide to each of the other
                           parties hereto such  cooperation  and  information as
                           any of them  reasonably  may  request  in filing  any
                           Return,   amended   Return  or  claim   for   refund,
                           determining  a  liability  for  Taxes  or a right  to
                           refund of Taxes or in  conducting  any audit or other
                           proceeding in respect of Taxes. Subject to the second
                           to  last   sentence  of  this  Section   6.02,   this
                           cooperation  will be at the expense of the requesting
                           party. This cooperation and information shall include
                           providing  copies  of all  relevant  portions  of the
                           relevant  Returns,  together  with such  accompanying
                           schedules  and work  papers,  documents  relating  to
                           rulings or other determinations by Taxing Authorities
                           and records concerning the ownership and Tax bases of
                           property  as are  relevant  which a party  possesses.
                           Each   party  will  make  its   employees,   if  any,
                           reasonably  available on a mutually  convenient basis
                           at its cost

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<PAGE>


                           to  provide  an   explanation  of  any  documents  or
                           information  so  provided.  Subject to the  preceding
                           sentence,   each  party   required  to  file  Returns
                           pursuant  to  this  Agreement  will  bear  all  costs
                           attributable  to the  preparation and filing of those
                           Returns.  USC will not, directly or indirectly,  take
                           any  action  after  the  Effective  Time  that  would
                           disqualify  the Merger as an exchange  under  Section
                           351 of the Code.

           Section    c.            Directors.  Effective  on  the  IPO  Closing
                           Date, USC will cause such corporate proceedings as on
                           its  part  will be  necessary  to  cause  each of the
                           persons  who  are  named  in  the  Private  Placement
                           Memorandum as persons who will become  members of the
                           board of directors  of USC  following  the  Effective
                           Time (other than any such person who,  after the date
                           of the  Private  Placement  Memorandum,  declines  to
                           become  a  member  of  that  board)  to be  initially
                           appointed  to that board when the  Private  Placement
                           Memorandum so provides.

           Section    d.            Removal  of  Guaranties.  USC  will  use its
                           reasonable  efforts  to ensure  that,  within 90 days
                           after the Effective Time,  either (i) the Stockholder
                           Guaranties,   if  any,   Schedule   6.04   lists  are
                           terminated  or (ii) the  Indebtedness  to which those
                           Guaranties relate is retired; provided, however, that
                           if USC is unable to effect the  termination of any of
                           those  Guaranties  or the  retirement  of any of that
                           Indebtedness,  USC will  indemnify  and hold harmless
                           each  Stockholder  from and against any  liabilities,
                           claims, demands, judgments, losses, costs, damages or
                           expenses whatsoever  (including reasonable attorneys'
                           fees) that  Stockholder may sustain,  suffer or incur
                           and  result  from or arise  out of or  relate to that
                           Guaranty or that Indebtedness, as the case may be.

           Section    e.            Survival of Representations  and Warranties.
                           (a)  Notwithstanding  any  investigation  at any time
                           made  by  or on  behalf  of  any  party  hereto,  the
                           representations  and warranties set forth in Articles
                           I,  II and III and in any  certificate  delivered  in
                           connection  herewith  with  respect  to any of  those
                           representations   and  warranties  will  survive  the
                           closing and the Effective  Time until the day that is
                           two years from the  Effective  Time,  whereupon  they
                           will terminate and expire, except as follows: (i) the
                           representations  and  warranties of the  Stockholders
                           which relate expressly or by necessary implication to
                           Taxes, ERISA or the Governmental

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                           Requirements  referred to in clause  (iii) of Section
                           7.02(a)  will  survive  until the  expiration  of the
                           applicable  statutes of  limitations  (including  all
                           periods  of   extension   and   tolling);   (ii)  the
                           representations  and  warranties of the  Stockholders
                           which relate expressly or by necessary implication to
                           the  environment or  Environmental  Laws will survive
                           for a period of four years from the  Effective  Time;
                           and (iii) the  representations  and warranties of the
                           Company will  terminate  and expire at the  Effective
                           Time.

                  (b)  After a  representation  and  warranty  has  expired,  as
Section 6.05(a)  provides,  no Damage Claim  constituting a USC Indemnified Loss
will or may be made or prosecuted  through Litigation or otherwise by any Person
who would have been entitled to Damages on the basis of that  representation and
warranty prior to its termination and expiration,  provided that: (i) the amount
of that  claim,  if  against  any  Stockholder,  will be taken  into  account in
determining  whether the aggregate amount of all claims against that Stockholder
has  exceeded  that  Stockholder's  Pro Rata Share of the  Threshold  Amount for
purposes  of  Section  6.06;  and  (ii) in the case of each  representation  and
warranty that will terminate and expire as this Section 6.05 provides, no Damage
Claim  presented  in writing for Damages to the Person or Persons  from which or
whom those damages are sought on the basis of that  representation  and warranty
prior to its  termination  and  expiration  will be  affected in any way by that
termination and expiration.

           Section    f.            Limitations  on  Damage  Claims.  (a) If USC
                           should have any Damage Claim hereunder  following the
                           Effective Time against any Stockholder which does not
                           involve a USC  Indemnified  Loss  (each  such  Damage
                           Claim not involving a USC  Indemnified  Loss being an
                           "USC Unindemnified  Loss"), that Stockholder will not
                           be liable to USC on account of that USC Unindemnified
                           Loss  unless the  liability  of that  Stockholder  in
                           respect  of  that  USC   Unindemnified   Loss,   when
                           aggregated with the liability of all  Stockholders in
                           respect  of  the  sum of (i)  all  USC  Unindemnified
                           Losses  and (ii)  all USC  Indemnified  Losses  under
                           Section 7.02(a),  exceeds, and only to the extent the
                           aggregate  amount  of  all  those  USC  Unindemnified
                           Losses and USC  Indemnified  Losses does exceed,  the
                           Threshold  Amount. In no event will (i) the aggregate
                           joint and several liability of the Stockholders under
                           this Agreement, including Section 7.02(a), exceed the
                           Ceiling  Amount or (ii) the  aggregate  liability  of
                           each  Stockholder  under  this  Agreement,  including
                           Sections    7.02(a)   and   7.02(b),    exceed   that
                           Stockholder's  Pro Rata Share of the Ceiling  Amount.
                           For  purposes  of  determining   the  amount  of  USC
                           Unindemnified Losses and USC Indemnified Losses, no

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                           effect will be given to any  resulting Tax benefit to
                           USC or any other USC Indemnified Party.

                  (b) If any Stockholder  should have any Damage Claim hereunder
following  the  Effective  Time against USC which does not involve a Stockholder
Indemnified Loss (each such Damage Claim not involving a Stockholder Indemnified
Loss being a "Stockholder  Unindemnified  Loss"), USC will not be liable to that
Stockholder  on  account  of that  Stockholder  Unindemnified  Loss  unless  the
liability  of USC on  account  of  that  Stockholder  Unindemnified  Loss,  when
aggregated  with  the  liability  of  USC in  respect  of  the  sum  of (i)  all
Stockholder  Unindemnified  Losses for which it has  become  liable and (ii) all
Stockholder Indemnified Losses for which it has become liable, exceeds, and only
to the extent the aggregate amount of all those Stockholder Unindemnified Losses
and Stockholder  Indemnified  Losses does exceed,  the Threshold  Amount.  In no
event will USC be liable under this Agreement,  including  Section 7.03, for any
amount in excess of the Ceiling  Amount.  For purposes of determining the amount
of Stockholder  Unindemnified  Losses and  Stockholder  Indemnified  Losses,  no
effect will be given to any resulting Tax benefit to any Stockholder Indemnified
Party.

                  (c) Neither  any USC  Unindemnified  Loss nor any  Stockholder
Unindemnified Loss will include any consequential, exemplary, punitive or treble
damage (including any loss of earnings or profits), and USC hereby releases each
Stockholder,  and each  Stockholder  hereby  releases  USC,  in each case to the
fullest  extent  applicable  law permits,  from  liability for any such excluded
Damage.

           Section    g.            Working Capital Adjustment. (a) This Section
                           6.07 uses the  following  terms with the  meanings it
                           assigns to them below:

                  "Adjustment Determination Date" means the date that is 30 days
         following  delivery  by  USC  of  the  Post-closing  Statement  to  the
         Stockholders, unless the Independent Accountants determine any Computed
         Amount  pursuant  to Section  6.07(b),  in which  event the  Adjustment
         Determination Date is the date the Independent Accountants deliver each
         determination in writing to USC.

                  "Current  Balance Sheet Date Adjusted  Working  Capital" means
         the amount by which (i) the Current  Balance Sheet Date Working Capital
         exceeds (ii) the sum of (A) the Current  Balance  Sheet Excess Cash and
         (B) the 1998 Restricted Payment Amount.

                  "Current  Balance Sheet Excess Cash" means, as determined from
         the Current  Balance  Sheet,  the amount by which (i) the total  amount
         that  is  included  and  classified  as  current  assets  comprised  of
         unrestricted  cash and cash  equivalents  on that balance sheet exceeds
         (ii) the Minimum Cash Balance.

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                  "Computed  Amount"  means any of the  following:  (i) the Cash
         Balance; (ii) the Final Cash Balance;  (iii) the Final Working Capital;
         (iv) the 1999 Permitted Restricted Payment Amount; (v) the Negative Net
         Adjustment; and (vi) the Positive Net Adjustment.

                  "Final  Balance  Sheet" means a balance  sheet of the Acquired
         Business as of the effective date USC uses to record the Acquisition in
         accordance  with GAAP and which is prepared in accordance  with GAAP on
         the same basis on which the Current Balance Sheet was prepared.

                  "Final  Cash  Balance"  means,  as  determined  from the Final
         Balance  Sheet,  the total  amount that is included and  classified  as
         current assets  comprised of unrestricted  cash and cash equivalents on
         that balance sheet.

                  "Final  Excess  Cash"  means  the  lesser  of (i) the  Current
         Balance  Sheet  Excess  Cash or (ii) the  amount,  if any, by which the
         Final Cash Balance exceeds the Minimum Cash Balance.

                  "Final Working  Capital"  means,  as determined from the Final
         Balance Sheet, the amount by which (i) the sum, without  duplication of
         amounts,  of all amounts that are included  and  classified  as current
         assets on that balance sheet exceeds,  or is exceeded by, (ii) the sum,
         without  duplication  of amounts,  of all amounts that are included and
         classified as liabilities or as mandatorily redeemable Capital Stock on
         that balance sheet; provided,  that if the Independent Accountants make
         the  determination  of any Computed Amount pursuant to Section 6.07(b),
         the  amount  equal  to  50%  of  their  fees  and  expenses  which  are
         attributable to their audit of the Final Balance Sheet and their making
         of that  determination  will be  deemed  a  liability  of the  Acquired
         Business for the purpose of determining its Final Working Capital;  and
         provided,  further,  that  if at any  time  those  current  assets  are
         exceeded by those  liabilities  and that Capital  Stock,  Final Working
         Capital will be expressed as a negative amount

                  "Negative Net  Adjustment"  means:  (i) if the Current Balance
         Sheet Date Adjusted Working Capital is a positive  amount,  the amount,
         if any,  by which the  Current  Balance  Sheet  Date  Adjusted  Working
         Capital  exceeds  the Final  Working  Capital;  and (ii) if the Current
         Balance Sheet Date Adjusted Working Capital is a negative  amount,  the
         amount,  if any, by which the Final  Working  Capital is more  negative
         than the Current Balance Sheet Date Adjusted Working Capital.

                  "1999  Restricted  Payment  Amount"  means,  if the Company is
         subject to Subchapter S of the Code, the amount equal to the amount the
         Company  records as income for the period  beginning on January 1, 1999
         and ending on the day preceding the IPO Closing Date in its accumulated
         adjustments account in accordance with the applicable provisions of the
         Code.

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                  "Positive Net Adjustment"  means, if the Current Balance Sheet
         Date Adjusted  Working  Capital is (i) a positive  amount and the Final
         Working  Capital is the same as or greater than that positive amount or
         (ii) a negative  amount and the Final Working Capital is the same as or
         less  negative  than that  negative  amount,  the lesser of the Current
         Balance Sheet Excess Cash or the Final Excess Cash.

                  (b) As soon as  practicable  and in any  event  within 75 days
after the Effective Date, USC will cause to be prepared in writing and delivered
to the  Stockholders  (i) the  Final  Balance  Sheet and (ii) a  statement  (the
"Post-closing  Statement") setting forth each Computed Amount. The Final Balance
Sheet and the  Post-closing  Statement  will be final and binding on USC and the
Stockholders  unless,  within 30 days following the delivery of the Post-closing
Statement,  any Stockholder  notifies USC in writing that that  Stockholder does
not accept as  correct  one or more of the  Computed  Amounts  the  Post-closing
Statement sets forth. If any Stockholder  timely delivers that notice respecting
the  Post-closing  Statement,  the Independent  Accountants will audit the Final
Balance Sheet and determine each Computed Amount from that audited balance sheet
within  30  days  after  the  delivery  to  USC  of  that   notice,   and  these
determinations  will be final  and  binding  on USC and each  Stockholder.  If a
Negative Net  Adjustment  is determined  with finality  pursuant to this Section
6.07(b),  each Stockholder  will, no later than 10 Houston,  Texas business days
after USC makes a written request therefor,  pay in cash that  Stockholder's Pro
Rata Share of that Negative Net Adjustment,  and if a Positive Net Adjustment is
determined with finality  pursuant to this Section  6.07(b),  USC will, no later
than 10 Houston,  Texas business days after that  determination,  pay in cash to
each  Stockholder  that  Stockholder's  Pro  Rata  Share  of that  Positive  Net
Adjustment,  together,  in the case of any amount payable by the Stockholders or
USC pursuant to this Section 6.07(b),  with interest on that sum at 8% per annum
from (and  including)  the  Effective  Date to (but  excluding)  the  Adjustment
Determination Date.


                                   ARTICLE 7.

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

           Section    a.            In    Respect   of    Representations    and
                           Warranties.  After a representation  and warranty has
                           terminated and expired as Section 6.05  provides,  no
                           indemnification  will or may be  sought  pursuant  to
                           this Article VII on the basis of that  representation
                           and  warranty  by any  Person  who  would  have  been
                           entitled    pursuant   to   this   Article   VII   to
                           indemnification  on the basis of that  representation
                           and warranty prior to its termination and expiration,
                           provided that, in the case of each representation and
                           warranty  that will  terminate  and expire as Section
                           6.05  provides,  no claim  presented  in writing  for
                           indemnification  pursuant to this  Article VII on the
                           basis of that  representation  and warranty  prior to
                           its  termination  and expiration  will be affected in
                           any way by that termination and expiration.

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           Section    b.            Indemnification of USC Indemnified  Parties.
                           (a) Subject to the applicable  provisions of Sections
                           7.01 and 7.06,  the  Stockholders  covenant and agree
                           that they, jointly and severally, will indemnify each
                           USC  Indemnified  Party  against,  and hold  each USC
                           Indemnified  Party  harmless  from and in respect of,
                           all Third Party Claims that arise from,  are based on
                           or relate or otherwise  are  attributable  to (i) any
                           breach of the  representations  and warranties of the
                           Stockholders  or the Company set forth herein  (other
                           than in Article I) or in  certificates  delivered  in
                           connection   herewith   (other  than  in  respect  of
                           certificates relating only to the representations and
                           warranties in Article I), (ii) any  nonfulfillment of
                           any   covenant  or  agreement  on  the  part  of  the
                           Stockholders  or the Company under this  Agreement or
                           (iii) any  liability  under the  Securities  Act, the
                           Exchange   Act  or  other   applicable   Governmental
                           Requirement  which  arises  out of or is based on (A)
                           any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
                           material fact relating to the Company and the Company
                           Subsidiaries,  or any of  them,  which  is  both  (1)
                           provided  to USC or its counsel by the Company or the
                           Stockholders  in  writing  and (2)  contained  in any
                           preliminary  prospectus  relating  to  the  IPO,  the
                           Registration  Statement or any  prospectus  forming a
                           part thereof,  or any amendment thereof or supplement
                           thereto,  or (B) any omission or alleged  omission to
                           state therein a material fact relating to the Company
                           and  the  Company  Subsidiaries,   or  any  of  them,
                           required to be stated  therein or  necessary  to make
                           the  statements  therein  not  misleading,   and  not
                           provided  to USC or its counsel by the Company or the
                           Stockholders  in writing (each such Third Party Claim
                           and each Third Party Claim Section 7.02(b)  describes
                           being an "USC Indemnified Loss").

                  (b) Each Stockholder, severally and not jointly with any other
Person,  covenants and agrees that he will indemnify each USC Indemnified  Party
against,  and hold each USC  Indemnified  Party harmless from and in respect of,
all Third Party Claims that arise from,  are based on or relate or otherwise are
attributable  to (i) any breach of the  representations  and  warranties of that
Stockholder  solely  as  to  that  Stockholder  set  forth  in  Article  I or in
certificates delivered by that Stockholder and relating to those representations
and  warranties,  (ii) any  nonfulfillment  of any  several,  and not  joint and
several, agreement on the part of that Stockholder under this Agreement or (iii)
any liability  under the  Securities  Act, the Exchange Act or other  applicable
Governmental  Requirement  which  arises  out of or is based  on (A) any  untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact relating solely to that
Stockholder which is both (1) provided to USC or its counsel by that Stockholder
in writing and (2) contained in any preliminary prospectus relating to the IPO,

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the  Registration  Statement or any  prospectus  forming a part thereof,  or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or (B) any omission or alleged omission
to state therein a material fact relating solely to that Stockholder required to
be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements  therein not  misleading,
and not provided to USC or its counsel by that Stockholder in writing.

           Section    c.            Indemnification  of Stockholder  Indemnified
                           Parties.  USC  covenants  and  agrees  that  it  will
                           indemnify each Stockholder Indemnified Party against,
                           and hold each Stockholder  Indemnified Party harmless
                           from and in respect of, all Third  Party  Claims that
                           arise from,  are based on or relate or otherwise  are
                           attributable   to  (i)  any  breach  by  USC  of  its
                           representations and warranties set forth herein or in
                           its  certificates  delivered  to the  Company  or the
                           Stockholders   in  connection   herewith,   (ii)  any
                           nonfulfillment  of any  covenant or  agreement on the
                           part of USC or USC Sub under this  Agreement or (iii)
                           any liability  under the Securities Act, the Exchange
                           Act  or  other  applicable  Governmental  Requirement
                           which  arises  out of or is based  on (A) any  untrue
                           statement or alleged  untrue  statement of a material
                           fact  relating  to  USC  or  any  Subsidiary  of  USC
                           contained in any preliminary  prospectus  relating to
                           the IPO, the Registration Statement or any prospectus
                           forming a part thereof,  or any amendment  thereof or
                           supplement  thereto,  or (B) any  omission or alleged
                           omission to state therein a material fact relating to
                           USC or any  Subsidiary  of USC  required to be stated
                           therein or necessary to make the  statements  therein
                           not  misleading  in the  light  of the  circumstances
                           under  which they were made  (each  such Third  Party
                           Claim being a "Stockholder Indemnified Loss").

           Section    d.            Conditions  of   Indemnification.   (a)  All
                           claims for indemnification under this Agreement shall
                           be  asserted   and  resolved  as  this  Section  7.04
                           provides.

                  (b) A party claiming  indemnification under this Agreement (an
"Indemnified   Party")   shall   promptly   (i)   notify  the  party  from  whom
indemnification  is sought (the  "Indemnifying  Party") of any Third Party Claim
asserted  against  the  Indemnified  Party  which  could give rise to a right of
indemnification under this Agreement and (ii) transmit to the Indemnifying Party
a written notice (a "Claim Notice")  describing in reasonable  detail the nature
of the Third Party Claim, a copy of all papers served with respect to that claim
(if any), an estimate of the amount of damages attributable to that claim to the
extent  feasible  (which  estimate will not be conclusive of the final amount of
that   claim)  and  the  basis  for  the   Indemnified   Party's   request   for
indemnification  under this  Agreement.  Except as Section 7.01 sets forth,  the
failure to promptly  deliver a Claim  Notice  will not relieve the  Indemnifying
Party of its obligations to the Indemnified Party with respect to the

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related  Third Party  Claim  except to the extent  that the  resulting  delay is
materially  prejudicial  to the  defense  of that  claim.  Within 30 days  after
receipt of any Claim Notice (the "Election Period"), the Indemnifying Party must
notify the  Indemnified  Party (i) whether the  Indemnifying  Party disputes its
potential liability to the Indemnified Party under this Article VII with respect
to that Third  Party Claim and (ii) if the  Indemnifying  Party does not dispute
its  potential  liability  to the  Indemnified  Party with respect to that Third
Party  Claim,  whether  the  Indemnifying  Party  desires,  at the sole cost and
expense of the Indemnifying  Party, to defend the Indemnified Party against that
Third Party Claim.

                  (c) If the  Indemnifying  Party does not dispute its potential
liability to the Indemnified Party and notifies the Indemnified Party within the
Election Period that the Indemnifying  Party elects to assume the defense of the
Third Party Claim, then the Indemnifying Party will have the right to defend, at
its  sole  cost  and  expense,   that  Third  Party  Claim  by  all  appropriate
proceedings,  which proceedings the Indemnifying Party must prosecute diligently
to a final  conclusion  or  settle at its  discretion  in  accordance  with this
Section 7.04(c),  and the Indemnified Party will furnish the Indemnifying  Party
with all  information in its  possession  with respect to that Third Party Claim
and otherwise cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in the defense of that Third
Party Claim; provided,  however, that the Indemnifying Party will not enter into
any settlement  with respect to any Third Party Claim that purports to limit the
activities of, or otherwise  restrict in any way, any  Indemnified  Party or any
Affiliate of any Indemnified Party without the prior consent of that Indemnified
Party  (which  consent  may be  withheld in the  reasonable  discretion  of that
Indemnified Party). The Indemnified Party is hereby authorized, at the sole cost
and expense of the Indemnifying  Party, to file, during the Election Period, any
motion,  answer or other pleadings that the Indemnified Party deems necessary or
appropriate  to protect its interests or those of the  Indemnifying  Party.  The
Indemnified Party may participate in, but not control, any defense or settlement
of any Third  Party  Claim the  Indemnifying  Party  controls  pursuant  to this
Section  7.04(c) and will bear its own costs and  expenses  with respect to that
participation;  provided,  however, that if the named parties to any such action
(including any impleaded  parties) include both the  Indemnifying  Party and the
Indemnified  Party,  and the Indemnified  Party has been advised by counsel that
there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from
or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party, then the Indemnified
Party may employ separate counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, and,
on its written notification of that employment,  the Indemnifying Party will not
have the right to assume or continue the defense of that action on behalf of the
Indemnified Party.

                  (d) If the  Indemnifying  Party (i) within the Election Period
(A) disputes its potential liability to the Indemnified Party under this Article
VII, (B) elects not to defend the Indemnified  Party pursuant to Section 7.04(c)
or (C) fails to notify the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying  Party elects
to defend the  Indemnified  Party pursuant to Section  7.04(c) or (ii) elects to
defend the Indemnified  Party pursuant to Section 7.04(c),  but fails diligently
and promptly to prosecute or settle the Third Party Claim,  then the Indemnified
Party  will  have the  right to  defend,  at the sole  cost and  expense  of the
Indemnifying  Party (if the  Indemnified  Party is entitled  to  indemnification
hereunder),  the  Third  Party  Claim  by  all  appropriate  proceedings,  which
proceedings  the Indemnified  Party must promptly and vigorously  prosecute to a
final conclusion or settlement,

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<PAGE>


provided  that the  Indemnified  Party will not enter  into any such  settlement
without the prior consent of the  Indemnifying  Party (which  consent may not be
unreasonably  withheld) (provided that the Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to
have  consented to that  settlement if the  Indemnifying  Party has not objected
within  five  Houston,  Texas  business  days  after the  Indemnified  Party has
provided the Indemnifying Party with a written notice setting forth the proposed
terms of the settlement in reasonable  detail).  The Indemnified Party will have
full control of such defense and proceedings.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if
the Indemnifying  Party has delivered a written notice to the Indemnified  Party
to the effect that the  Indemnifying  Party disputes its potential  liability to
the Indemnified  Party under this Article VII and if that dispute is resolved in
favor of the Indemnifying  Party, the Indemnifying Party will not be required to
bear the costs and expenses of the Indemnified  Party's defense pursuant to this
Section  7.04  or of  the  Indemnifying  Party's  participation  therein  at the
Indemnified  Party's  request,  and the  Indemnified  Party will  reimburse  the
Indemnifying  Party  in full  for all  reasonable  costs  and  expenses  of that
litigation.  The  Indemnifying  Party may participate  in, but not control,  any
defense or settlement the  Indemnified  Party controls  pursuant to this Section
7.04(d),  and the  Indemnifying  Party will bear its own costs and expenses with
respect to that participation.

                  (e)  Payments of all amounts  owing by an  Indemnifying  Party
pursuant to this Article VII relating to a Third Party Claim will be made within
30 days after the latest of (i) the  settlement of that Third Party Claim,  (ii)
the  expiration of the period for appeal of a final  adjudication  of that Third
Party  Claim or  (iii)  the  expiration  of the  period  for  appeal  of a final
adjudication of the  Indemnifying  Party's  liability to the  Indemnified  Party
under this Agreement in respect of that Third Party Claim.

                  (f) If any Stockholder has any  indemnification  obligation to
USC that becomes  payable under Section  7.04(e) during the  Restricted  Period,
that  Stockholder  may,  with the  written  consent of USC  (which  shall not be
unreasonably withheld) and within the payment period Section 7.04(e) prescribes,
satisfy  that  obligation  by  transferring  to USC such number of shares of USC
Common Stock owned by that  Stockholder  as have an aggregate  fair market value
that  most  nearly  approximates,  but  does  not  exceed,  the  amount  of that
obligation, provided that each of the following conditions is satisfied:

                  (i) USC shall receive good,  valid and marketable title to all
         the shares so transferred free of all Liens;

                  (ii) that Stockholder shall have made such representations and
         warranties as to the title to the shares so transferred and the absence
         of Liens thereon as USC shall have reasonably requested;

                  (iii) the certificate or certificates  representing USC Common
         Stock  delivered by that  Stockholder in satisfaction of his obligation
         shall be duly  endorsed  in  blank,  or shall be  accompanied  by stock
         powers in blank duly executed,  by that  Stockholder and shall have all
         necessary  transfer  tax and other  revenue  stamps,  acquired  at that
         Stockholder's expense, affixed and cancelled; and

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                  (iv)  the  other  terms  and   conditions  of  that  transfer,
         including  any  accounting,   legal  or  tax  consequences,   shall  be
         reasonably satisfactory to USC.

For  purposes of this Section  7.04(f),  the fair market value of a share of USC
Common Stock will be the IPO Price (as adjusted, as appropriate,  to give effect
to each of the following effected after the IPO Closing Date: any subdivision or
combination of outstanding  shares of USC Common Stock,  declaration by USC of a
dividend  payable in shares of USC Common  Stock or  capital  reorganization  or
reclassification or other transaction  involving an increase or reduction in the
number of outstanding shares of USC Common Stock).

           Section    e.            Remedies Not  Exclusive.  The remedies  this
                           Agreement provides will not be exclusive of any other
                           rights or remedies available to one party against any
                           other party, either at law or in equity.

           Section    f.            Limitations    on    Indemnification.    (a)
                           Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.02(a), no
                           Stockholder  will be  required to  indemnify  or hold
                           harmless  any  of  the  USC  Indemnified  Parties  on
                           account of any USC  Indemnified  Loss  under  Section
                           7.02(a)  unless the  liability of the Company and the
                           Stockholders in respect of that USC Indemnified Loss,
                           when   aggregated   with   the   liability   of   all
                           Stockholders  in  respect  of the  sum of (i) all USC
                           Unindemnified  Losses  and (ii)  all USC  Indemnified
                           Losses under Section  7.02(a),  exceeds,  and only to
                           the  extent  the  aggregate  amount  of all those USC
                           Unindemnified  Losses and USC Indemnified Losses does
                           exceed,  the Threshold  Amount.  In no event will (i)
                           the  aggregate  joint and  several  liability  of the
                           Stockholders under this Agreement,  including Section
                           7.02(a),  exceed  the  Ceiling  Amount  or  (ii)  the
                           aggregate  liability of each  Stockholder  under this
                           Agreement, including Sections 7.02(a) and 7.02(b), at
                           any  time   exceed  the  amount  by  which  (A)  that
                           Stockholder's  Pro Rata Share of the  Ceiling  Amount
                           exceeds (B) that Stockholder's  Accrued Tax Liability
                           at that time.  "Accrued Tax  Liability"  means,  with
                           respect  to any  Stockholder  at any time,  the total
                           federal  income  tax  liability  of that  Stockholder
                           which is attributable to the capital gain income that
                           Stockholder   previously  has  recognized,   or  will
                           recognize in the taxable period  including that time,
                           in  respect  of the  Acquisition  Consideration  that
                           Stockholder has received  pursuant to Paragraph 2 and
                           Section  6.07;   provided,   that  the  capital  gain
                           attributable to any taxable  disposition of any share
                           of  USC   Common   Stock   which   that   Acquisition
                           Consideration   includes  will  be   determined   for
                           purposes of this

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                           definition as if that Stockholder had sold that share
                           at the IPO Price (as  adjusted,  as  appropriate,  to
                           give effect to each of the following  effected  after
                           the IPO Closing Date: any  subdivision or combination
                           of   outstanding   shares   of  USC   Common   Stock,
                           declaration by USC of a dividend payable in shares of
                           USC  Common  Stock  or  capital   reorganization   or
                           reclassification  of outstanding shares of USC Common
                           Stock).  For purposes of  determining  the amount any
                           USC  Indemnified  Loss, the gross amount thereof will
                           be reduced by (i) any  correlative  Tax  benefit  the
                           applicable USC Indemnified Party actually realizes in
                           the Tax year in which that  determination is made, as
                           reflected  in any Return that USC  Indemnified  Party
                           files  with  respect  to  that  year,  and  (ii)  any
                           correlative  insurance  proceeds the  applicable  USC
                           Indemnified  Party  actually  receives,  net  of  any
                           insurance  premium  (or  increase  in  premium)  that
                           becomes due as a result of the claim that  results in
                           the payment of those proceeds.

                  (b)  Notwithstanding  the provisions of Section 7.03, USC will
not be required to indemnify or hold harmless any of the Stockholder Indemnified
Parties on account of any Stockholder  Indemnified  Loss unless the liability of
USC in respect of that  Stockholder  Indemnified  Loss, when aggregated with the
liability  of USC in  respect  of the sum of (i) all  Stockholder  Unindemnified
Losses and (ii) all Stockholder  Indemnified  Losses,  exceeds,  and only to the
extent the aggregate amount of all those  Stockholder  Unindemnified  Losses and
Stockholder  Indemnified  Losses does exceed,  the Threshold Amount. In no event
will USC be liable under this Agreement,  including Section 7.03, for any amount
in excess of the Ceiling  Amount.  For  purposes of  determining  the amount any
Stockholder  Indemnified  Loss,  the gross amount thereof will be reduced by (i)
any  correlative  Tax  benefit  the  applicable  Stockholder  Indemnified  Party
actually  realizes  in the Tax  year in which  that  determination  is made,  as
reflected in any Return that Stockholder Indemnified Party files with respect to
that  year,  and  (ii)  any  correlative   insurance   proceeds  the  applicable
Stockholder  Indemnified Party actually  receives,  net of any insurance premium
(or increase in premium)  that becomes due as a result of the claim that results
in the payment of those proceeds.


                                   ARTICLE 8.

                           LIMITATIONS ON COMPETITION

           Section    a.            Prohibited   Activities.   Each  Stockholder
                           agrees,  severally  and not  jointly  with any  other
                           Person, that he will not, during the period beginning
                           on  the  date   hereof   and   ending  on  the  fifth
                           anniversary of the IPO Closing Date,

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                           directly or indirectly,  for any reason,  for his own
                           account  or on behalf of or  together  with any other
                           Person:

                  (i) engage as an officer,  director or in any other managerial
         capacity or as an owner,  co-owner or other  investor of or in, whether
         as an employee, independent contractor,  consultant or advisor, or as a
         sales  representative,  dealer  or  distributor  of  any  kind,  in any
         business  selling any products or providing any services in competition
         with the Acquired  Business,  USC or any  Subsidiary  of USC (all these
         entities  collectively  being "USC" for purposes of this Article  VIII)
         within any Territory  surrounding any plant or other operating facility
         in which the  Acquired  Business  was  engaged in  business on the date
         hereof or immediately prior to the Effective Date (for purposes of this
         Article VIII, the "Territory"  surrounding any plant or other operating
         facility will be: (A) the city,  town or village in which that plant or
         facility  is  located,  (B) the county or parish in which that plant or
         facility is located,  (C) the  counties or parishes  contiguous  to the
         county or parish in which that plant or facility  is  located,  (D) the
         area located  within 50 miles of that plant or  facility,  (E) the area
         located  within 100 miles of that plant or facility and (F) the area in
         which that plant or facility regularly provides products or services at
         the locations of its customers);

                  (ii) call on or otherwise solicit any natural person who is at
         that time employed by USC in any  managerial  capacity with the purpose
         or intent of attracting that person from the employ of USC;

                  (iii)  call  on,  solicit  or  perform  services  for,  either
         directly or indirectly, any Person that at that time is, or at any time
         within two years  prior to that time was, a customer  of USC within any
         Territory,  (A) for the purpose of soliciting or selling any product or
         service in competition  with USC within that Territory and (B) with the
         knowledge of that customer relationship; or

                  (iv)  call  on  or  otherwise   solicit  any  USC  Acquisition
         Candidate,  with  the  knowledge  of  that  Entity's  status  as a  USC
         Acquisition  Candidate,  for the  purpose of  acquiring  that Entity or
         arranging the acquisition of that Entity by any Person other than USC.

Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  any  Stockholder  may own and hold as a passive
investment up to 5% of the  outstanding  capital stock of a competing  Entity if
that class of capital stock is listed on a national  stock  exchange or included
in the Nasdaq National Market.

           Section    b.            Damages.  Because of (i) the  difficulty  of
                           measuring  economic  losses to USC as a result of any
                           breach by a  Stockholder  of his covenants in Section
                           8.01 and (ii) the  immediate and  irreparable  damage
                           that  could be caused to USC for which it would  have
                           no other adequate  remedy,  each  Stockholder  agrees
                           that USC may enforce the provisions of

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                           Section 8.01 by injunctions  and  restraining  orders
                           against that  Stockholder if he breaches any of those
                           provisions.

           Section    c.            Reasonable  Restraint.  The  parties  hereto
                           each  agree  that  Sections  8.01 and  8.02  impose a
                           reasonable  restraint on the Stockholders in light of
                           the  activities  and  business  of USC  on  the  date
                           hereof,  the  current  business  plans of USC and the
                           investment by each  Stockholder in USC as a result of
                           the Acquisition.

           Section    d.            Severability;  Reformation. The covenants in
                           this Article VIII are severable and separate, and the
                           unenforceability  of any  specific  covenant  in this
                           Article  VIII is not intended by any party hereto to,
                           and will  not,  affect  the  provisions  of any other
                           covenant  in  this  Article  VIII.  If any  court  of
                           competent  jurisdiction  determines  that the  scope,
                           time or  territorial  restrictions  Section 8.01 sets
                           forth are unreasonable as applied to any Stockholder,
                           the  parties  hereto,   including  that  Stockholder,
                           acknowledge their mutual intention and agreement that
                           those  restrictions be enforced to the fullest extent
                           the  court  deems  reasonable,  and  thereby  will be
                           reformed   to  that   extent  as   applied   to  that
                           Stockholder  and  any  other  Stockholder   similarly
                           situated.

           Section    e.            Independent  Covenant.  All the covenants in
                           this  Article  VIII are intended by each party hereto
                           to,  and  will,   be   construed   as  an   agreement
                           independent of any other provision in this Agreement,
                           and the  existence of any claim or cause of action of
                           any Stockholder  against USC,  whether  predicated on
                           this  Agreement or otherwise,  will not  constitute a
                           defense to the  enforcement by USC of any covenant in
                           this Article VIII. It is specifically agreed that the
                           time period  Section 8.01  specifies will be computed
                           in the case of each  Stockholder  by  excluding  from
                           that   computation   any  time   during   which  that
                           Stockholder  is in  violation  of  any  provision  of
                           Section  8.01.   The  covenants   this  Article  VIII
                           contains  will not be  affected  by any breach of any
                           other provision hereof by any party hereto.

           Section    f.            Materiality.    The    Company    and   each
                           Stockholder, severally and not jointly with any other
                           Person,  hereby  agree  that this  Article  VIII is a
                           material  and  substantial  part of the  transactions
                           this Agreement contemplates.

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                                   ARTICLE 9.

               ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS AND DEFINITIONAL PROVISIONS

           Section    a.            Defined  Terms.  The  following  terms  this
                           Agreement  uses have the  meanings  this Section 9.01
                           assigns to them.

                  "AA Account  Balance"  means as of any date, if the Company is
         subject to the  pass-through tax provisions of subchapter S of the Code
         for any period ending on or immediately  prior to that date, the amount
         then recorded in the accumulated  adjustments account of the Company in
         accordance with the applicable provisions of the Code.

                  "Acquired Business" has the meaning Paragraph 1 specifies.

                  "Acquisition" has the meaning Paragraph 1 specifies.

                  "Acquisition   Consideration"  has  the  meaning  Paragraph  2
         specifies.

                  "Acquisition Proposal" has the meaning Section 4.04 specifies.

                  "Adjustment  Determination  Date" has the meaning Section 6.07
         specifies.

                  "Affiliate"  means,  as to any  specified  Person,  any  other
         Person that,  directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries
         or otherwise,  controls,  is  controlled by or is under common  control
         with the specified Person. As used in this definition,  "control" means
         the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause
         the  direction  of the  management  or  policies  of a Person  (whether
         through  ownership  of Capital  Stock of that  Person,  by  contract or
         otherwise).

                  "Agreement"  means  this  Agreement,  including  all  attached
         Schedules,  Annexes,  Addenda and Exhibits,  as each of the same may be
         amended,  modified or  supplemented  from time to time  pursuant to the
         provisions hereof or thereof.

                  "Capital Stock" means,  with respect to: (i) any  corporation,
         any share, or any depositary receipt or other certificate  representing
         any share, of an equity  ownership  interest in that  corporation;  and
         (ii) any  other  Entity,  any  share,  membership  or other  percentage
         interest,   unit  of  participation   or  other   equivalent   (however
         designated) of an equity interest in that Entity.

                  "Cash  Compensation"   means,  as  applied  to  any  employee,
         nonemployee  director or officer of, or any natural person who performs
         consulting or other independent contractor services for, the Company or
         any Company Subsidiary, the wages, salaries, bonuses (discretionary and
         formula),  fees and other  cash  compensation  paid or  payable  by the
         Company and each Company  Subsidiary  to that employee or other natural
         person.

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                  "Ceiling Amount" has the meaning Paragraph 1 specifies.

                  "Certificate  of Merger" means, if USC effects the Acquisition
         by means  of a  Merger,  (i) the  articles  or  certificate  of  merger
         respecting that Merger which contains the  information  required by the
         laws of  Surviving  Corporation's  Organization  State to  effect  that
         Merger and,  if the  Organization  State of any Entity  merged into the
         Surviving  Corporation in that Merger is not the Organization  State of
         the Surviving  Corporation,  (ii) the articles or certificate of merger
         respecting that Merger which contains the  information  required by the
         laws of that merged Entity's Organization State to effect that Merger.

                  "CERCLA"  means  the  Comprehensive   Environmental  Response,
         Conservation, and Liability Act of 1980.

                  "Charter  Documents"  means, with respect to any Entity at any
         time, in each case as amended,  modified and supplemented at that time,
         (i)  the  articles  or  certificate  of  formation,   incorporation  or
         organization  (or  the  equivalent  organizational  documents)  of that
         Entity,  (ii) the  bylaws or limited  liability  company  agreement  or
         regulations (or the equivalent  governing documents) of that Entity and
         (iii) each document setting forth the designation,  amount and relative
         rights,  limitations  and  preferences  of any  class or series of that
         Entity's  Capital  Stock or of any rights in  respect of that  Entity's
         Capital Stock.

                  "Claim Notice" has the meaning Section 7.04 specifies.

                  "Closing" has the meaning Paragraph 3 specifies.

                  "Closing Date" has the meaning Paragraph 1 specifies.

                  "Closing  Memorandum" means the closing memorandum attached as
         an Exhibit to this Agreement.

                  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

                  "Company" has the meaning Paragraph 1 specifies.

                  "Company Capital Stock" has the meaning Paragraph 1 specifies.

                  "Combined Companies" has the meaning Paragraph 1 specifies.

                  "Company Commitment" has the meaning Section 2.23 specifies.

                  "Company  ERISA  Benefit  Plan" has the meaning  Section  2.27
         specifies.

                  "Company  ERISA  Pension  Plan" has the meaning  Section  2.27
         specifies.

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<PAGE>


                  "Company  Subsidiary"  means at any time any Entity  that is a
         Subsidiary of the Company at that time.

                  "Confidential  Information" means, with respect to any Person,
         all trade secrets and other confidential,  nonpublic and/or proprietary
         information of that Person, including information derived from reports,
         investigations,  research, work in progress, codes, marketing and sales
         programs,   capital  expenditure  projects,  cost  summaries,   pricing
         formulae,  contract  analyses,   financial  information,   projections,
         confidential  filings  with any  Governmental  Authority  and all other
         confidential,  nonpublic  concepts,  methods of doing business,  ideas,
         materials or information  prepared or performed for, by or on behalf of
         that Person.

                  "Current Balance Sheet" has the meaning Paragraph 1 specifies.

                  "Current  Balance  Sheet  Date" has the  meaning  Paragraph  1
         specifies.

                  "Current  Balance Sheet Date Working  Capital" has the meaning
         Paragraph 1 specifies.

                  "Current  Date" means any day during the 20-day  period ending
         on the Closing Date.

                  "Damage"  to any  specified  Person  means,  except as Section
         6.06(c)   otherwise   provides,   any  cost,   damage   (including  any
         consequential,   exemplary,  punitive  or  treble  damage)  or  expense
         (including  reasonable  fees and  actual  disbursements  by  attorneys,
         consultants, experts or other Representatives and Litigation costs) to,
         any fine of or penalty on or any liability  (including loss of earnings
         or profits) of any other nature of that Person.

                  "Damage  Claim"  means,  as asserted (i) against any specified
         Person,  any claim,  demand or Litigation  made or pending  against the
         specified  Person  for  Damages  to any  other  Person,  or (ii) by the
         specified  Person,  any claim or demand of the specified Person against
         any other Person for Damages to the specified Person.

                  "DGCL"  means  the  General  Corporation  Law of the  State of
         Delaware.

                  "Derivative  Securities"  of  a  specified  Entity  means  any
         Capital  Stock,  debt security or other  Indebtedness  of the specified
         Entity or any other Person which is  convertible  into or  exchangeable
         for, or any option, warrant or other right to acquire, (i) any unissued
         Capital Stock of the specified  Entity or (ii) any Capital Stock of the
         specified  Entity which has been issued and is being held by the Entity
         directly or indirectly as treasury Capital Stock.

                  "Effective Time" has the meaning Paragraph 2 specifies.

                  "Election Period" has the meaning Section 7.04 specifies.

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<PAGE>


                  "Employee  Policies  and  Procedures"  means  at any  time all
         employee manuals and all material policies, procedures and work-related
         rules that apply at that time to any employee,  nonemployee director or
         officer of, or any other natural person performing  consulting or other
         independent  contractor  services  for,  the  Company  or  any  Company
         Subsidiary.

                  "Employment  Agreement" means at any time any (i) agreement to
         which the  Company  or any  Company  Subsidiary  is a party  which then
         relates to the direct or indirect  employment or engagement,  or arises
         from the past  employment or  engagement,  of any natural person by the
         Company  or  any  Company  Subsidiary,   whether  as  an  employee,   a
         nonemployee  officer or  director,  a consultant  or other  independent
         contractor,  a  sales  representative  or a  distributor  of any  kind,
         including   any  employee   leasing  or  service   agreement   and  any
         noncompetition agreement, and (ii) agreement between the Company or any
         Company  Subsidiary  and any  Person  which  arises  from the sale of a
         business by that Person to the  Company or any Company  Subsidiary  and
         limits  that  Person's  competition  with the  Company  or any  Company
         Subsidiary.

                  "Entity"   means   any   sole   proprietorship,   corporation,
         partnership  of any  kind  having  a  separate  legal  status,  limited
         liability  company,  business  trust,  unincorporated  organization  or
         association, mutual company, joint stock company or joint venture.

                  "Environmental   Laws"   means   any  and   all   Governmental
         Requirements  relating to the environment or public or worker health or
         safety,   including   ambient  air,   surface  water  (including  water
         management  and  runoff),  land  surface or  subsurface  strata,  or to
         emissions,  discharges,  releases or threatened releases of pollutants,
         contaminants, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or
         wastes   (including   Solid  Wastes,   Hazardous  Wastes  or  Hazardous
         Substances) or noxious noise or odor into the environment, or otherwise
         relating to the manufacture,  processing, distribution, use, treatment,
         storage,  disposal,   recycling,  removal,  transport  or  handling  of
         pollutants,  contaminants,  chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous
         substances  or  wastes  (including  petroleum,  petroleum  distillates,
         asbestos or asbestos-containing  material,  volatile organic compounds,
         pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls).

                  "ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of
         1974.

                  "ERISA  Affiliate" means, with respect to any specified Person
         at any time, any other Person,  including an Affiliate of the specified
         Person,  that is, or at any time  within  six years of that time was, a
         member of any ERISA  Group of which  the  specified  Person is or was a
         member at the same time.

                  "ERISA  Affiliate  Pension Plan" has the meaning  Section 2.27
         specifies.

                  "ERISA  Employee  Benefit  Plan" means any  "employee  benefit
         plan" as  defined  in  Section  3(3) of ERISA  and  includes  any ERISA
         Pension Benefit Plan.

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<PAGE>


                  "ERISA  Group" means any "group of  organizations"  within the
         meaning  of  Section  414(b),  (c),  (m)  or (o)  of  the  Code  or any
         "controlled group" as defined in Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA.

                  "ERISA  Pension  Benefit  Plan"  means any  "employee  pension
         benefit plan," as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA,  including any plan
         that is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum  funding
         standards  under Section 412 of the Code  (excluding any  Multiemployer
         Plan).

                  "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                  "Final Balance Sheet" has the meaning Section 6.07 specifies.

                  "Final Prospectus" means the prospectus USC first furnishes to
         the Underwriter  after the  Registration  Statement  becomes  effective
         under the  Securities  Act (whether or not  Securities  Act Rule 424(b)
         requires USC to file that prospectus with the SEC).

                  "Final   Working   Capital"  has  the  meaning   Section  6.07
         specifies.

                  "Financial  Statements" means the Initial Financial Statements
         and the other financial  statements of the Acquired  Business,  if any,
         delivered to USC pursuant to Section 4.09 prior to the Effective Time.

                  "Founding  Company" has the meaning the Preliminary  Statement
         specifies.

                  "GAAP" means,  as applied to any of the Financial  Statements,
         generally  accepted  accounting  principles and practices in the United
         States as in effect from time to time which (i) have been  concurred in
         by the  Independent  Accountants and (ii) have been or are applied on a
         basis  consistent  (except for changes  concurred in by the Independent
         Accountants)  with  the  most  recent  audited   Financial   Statements
         delivered to USC prior to the Effective Time.

                  "Governmental  Approval" means at any time any  authorization,
         consent,   approval,   permit,   franchise,    certificate,    license,
         implementing order or exemption of, or registration or filing with, any
         Governmental  Authority,  including any certification or licensing of a
         natural  person  to  engage  in a  profession  or trade  or a  specific
         regulated activity, at that time.

                  "Governmental  Authority"  means  (i)  any  national,   state,
         county,  municipal  or other  government,  domestic or foreign,  or any
         agency,  board,  bureau,   commission,   court,   department  or  other
         instrumentality  of any such government,  or (ii) any Person having the
         authority under any applicable  Governmental  Requirement to assess and
         collect Taxes for its own account.

                  "Governmental  Requirement"  means  at any  time  (i) any law,
         statute, code, ordinance,  order, rule, regulation,  judgment,  decree,
         injunction, writ, edict, award, authorization or other

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<PAGE>


         requirement  of any  Governmental  Authority  in effect at that time or
         (ii)  any  obligation  included  in  any  certificate,   certification,
         franchise,  permit or license issued by any  Governmental  Authority or
         resulting from binding  arbitration,  including any  requirement  under
         common law, at that time.

                  "Guaranty"   means,   for  any   specified   Person,   without
         duplication,  any  liability,  contingent or otherwise,  of that Person
         guaranteeing  or otherwise  becoming  liable for any  obligation of any
         other Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly or
         indirectly, and including any liability of the specified Person, direct
         or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the
         purchase or payment of) that  obligation  or to purchase (or to advance
         or supply  funds for the  purchase  of) any security for the payment of
         that obligation, (ii) to purchase property,  securities or services for
         the purpose of assuring the owner of that  obligation of its payment or
         (iii) to maintain  working  capital,  equity capital or other financial
         statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable
         the primary  obligor to pay that  obligation;  provided,  that the term
         "Guaranty" does not include  endorsements  for collection or deposit in
         the ordinary course of the endorser's business.

                  "HSR Act" means the Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust  Improvements
         Act of 1976.

                  "Immediate  Family Member" of a Stockholder means at any time:
         (i) if that  Stockholder is a natural  person,  any child or grandchild
         (by blood or legal  adoption)  or spouse  of that  Stockholder  at that
         time, or any child of that spouse;  and (ii) if that  Stockholder is an
         Entity  whose  ultimate  beneficial  owner is a  natural  person,  or a
         natural  person and his spouse,  any child or  grandchild  (by blood or
         legal  adoption)  or  spouse  at that  time  (if not  then an  ultimate
         beneficial owner of that Entity),  or any child of that spouse,  of the
         ultimate beneficial owner or owners.

                  "Indebtedness" of any Person means, without  duplication,  (i)
         any  liability of that Person (A) for borrowed  money or arising out of
         any extension of credit to or for the account of that Person (including
         reimbursement  or payment  obligations  with  respect to surety  bonds,
         letters of credit,  bankers' acceptances and similar instruments),  for
         the deferred  purchase  price of property or services or arising  under
         conditional sale or other title retention agreements,  other than trade
         payables  arising in the ordinary course of business,  (B) evidenced by
         notes,  bonds,  debentures  or similar  instruments,  (C) in respect of
         leases (or other agreements  conveying the right to use) property which
         GAAP  as in  effect  on the  date  of  this  Agreement  requires  to be
         classified  and  accounted  for as capital  leases or (D) in respect of
         interest rate swap,  cap or collar  agreements or similar  arrangements
         providing  for the  mitigation  of that  Person's  interest  rate risks
         either  generally or under specific  contingencies  between that Person
         and any other Person,  (ii) any liability  secured by any Lien upon any
         property  or assets of that  Person  (or upon any  revenues,  income or
         profits  of that  Person  therefrom),  whether  or not that  Person has
         assumed  that  liability  or  otherwise  become  liable for the payment
         thereof, (iii) any liability of others of the type described in the

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         preceding  clause  (i) or (ii) in  respect  of which  that  Person  has
         incurred, assumed or acquired a liability by means of a Guaranty.

                  "Indemnified Party" has the meaning Section 7.04 specifies.

                  "Indemnifying Party" has the meaning Section 7.04 specifies.

                  "Indemnity Notice" has the meaning Section 7.04 specifies.

                  "Independent Accountants" means Arthur Andersen LLP.

                  "Industry"  means the industry  involving the  production  and
         sale of ready-mixed concrete (including truck-mixed concrete) and other
         cement  mixtures  and  pre-cast   concrete  products  and  any  logical
         extension  of or  business  activity  reasonably  related to any of the
         foregoing.

                  "Industry  Laws" means any and all  Governmental  Requirements
         relating  to  the  licensing  or  other  regulation  of  the  Industry,
         including:  the Clean Air Act, 42 USC ss.ss. 401-7671q; the Clean Water
         Act,  33  USC  ss.ss.  1251-1387;   regulations  of  the  Environmental
         Protection Agency, 40 C.F.R. ss.ss.  82.150-82.166;  and state statutes
         governing licensure of facilities that operate in the Industry.

                  "Information" means written  information,  including (i) data,
         certificates,  reports and statements  (excluding Financial Statements)
         and (ii) summaries of unwritten  agreements,  arrangements,  contracts,
         plans,  policies,  programs or practices or of unwritten  amendments or
         modifications of,  supplements to or waivers under any of the foregoing
         documents.

                  "IPO" means the first time a  registration  statement  USC has
         filed under the Securities  Act and  respecting a primary  underwritten
         offering  by USC to the  public of shares of USC Common  Stock  becomes
         effective  under the Securities Act and USC issues and sells any of the
         shares registered by that registration statement to the Underwriter.

                  "IPO Closing Date" means the date on which USC first  receives
         payment for the shares of USC Common Stock it sells to the  Underwriter
         in the IPO.

                  "IPO  Price"  means the price  per share of USC  Common  Stock
         which the cover page of the Final  Prospectus  sets forth as the "price
         to public."

                  "IPO  Pricing  Date" means the date,  if any, on which USC and
         the Underwriter  agree in the  Underwriting  Agreement to the price per
         share of USC  Common  Stock at which the  Underwriter,  subject  to the
         terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, will purchase newly
         issued shares of USC Common Stock from USC on the IPO Closing Date.

                  "IRCA" means the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

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                  "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.

                  "Lien"  means,  with  respect to any  property or asset of any
         Person (or any  revenues,  income or profits of that Person  therefrom)
         (in each case whether the same is consensual or nonconsensual or arises
         by contract,  operation of law,  legal process or  otherwise),  (i) any
         mortgage, lien, security interest,  pledge,  attachment,  levy or other
         charge or encumbrance  of any kind  thereupon or in respect  thereof or
         (ii)  any  other  arrangement  under  which  the  same is  transferred,
         sequestered  or otherwise  identified  with the intention of subjecting
         the same  to,  or  making  the  same  available  for,  the  payment  or
         performance  of  any  liability  in  priority  to  the  payment  of the
         ordinary,  unsecured  creditors of that Person,  including any "adverse
         claim" (as Section 8-302(b) of each applicable  Uniform Commercial Code
         defines  that term) in the case of any Capital  Stock.  For purposes of
         this  Agreement,  a Person  will be deemed to own subject to a Lien any
         asset that it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor
         or lessor under any conditional sale agreement,  capital lease or other
         title retention agreement relating to that asset.

                  "Litigation"  means  any  action,  case,  proceeding,   claim,
         grievance,  suit or investigation  or other proceeding  conducted by or
         pending   before  any   Governmental   Authority  or  any   arbitration
         proceeding.

                  "Material"  means,  as applied  to any Entity or the  Acquired
         Business,  material to the  business,  operations,  property or assets,
         liabilities,  financial  condition  or  results of  operations  of that
         Entity  and its  Subsidiaries  considered  as a whole  or the  Acquired
         Business, as the case may be.

                  "Material   Adverse   Effect"  means,   with  respect  to  the
         consequences of any fact or  circumstance  (including the occurrence or
         non-occurrence of any event) to the Acquired  Business,  that such fact
         or  circumstance  has  caused,  is  causing  or will  cause,  directly,
         indirectly or  consequentially,  singly or in the aggregate  with other
         facts and circumstances, any Damages in excess of the Threshold Amount;
         provided that the foregoing  shall not include the  consequences of any
         fact or circumstance attributable to (i) factors affecting the Industry
         generally,  (ii)  general  national,  regional  or  local  economic  or
         financial  conditions or (iii) changes in  governmental  or legislative
         laws, rules or regulation.

                  "Material  Agreement"  of any  Entity  means any  contract  or
         agreement  (i) to which  that  Entity or any of its  Subsidiaries  is a
         party,  or by which that Entity or any of its  Subsidiaries is bound or
         to  which  any  property  or  assets  of  that  Entity  or  any  of its
         Subsidiaries is subject and (ii) which is Material to that Entity.

                  "Merger" has the meaning the Preliminary Statement specifies.

                  "Minimum Cash Amount" has the meaning Section 5.01 specifies.

                  "Minimum Cash Balance" has the meaning Paragraph 1 specifies.

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                  "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

                  "Multiemployer  Plan" means a "multiemployer  plan" as defined
         in  Section  4001(a)(3)  of ERISA,  Section  414 of the Code or Section
         3(37) of ERISA.

                  "Negative  Net   Adjustment"  has  the  meaning  Section  6.07
         specifies.

                  "Organization State" means, as applied to (i) any corporation,
         its state or other  jurisdiction  of  incorporation,  (ii) any  limited
         liability   company  or  limited   partnership,   the  state  or  other
         jurisdiction  under whose laws it is formed,  organized and existing in
         that  legal  form,  and  (iii)  any  other  Entity,  the state or other
         jurisdiction whose laws govern that Entity's internal affairs.

                  "Other  Agreements" has the meaning the Preliminary  Statement
         specifies.

                  "Other Compensation Plan" means any compensation  arrangement,
         plan, policy, practice or program established,  maintained or sponsored
         by the  Company or any Company  Subsidiary,  or to which the Company or
         any Company Subsidiary contributes,  on behalf of any of its employees,
         nonemployee  directors or officers or other natural persons  performing
         consulting or other independent  contractor services for the Company or
         any Company  Subsidiary,  (i) including all such  arrangements,  plans,
         policies,  practices or programs  providing for severance pay, deferred
         compensation,  incentive,  bonus or performance awards or the actual or
         phantom ownership of any Capital Stock or Derivative  Securities of the
         Company or any Company Subsidiary, but (ii) excluding all Company ERISA
         Pension Plans and Employment Agreements.

                  "Other  Financing   Sources"  has  the  meaning  Section  5.01
         specifies.

                  "Other  Founding  Company"  has the  meaning  the  Preliminary
         Statement specifies.

                  "Other  Transaction  Documents" means the Other Agreements and
         the other written agreements,  documents,  instruments and certificates
         at any time  executed  pursuant  to or in  connection  with  the  Other
         Agreements  (other than the Transaction  Documents and the Underwriting
         Agreement), all as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

                  "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

                  "Permitted  Investments" means: (i) at the time of purchase or
         other  acquisition  by the  Company  or  any  Company  Subsidiary,  (A)
         obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States of America with a
         remaining  maturity not exceeding one year, (B)  commercial  paper with
         maturities of not more than 270 days and a published rating of not less
         than A-1 by S&P or P-1 by Moody's and (C)  certificates  of deposit and
         bankers' acceptances having maturities of not more than one year of any
         commercial  bank or trust company if (1) that bank or trust company has
         a combined  capital  and surplus of at least  $500,000,000  and (2) its
         unsecured

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<PAGE>


         long-term debt  obligations,  or those of a holding company of which it
         is a  subsidiary,  are rated not less than A- by S&P or A3 by  Moody's;
         and (ii) other  extensions of credit made by the Company or any Company
         Subsidiary  to its  retail  customers  in the  ordinary  course  of its
         business and consistent with its past practices.

                  "Permitted  Liens" means, as applied to the property or assets
         of any  Person  (or any  revenues,  income or  profits  of that  Person
         therefrom): (i) Liens for Taxes if the same are not at the time due and
         delinquent; (ii) Liens of carriers,  warehousemen,  mechanics, laborers
         and  materialmen  for sums not yet due;  (iii)  Liens  incurred  in the
         ordinary  course of that Person's  business in connection with worker's
         compensation,   unemployment   insurance  and  other  social   security
         legislation  (other  than  pursuant  to ERISA or Section  412(n) of the
         Code);  (iv) Liens  incurred in the  ordinary  course of that  Person's
         business  in  connection  with  deposit   accounts  or  to  secure  the
         performance of bids, tenders,  trade contracts,  statutory obligations,
         surety and appeal  bonds,  performance  and  return-of-money  bonds and
         other  obligations  of  like  nature;  (v)  easements,   rights-of-way,
         reservations,  restrictions and other similar encumbrances  incurred in
         the ordinary  course of that Person's  business or existing on property
         and not  materially  interfering  with  the  ordinary  conduct  of that
         Person's  business  or the  use  of  that  property;  (vi)  defects  or
         irregularities  in that Person's title to its real properties  which do
         not  materially  (A)  diminish  the value of the surface  estate or (B)
         interfere  with the ordinary  conduct of that Person's  business or the
         use of any of such properties;  (vii) any interest or title of a lessor
         of assets that Person is leasing pursuant to any capital lease Schedule
         2.18 lists or any lease that,  pursuant to GAAP, would be accounted for
         as an  operating  lease;  and  (viii)  Liens  securing  purchase  money
         Indebtedness Schedule 2.17 or 2.18 lists, so long as those Liens do not
         attach to any  property or assets other than the  properties  or assets
         purchased with the proceeds of that Indebtedness.

                  "Person"  means any natural  person,  Entity,  estate,  trust,
         union or employee  organization or  Governmental  Authority or, for the
         purpose of the definition of "ERISA Affiliate," any trade or business.

                  "Plan" has the meaning Section 2.28 specifies.

                  "Pre-Acquisition   Claims"  has  the  meaning   Section  10.12
         specifies.

                  "Positive  Net   Adjustment"  has  the  meaning  Section  6.07
         specifies.

                  "Pre-Acquisition   Matters"  has  the  meaning  Section  10.12
         specifies.

                  "Private  Placement  Memorandum"  means the Private  Placement
         Memorandum of USC dated March 20, 1999 and relating to the offer of USC
         Common Stock in connection with the Acquisition.

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                  "Prohibited  Transaction" means any transaction either Section
         4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA  prohibits and neither Section
         4975 of the Code nor Section 408 of ERISA exempts.

                  "Proprietary  Rights"  means  (i)  patents,  applications  for
         patents  and  patent  rights,  (ii) in each case,  whether  registered,
         unregistered or under pending  registration,  trademark  rights,  trade
         names, trade name rights, corporate names, business names, trade styles
         or dress,  service  marks and logos and other  trade  designations  and
         copyrights  and, in the case of the Company or any Company  Subsidiary,
         (iii) all agreements relating to the technology,  know-how or processes
         used in any business of the Company or any Company Subsidiary.

                  "Pro Rata Share" has the meaning Paragraph 1 specifies.

                  "Qualified Plans" has the meaning Section 2.28 specifies.

                  "RCRA"  means the  Resource  Conservation  and Recovery Act of
         1976.

                  "Registration  Rights Agreement" means the registration rights
         agreement  to be executed  and  delivered at the Closing by USC and the
         Stockholders  electing  to be  parties  thereto  in  the  form  thereof
         attached as Exhibit 9.01, with the blanks appropriately filled.

                  "Registration  Statement"  means the  registration  statement,
         including (i) each preliminary prospectus it contains prior to the date
         on which it becomes  effective  under the Securities Act (including any
         prospectus  USC files  with the SEC  pursuant  to  Securities  Act Rule
         424(b)), (ii) the Final Prospectus and (iii) any amendments thereof and
         all  supplements  and  exhibits  thereto,  USC  files  with  the SEC to
         register shares of USC Common Stock under the Securities Act for public
         offering and sale in the IPO.

                  "Related  Party   Agreement"   means  any  contract  or  other
         agreement,  written or oral,  (i) to which the  Company or any  Company
         Subsidiary  is a party  or is bound or by  which  any  property  of the
         Company or any Company  Subsidiary  is bound or may be subject and (ii)
         (A) to  which  any  Stockholder  or any of that  Stockholder's  Related
         Persons or  Affiliates  (other  than any other  Entity  included in the
         Acquired Business) also is a party, (B) of which any Stockholder or any
         of that  Stockholder's  Related  Persons or Affiliates  (other than any
         other Entity included in the Acquired Business) is a beneficiary or (C)
         as to which any  transaction  contemplated  thereby  properly  would be
         characterized  (without  regard to the  amount  involved)  as a related
         party transaction for purposes of applying the disclosure  requirements
         of  GAAP or the  SEC  applicable  to the  financial  statements  of the
         Acquired Business which the Registration Statement includes.

                  "Related   Person"  of  a  Stockholder   means:  (i)  if  that
         Stockholder  is a natural  person,  (A) any Immediate  Family Member of
         that  Stockholder,  (B) any Estate of that Stockholder or any Immediate
         Family Member of that  Stockholder,  (C) the trustee of any inter vivos
         or  testamentary  trust  of which  all the  beneficiaries  are  Related
         Persons of that Stockholder and

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<PAGE>


         (D) any Entity the entire equity  interest in which is owned by any one
         or more of that  Stockholder and Related  Persons of that  Stockholder;
         and (ii) if that  Stockholder  is an Entity,  Estate or trust,  (A) any
         Person  who owns an equity  interest  in that  Stockholder  on the date
         hereof,  (B) any Person who would be a Related  Person under clause (i)
         of this  definition of a natural  person who is an ultimate  beneficial
         owner of that  Stockholder  or (C) any other  Entity the entire  equity
         interest in which is owned by any one or more of that  Stockholder  and
         Related  Persons  of that  Stockholder.  In this  definition,  "Estate"
         means,  as to any  natural  person  who has  died  or been  adjudicated
         mentally  incompetent  by a court of competent  jurisdiction,  (i) that
         person's  estate  or (ii)  the  administrator,  conservator,  executor,
         guardian or representative of that estate.

                  "Reportable  Event"  means,  with respect to any Company ERISA
         Pension  Plan,  (i) the  occurrence  of any of the  events set forth in
         Section  4043(b) or (c) (other than a Reportable  Event as to which the
         provision  of 30 days'  notice to the PBGC is waived  under  applicable
         regulations),  4062(e) or  4063(a) of ERISA with  respect to that plan,
         (ii) any event  requiring the Company or any ERISA Affiliate to provide
         security to that plan under Section 401(a)(29) of the Code or (iii) any
         failure  to make a payment  Section  412(m) of the Code  requires  with
         respect to that plan.

                  "Representatives"  means,  with  respect  to any  Person,  the
         directors,  officers,  employees,  Affiliates,  accountants  (including
         independent   certified  public  accountants),   advisors,   attorneys,
         consultants   or  other   agents   of  that   Person,   or  any   other
         representatives of that Person or of any of those directors,  officers,
         employees,  Affiliates,  accountants  (including  independent certified
         public accountants), advisors, attorneys, consultants or other agents.

                  "Restricted  Payment" means, with respect to any Entity at any
         time, any of the following that Entity effects:  (i) any declaration or
         payment of any dividend or other distribution,  direct or indirect,  on
         account of any Capital  Stock of that Entity or any  Affiliate  of that
         Entity; (ii) any direct or indirect redemption, retirement, purchase or
         other  acquisition  for value of, or any direct or  indirect  purchase,
         payment  or  sinking  fund  or  similar  deposit  for  the  redemption,
         retirement,  purchase or other  acquisition  for value of, or to obtain
         the surrender of, any then outstanding  Capital Stock of that Entity or
         any Affiliate of that Entity or any then outstanding warrants,  options
         or other  rights to acquire or  subscribe  for or purchase  unissued or
         treasury  Capital Stock of that Entity or any Affiliate of that Entity;
         or (iii) any payment or  distribution  of, or any  commitment to pay or
         distribute,  any cash or other  property  if, for purposes of the Code,
         that payment or distribution would (or reasonably could be expected to)
         constitute a constructive dividend to any Stockholder.

                  "Restricted Period" has the meaning Section 10.14 specifies.

                  "Returns" of a Person means the returns, reports or statements
         (including  any  information  returns)  any  Governmental   Requirement
         requires that Person to file for purposes of any Tax.

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<PAGE>


                  "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                  "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933.

                  "Solid Wastes,  Hazardous Wastes or Hazardous Substances" have
         the  meanings  ascribed  to those  terms in  CERCLA,  RCRA or any other
         Environmental  Law  applicable  to the  business or  operations  of the
         Company or any Company  Subsidiary  which imparts a broader  meaning to
         any of those terms than does CERCLA or RCRA.

                  "S&P" means Standard and Poor's Rating Services.

                  "Stockholder Indemnified Party" means (i) each Stockholder and
         each of that Stockholder's  Affiliates (other than the Company,  any of
         the other Combined  Companies,  if any, or any Subsidiary of any of the
         Combined  Companies,  if any, or,  following  the Effective  Time,  the
         Surviving  Corporation  or  USC or  any  of  its  Subsidiaries,  if the
         Stockholder is an Affiliate of USC),  agents and counsel and (ii) prior
         to the Effective Time, the Company and each of its officers, directors,
         employees,  agents  and  counsel  who are not  Stockholder  Indemnified
         Parties within the meaning of clause (i) of this definition.

                  "Stockholder  Indemnified  Loss" has the meaning  Section 7.03
         specifies.

                  "Stockholder  Unindemnified Loss" has the meaning Section 6.06
         specifies.

                  "Subsidiary"  of any specified  Person at any time,  means any
         Entity a majority of the  Capital  Stock of which is at that time owned
         or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the specified Person.

                  "Supplemental   Information"  has  the  meaning  Section  4.07
         specifies.

                  "Tax"  or  "Taxes"  means  all  net  or  gross  income,  gross
         receipts, net proceeds, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, franchise,
         bank shares, withholding,  payroll, employment, excise, property, deed,
         stamp,  alternative or add-on  minimum,  environmental  or other taxes,
         assessments,  duties,  fees,  levies or other  governmental  charges or
         assessments  of  any  nature  whatever   imposed  by  any  Governmental
         Requirement,  whether  disputed  or not,  together  with any  interest,
         penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts with respect thereto.

                  "Taxing Authority" means any Governmental  Authority having or
         purporting to exercise jurisdiction with respect to any Tax.

                  "Termination Date" has the meaning Paragraph 1 specifies.

                  "Termination  Event" means,  with respect to any Company ERISA
         Pension Plan, (i) any Reportable  Event with respect to that plan which
         is  likely  to  result  in the  termination  of  that  plan,  (ii)  the
         termination of, or the filing of a notice of intent to terminate,  that
         plan or

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<PAGE>


         the  treatment  of any  amendment to that plan as a  termination  under
         Section  4041(c) of ERISA or (iii) the  institution  of  proceedings to
         terminate,  or the  appointment of a trustee to  administer,  that plan
         under Section 4042 of ERISA.

                  "Third  Party  Claim"  means any claim  asserted by any Person
         that or who is not a party to this  Agreement  against any  Indemnified
         Party.

                  "Threshold Amount" means 1% of the Ceiling Amount.

                  "Transaction Document" means this Agreement,  the Certificates
         of Merger,  the  Registration  Rights  Agreement  and the other written
         agreements,  documents,  instruments and certificates executed pursuant
         to  or  in  connection  with  this  Agreement  (other  than  the  Other
         Transaction Documents and the Underwriting Agreement),  including those
         Article V specifies  are to be delivered at or before the Closing,  all
         as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

                  "Transfer Taxes" has the meaning Section 10.05 specifies.

                  "Underwriter"  means  collectively (i) the investment  banking
         firms that prospectively may enter into the Underwriting  Agreement and
         (ii) from and after the IPO Pricing Date, the investment  banking firms
         parties to the Underwriting Agreement.

                  "Underwriting  Agreement" has the meaning Section 5.01(a)(iii)
         specifies.

                  "USC  Acquisition  Candidate"  means any  Entity (i) which the
         Acquired  Business or any Entity the Acquired  Business includes or USC
         has called on in  connection  with the possible  acquisition  by any of
         them  of  that  Entity  or  (ii)  of  which  any of  them  has  made an
         acquisition  analysis,  in any case where such Entity is engaged in any
         aspect of the Industry.

                  "USC Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $.001 per
         share, of USC.

                  "USC Indemnified Loss" has the meaning Section 7.02 specifies.

                  "USC Indemnified  Party" means USC and its Affiliates and each
         of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and counsel;
         provided,  however,  that no Person  who  indemnifies  USC  Indemnified
         Parties in this  Agreement in his capacity as a  Stockholder  will be a
         USC Indemnified  Party for purposes of this Agreement,  notwithstanding
         that the Person is a USC Indemnified  Party for purposes of one or more
         of the Other Agreements.

                  "USC Sub Common Stock" has the meaning Paragraph 1 specifies.

                  "USC   Unindemnified   Loss"  has  the  meaning  Section  6.06
         specifies.

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                  "Welfare  Plan" means an "employee  welfare  benefit  plan" as
         defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA.

                  "Wholly  Owned  Subsidiary"  means  any  corporation  or other
         Entity all of whose outstanding  Capital Stock on a fully diluted basis
         the Company owns and controls,  directly or indirectly  through another
         Wholly Owned Subsidiary.

                  "Working  Capital  Adjustment"  has the meaning  Section  6.07
         specifies.

           Section    b.            Other Defined  Terms.  Words and terms these
                           Uniform Provisions use which are defined elsewhere in
                           this Agreement are used herein as therein defined.

           Section    c.            Other Definitional Provisions. (a) Except as
                           this Agreement  otherwise  specifies,  all references
                           herein to any  Governmental  Requirement  defined  or
                           referred  to  herein,  including  the  Code,  CERCLA,
                           ERISA, the Exchange Act, RCRA and the Securities Act,
                           are  references to that  Governmental  Requirement or
                           any successor Governmental  Requirement,  as the same
                           may have been  amended or  supplemented  from time to
                           time,  and  any  rules  or  regulations   promulgated
                           thereunder.

                  (b) This  Agreement  uses the  words  "herein,"  "hereof"  and
"hereunder"  and words of similar  import to refer to this  Agreement as a whole
and  not  to  any  provision  of  this  Agreement,   and  the  words  "Article,"
"Paragraph," "Section," "Preliminary Statement," "Annex," "Addendum," "Schedule"
and "Exhibit"  refer to Articles,  Paragraphs  and Sections of, the  Preliminary
Statement in, and Annexes,  Addenda,  Schedules and Exhibits to, this  Agreement
unless it otherwise specifies.

                  (c)  Whenever the context so  requires,  the  singular  number
includes the plural and vice versa,  and a reference to one gender  includes the
other gender and the neuter.

                  (d) The word "including" (and, with correlative  meaning,  the
word  "include")  means  including,  without  limiting  the  generality  of  any
description  preceding  such  word,  and the words  "shall"  and "will" are used
interchangeably and have the same meaning.

                  (e) The phrase "to the  knowledge  of the  Company" or phrases
with similar wording,  when used in this Agreement to qualify any representation
or  warranty  Article  II  contains,  means  the  collective  knowledge,   after
reasonable investigation,  of each Stockholder and each other Person who holds a
management position with the Company as of the date hereof;  provided,  however,
that if any Governmental  Requirement  referred to in any such representation or
warranty  specifies  a  different  meaning for that  phrase,  the  meaning  that
Governmental   Requirement   specifies   will   apply  for   purposes   of  that
representation and warranty.

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<PAGE>


           Section    d.            Captions.  This Agreement  includes captions
                           to Articles, Paragraphs, Sections and subsections of,
                           and Annexes, Addenda, Schedules and Exhibits to, this
                           Agreement  or  any  other  Transaction  Document  for
                           convenience of reference  only, and these captions do
                           not  constitute a part of this Agreement or any other
                           Transaction  Document for any other purpose or in any
                           way  affect  the  meaning  or   construction  of  any
                           provision of this Agreement or any other  Transaction
                           Document.


                            ARTICLE 10.

                        GENERAL PROVISIONS

           Section    a.            Treatment of Confidential  Information.  (a)
                           Each of the Company and the  Stockholders,  severally
                           and not jointly with any other  Person,  acknowledges
                           that it has or may  have had in the  past,  currently
                           has and in the future may have access to Confidential
                           Information   of  the   Company   and   the   Company
                           Subsidiaries,  the Other Founding Companies and their
                           Subsidiaries  and USC and its  Subsidiaries.  Each of
                           the Company and the  Stockholders,  severally and not
                           jointly  with any other  Person,  agrees that it will
                           keep confidential all that  Confidential  Information
                           furnished to it and,  except with the specific  prior
                           written  consent  of  USC,  will  not  disclose  that
                           Confidential  Information  to any  Person  except (i)
                           Representatives    of   USC   and    (ii)   its   own
                           Representatives,  provided that these Representatives
                           (other  than  counsel)  agree to the  confidentiality
                           provisions of this Section 10.01; provided,  however,
                           that,   for   purpose  of  this   Section   10.01(a),
                           Confidential   Information   does  not  include  such
                           information  as  (i)  becomes  known  to  the  public
                           generally  through no fault of any Stockholder,  (ii)
                           is  required to be  disclosed  by law or the order of
                           any  Governmental   Authority  under  color  of  law,
                           provided,  that prior to disclosing  any  information
                           pursuant to this clause (ii), each  Stockholder  will
                           give prior written  notice thereof to USC and provide
                           USC with the opportunity to contest that  disclosure,
                           or (iii) the disclosing party reasonably  believes is
                           required  to be  disclosed  in  connection  with  the
                           defense of a lawsuit against the disclosing party. In
                           the  event of a breach  or  threatened  breach by any
                           Stockholder  of the  provisions of this Section 10.01
                           with  respect to any  Confidential  Information,  USC
                           will be entitled to an  injunction  restraining  that
                           Stockholder from disclosing, in

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                           whole  or in  part,  that  Confidential  Information.
                           Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting  USC
                           from  pursuing  any other  available  remedy for such
                           breach or threatened  breach,  including the recovery
                           of damages.

                  (b) Because of (i) the difficulty of measuring economic losses
as a result of the breach of the  foregoing  covenants  in Section  10.01(a) and
(ii) the immediate and irreparable  damage that would be caused to USC for which
it would have no other adequate remedy, each of the Company and the Stockholders
agrees that USC may enforce the  provisions of Section  10.01(a) by  injunctions
and  restraining  orders  against  each  of  them  who  breaches  any  of  those
provisions.

                  (c) USC acknowledges  that it has or may have had in the past,
currently has and in the future may have access to  Confidential  Information of
the Company and the Company  Subsidiaries.  USC agrees that, until the Effective
Time, it will keep confidential all that Confidential  Information  furnished to
it and, except with the specific prior written consent of the Company,  will not
disclose that Confidential Information to any Person prior to the Effective Time
except as Section 4.01(a) contemplates; provided, however, that, for purposes of
this  Section   10.01(c),   Confidential   Information  does  not  include  such
information  as (i) becomes  known to the public  generally  through no fault of
USC,  (ii) is required to be disclosed  by law or the order of any  Governmental
Authority under color of law, provided, that prior to disclosing any information
pursuant to this clause (ii),  USC will, if possible,  give prior written notice
thereof to the Company and provide the Company with the  opportunity  to contest
that disclosure, or (iii) USC reasonably believes is required to be disclosed in
connection with the defense of a lawsuit against it. In the event of a breach or
threatened breach by USC of the provisions of this Section 10.01 with respect to
any  Confidential  Information,  the Company  will be entitled to an  injunction
restraining  USC  from  disclosing,  in  whole  or in  part,  that  Confidential
Information.  Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting  the Company from
pursuing  any other  available  remedy  for such  breach or  threatened  breach,
including the recovery of damages.

                  (d) Because of (i) the difficulty of measuring economic losses
as a result of the breach of the  foregoing  covenants  in Section  10.01(c) and
(ii) the  immediate and  irreparable  damage that would be caused to the Company
for which it would have no other  adequate  remedy,  USC agrees that the Company
may enforce the provisions of Section  10.01(c) by injunctions  and  restraining
orders against it.

                  (e) The  obligations  of the parties  under this Section 10.01
will survive the termination of this Agreement.

           Section    b.            Brokers and Agents.  Except as Schedule 1.04
                           sets forth,  the  Stockholders  jointly and severally
                           represent and warrant to USC that the Company has not
                           directly or indirectly  employed or become  obligated
                           to pay any broker or similar agent in connection with
                           the  transactions   contemplated  hereby  and  agree,
                           without regard to the

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                           Threshold Amount limitations  Article VII sets forth,
                           to indemnify  USC against all Damage  Claims  arising
                           out of claims for any and all fees and commissions of
                           brokers  or  similar  agents   employed  or  promised
                           payment by the Company.

           Section    c.            Assignment;  No Third  Party  Beneficiaries.
                           This   Agreement   and  the  rights  of  the  parties
                           hereunder may not be assigned (except by operation of
                           law) and will be binding on and inure to the  benefit
                           of the parties hereto,  the successors of USC and the
                           heirs and legal  representatives  of the Stockholders
                           (and,  in  the  case  of  any  trust,  the  successor
                           trustees of that trust).  Neither this  Agreement nor
                           any other Transaction Document is intended,  or shall
                           be construed, deemed or interpreted, to confer on any
                           Person not a party  hereto or  thereto  any rights or
                           remedies hereunder or thereunder, except as the final
                           sentence  of Section  1.05,  Article  VII and Section
                           10.12  provide  or as  otherwise  provided  expressly
                           herein or therein.

           Section    d.            Entire Agreement;  Amendment;  Waivers. This
                           Agreement and the documents delivered pursuant hereto
                           constitute  the entire  agreement  and  understanding
                           among the Stockholders,  the Company, USC Sub and USC
                           and    supersede    all    prior    agreements    and
                           understandings,  both  written and oral,  relating to
                           the subject matter of this Agreement.  This Agreement
                           may be  amended,  modified or  supplemented,  and any
                           right hereunder may be waived,  if, but only if, that
                           amendment,  modification,  supplement or waiver is in
                           writing  and signed by the  Stockholders  entitled to
                           receive  at  least  80%  of  the  total   Acquisition
                           Consideration,   the  Company   and  USC;   provided,
                           however,   that  no  such  amendment,   modification,
                           supplement  or waiver will be effective  unless it is
                           signed by each  Stockholder  affected  thereby to the
                           extent that it (i) changes the several nature of that
                           Stockholder's  representations and warranties (to the
                           extent  they are not  already  joint and  several  as
                           Article II and Section 10.02  provide),  (ii) reduces
                           the  amount,  or  changes  the  components,   of  the
                           Acquisition   Consideration   that   Stockholder   is
                           entitled to receive  pursuant to Paragraph 2 or (iii)
                           amends or waives this sentence.  The waiver of any of
                           the  terms  and   conditions   hereof  shall  not  be
                           construed  or  interpreted  as,  or  deemed  to be, a
                           waiver of any other term or condition hereof.

                                       101

<PAGE>


           Section    e.            Expenses.  Whether  or not the  transactions
                           contemplated hereby are consummated, (i) USC will pay
                           the fees,  expenses and  disbursements of USC and its
                           Subsidiaries and their  Representatives in connection
                           with the  subject  matter of this  Agreement  and any
                           amendments thereto,  including all costs and expenses
                           incurred in the  performance of and  compliance  with
                           all  conditions  to be  performed  by USC and USC Sub
                           under this Agreement,  and (ii) the Stockholders will
                           pay, from personal  funds,  and not from funds of the
                           Company or any Company  Subsidiary,  all sales,  use,
                           transfer  and  other  similar  taxes   (collectively,
                           "Transfer  Taxes") and fees  incurred  in  connection
                           with the transactions  contemplated hereby, including
                           the fees, expenses and disbursements  counsel for the
                           Company and the Stockholders incur in connection with
                           the  subject  matter  of  this  Agreement;  provided,
                           however,  that the Stockholders may cause the Company
                           to pay the  reasonable and customary  fees,  expenses
                           and  disbursements of counsel for the Company and the
                           Stockholders  incurred in connection with the subject
                           matter of this Agreement on or before the IPO Closing
                           Date  to  the  extent   those  fees,   expenses   and
                           disbursements  have  been paid on or prior to the IPO
                           Closing  Date or are recorded as  liabilities  on the
                           Final Balance Sheet. The  Stockholders  will file all
                           necessary  documentation  and Returns with respect to
                           all Transfer  Taxes.  In addition,  each  Stockholder
                           acknowledges  that he, and not the  Company or USC or
                           the Surviving Corporation,  will pay all Taxes due on
                           receipt   of  the   consideration   payable  to  that
                           Stockholder   pursuant  to  the   transactions   this
                           Agreement contemplates.

           Section    f.            Notices.  All notices  required or permitted
                           hereunder must be in writing and will be deemed to be
                           delivered and received (i) if personally delivered or
                           if delivered by telex, telegram, facsimile or courier
                           service,  when actually received by the party to whom
                           notice is sent or (ii) if delivered by mail  (whether
                           actually  received or not),  at the close of business
                           on  the  third  Houston,   Texas  business  day  next
                           following  the day when  placed in the mail,  postage
                           prepaid,  certified or  registered,  addressed to the
                           appropriate party or parties,  at the address of such
                           party or  parties  set forth  below (or at such other
                           address as such party may designate by written notice
                           to all other parties in accordance herewith):

                                      102

<PAGE>


                  (i)      if to USC or USC Sub, addressed to it at:

                           U.S. Concrete, Inc.
                           1360 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 800
                           Houston, Texas 77056
                           Attn.:  Chief Executive Officer
                           Facsimile: 713-350-6001

         with copies  (which  will not  constitute  notice for  purposes of this
         Agreement) to:

                           Baker & Botts, L.L.P.
                           One Shell Plaza
                           Houston, Texas  77002-4995
                           Attn: Ted W. Paris, Esq.
                           Facsimile: 713-229-1522

                  (ii) if to the Company or any of the  Stockholders,  addressed
         to that Person as Paragraph 7 sets forth.

           Section    g.            Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights
                           and  obligations  of  the  parties  hereto  shall  be
                           governed by and  construed and enforced in accordance
                           with the  substantive  laws of the  State of New York
                           without  regard to the  conflicts  of law  provisions
                           thereof.

           Section    h.            Exercise of Rights and  Remedies.  Except as
                           otherwise  provided  herein,  no delay or omission in
                           the exercise of any right,  power or remedy  accruing
                           to any  party  hereto  as a result  of any  breach or
                           default  hereunder  by any other  party  hereto  will
                           impair any such right,  power or remedy,  nor will it
                           be construed, deemed or interpreted as a waiver of or
                           acquiescence in any such breach or default, or of any
                           similar breach or default  occurring  later; nor will
                           any  waiver  of  any  single  breach  or  default  be
                           construed,  deemed or  interpreted as a waiver of any
                           other breach or default hereunder occurring before or
                           after that waiver.

           Section    i.            Time.   Time  is  of  the   essence  in  the
                           performance of this Agreement in all respects.

           Section    j.            Reformation   and   Severability.   If   any
                           provision of this  Agreement  is invalid,  illegal or
                           unenforceable,  that  provision  will,  to the extent
                           possible,  be modified in such manner as to be valid,
                           legal and enforceable but so as to most nearly retain

                                       103

<PAGE>


                           the intent of the parties hereto as expressed herein,
                           and if  such a  modification  is not  possible,  that
                           provision will be severed from this Agreement, and in
                           either case the validity, legality and enforceability
                           of the remaining  provisions of this  Agreement  will
                           not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

           Section    k.            Remedies  Cumulative.  No  right,  remedy or
                           election  any term of this  Agreement  gives  will be
                           deemed  exclusive,  but each will be cumulative  with
                           all other rights, remedies and elections available at
                           law or in equity.

           Section    l.            Release. Notwithstanding any other provision
                           of this Agreement and subject to the  limitations the
                           last sentence of this Section 10.12 sets forth,  each
                           Stockholder  hereby  unconditionally  and irrevocably
                           releases and forever discharges,  effective as of and
                           forever  after the  Effective  Time,  to the  fullest
                           extent permitted by applicable law, all past, present
                           and future USC Indemnified Parties (including,  after
                           the  Effective  Time,  each  of the  Company  and the
                           Company  Subsidiaries  which is a  Subsidiary  of USC
                           immediately after the Effective Time)  (collectively,
                           the  "Released  Parties")  from  any and  all  debts,
                           liabilities, obligations, claims, demands, actions or
                           causes of action,  suits,  judgments or controversies
                           of     any     kind     whatsoever     (collectively,
                           "Pre-Acquisition Claims") against the Company and the
                           Company  Subsidiaries,  if any,  or any of them  that
                           arises  out  of or  is  based  on  any  agreement  or
                           understanding or act or failure to act (including any
                           act or failure to act that  constitutes  ordinary  or
                           gross  negligence  or  reckless  or  willful,  wanton
                           misconduct),       misrepresentation,       omission,
                           transaction,  fact,  event or other matter  occurring
                           prior to the  Effective  Time  (whether  based on any
                           Governmental  Requirement or right of action,  at law
                           or in equity or  otherwise,  foreseen or  unforeseen,
                           matured or  unmatured,  known or unknown,  accrued or
                           not    accrued)    (collectively,    "Pre-Acquisition
                           Matters"),  including without limitation:  (i) claims
                           by the Stockholder with respect to repayment of loans
                           or indebtedness (except for promissory notes taken by
                           the  Stockholder  with  respect to the payment of the
                           1998 Restricted Payment Amount or the 1999 Restricted
                           Payment   Amount);   (ii)  any  rights,   titles  and
                           interests   in,   to   or   under   any   agreements,
                           arrangements   or   understandings   to   which   the
                           Stockholder  is a  party;  and  (iii)  claims  by the
                           Stockholder

                                       104

<PAGE>


                           with respect to  dividends,  violation of  preemptive
                           rights, or payment of salaries or other  compensation
                           or in any way  arising out of or in  connection  with
                           the Stockholder's  employment with the Company or any
                           Company Subsidiary, the cessation of that employment,
                           the Stockholder's  status as an officer,  director or
                           stockholder   of  the  Company  or   otherwise   (but
                           excluding  any  and  all  claims  in  respect  of (A)
                           accrued and unpaid  amounts owing to the  Stockholder
                           pursuant to each Employment  Agreement  Schedule 2.27
                           lists  to  which  the  Stockholder  is a  party,  (B)
                           accrued  and unpaid  Cash  Compensation  owing to the
                           Stockholder  at the rates or in the  amounts,  as the
                           case  may be,  set  forth in the  list  Section  2.27
                           describes,  (C) benefits  accrued  under each Company
                           ERISA Benefit Plan or Other  Compensation  Plan,  the
                           existence of which  Schedule  2.27  discloses and (D)
                           amounts   or   other   obligations   owing   to   the
                           Stockholder, directly or indirectly, pursuant to each
                           Related Party Agreement,  if any, which Schedule 2.12
                           discloses and to which the  Stockholder,  directly or
                           indirectly,  is a  party).  The  Stockholder  further
                           agrees not to file or bring any Litigation before any
                           Governmental  Authority on the basis of or respecting
                           any    Pre-Acquisition     Claim    concerning    any
                           Pre-Acquisition  Matter  against any Released  Party.
                           Each  Stockholder  (i)  acknowledges  that  he or she
                           fully  comprehends  and  understands all the terms of
                           this Section  10.12 and their legal  effects and (ii)
                           expressly  represents and warrants that (A) he or she
                           is  competent  to  effect  the  release  made in this
                           Section 10.12  knowingly and  voluntarily and without
                           reliance on any  statement or  representation  of any
                           Released Party or its  Representatives  and (B) he or
                           she had the  opportunity  to consult with an attorney
                           of his or her choice  regarding  this Section  10.12.
                           This Section  10.12 will not affect the rights of the
                           Stockholders   under  this  Agreement  or  any  other
                           Transaction Document.

           Section    m.            Respecting  the IPO. Each of the Company and
                           the Stockholders acknowledges and agrees that: (i) no
                           firm  commitment,  binding  agreement  or  promise or
                           other  assurance  of any  kind,  whether  express  or
                           implied,  oral or written,  exists at the date hereof
                           that the Registration Statement will become effective
                           or that the IPO will occur at a  particular  price or
                           within a particular  range of prices or occur at all;
                           (ii)  neither USC or any of its  Representatives  nor
                           any prospective underwriters in the IPO will have any
                           liability

                                       105

<PAGE>


                           to the  Company,  the  Stockholders  or any of  their
                           respective  Affiliates or associates  for any failure
                           of (A) the Registration Statement to become effective
                           (provided,  however, that USC will use its reasonable
                           best efforts to cause the  Registration  Statement to
                           become  effective prior to the  Termination  Date) or
                           (B) the IPO to occur at a particular  price or within
                           a particular  range of prices or to occur at all; and
                           (iii) the decision of Stockholders to enter into this
                           Agreement,  or to vote in favor of or  consent to the
                           Merger,  has been or will be made independent of, and
                           without  reliance  on, any  statements,  opinions  or
                           other    communications    of,   or   due   diligence
                           investigations  that  have  been  or  will be made or
                           performed by, any prospective underwriter relative to
                           USC  or  the  IPO.  The  Underwriter   will  have  no
                           obligation to any of the Company and the Stockholders
                           with  respect  to  any  disclosure  contained  in the
                           Registration  Statement.   Each  Stockholder  further
                           agrees  to  execute  and  deliver  to the  investment
                           banking firm acting as the lead managing  underwriter
                           for the IPO (if  requested  by that firm) a customary
                           lockup  agreement  pursuant to which that Stockholder
                           will agree not to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose
                           of any shares of USC Common  Stock during a period of
                           time,  not to exceed 180 days,  following the date of
                           the Final Prospectus.

           Section    n.            Restrictions   on  Transfer  of  USC  Common
                           Stock.  (a) During the one-year  period ending on the
                           first   anniversary   of  the   Closing   Date   (the
                           "Restricted  Period"),  no  Stockholder   voluntarily
                           will: (i) sell, assign, exchange, transfer, encumber,
                           pledge,  distribute,  appoint or otherwise dispose of
                           (A) any shares of USC Common  Stock  received  by any
                           Stockholder  in the  Merger  or (B) any  interest  in
                           (including  any  option  to buy or sell) any of those
                           shares of USC Common Stock,  in whole or in part, and
                           USC will have no obligation  to, and will not,  treat
                           any such  attempted  transfer  as  effective  for any
                           purpose;  or (ii) engage in any transaction,  whether
                           or not with respect to any shares of USC Common Stock
                           or any  interest  therein,  the  intent  or effect of
                           which is to reduce  the risk of owning  the shares of
                           USC Common  Stock  acquired  pursuant to  Paragraph 2
                           (including,   for  example  engaging  in  put,  call,
                           short-sale, straddle or similar market transactions);
                           provided,  however,  that this Section 10.14 will not
                           restrict any transfer of USC Common Stock acquired by
                           a Stockholder  pursuant to Paragraph 2 to any of that
                           Stockholder's Related Persons who agree in

                                       106

<PAGE>


                           writing  to be bound  by the  provisions  of  Section
                           10.01  and  this  Section  10.14.   The  certificates
                           evidencing  the USC Common  Stock  delivered  to each
                           Stockholder  pursuant  to  Paragraph  2  will  bear a
                           legend  substantially in the form set forth below and
                           containing  such  other  information  as USC may deem
                           necessary or appropriate:

         Except   pursuant   to  the  terms  of  the   Agreement   and  Plan  of
         Reorganization among the issuer, the holder of this certificate and the
         other parties thereto,  the shares  represented by this certificate may
         not be voluntarily sold, assigned, exchanged, transferred,  encumbered,
         pledged,  distributed,  appointed  or  otherwise  disposed  of, and the
         issuer will not be required to give effect to any  attempted  voluntary
         sale,   assignment,    exchange,   transfer,    encumbrance,    pledge,
         distribution,  appointment or other disposition of any of those shares,
         during the one-year period ending on  ____________,  2000 [date that is
         the first  anniversary of the IPO Closing Date]. On the written request
         of the holder of this  certificate,  the issuer  agrees to remove  this
         restrictive  legend (and any stop order placed with the transfer agent)
         after the expiration of the periods specified above.

                  (b) Each Stockholder, severally and not jointly with any other
Person,  (i) acknowledges that the shares of USC Common Stock to be delivered to
that Stockholder  pursuant to Paragraph 2 (A) have not been and, except pursuant
to the  Registration  Rights  Agreement,  if applicable,  will not be registered
under the  Securities  Act and therefore  may not be resold by that  Stockholder
without  compliance  with the  Securities  Act and (B) will,  as a result of the
restrictions on their  transferability  which this Agreement  imposes during the
Restricted  Period,  have a value  materially  less on the IPO Closing Date than
would be the  value of  freely  tradable  shares  of USC  Common  Stock and (ii)
covenants that none of the shares of USC Common Stock issued to that Stockholder
pursuant to Paragraph 2 will be offered, sold, assigned, pledged,  hypothecated,
transferred or otherwise  disposed of except after full  compliance with all the
applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the
SEC and applicable  state  securities  laws and  regulations.  All  certificates
evidencing  shares of USC Common Stock issued  pursuant to Paragraph 2 will bear
the following legend in addition to the legend Section 10.14(a) prescribes:

         The  shares  represented  hereby  have not been  registered  under  the
         Securities Act of 1933 and may only be sold or otherwise transferred if
         the  holder  hereof  complies  with  that  law  and  other   applicable
         securities laws.

In addition,  certificates evidencing shares of USC Common Stock issued pursuant
to  Paragraph  2 to each  Stockholder  will  bear  any  legend  required  by the
securities or blue sky laws of the state in which that Stockholder resides.

           Section    o.            Subdivisions  and   Recombinations   of  USC
                           Common Stock.  Upon the  occurrence of an event prior
                           to the IPO

                                       107

<PAGE>


                           Closing  Date by which  (i) the USC  Common  Stock is
                           subdivided  into a  greater  number of shares or (ii)
                           combined into a smaller number of shares prior to the
                           IPO Closing  Date,  the number of shares set forth in
                           Schedule   2(D)  shall  be  adjusted  by  either  (a)
                           increasing the number of shares set forth on Schedule
                           2(D) in proportion to the  subdivision  of the shares
                           or (b)  decreasing  the number of shares set forth on
                           Schedule  2(D) in proportion  to any  combination  of
                           such shares.


                                   ARTICLE 11.

                                   TERMINATION

           Section    a.            Termination  of  This  Agreement.  (a)  This
                           Agreement  may be terminated at any time prior to the
                           Closing solely:

                  (i) by the mutual written consent of USC and the Company;

                  (ii) by the  Stockholders or the Company,  on the one hand, or
         by USC, on the other hand,  if the  transactions  contemplated  by this
         Agreement to take place at the Closing shall not have been  consummated
         by the Termination  Date, unless the failure of such transactions to be
         consummated  results  from the willful  failure of the party (or in the
         case of the  Stockholders  and the  Company,  any of them)  seeking  to
         terminate this Agreement to perform or adhere to any agreement required
         hereby to be  performed  or adhered to by it prior to or at the Closing
         or thereafter on the IPO Closing Date;

                  (iii) by the Stockholders or the Company,  on the one hand, or
         by USC, on the other hand,  if a material  breach or default is made by
         the other party (or in the case of the  Stockholders  and the  Company,
         any of them) in the observance or in the due and timely  performance of
         any of the covenants, agreements or conditions contained herein;

                  (iv) by USC if Section 4.07 entitles it to do so; or

                  (v) by the  Stockholders or the Company if any Other Agreement
         with an Other  Founding  Company  whose  revenues  for the  year  ended
         December 31, 1998  exceeded 20% of the pro forma  combined  revenues of
         all the Founding  Companies  for the year ended  December 31, 1998,  in
         each  case as the  Private  Placement  Memorandum  reflects,  has  been
         terminated pursuant to its terms.

                  (b) This Agreement may be terminated after the Closing solely:

                  (i) by USC or the  Company if the  Underwriting  Agreement  is
         terminated  pursuant  to its terms  after the  Closing and prior to the
         consummation of the IPO (in the event

                                       108

<PAGE>


         of  any  such  termination,  USC  will  provide  the  Company  and  the
         Stockholders with prompt notice thereof); or

                  (ii) automatically and without action on the part of any party
         hereto if the IPO is not  consummated  within 15 New York City business
         days after the Closing Date.

           Section    b.            Liabilities in the Event of Termination.  If
                           this  Agreement  is  terminated  pursuant  to Section
                           11.01,  there shall be no liability or  obligation on
                           the part of any party  hereto  except  (i) as Section
                           10.05  provides  and  (ii) to the  extent  that  such
                           liability is based on the breach by that party of any
                           of its  representations,  warranties or covenants set
                           forth in this Agreement.

                                       109

<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT B

                     AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT TO GROUP FILING
                     PURSUANT TO REGULATION 240.13d-1(k)(1)

         THIS  AGREEMENT is made as of this 3RD day of  September,  1999, by and
among the undersigned parties.

         WHEREAS,  pursuant  to Rules  13d-1  and  13d-2 of the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission (the "SEC"),  under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Act"),  each of the undersigned  parties is obligated to file with
the SEC,  and from time to time to file with the SEC  amendments  to, a Schedule
13D relating to shares of the Common Stock, par value of $.001 per share of U.S.
Concrete, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

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

         The parties,  from time to time, will file one statement containing the
information  required by Schedule 13D on behalf of each of them in  satisfaction
of the  obligation  of each of them under Rules 13d-1 and 13d-2 of the SEC. Each
party is responsible for the  completeness and accuracy of only that information
relating to him or her or its  respective  executive  officers and directors and
controlling  persons, and is not responsible for the completeness or accuracy or
any  information  concerning any other party.  The execution of any statement by
each party shall constitute a representation by such party that it neither knows
nor has  reason to  believe  that any  information  concerning  any other  party
contained in such statement is inaccurate at the time of such execution.

         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.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  undersigned  have signed this  Agreement  or
caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly  authorized  officers as of the
date first above written.


                                                THOMAS AND MAUREEN ALBANESE
                                                REVOCABLE TRUST AGREEMENT DATED
                                                JANUARY 27, 1981, AS AMENDED


/s/ Thomas J. Albanese                          /s/ Thomas J. Albanese
- ----------------------------                    --------------------------------
Thomas J. Albanese                              By:  Thomas J. Albanese
                                                Its:  Co-Trustee

/s/ Maureen H. Albanese                         /s/ Maureen H. Albanese
- ----------------------------                    --------------------------------
Maureen H. Albanese                             By:  Maureen H. Albanese
                                                Its:  Co-Trustee

                                       110




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