NORTEK INC
10-K405, 1999-03-30
AIR-COND & WARM AIR HEATG EQUIP & COMM & INDL REFRIG EQUIP
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                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                               -----------------
                                 Form 10-K 405

             (Mark One)        ------------------
             [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
           THE  SECURITIES  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year
                           ended December 31, 1998
                                      OR
        [ ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                       For the transition period from to
                        Commission file number: 1-6112

                           ------------------------
                                 Nortek, Inc.
            (exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

              Delaware                        05-0314991
    (State or other jurisdiction             (IRS Employer
  of incorporation or organization)       Identification Number)
        50 Kennedy Plaza
    Providence, Rhode Island                     02903-2360
(Address of principal executive offices)         (zip code)

      Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (401) 751-1600

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                       Name of each exchange
             Title of each class        on which registered
      Common Stock, $1.00 par value     New York Stock Exchange
    Preference Stock Purchase Rights    New York Stock Exchange

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                                Title of Class
                     Special Common Stock, $1.00 par value

Indicate by check mark whether  registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No __.

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K [X].





                                       1
<PAGE>




                                      
The  aggregate  market value of the voting stock held by  non-affiliates  of the
registrant as of March 5, 1999 was $292,420,423. See Item 12.

The  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock  outstanding  as of March 5, 1999 was
11,302,630. The number of shares of Special Common Stock outstanding as of March
5, 1999 was 559,913.

                      Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of the registrant's  Proxy Statement for use at its 1999 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.






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<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

General

The Company is a diversified manufacturer of residential and commercial building
products,  operating within three principal segments:  the Residential  Building
Products  Segment;  the Air Conditioning and Heating ("HVAC")  Products Segment;
and the Windows, Doors and Siding Products Segment.  Through these segments, the
Company  manufactures  and sells,  primarily  in the United  States,  Canada and
Europe,   a  wide  variety  of  products  for  the  residential  and  commercial
construction,  manufactured  housing,  and the  do-it-yourself  and professional
remodeling and renovation markets.  (As used in this report, the terms "Company"
and "Nortek" refer to Nortek,  Inc., together with its subsidiaries,  unless the
context indicates  otherwise.  Such terms as "Company" and "Nortek" are used for
convenience  only and are not  intended as a precise  description  of any of the
separate corporations, each of which manages its own affairs.)

The Company's domestic performance is dependent to a significant extent upon the
levels of residential replacement and remodeling,  new residential  construction
and non-residential construction, which are affected by such factors as interest
rates, inflation, consumer spending habits and unemployment.

Additional  information  concerning  the  Company's  business  is set  forth  in
Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations,  Item 7, Part II of this report,  incorporated  herein by reference.
Information on foreign and domestic operations is set forth in Note 10, Notes to
Consolidated   Financial  Statements,   Item  8  of  Part  II  of  this  report,
incorporated herein by reference.

Residential Building Products Segment

The Residential  Building Products Segment manufactures and distributes built-in
products  primarily for the residential  new  construction,  do-it-yourself  and
professional  remodeling and renovation markets.  The principal products sold by
the Segment are kitchen range hoods,  bath fans,  combination units (fan, heater
and light  combinations),  indoor air quality  products,  bath  cabinets,  radio
intercoms and central  vacuum  systems.  The Segment is the largest  supplier in
North  America  of range  hoods,  bath fans and  combination  units,  indoor air
quality  products (such as  continuous-ventilation  systems and  energy-recovery
ventilators) and one of the leading  suppliers in Western Europe,  

                        


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NORTEK,  INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

South America and the Middle East of luxury  "Eurostyle"  range hoods.  Products
are sold  under  the  Broan(R),  NuTone(R),  Nautilus(R),  Venmar(R),  Flair(R),
vanEE(R), Rangaire(R) and Best(R) brand names, among others, to distributors and
dealers of electrical and lighting  products,  kitchen and bath dealers,  retail
home centers and original  equipment  manufacturers  (OEMs).  Customers  for the
Segment's products include residential and electrical contractors,  professional
remodelers and  do-it-yourself  homeowners.  Other products sold by this Segment
include, among others,  wireless security products,  audio speakers, door chimes
and ceiling  fans.  The  Company's  sales of kitchen  range hoods  accounted for
approximately 10.4% of the Company's consolidated net sales in 1998.

A key component of the Segment's  operating  strategy is the introduction of new
products  which  capitalize  on the  strong  Broan(R),  NuTone(R),  Nautilus(R),
Venmar(R),  Flair(R),  vanEE(R),  Rangaire(R)  and  Best(R)  brand names and the
extensive  distribution system of the Segment's businesses.  Products sold under
these brand names include the Broan  Rangemaster(R)  and  Finesse(R)  rangehood,
Sensaire(R),  Solitaire(R)  and Solitaire  Ultra  Silent(R) fans and fan lights,
LoSone(R)  fans,  the  Best by  Broan(TM)  "Eurostyle"  luxury  rangehoods,  the
Venmar(R),  Flair(R)  and  vanEE(R)  Super  Compact  line of indoor air  quality
systems and the Broan 12" wide trash compactor.

With respect to certain product lines,  several private label customers  account
for a  substantial  portion of net sales.  In 1998,  approximately  22.6% of the
total sales of the Segment were made to private label customers.

Production  generally  consists  of  fabrication  from coil and sheet  steel and
formed metal utilizing  stamping,  pressing and welding  methods,  assembly with
components and subassemblies purchased from outside sources (motors, fan blades,
heating  elements,  wiring  harnesses,   controlling  devices,  glass,  mirrors,
lighting fixtures,  lumber, wood and polyethylene components,  speakers, grilles
and similar electronic components,  and compact disc and tape player mechanisms)
and painting, finishing and packaging.

The Segment  offers a broad array of products  with various  features and styles
across a range of price points.  The Company believes that the Segment's variety
of product  offerings helps the Segment maintain and improve its market position
for its  principal  products.  At the same time,  the Company  believes that the
Segment's status as a low-cost  producer,  in large part as a result of advanced
manufacturing processes, provides the Segment with a competitive advantage.



                                       4

<PAGE>


NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

The Segment's  primary  products  compete with many  domestic and  international
suppliers in their  various  markets.  The Segment  competes  with  suppliers of
competitive products primarily on the basis of quality,  distribution,  delivery
and price.  Although the Segment believes it competes  favorably among suppliers
of the Segment's products, certain of these suppliers have greater financial and
marketing resources than the Segment.

The Segment has 16  manufacturing  plants and employed 3,424 full-time people as
of  December  31,  1998,  747 of  whom  are  covered  by  collective  bargaining
agreements  which expire in 1999,  2000 and 2001. The Company  believes that the
Segment's relationships with its employees are satisfactory.

Air Conditioning and Heating Products Segment

The Air Conditioning  and Heating  Products Segment  manufactures and sells HVAC
systems for  custom-designed  commercial  applications  and for manufactured and
site-built residential housing.

Commercial  Products.  The Segment's commercial products consist of HVAC systems
which  are  custom-designed  to  meet  customer  specifications  for  commercial
offices, manufacturing and educational facilities,  hospitals, retail stores and
governmental  buildings.  Such  systems  are  primarily  designed  to operate on
building  rooftops   (including  large   self-contained   walk-in-units)  or  on
individual  floors  within a building,  and range from 40 to 600 tons of cooling
capacity.  The Segment markets its commercial  products under the  Governair(R),
Mammoth(R), Temtrol(TM), Aston, Venmar(R), Ventrol(R) and Webco(TM) brand names.

The market for  commercial  HVAC  equipment  is segmented  between  standard and
custom-designed  equipment.  Standard  equipment can be  manufactured at a lower
cost  and  therefore   offered  at  substantially   lower  initial  prices  than
custom-designed   equipment.  As  a  result,  suppliers  of  standard  equipment
generally  have a larger  share  of the  overall  commercial  HVAC  market  than
suppliers of custom-designed equipment,  including the Segment. However, because
of  certain  building  designs,  shapes or other  characteristics,  the  Company
believes  there are many  applications  for which  custom-designed  equipment is
required  or is more  cost  effective  over  the  life of the  building.  Unlike
standard equipment,  the Segment's  commercial HVAC equipment can be designed to
match the exact space,  capacity and  performance  requirements of the customer.
The  Segment's  packaged  rooftop and  self-contained  walk-in  equipment  rooms
maximize a  building's  rentable  floor space  because  they  



                                       5
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NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

are located outside the building. In addition, factors relating to the manner of
construction  and timing of  installation of commercial HVAC equipment can often
favor custom-designed  rather than standard systems. As compared with site-built
and standard HVAC systems,  the Segment's systems are factory assembled and then
installed,  rather than assembled on site, permitting extensive testing prior to
shipment.  As a result, the Segment's  commercial systems can be installed later
in the construction process than site-built systems, thereby saving the owner or
developer  construction  and labor  costs.  The  Segment  sells  its  commercial
products  primarily to contractors,  owners and developers of commercial  office
buildings,  manufacturing and educational facilities,  hospitals,  retail stores
and governmental  buildings.  The Segment seeks to maintain strong relationships
nationwide with design engineers, owners and developers, and the persons who are
most  likely  to value the  benefits  and  long-term  cost  efficiencies  of the
Segment's custom-designed equipment.

The Company estimates that about half of the Segment's  commercial sales in 1998
were attributable to replacement and retrofit activity,  which typically is less
cyclical than new construction  activity and generally  commands higher margins.
The Segment  continues  to develop  product and  marketing  programs to increase
penetration in the growing replacement and retrofit market.

The  Segment's  commercial  products  are marketed  through  independently-owned
manufacturers'  representatives and an in-house sales, marketing and engineering
group of  approximately  145 persons as of December  31, 1998.  The  independent
representatives  are typically HVAC engineers,  a factor which is significant in
marketing  the Segment's  commercial  products  because of the design  intensive
nature of the market segment in which the Segment competes.

The  Company  believes  that the  Segment  is among  the  largest  suppliers  of
custom-designed  commercial  HVAC products in the United  States.  The Segment's
three largest  competitors in the commercial HVAC market are York  International
Corporation  (which sells under the "Pace" and  "Miller-Picking"  trade  names),
McQuay International (a subsidiary of OYL Corporation), and The Trane Company (a
subsidiary of American  Standard Inc.).  The Segment  competes  primarily on the
basis of engineering  support,  quality,  flexibility in design and construction
and total installed system cost.  Although the Company believes that the Segment
competes  favorably  with  respect  to  certain  of these  factors,  most of the
Segment's  competitors have greater  financial and marketing  resources than the
Segment and enjoy greater brand  



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<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

awareness.  However,  the Company believes that the Segment's ability to produce
equipment that meets the performance  characteristics required by the particular
product application  provides it with advantages not enjoyed by certain of these
competitors.

Residential Products. The Segment manufactures air conditioners, heat pumps, and
furnaces for the  manufactured  housing  market,  which are  marketed  under the
Intertherm(R)  and  Miller(R)  brand  names.  The  Segment is one of the largest
suppliers of these  products to the  manufactured  housing  market in the United
States. In addition, the Segment manufactures HVAC and light commercial products
for site-built homes and light commercial  structures,  which are marketed under
the Frigidaire(R), Tappan(R), Philco(R), Kelvinator(R) and Gibson(R) names.

The principal  factors  affecting the market for the Segment's  residential HVAC
products are the demand for replacements and modernization of existing equipment
and the levels of manufactured housing shipments and housing starts. The Company
anticipates  that the  replacement  market  will  continue  to expand as a large
number of previously  installed  heating and cooling products become outdated or
reach  the end of their  useful  lives.  This  growth  may be  accelerated  by a
tendency  among  consumers to replace  older  heating and cooling  products with
higher efficiency  models prior to the end of such equipment's  useful life. The
market for residential cooling products, including those sold by the Segment, is
affected by spring and summer temperatures. The Segment does not sell window air
conditioners,  a segment of the market which is highly  seasonal and  especially
affected  by spring and  summer  temperatures.  The  Company  believes  that the
Segment's  ability to offer both heating and cooling  products  helps offset the
effects of seasonality of the Segment's sales.

The Segment sells its manufactured  housing products to builders of manufactured
housing and, through distributors,  to manufactured housing retailers and owners
of such  housing.  The  majority of sales to builders  of  manufactured  housing
consist of furnaces  designed and engineered to meet or exceed certain standards
mandated by federal  agencies,  including HUD. These standards differ in several
important   respects   from  the  standards  for  furnaces  used  in  site-built
residential  homes.  The after market channel of distribution  includes sales of
both new and replacement air  conditioning  units and heat pumps and replacement
furnaces. The Company believes that the Segment has one major competitor in this
segment of this market,  Evcon  Industries,  a subsidiary of York  International
Corporation which markets its products under the "Evcon/Coleman" name. 



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NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


Residential  HVAC  products  for  use  in  site-built  homes  are  sold  through
independently-owned  distributors who sell to HVAC  contractors.  The site-built
residential  HVAC  market  is  very  competitive,  and  many  suppliers  of such
equipment have substantially  greater financial and marketing resources than the
Segment  and enjoy  greater  brand  awareness.  In these  markets,  the  Segment
competes with, among others,  Carrier Corporation,  Rheem Manufacturing Company,
Lennox  Industries,   The  Trane  Company,   York   International   Corporation,
International  Comfort  Products  Corporation  and  Goodman  Manufacturing.  The
Segment competes in both the manufactured  housing and site-built markets on the
basis  of  breadth  and  quality  of its  product  line,  distribution,  product
availability and price. The Company believes that the Segment competes favorably
with respect to these factors.

The Company  estimates that more than half of the Segment's sales of residential
HVAC products in 1998 were attributable to the replacement  market,  which tends
to be less cyclical than the new construction market.

The Segment had eleven  manufacturing plants and employed 2,279 full-time people
as of December  31,  1998,  216 of whom are covered by a  collective  bargaining
agreement  which  expires  in 2001.  The  Company  believes  that the  Segment's
relationships with its employees are satisfactory.

Windows, Doors and Siding Products Segment

The Windows, Doors and Siding Products Segment is a manufacturer and distributor
of vinyl and wood  windows,  doors,  vinyl siding,  aluminum trim coil,  soffit,
skirting and shutters for use in the  residential  construction,  do-it-yourself
and professional  renovation  markets.  The Company's sales of windows accounted
for  approximately  18.7% of the Company's  consolidated  net sales in 1998. The
Company's sales of non-wood siding material accounted for approximately 11.1% of
the Company's  consolidated  net sales in 1998.  The Segment  competes with many
other manufacture in the sale of its products.

Windows and Doors. The Segment  manufactures and sells wood, clad,  composition
(wood and vinyl) and vinyl  windows and patio  doors,  glass and  polycarbonate
skylights,   and  wooden   interior   bifold  doors  under  the   Crestline(R),
Vetter(R),  Kenergy(R),  AWC(R), Gold(R), PLY GEM(R), Uniframe(R),  Monitor(TM)
and  American  Comfort(R)  brand  names.  The products are marketed to both the
home improvement and new construction  markets through wholesale,  millwork and
specialty distributors, large contractors, home centers and lumber yards.



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NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


The Segment  differentiates  itself from its  competition  with a multiple brand
strategy, multiple channels of distribution, an established distribution network
utilizing  custom  design and  manufacturing  capabilities,  and a trained field
sales and service  support  network.  Its ability to sell in full  truckload and
less than  truckload  quantities is tailored to the desires of large home center
chains which prefer to purchase  windows  directly  from the  manufacturer.  The
Segment's  ability  to  offer a broad  product  line  is also  important  to the
Segments' sales and marketing  strategy together with the Segment's focus on one
of the fastest growing segments in the industry - home centers.

Siding. The Segment is also a manufacturer of vinyl siding,  aluminum trim coil,
soffit, skirting and accessories, which are available in a variety of woodgrains
and colors.  Aluminum  trim coil is a product  that is used in most vinyl siding
applications  to cover exterior areas of a home  which are not  appropriate for
vinyl, such as fascia and corners.  Its products are used in both remodeling and
new construction  applications,  including  manufactured housing. Vinyl siding's
share of the overall market for exterior  siding  materials has been  increasing
due to its ease of installation,  high performance,  durability, low maintenance
requirements  and price  stability as compared to alternative  siding  materials
(including  wood,  aluminum and masonry).  The  Segment's  products are marketed
under the  Varigrain  Preferred(R),  Duragrain(R),  Timber  Oak(R),  Contractors
Choice(R),  Proguard(R),  Varibest(R), American Comfort(R), American Herald(TM),
American '76(TM) Collection and Georgia-Pacific(R) brand names.

Vinyl siding is sold to either specialty  distributors  (one-step  distribution)
who, in turn,  sell  directly  to  remodeling  contractors  or  builders,  or to
building materials wholesale  distributors  (two-step  distribution) who sell to
home centers and lumberyards  who, in turn,  sell to remodeling  contractors and
consumers.  The Company believes that it is able to compete on  favorable  terms
as a result of its distribution  coverage,  high  quality,  innovative products,
and production efficiency.

The Segment also  manufactures  a line of injection  molded  siding  components
for the remodeling and new  construction  markets.  Siding  components  include
blocks,  which  allow for the flush  mounting  of items like light  fixtures to
the exterior of a home,



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NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

and gable vents that provide attic ventilation.  These products are sold to home
centers, lumberyards and wholesale distributors of building materials.

The Segment operates 13  manufacturing  plants in the United States and employed
3,705  full-time  people as of December 31,  1998,  1,597 of whom are covered by
collective  bargaining  agreements  which  expire in 1999,  2000 and  2001.  The
Company  believes  that  the  Segment's  relationships  with its  employees  are
satisfactory.

Other Operations

The Company manufactures and distributes preservative and fire retardant treated
lumber and plywood products.  These products are marketed to cooperative  buying
groups,  lumberyards and independent wholesale distributors for use generally in
residential  decking,  roofing,  siding  and  landscaping  as  well  as  various
commercial construction applications.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

On March 8, 1999, the Company acquired Webco,  Inc., a designer and manufacturer
of custom air handling equipment with 1998 sales of approximately $14 million.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

Employees

The Company employed approximately 9,640 persons at December 31, 1998.

Backlog

Backlog  expected to be filled  during 1999 was  approximately  $148,213,000  at
December 31, 1998  ($127,137,000 at December 31, 1997).  Backlog is not regarded
as a  significant  factor for  operations  where orders are generally for prompt
delivery. While backlog stated for December 31, 1998 is believed to be firm, the
possibility  of  cancellations  makes it  difficult  to assess the  firmness  of
backlog with certainty.

Research and Development

The Company's  research and  development  activities are principally new product
development and represent approximately 1% of net sales.



                                       10
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NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Patents and Trademarks

The  Company  holds  numerous  design  and  process  patents  that it  considers
important,  but no single  patent is  material  to the  overall  conduct  of its
business. It is the Company's policy to obtain and protect patents whenever such
action would be beneficial to the Company. The Company owns or licenses numerous
trademarks  that  it  considers  material  to the  marketing  of  its  products,
including  Broan(R),  NuTone(R),  Nautilus(R),  Venmar(R),  Flair(R),  vanEE(R),
Rangaire(R), Best(R), Crestline(R), Vetter(R), AWC(R), Kenergy(R), Varigrain(R),
Duragrain(R),  Timber Oak(R), Contractors Choice(R),  Proguard(R),  Varibest(R),
American  Comfort(R),  American Herald(TM),  Gold(R),  PLY GEM(R),  Uniframe(R),
Governair(R),  Mammoth(R), Temtrol(R), Miller(R), Intertherm(R),  Frigidaire(R),
Tappan(R), Philco(R),  Kelvinator(R),  Gibson(R), Ventrol(R), and Webco(TM). The
Company believes that its rights in these trademarks are adequately protected.

Raw Materials

The Company  purchases  raw materials  and most  components  used in its various
manufacturing  processes.  The principal raw materials  purchased by the Company
are rolled sheet, formed and galvanized steel,  copper,  aluminum,  plate mirror
glass, PVC, polypropylene,  glass, vinyl extrusions, particle board, fiberboard,
lumber, plywood, various chemicals, paints, resins, and plastics.

The materials, molds and dyes, subassemblies and components purchased from other
manufacturers,  and other materials and supplies used in manufacturing processes
have generally been available from a variety of sources. Whenever practical, the
Company  establishes  multiple  sources for the  purchase of raw  materials  and
components  to achieve  competitive  pricing,  ensure  flexibility  and  protect
against supply disruption. From time to time increases in raw material costs can
affect future supply  availability  due in part to raw material demands by other
industries.

Working Capital

The carrying of inventories to support  customers and to permit prompt  delivery
of finished goods requires  substantial  working  capital.  Substantial  working
capital is also  required  to carry  receivables.  The demand for the  Company's
products is seasonal,  particularly  in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the
United  States and in Canada where  inclement  weather  during the winter months
usually  reduces the level of building and remodeling  activity in both the home
improvement and new construction 



                                       11
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NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

markets. The Ply Gem businesses,  acquired in August 1997 and Napco, acquired in
October,  1998, have in the past been more seasonal in nature than the Company's
businesses  owned  prior to these  acquisitions.  As a result,  the  demand  for
working capital of the Company's  subsidiaries is greater from late in the first
quarter until early in the fourth quarter. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources"
in  Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial  Condition and Results of
Operations, incorporated herein by reference.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Name                           Age             Position

Richard L. Bready              54         Chairman, President and
                                          Chief Executive Officer

Almon C. Hall                  52         Vice President, Controller and Chief
                                          Accounting Officer

Richard J. Harris              62         Vice President and
                                          Treasurer

Kenneth J. Ortman              63         Senior Vice President -
                                          Segment Operations

Kevin W. Donnelly              44         Vice President, General
                                          Counsel and Secretary

The  Executive  Officers  have  served  in the  same  or  substantially  similar
executive positions with the Company for at least the past five years. Executive
Officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors of the Company and serve
until their  successors are chosen and  qualified.  Mr. Bready has an employment
agreement  with the Company  providing  for his  employment  as Chief  Executive
Officer  through  2003,  which term is  extended  at the end of each year for an
additional year until either party gives notice it will not be further extended.
The Company's  executive officers include only those officers of the Company who
perform  policy-making  functions for the Company as a whole and have managerial
responsibility for major aspects of the Company's overall  operations.  A number
of other individuals who serve as officers of the Company's subsidiaries perform
policy-making functions and have managerial  responsibilities for the subsidiary
or division by which they are  employed,  although not for the Company  overall.
Certain of these individuals could,  depending on earnings of such unit, be more
highly compensated than some executive officers of the Company.




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NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

Set forth below is a brief  description of the location and general character of
the principal  administrative  and  manufacturing  facilities and other material
real  properties  of the  Company,  all of which the Company  considers to be in
satisfactory  repair. All properties are owned, except for those indicated by an
asterisk, which are leased.

                                                                     Approximate
Location                     Description                             Square Feet
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Union, IL                    Manufacturing/Warehouse/Administrative     197,000
Hartford, WI                 Manufacturing/Warehouse/Administrative     477,000
Bensenville, IL              Warehouse/Administrative                    69,000*
Mississauga, ONT             Manufacturing/Administrative               110,000
Carlsbad, CA                 Administrative                              30,000
Xiang, Boaon, PRC            Manufacturing                              106,000*
Fabriano, Italy              Manufacturing/Administrative                97,500*
Cerreto D'Esi, Italy         Manufacturing/Administrative                56,000
Montefano, Italy             Manufacturing/Administrative               140,000
Cleburne, TX                 Manufacturing/Administrative               210,000
Los Angeles, CA              Manufacturing/Administrative               177,000
Drummondville, QUE           Manufacturing/Administrative                76,000
Cincinnati, OH               Manufacturing                              836,000
Coppell, TX                  Manufacturing                              144,000*
St. Leonard d'Aston, QUE     Manufacturing/Administrative                94,000
St. Peters, MO               Warehouse/Administrative                   250,000*
St. Louis, MO                Manufacturing                              214,000
St. Louis, MO                Manufacturing                              103,000
Boonsville, MO               Manufacturing                              250,000*
Tipton, MO                   Manufacturing                               50,000
Chaska, MN                   Manufacturing/Administrative               230,000*
Oklahoma City, OK            Manufacturing/Administrative               127,000
Okarche, OK                  Manufacturing/Administrative               203,000
Montreal, QUE                Manufacturing                               66,000*
Toledo, OH                   Manufacturing/Warehouse/Administrative     258,000
Kearney, MO                  Manufacturing/Administrative               145,000
Martinsburg, WV              Manufacturing                              162,000
Jasper, TN                   Manufacturing                              110,000
Mosinee, WI                  Manufacturing/Warehouse/Administrative     825,000*
Stevens Point, WI            Manufacturing                              107,000
Huntington, WV               Manufacturing/Warehouse                    286,000*
Butler, PA                   Manufacturing                              110,000




                                       13
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                     Approximate
Location                     Description                             Square Feet
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sarver, PA                   Manufacturing                              126,000
Valencia, PA                 Manufacturing                              174,000
Commerce, TX                 Manufacturing/Administrative                86,000
Pine Bluff, AR               Manufacturing                             35 Acres
Thomson, GA                  Manufacturing                             29 Acres
Milford, VA                  Manufacturing                             45 Acres
Detroit, MI                  Manufacturing                             10 Acres
Providence, RI               Administrative                              23,900
Springfield, MO              Manufacturing                               60,000*

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company and its  subsidiaries  are  subject to numerous  federal,  state and
local laws and regulations,  including  environmental  laws and regulations that
impose  limitations  on the discharge of  pollutants  into the air and water and
establish  standards  for the  treatment,  storage  and  disposal  of solid  and
hazardous wastes. The Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with
the material laws and  regulations  applicable to it. The Company is involved in
current,  and may become involved in future,  remedial actions under federal and
state  environmental laws and regulations which impose liability on companies to
clean  up,  or  contribute  to the cost of  cleaning  up,  sites at which  their
hazardous  wastes or materials  were  disposed of or  released.  Such claims may
relate to properties or business  lines  acquired by the Company after a release
has occurred. In other instances,  the Company may be partially liable under law
or contract to other  parties that have  acquired  businesses or assets from the
Company for past  practices  relating to hazardous  substances  management.  The
Company  believes that all such claims asserted  against it, or such obligations
incurred  by it,  will not have a material  adverse  effect  upon the  Company's
financial  condition or results of operations.  Expenditures in 1997 and 1998 to
evaluate and  remediate  such sites were not material.  However,  the Company is
presently  unable to estimate  accurately  its  ultimate  financial  exposure in
connection  with identified or yet to be identified  remedial  actions due among
other reasons to: (i)  uncertainties  surrounding  the nature and application of
environmental  regulations,   (ii)  the  Company's  lack  of  information  about
additional  sites to which it may be listed as a potentially  responsible  party
("PRP"),  (iii) the level of clean-up that may be required at specific sites and
choices concerning the technologies to be applied in corrective actions and (iv)
the time periods over which remediation may occur. Furthermore,  since liability
for site remediation is joint and 



                                       14
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

several,  each PRP is  potentially  wholly  liable  for other  PRPs that  become
insolvent or bankrupt.  Thus, the solvency of other PRPs could  directly  affect
the Company's ultimate aggregate clean-up costs. In certain  circumstances,  the
Company's  liability  for  clean-up  costs may be covered in whole or in part by
insurance or indemnification obligations of third parties.

A  subsidiary  of the  Company is a defendant  in a number of lawsuits  alleging
damage caused by alleged defects in certain pressure treated wood products. Many
of the suits have been  resolved by dismissal or  settlement  with amounts being
paid out of insurance  proceeds or other third party recoveries.  The subsidiary
continues  to  vigorously  defend  the  remaining  suits.  Certain  defense  and
indemnity  costs are being paid out of insurance  proceeds  and proceeds  from a
settlement with suppliers of material used in the production of the treated wood
products.

The subsidiary has engaged in coverage  litigation with certain insurers and has
settled coverage claims with several of the insurers.  The Company believes that
the remaining  coverage  disputes will be resolved on a  satisfactory  basis and
additional  coverage  will be available.  In reaching  this belief,  the company
analyzed  insurance  coverage  and  the  status  of  the  coverage   litigation,
considered  the history of  settlements  with  primary and excess  insurers  and
consulted with counsel.

In  addition  to  the  legal  matters  described  above,  the  Company  and  its
subsidiaries are parties to various legal proceedings incident to the conduct of
their  businesses.  None of these  proceedings  is  expected  to have a material
adverse  effect,  either  individually  or in the  aggregate,  on the  Company's
financial  position  or  results of  operations  (See Note 8 of the Notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements, Item 8 of Part II of this report incorporated
herein by reference).

ITEM 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters

Stockholders  of record of Nortek  Common and Special  Common  Stock at March 5,
1999, numbered 2,842 and 2,284,  respectively.  There were no dividends declared
on the Common and Special  Common in 1998 or 1997. The high and low sales prices
of Nortek's Common Stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange in



                                       15
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

each quarter of 1998 and 1997 were:

1998
Quarter         High      Low
First           34 1/2    25
Second          33 1/4    28 3/4
Third           36 1/16   22 13/16
Fourth          30 3/8    20

1997
Quarter         High      Low
First           27 1/2    19 1/2
Second          25        17 3/4
Third           27 1/4    23 3/16
Fourth          26 15/16  21 13/16

See Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements, Item 8 of Part II of this report incorporated herein by reference.





                                       16
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 6.  CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  For the Five Years Ended December 31,
                           ----------------------------------------------------
                              1998        1997        1996      1995     1994
                            (In thousands except ratios and per share amounts)

<S>                        <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>      <C>
Consolidated Summary of
Operations:
Net sales                  $1,738,343  $1,134,129  $841,557   $656,800 $615,952
Operating earnings            133,128      82,981    60,951     42,973   44,393
Gain (loss) on
  Businesses sold               4,000        ---       ---        ---    (1,750)
Earnings from
continuing
operations before
extraordinary gain
(loss)                         34,000      26,400    23,700     17,500   15,400
Earnings (loss) from
  discontinued
  operations                    1,200      (5,200)   (1,700)    (2,500)   1,800
Extraordinary gain
  (loss) from debt
  retirements                    (200)        ---       ---        ---      200
Cumulative effect of an
  accounting change               ---         ---       ---        ---      400
Net earnings                   35,000      21,200    22,000     15,000   17,800
Financial Position:
Unrestricted cash,
  investments and
  marketable securities      $209,633    $161,830  $ 92,093   $103,313 $105,080
Working capital               337,207     341,821   163,133    180,218  194,330
Total assets                1,689,993   1,304,546   590,233    604,950  494,573
Total debt--
  Current                      17,738      17,739    36,486     41,948    4,452
  Long-term                 1,007,113     835,840   243,769    240,125  219,241
Current ratio                   2.0:1       2.3:1     1.9:1      1.9:1    2.4:1
Debt to equity ratio            4.7:1       6.7:1     2.4:1      2.1:1    1.9:1
Depreciation and
  amortization including
  non-cash interest            45,321      28,407    20,995     16,225   15,539
Capital expenditures           41,428      22,464    19,798     15,665   14,375
Stockholders' investment      217,610     128,088   118,795    131,291  117,790
Common and Special
  Common shares
  outstanding                  11,706       9,500     9,873     12,074   12,550

</TABLE>



                                       17
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 6.    CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                       For the Five Years Ended December 31,
                                1998        1997       1996       1995      1994
                              (In thousands except ratios and per share amounts)
<S>                           <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Per Share:
 Earnings from
  continuing operations
    Basic                      $3.11       $2.75      $2.26      $1.41     $1.23
    Diluted                    $3.06       $2.68      $2.23      $1.39     $1.21
 Net earnings
    Basic                      $3.20       $2.21      $2.10      $1.21     $1.42
    Diluted                    $3.15       $2.15      $2.07      $1.19     $1.39
Stockholders' investment      $18.59      $13.48     $12.03     $10.87     $9.39
</TABLE>

See  Notes  2,  9 to 11  and  13 of the  Notes  to  the  Consolidated  Financial
Statements,  and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results  of  Operations,  included  elsewhere  herein,  regarding  the effect on
operating results of acquisitions,  discontinued operations, Businesses sold and
other matters.  There have not been any cash  dividends  declared or paid on the
Company's Common or Special Common Stock during the past five years.

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  FINANCIAL  CONDITION  AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Effective  in 1998,  the  Company  adopted  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
Standards  No. 131  Disclosures  About  Segments  of an  Enterprise  and Related
Information  ("SFAS  131"),  and  accordingly,  the  information  for all  years
presented has been  reclassified to conform to the  presentation  for 1998. (See
Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere
herein.)

The Company is a diversified manufacturer of residential and commercial building
products,  operating within three principal segments:  the Residential  Building
Products  Segment,  the Air Conditioning and Heating ("HVAC")  Products Segment,
and the Windows,  Doors and Siding  Segment.  Other includes  corporate  related
items,  results of  insignificant  operations and certain income and expense not
allocable  to  reportable  segments.  The results of  operations  and other data
relating  to  Businesses  sold have been  presented  separately.  Through  these
principal segments,  the Company manufactures and sells, primarily in the United
States,  Canada and Europe,  a wide variety of products for the  residential and
commercial   construction,   manufactured   housing,   the   do-it-yourself  and
professional remodeling and renovation markets.



                                       18
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

The Residential  Building Products Segment manufactures and distributes built-in
products  primarily for the residential new construction,  do-it-yourself  (DIY)
and  professional  remodeling and  renovation  markets  including  kitchen range
hoods, bath fans and combination units (fan, heater and light combinations). The
Air Conditioning  and Heating  Products Segment  manufactures and sells heating,
ventilating,   and  air  conditioning   ("HVAC")  systems  for   custom-designed
commercial applications and for manufactured and site-built residential housing.
The Windows,  Doors and Siding Segment  manufactures  and distributes  vinyl and
wood windows,  doors,  vinyl siding,  aluminum trim coil,  soffit,  skirting and
shutters  for  use  in  the  residential  construction,   DIY  and  professional
renovation markets.

The  Windows,  Doors and Siding  Segment was  purchased in  connection  with the
acquisition  of  Ply  Gem on  August  26,  1997  and,  accordingly,  information
presented  below  excludes  results of  operations  for this Segment for periods
prior to the acquisition date.

The Company acquired NuTone,  Inc.  ("NuTone") on July 31, 1998, Napco, Inc. and
an affiliate  ("Napco") on October 9, 1998 and Ply Gem Industries,  Inc. and its
subsidiaries  ("Ply  Gem") on August  26,  1997.  These  acquisitions  have been
accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.  Accordingly, the results
of NuTone, Napco and Ply Gem are included in the Company's  consolidated results
since the date of their acquisition.  (See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" and
Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated  Financial Statements included elsewhere
herein.)  For the full year  ended  December  31,  1997,  Napco  had net  sales,
operating earnings and earnings from continuing  operations before provision for
income  taxes  of   approximately   $91,100,000,   $8,600,000  and   $8,000,000,
respectively.  For the period from  January 1, 1998 to the date of  acquisition,
October 9, 1998,  Napco had net sales,  operating  earnings  and  earnings  from
continuing  operations  before  provision  for  income  taxes  of  approximately
$77,900,000, $9,200,000 and $8,900,000, respectively.

In the fourth  quarter of 1997, the Company  adopted a plan to  discontinue  its
plumbing products  business.  Accordingly,  the results of the plumbing products
business  have been  excluded  from  earnings  from  continuing  operations  and
classified  separately as  discontinued  operations  for each of the three years
ended  December  31,  1998.  On July 10,  1998,  the Company  sold its  plumbing
products  business for  approximately  $33,700,000  in cash.  (See Note 9 of the
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.)



                                       19
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

During 1998, the Company made several  dispositions of non-strategic  assets. On
May 8, 1998, the Company sold Studley Products,  Inc.  ("Studley").  Studley had
net sales and an operating loss of approximately  $22,000,000 and $6,100,000 for
the full  year  ended  December  31,  1997,  respectively,  and net sales and an
operating loss of approximately $7,300,000 and $1,600,000, respectively, for the
period  January 1, 1998 to May 8, 1998 and was treated as an operation  held for
sale  since  the  acquisition  of Ply  Gem.  Accordingly,  the  Company  did not
recognize  any  gain or loss on the  sale of  Studley  and  Studley's  operating
results are not included in the Company's consolidated financial results. On May
22, 1998, the Company sold Sagebrush Sales, Inc. ("Sagebrush") for approximately
$9,100,000  in cash.  Sagebrush had net sales,  operating  earnings and earnings
from continuing  operations  before  provision for income taxes of approximately
$47,600,000,  $400,000  and  $400,000,  respectively,  for the full  year  ended
December 31, 1997 and net sales, operating earnings and earnings from continuing
operations  before  provision  for income  taxes of  approximately  $19,100,000,
$200,000 and $200,000,  respectively, for the five months ended May 22, 1998. On
July 2, 1998,  the  Company  sold  Goldenberg  Group,  Inc.  ("Goldenberg")  for
approximately   $11,100,000   including   approximately   $2,000,000  in  notes.
Goldenberg  had net sales,  operating  earnings  and  earnings  from  continuing
operations  before  provision  for income  taxes of  approximately  $41,300,000,
$500,000 and $500,000,  respectively,  for the full year ended December 31, 1997
and net sales, operating earnings and earnings from continuing operations before
provision for income taxes of approximately $21,500,000,  $500,000 and $500,000,
respectively,  for the six  months  ended July 2, 1998.  On July 31,  1998,  the
Company  sold another Ply Gem  business,  Ply Gem  Manufacturing,  which had net
sales,  operating  earnings  and  earnings  from  continuing  operations  before
provision  for  income  taxes  of  approximately  $48,300,000,   $2,500,000  and
$2,500,000,  respectively,  for the full year ended  December  31,  1997 and net
sales,  operating  earnings  and  earnings  from  continuing  operations  before
provision for income taxes of approximately $23,300,000,  $700,000 and $700,000,
respectively,  for the seven months  ended July 31, 1998.  On December 10, 1998,
the  Company  sold  Allied  Plywood  Corporation  ("Allied")  for  approximately
$16,500,000 in cash and approximately $7,000,000 in notes. Allied had net sales,
operating earnings and earnings from continuing  operations before provision for
income taxes of approximately $84,400,000,  $400,000 and $400,000, respectively,
for the full year ended December 31, 1997 and net sales,  operating earnings and
earnings  from  continuing  operations  before  provision  for  income  taxes of
approximately $80,300,000,  $800,000 and $800,000,  respectively, for the eleven
months ended  November,  1998.  On December  30, 1998,  the Company sold its M&S



                                       20
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Systems LP ("M&S") subsidiary and Moore-O-Matic, Inc. ("MOM"), for approximately
$27,500,000 in cash and recorded a pre-tax gain of approximately $4,000,000. For
the year ended  December 31, 1997,  combined net sales,  operating  earnings and
earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes of M&S and
MOM were approximately $37,300,000, $3,400,000 and $3,400,000, respectively. For
the year ended  December 31, 1998,  combined net sales,  operating  earnings and
earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes of M&S and
MOM were approximately $42,100,000, $3,600,000 and $3,600,000, respectively. The
operating results of Sagebrush, Goldenberg, Ply Gem Manufacturing and Allied are
included in the Company's  1997 and 1998  consolidated  results from the date of
the Ply Gem  acquisition,  August 26, 1997, to the date of sale. The disposition
of these  four  businesses  did not result in any  significant  gains or losses.
Approximately $27,700,000 of the proceeds from the sale of these four businesses
were used to pay down debt. The remaining proceeds  (including the proceeds from
the  sale  of  the  plumbing  products  business,   Studley,  M&S  and  MOM)  of
approximately  $84,000,000 were used for general corporate purposes.  (See Notes
2, 9 and 10 of the  Notes  to the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  included
elsewhere herein.)

The  Company  does not expect the effect of  Businesses  sold  during 1998 to be
significant to the Company's future operations.





                                       21
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Results of Operations

The tables that  follow  present the net sales and  operating  earnings  for the
Company's  principal  segments for the three years ended  December 31, 1998, and
the dollar amount and percentage change of such results as compared to the prior
year.  The amounts in the tables for the prior years have been  reclassified  to
conform to the presentation for 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              Net Change
                         Year Ended December 31,     1998 to 1997   1997 to 1996
                          1998      1997     1996      $      %      $       %
                                    (Dollar amounts in millions)

<S>                    <C>       <C>       <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>     <C> 
Net Sales:

Residential Building
  Products               $475.0    $381.8  $368.7   $93.2   24.4%  $13.1    3.6%
Air Conditioning and
  Heating Products        465.2     419.4   423.1    45.8   10.9    (3.7)  (0.9)
Windows, Doors and
  Siding                  536.8     189.0     ---   347.8  184.0   189.0    ---
Other                      69.3      21.3     ---    48.0  225.4    21.3    ---
                       --------  --------  ------   -----  ------ ------- ------
                        1,546.3   1,011.5   791.8   534.8   52.9   219.7   27.7
Businesses sold           192.0     122.6    49.8    69.4   56.6    72.8  146.2
                       --------  --------  ------  ------  ------ ------- ------
                       $1,738.3  $1,134.1  $841.6  $604.2   53.3% $292.5   34.8%
                       ========  ========  ======  ======  ====== ======= ====== 

Operating Earnings:

Residential Building
  Products               $ 53.7     $40.3   $31.2   $13.4   33.3%  $ 9.1   29.2%
Air Conditioning and
  Heating Products         55.7      41.3    38.5    14.4   34.9     2.8    7.3
Windows, Doors and
  Siding                   31.5       9.0     ---    22.5  250.0     9.0    ---
Other                     (14.2)    (14.5)  (14.6)    0.3    2.1     0.1   (0.7)
                         -------    ------  ------  ------ ------  -----   -----
                          126.7      76.1    55.1    50.6   66.5    21.0   38.1
Businesses sold             6.4       6.9     5.9    (0.5)  (7.2)    1.0   16.9
                         -------    ------  ------  ------ ------  -----   -----
                         $133.1     $83.0   $61.0   $50.1   60.4%  $22.0   36.1%
                         =======    ======  ======  ====== ======  =====   =====
</TABLE>





                                       22
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

The tables that follow set forth, for the three years ended December 31, 1998,
(a) certain consolidated  operating results, (b) the percentage change of such
results as compared to the prior year, (c) the  percentage  which such results
bear to net sales and (d) the change of such  percentages  as  compared to the
prior year:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             Percentage Change
                                                               1998     1997
                                 Year Ended December 31,        to       to
                                 1998       1997      1996     1997     1996
                                        (Dollar amounts in millions)

<S>                            <C>        <C>         <C>     <C>     <C>  
Net sales                      $1,738.3   $1,134.1    $841.6    53.3%   34.8%
Cost of products sold           1,275.3      825.8     596.9   (54.4)  (38.3)
Selling, general and
  administrative expense          315.5      219.4     180.3   (43.8)  (21.7)
Amortization of goodwill
  and intangible assets            14.4        5.9       3.4  (144.1)  (73.5)
Operating earnings                133.1       83.0      61.0    60.4    36.1
Gain on Businesses sold             4.0        ---      ---      ---     ---
Interest expense                  (86.3)     (50.2)    (28.4)  (71.9)  (76.8)
Investment income                  10.5        9.9       6.0     6.1    65.0
Earnings from continuing
  operations before
  provision for
  income taxes                     61.3       42.7      38.6    43.6    10.6
Provision for income taxes         27.3       16.3      14.9   (67.5)   (9.4)
Earnings from continuing
  operations before
  extraordinary loss               34.0       26.4      23.7    28.8    11.4
Earnings (loss) from
  discontinued operations           1.2       (5.2)     (1.7)    ---  (205.9)
Extraordinary loss from
  debt retirements                 (0.2)       ---      ---      ---     ---
Net earnings                       35.0       21.2      22.0    65.1    (3.6)

</TABLE>





                                       23
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                Percentage
                                                                  Change
                                 Percentage of Net Sales       1998     1997
                                 Year Ended December 31,        to       to
                                 1998       1997      1996     1997     1996

<S>                              <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>     <C>        
Net sales                        100.0%     100.0%     100.0%    ---%    ---%
Cost of products sold             73.4       72.8       70.9    (0.6)   (1.9)
Selling, general and
  administrative expense          18.1       19.4       21.4     1.3     2.0
Amortization of goodwill
  and intangible assets            0.8        0.5        0.4    (0.3)   (0.1)
Operating earnings                 7.7        7.3        7.3     0.4     ---
Gain on Businesses sold            0.2        ---        ---     0.2     ---
Interest expense                  (5.0)      (4.4)      (3.4)   (0.6)   (1.0)
Investment income                  0.6        0.9        0.7    (0.3)    0.2
Earnings from continuing
  operations before
  provision for
  income taxes                     3.5        3.8        4.6    (0.3)   (0.8)
Provision for income taxes         1.6        1.4        1.8    (0.2)    0.4
Earnings from continuing
  operations before
  extraordinary loss               1.9        2.4        2.8    (0.5)   (0.4)
Earnings (loss) from
  discontinued operations          0.1       (0.5)      (0.2)    0.6    (0.3)
Extraordinary loss from
  debt retirements                 ---        ---        ---     ---     ---
Net earnings                       2.0        1.9        2.6     0.1    (0.7)

</TABLE>






                                       24
<PAGE>





NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Year Ended December 31, 1998 as Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net sales  increased  approximately  $604,200,000  or  approximately  53.3%,  as
compared to 1997 (or increased approximately $610,400,000 or approximately 53.8%
excluding the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates).  Net sales increased
in 1998  principally as a result of  acquisitions.  The acquisition of NuTone on
July 31, 1998 contributed  approximately $82,200,000 of the $93,200,000 increase
($99,400,000 increase excluding the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates)
in net sales in the Residential  Building  Products Segment in 1998. The balance
of the  increase  in net sales in this  segment  is as a result of higher  sales
levels  of  higher  margin  built-in  ventilation  products  in  North  America,
partially  offset by lower sales levels of certain  lower margin  products.  The
increase in net sales in the Air  Conditioning  and Heating  Products Segment of
approximately  $45,800,000 or 10.9%,  is principally as a result of higher sales
volume  related to products sold to the  residential  and  manufactured  housing
markets,  partially  offset by slightly lower sales of commercial HVAC products,
in part,  as a result of a seven  week  strike in 1998 at one of this  segment's
manufacturing  facilities.  The increase in net sales in the Windows,  Doors and
Siding  Segment  principally  arose in  connection  with  the  August  26,  1997
acquisition  of Ply Gem (a full twelve  months of  operating  results in 1998 as
compared to four months in 1997).  The  acquisition  of Napco on October 9, 1998
contributed approximately $21,000,000 to this segment's increase in net sales in
1998.  The net sales of  Businesses  sold  increased  approximately  $69,400,000
principally  as a  result  of  certain  non-strategic  businesses,  acquired  in
connection  with the August 26, 1997  acquisition of Ply Gem, which were sold in
1998.

Cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales increased from  approximately
72.8% in 1997 to approximately  73.4% in 1998.  Changes in the percentages were,
in large part,  affected by  acquisitions  and will be affected in the future by
the effect of  Businesses  sold in 1998.  The Ply Gem  businesses  have a higher
level of cost of sales as a  percentage  of net sales than the overall  group of
businesses  owned prior to the Ply Gem acquisition  while NuTone's level of cost
of sales as a  percentage  of net  sales  is  lower.  Excluding  the  effect  of
Businesses  sold,  cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales  increased
from approximately  72.4% in 1997 to approximately  72.9% in 1998. This increase
in the percentage  principally resulted from the acquisitions of Ply Gem and, to
a lesser  extent,  Napco in the  Windows,  Doors and Siding  Segment,  partially
offset  by the  acquisition  of  NuTone  and the  effect  of  



                                       25
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

higher sales levels in the Residential  Building  Products and Air  Conditioning
and Heating Product Segments without a proportionate  increase in costs. Had all
year-end inventory values been stated on a FIFO basis,  year-end inventory would
have been  approximately  $3,407,000  higher in 1998,  approximately  $5,041,000
higher in 1997 and approximately  $6,015,000 higher in 1996. Overall, changes in
the cost of  products  sold as a  percentage  of net  sales  for one  period  as
compared to another period may reflect a number of factors  including changes in
the relative mix of products  sold,  the effect of changes in sales prices,  the
material cost of products sold and changes in productivity levels.

Selling,  general  and  administrative  expense  as a  percentage  of net  sales
decreased from approximately  19.4% in 1997 to approximately 18.1% in 1998. This
decrease in the percentage was principally  affected as a result of acquisitions
and will be affected in the future by the effect of Businesses sold in 1998. Ply
Gem and Napco have a lower level of selling,  general and administrative expense
as a percentage of net sales than the overall group of businesses owned prior to
the acquisitions and NuTone has a higher level of expense as a percentage of net
sales.   Excluding  the  effect  of  Businesses  sold,   selling,   general  and
administrative expense as a percentage of net sales decreased from approximately
19.5% in 1997 to  approximately  18.0% in 1998. The Air Conditioning and Heating
Products  Segment,  and to a lesser  extent the  Residential  Building  Products
Segment,  contributed  to the  decrease  in the  percentage  as a result  of the
increases in sales noted above without a proportionate increase in expense. This
was partially offset by increased corporate overhead, principally as a result of
the acquisition of Ply Gem.

Amortization  of goodwill and intangible  assets,  as a percentage of net sales,
increased from  approximately  .5% of net sales in 1997 to approximately  .8% of
net sales in 1998,  principally as a result of the  acquisitions  of Ply Gem and
NuTone.

Consolidated  operating  earnings  increased   approximately   $50,100,000  from
approximately  $83,000,000 in 1997 as compared to approximately  $133,100,000 in
1998. Businesses acquired in 1998 contributed  approximately  $12,600,000 of the
increase, of which approximately $2,300,000 was in the Windows, Doors and Siding
Segment,  and  $10,300,000  was in the Residential  Building  Products  Segment.
Operating  earnings  increased  substantially in 1998 in the Windows,  Doors and
Siding Segment, principally due to the effect of the August 26, 1997 acquisition
of Ply Gem (a full  twelve  months of  operating  results in 1998 as compared to
four  months in 1997).  Consolidated  operating  earnings  have been  reduced by
depreciation and amortization expense of 



                                       26
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

approximately  $42,100,000  and  approximately  $26,700,000  for 1998 and  1997,
respectively.  Businesses acquired in 1998 contributed  approximately $4,300,000
of the  increase in  depreciation  and  amortization  expense in 1998,  of which
approximately  $500,000  was  in the  Windows,  Doors  and  Siding  Segment  and
$3,800,000 was in the Residential  Building Products  Segment.  Depreciation and
amortization  expense  for the year  ended  December  31,  1998  related  to the
operating results of Businesses sold in 1998 was approximately $1,700,000.  (See
Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere
herein.)  The increase in  operating  earnings  was also due to increased  sales
volume  without  a  proportionate  increase  in  cost  and  expense  in the  Air
Conditioning and Heating Products Segment  (approximately  $14,400,000 or 34.9%)
and,  to  a  lesser  extent,   the   Residential   Building   Products   Segment
(approximately  $3,100,000  excluding the  contribution  from NuTone),  as noted
above,  partially  offset by increased other expense  principally as a result of
increased corporate overhead as a result of the acquisition of Ply Gem.

Operating earnings of foreign operations, consisting primarily of the results of
operations of the Company's Canadian and European subsidiaries which manufacture
built-in  ventilating  products,  were  approximately 6.5% and 9.0% of operating
earnings (before corporate overhead) in 1998 and 1997, respectively. The decline
in foreign  operating  earnings as a percentage of net sales is principally as a
result of the increased  domestic sales and operating  earnings from the Ply Gem
acquisition.  Sales and  earnings  derived  from the  international  market  are
subject to the risks of currency fluctuations.

The  gain on  Businesses  sold  before  provision  for  income  taxes in 1998 of
approximately $4,000,000 arose in connection with the sale of M&S and MOM.

Interest  expense in 1998 increased  approximately  $36,100,000 or approximately
71.9% as compared to 1997, primarily as a result of the sale of the 9 1/4% Notes
on March 17, 1997, the sale of the 9 1/8% Notes on August 26, 1997, indebtedness
of Ply Gem existing at the date of acquisition  and the sale of the 8 7/8% Notes
on July 31, 1998.  This  increase was  partially  offset by the  refinancing  of
certain  outstanding  indebtedness  of the Company's  subsidiaries in 1997. (See
Notes 2 and 5 of the Notes to the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  included
elsewhere herein.)

Investment  income in 1998 increased  approximately  $600,000 or  approximately
6.1% as compared to 1997,  principally due to higher average invested  balances
partially  offset by slightly  lower yields  earned on  short-term  investments
and marketable securities.



                                       27
<PAGE>





NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


The  provision  for income  taxes was  approximately  $27,300,000  for 1998,  as
compared to  approximately  $16,300,000  for 1997. The income tax rates differed
from the United States Federal  statutory rate of 35% principally as a result of
state  income  tax  provisions,  nondeductible  amortization  expense  (for  tax
purposes),  changes in tax reserves, the effect of foreign income tax on foreign
source  income and the effect of product  development  tax credits  from foreign
operations.  (See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated  Financial  Statements
included elsewhere herein.)

Earnings from discontinued  operations were approximately  $1,200,000 in 1998 as
compared to a loss of approximately $5,200,000 in 1997. In the fourth quarter of
1997,  the  Company  adopted  a plan of  disposition  of the  Plumbing  Products
business  and on July 10,  1998,  this  business  was sold.  The  following is a
comparison of the operating results of discontinued operations for the two years
ended December 31, 1998. (See Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated  Financial
Statements included elsewhere herein.)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                      For the years ended December 31,
                                            1998          1997
                                          (Amounts in thousands)

<S>                                       <C>           <C>     
  Loss before income taxes                $(2,800)      $(3,800)
  Allocated corporate interest
    expense                                (1,000)       (1,900)
                                          --------      --------
                                           (3,800)       (5,700)
  Income tax benefit                        5,000         2,100
                                          --------      --------
                                            1,200        (3,600)
  Reserve for future operating
    expenses net of tax benefit                                   
    of $900,000                               ---        (1,600)
                                          --------      --------
  Earnings (loss) from
    discontinued operations               $ 1,200       $(5,200)
                                          ========      ========
</TABLE>

The income tax benefit in 1998  includes  approximately  $800,000  recorded as a
result of the  realization of a portion of the tax capital loss arising from the
sale of the Plumbing Products business.

Year Ended December 31, 1997 as Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net sales  increased  approximately  $292,500,000  or  approximately  34.8%, as
compared to 1996 (or increased approximately



                                       28
<PAGE>





NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

$300,500,000 or approximately 35.7%,  excluding the effect of changes in foreign
exchange rates). Net sales increased  principally as a result of the acquisition
of Ply Gem on August 26, 1997, which contributed  approximately  $284,200,000 to
net sales of which approximately  $189,000,000 is related to the Windows,  Doors
and  Siding  Segment  and  approximately   $73,900,000  is  related  to  certain
non-strategic  assets  that  were  subsequently  sold in 1998.  Net sales of the
Residential Building Products Segment increased by approximately  $13,100,000 or
3.6%, as a result of higher sales levels of higher margin  built-in  ventilation
products  in North  America,  partially  offset by lower  sales  levels of lower
margin  European  ventilation  (including  the  effects  of  changes  in foreign
exchange rates) and domestic  products.  Net sales of the Air  Conditioning  and
Heating Products Segment decreased approximately  $3,700,000 or .9%, principally
as a result of approximately $3,600,000 lower sales resulting from the sale of a
residential  HVAC product line in 1997 and lower sales levels of commercial HVAC
products,  partially  offset  by  increased  sales  levels of HVAC  products  to
residential markets.

Cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales increased from  approximately
70.9% in 1996 to approximately 72.8% in 1997.  Excluding the Ply Gem businesses,
(which have a higher level of cost of sales than the overall group of businesses
owned prior to the  acquisition),  cost of products  sold as a percentage of net
sales  decreased from  approximately  71.3% to  approximately  70.4% in 1997, as
compared to 1996.  This decrease in the percentage  principally  resulted from a
reduction in the cost of certain raw materials and  components  compared to 1996
and  decreased  labor as a percentage of net sales in the  Residential  Building
Products and Air Conditioning and Heating Products Segments due to the increased
volume of higher  margin  products  and  improved  efficiency.  Had all year-end
inventory values been stated on a FIFO basis, year-end inventory would have been
approximately $5,041,000 higher in 1997, approximately $6,015,000 higher in 1996
and  approximately  $7,873,000 higher in 1995.  Overall,  changes in the cost of
products sold as a percentage of net sales for one period as compared to another
period may reflect a number of factors, including changes in the relative mix of
products  sold,  the effect of changes in sales  prices,  the  material  cost of
products sold and changes in productivity levels.

Selling,  general  and  administrative  expense  as a  percentage  of net  sales
decreased  from  approximately  21.4%  in 1996 to  approximately  19.4% in 1997.
Excluding the Ply Gem businesses,  (which have a lower level of selling, general
and  administrative  expense to net sales than the overall  group of  businesses
owned prior to the acquisition),  selling,  general and  administrative  



                                       29
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

expense as a percentage of net sales decreased from approximately  21.4% in 1996
to  approximately  21.2%  in  1997.  This  decrease  in the  percentage  was due
principally to higher sales levels in the Residential  Building Products Segment
without a  proportionate  increase  in  expense  and the effect of the sale of a
residential  HVAC  product  line noted  above,  partially  offset by lower sales
levels of  commercial  products by the Air  Conditioning  and  Heating  Products
Segment without a proportionate decrease in expense.

Amortization  of goodwill and intangible  assets,  as a percentage of net sales,
increased from  approximately  .4% of net sales in 1996 to approximately  .5% of
net sales in 1997, principally as a result of the acquisition of Ply Gem.

Operating  earnings  increased  approximately   $22,000,000  from  approximately
$61,000,000  in 1996 to  approximately  $83,000,000 in 1997 primarily due to the
factors  previously  discussed.  The Ply Gem  acquisition  in late  August  1997
contributed   approximately   $11,300,000  to  operating   earnings,   of  which
approximately  $9,000,000  was in the  Windows,  Doors and  Siding  Segment  and
$2,000,000 related to businesses that were subsequently sold in 1998.  Operating
earnings  have  been  reduced  by  depreciation  and  amortization   expense  of
approximately  $26,700,000  and  approximately  $19,800,000  for 1997 and  1996,
respectively. The acquisition of Ply Gem contributed approximately $6,300,000 of
the  increase  in  depreciation  and  amortization  expense  in 1997.  Operating
earnings also increased by approximately  $9,100,000 or 29.2% in the Residential
Building  Products  Segment and $2,800,000 or 7.3% in the Air  Conditioning  and
Heating  Products  Segment  as a result  of  increased  sales  volume  without a
proportionate increase in expense.

Earnings  of  foreign  operations,   consisting  primarily  of  the  results  of
operations  of  the  Company's   Canadian  and  European   subsidiaries,   which
manufacture  built-in ventilating  products,  decreased to approximately 9.0% of
operating  earnings (before corporate  overhead) in 1997 from approximately 9.1%
of such earnings in 1996.  The decrease in the  percentage is due to an increase
in domestic earnings in 1997, in part as a result of $11,300,000  contributed by
Ply Gem, which has primarily  domestic  operations.  Sales and earnings  derived
from the international market are subject to the risks of currency fluctuations.

Interest expense in 1997 increased  approximately  $21,800,000 or approximately
76.8%,  as compared to 1996,  primarily as a result of the sale of $175,000,000
principal  amount of 9 1/4%  Senior  Notes due 2007 ("9 1/4%  Notes") in March,
1997,  the sale of  $310,000,000  principal  amount of 9 1/8% Senior  Notes due
2007



                                       30
<PAGE>





NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

("9 1/8% Notes")in August,  1997 and the existing  indebtedness of Ply Gem. This
increase  was  partially  offset  by  the  refinancing  of  certain  outstanding
indebtedness  of the Company's  subsidiaries  primarily in the second quarter of
1997. (See Notes 2 and 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated  Financial  statements
included elsewhere herein.)

Investment  income in 1997 increased  approximately  $3,900,000 or approximately
65.0%, as compared to 1996,  principally due to higher average invested balances
of short-term investments and marketable securities.

The  provision  for income  taxes was  approximately  $16,300,000  for 1997,  as
compared to  approximately  $14,900,000 for 1996. The provision for income taxes
was reduced by approximately  $1,540,000 in 1997 and $481,000 in 1996 reflecting
the reversal of tax reserves no longer  required.  The income tax rates differed
from the United States Federal  statutory rate of 35% principally as a result of
state  income  tax  provisions,  nondeductible  amortization  expense  (for  tax
purposes),  changes in tax reserves, the effect of foreign income tax on foreign
source  income and the effect of product  development  tax credits  from foreign
operations.  (See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated  Financial  Statements
included elsewhere herein.)

In the fourth quarter of 1997, the Company  adopted a plan of disposition of its
Plumbing Products  business.  Loss from discontinued  operations  related to the
Plumbing Products  business  increased  approximately  $3,500,000 from a loss of
$1,700,000  in 1996 to a loss of  $5,200,000  in 1997.  Loss  from  discontinued
operations  in 1997  includes a net after tax loss of  $1,600,000  for operating
losses  expected to occur during the disposal period and is net of an income tax
benefit of $900,000.  Loss from discontinued  operations  includes net after tax
operating  losses of  $3,600,000  in 1997 and  $1,700,000 in 1996 and are net of
income tax benefits of $2,100,000 and $900,000 for 1997 and 1996,  respectively.
Operating results of discontinued  operations reflect an allocation of corporate
interest  expense of  approximately  $1,900,000 and $1,700,000 in 1997 and 1996,
respectively and are net of income tax benefits of $670,000 and $600,000 in 1997
and 1996,  respectively.  (See Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements included elsewhere herein.)

Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

The  Company  is  highly  leveraged  and  expects  to  continue  to  be  highly
leveraged for the  foreseeable  future.  At December 31, 1998,  the Company had
consolidated debt of approximately



                                       31
<PAGE>





NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

$1,024,900,000  consisting  of (i)  $17,700,000  of  short-term  borrowings  and
current maturities of long-term debt, (ii) $112,300,000 of notes, mortgage notes
and  other   indebtedness,   (iii)  $209,300,000  of  the  8  7/8%  Notes,  (iv)
$174,100,000 of the 9 1/4% Notes,  (v) $203,800,000 of the 9 7/8% Notes and (vi)
$307,700,000  of the 9 1/8%  Notes.  At  December  31,  1998,  the  Company  had
consolidated  unrestricted  cash, cash equivalents and marketable  securities of
approximately $209,600,000 as compared to approximately $161,800,000 at December
31,  1997 and the  Company's  debt to equity  ratio was  approximately  4.7:1 at
December 31, 1998 as compared to 6.7:1 at December 31, 1997.

The  Company's  ability to pay  interest  on or to  refinance  its  indebtedness
depends on the successful  integration of the operations of recent  acquisitions
and the  Company's  future  performance,  which,  in part, is subject to general
economic,  financial,  competitive,  legislative,  regulatory  and other factors
beyond its  control.  There can be no assurance  that the Company will  generate
sufficient  cash flow from the  operation  of its  subsidiaries  or that  future
financings  will be available on  acceptable  terms or in amounts  sufficient to
enable  the  Company  to  service  or  refinance  its  indebtedness,  or to make
necessary capital expenditures.

The  Company  has  evaluated  and  expects  to  continue  to  evaluate  possible
acquisition  transactions  and  the  possible  dispositions  of  certain  of its
businesses  on an  ongoing  basis  and at any  given  time  may  be  engaged  in
discussions  or   negotiations   with  respect  to  possible   acquisitions   or
dispositions.

The indentures and other agreements  governing the Company and its subsidiaries'
indebtedness  (including the indentures for the 8 7/8% Notes,  the 9 7/8% Notes,
the 9 1/4% Notes and the 9 1/8% Notes and the credit  agreement  for the Ply Gem
credit facility) contain restrictive financial and operating covenants including
covenants  that  restrict  the ability of the Company  and its  subsidiaries  to
complete acquisitions, pay dividends, incur indebtedness, make investments, sell
assets and take certain other corporate actions.

The Company expects to meet its cash flow requirements  through fiscal 1999 from
cash generated from  operations,  existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable
securities,  and  possible  financings,  which  may  include  securitization  of
accounts receivables and mortgage or capital lease financings.

In 1998 the Company  improved  its  liquidity  and  reduced  its  leverage as a
result of the sale of 2,182,500  shares of common  stock for net cash  proceeds
of approximately $64,190,000 (the



                                       32
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

"Common Stock  Offering")  and net cash proceeds of  approximately  $111,700,000
from the sale of certain businesses.  Approximately  $44,800,000 of the proceeds
received from the Common Stock  Offering was used for the  acquisition of NuTone
and  approximately  $27,700,000  of the net proceeds  received  from the sale of
businesses  was used to  reduce  debt  and the  balance  was  used  for  general
corporate  purposes.  (See Notes 2, 5, 6 and 9 of the Notes to the  Consolidated
Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.)

On October 9, 1998,  the Company  acquired  Napco,  a  manufacturer  of exterior
building products, for approximately $80,800,000 in cash (of which approximately
$4,100,000  was paid in 1999),  approximately  $400,000 of  forgiveness of Napco
employee  loans and the  assumption of  approximately  $10,200,000  of debt. The
acquisition  was funded through the use of unrestricted  cash, cash  equivalents
and marketable securities.

On July 31, 1998, the Company  acquired  NuTone, a manufacturer of exhaust fans,
range hoods, and other  ventilation  products and accessories,  for an aggregate
purchase  price of  $242,500,000  in cash plus fees and expenses.  In connection
with the acquisition,  the Company assumed NuTone's operating liabilities (other
than  intercompany   borrowings),   including  certain   liabilities  of  NuTone
concerning post retirement and other benefit obligations. The purchase price was
funded from the net proceeds from the sale of the 8 7/8% Notes,  which  occurred
on July 31, 1998,  together  with a portion of the cash proceeds from the Common
Stock Offering. (See Notes 2, 5 and 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements included elsewhere herein.)

As the Company begins the process of integrating the 1998  acquisitions into its
businesses,  it expects to  achieve  significant  synergies,  cost  savings  and
reductions  during 1999,  partially  offset by certain costs and  expenses.  The
total  expenditures  associated  with this effort,  which are estimated to range
between  approximately  $18,000,000 and  $25,000,000,  are expected to be funded
from the Company's 1999 operating cash flow. The Company expects to finalize its
integration  plans and determine an estimated cost to complete such  integration
by the second quarter of 1999. If significant  difficulty is encountered  during
the integration process, or if such synergies and cost savings are not realized,
the results of  operations,  cash flow and  financial  condition  of the Company
likely will be adversely  affected.  There can be no assurance  that the Company
will be able to successfully  manage and integrate the 1998  acquisitions.  (See
Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere
herein.) 



                                       33
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents decreased from approximately $125,842,000
at  December  31,  1997 to  approximately  $87,876,000  at  December  31,  1998.
Marketable   securities   available  for  sale  increased   from   approximately
$35,988,000 at December 31, 1997 to  approximately  $121,757,000 at December 31,
1998.  The Company's  investment  in marketable  securities at December 31, 1998
consisted  primarily  of  certificates  of deposit and bank issued  money market
instruments.  At December 31, 1998,  approximately  $13,818,000 of the Company's
cash and  investments  were  pledged  as  collateral  for  insurance  and  other
requirements  and  were  classified  as  restricted  in  current  assets  in the
Company's accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

Capital expenditures were approximately  $41,400,000 in 1998 and are expected to
be approximately $40,000,000 in 1999.

The  Company's  Board of  Directors  has  authorized a program to purchase up to
500,000  shares of the Company's  Common and Special Common Stock in open-market
or negotiated  transactions subject to market conditions,  cash availability and
provisions of the Company's  outstanding debt instruments.  As of March 5, 1999,
the Company had purchased approximately 460,000 shares of its Common and Special
Common Stock under this program for approximately  $13,000,000 and accounted for
such share purchases as Treasury Stock.

At March 5, 1999,  approximately  $60,800,000  was  available for the payment of
cash dividends, stock payments or other restricted payments as defined under the
terms of the Company's most restrictive  Indenture.  (See Note 5 of the Notes to
the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.)





                                       34
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

The Company's working capital and its current ratio decreased from approximately
$341,821,000 and 2.3:1,  respectively,  to approximately $337,207,000 and 2.0:1,
respectively,  between December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1998, principally as a
result of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Increase (decrease)
                                                   in Working Capital

<S>                                                  <C>           
Net proceeds from the Common Stock Offering          $ 64,190,000  
Net proceeds from theSale of the 8 7/8% Notes         203,492,000 
Acquisition of NuTone, net of approximately
  $15,900,000 of acquired working capital            (232,081,000)
                                                     -------------
                                                       35,601,000
Effect of Businesses sold or discontinued, net
  of $27,700,000 payment of long-term debt            (15,417,000)
Acquisition of Napco, net of approximately
  $16,360,000 of acquired working capital             (60,340,000)
Other, net                                             35,542,000
                                                     -------------
                                                     $ (4,614,000)
                                                     =============
</TABLE>

Accounts receivable increased approximately  $24,945,000 or approximately 13.8%,
between  December  31, 1997 and December  31,  1998,  while net sales  increased
approximately $22,319,000 or approximately 5.4% in the fourth quarter of 1998 as
compared to the fourth quarter of 1997.  The increase in accounts  receivable is
primarily   attributable  to  the  acquisitions  of  NuTone  and  Napco,   which
contributed  approximately  $52,000,000 to the increase,  partially  offset by a
decrease of approximately  $29,800,000 attributable to Businesses sold. The rate
of change in accounts  receivable in certain  periods may be different  than the
rate of change in sales in such  periods  principally  due to the  timing of net
sales.  Increases or decreases in net sales near the end of any period generally
result in significant  changes in the amount of accounts  receivable on the date
of the balance sheet at the end of such period, as was the situation on December
31, 1998 as compared to December 31, 1997. The Company has not  experienced  any
significant  overall  changes  in  credit  terms,   collection  efforts,  credit
utilization or delinquency in accounts receivable in 1998.

Inventories decreased  approximately  $13,546,000 or approximately 7.7%, between
December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1998. The decrease is primarily  attributable
to  Businesses  sold  which  accounted  for  approximately  $47,100,000  of  the
decrease,  and is partially offset by an increase of  approximately  $35,200,000
attributable to the acquisitions of NuTone and Napco.

Accounts payable increased  approximately  $28,613,000 or approximately  31.3%,
between December 31, 1997 and December 31,



                                       35
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

1998. The increase is primarily  attributable to the  acquisitions of NuTone and
Napco, which contributed  approximately  $21,900,000 to the increase,  partially
offset by a decrease of  approximately  $7,100,000  attributable  to  Businesses
sold.

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents decreased approximately  $37,966,000 from
December  31,  1997  to  December  31,  1998,  principally  as a  result  of the
following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               Condensed
                                                              Consolidated
                                                               Cash Flows
<S>                                                          <C>                
Operating Activities--
 Cash flow from operations, net                              $ 92,321,000
 Increase in accounts receivable, net                          (4,554,000)
 Increase in inventories                                         (979,000)
 Decrease in prepaids and other current assets                  1,581,000
 Increase in net assets of discontinued operations             (7,426,000)
 Increase in accounts payable                                  12,532,000
 Increase in accrued expenses and taxes                        10,084,000
Investing Activities---
 Net cash paid for businesses acquired                       (324,702,000)
 Proceeds from Businesses sold or discontinued                111,738,000
 Purchase of marketable securities, net                       (84,439,000)
 Increase in restricted cash and investments                   (7,463,000)
 Capital expenditures                                         (40,863,000)
Financing Activities---
 Sale of the 8 7/8%  Notes                                    203,492,000  
 Net  proceeds  from  the  Common  Stock Offering              64,190,000
 Payment  of  borrowings  and  purchase  of  Notes,  net      (49,199,000) 
 Purchase of Nortek Common and Special Common Stock            (7,668,000)
Other, net                                                     (6,611,000)
                                                             -------------
                                                             $(37,966,000)
                                                             =============
<FN>
The  impact  of  changes  in  foreign  currency  exchange  rates on cash was not
material and has been included in other, net.
</FN>
</TABLE>

The  Company's  debt-to-equity  ratio  decreased  from  approximately  6.7:1  at
December 31, 1997 to 4.7:1 at December  31,  1998,  primarily as a result of the
increase in equity due to the Common Stock  Offering,  net earnings for 1998 and
the payment of borrowings,  partially  offset by the effect of the sale of the 8
7/8% Notes. (See the Consolidated Statement of Stockholders'  Investment for the
year ended December 31, 1998 and Notes 5 and 6 of the Notes to the  Consolidated
Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.)




                                       36
<PAGE>





NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

At December  31, 1998,  the Company had  approximately  $27,300,000  of net U.S.
federal  prepaid  income tax assets  which are  expected to be realized  through
future operating earnings.

Inflation, Trends and General Considerations

The  Company  has  evaluated  and  expects  to  continue  to  evaluate  possible
acquisition  transactions  and  the  possible  dispositions  of  certain  of its
businesses  on an  ongoing  basis  and at any  given  time  may  be  engaged  in
discussions  or   negotiations   with  respect  to  possible   acquisitions   or
dispositions.

The Company's  performance is dependent to a significant  extent upon the levels
of new  residential  construction,  residential  replacement  and remodeling and
non-residential  construction,  all of which are  affected  by such  factors  as
interest  rates,  inflation  and  unemployment.  In the near term,  the  Company
expects to operate in an environment of relatively stable levels of construction
and  remodeling  activity.  However,  increases  in interest  rates could have a
negative impact on the level of housing construction and remodeling activity.

The demand for the Company's products is seasonal, particularly in the Northeast
and Midwest  regions of the United  States where  inclement  weather  during the
winter months usually  reduces the level of building and remodeling  activity in
both the home  improvement  and new  construction  markets.  The Company's lower
sales levels  usually occur during the first and fourth  quarters.  Since a high
percentage of the Company's  manufacturing  overhead and operating  expenses are
relatively fixed throughout the year,  operating income and net earnings tend to
be lower in quarters with lower sales levels.  The Ply Gem businesses,  acquired
in August 1997 and Napco,  acquired in October 1998,  have in the past been more
seasonal  in  nature  than  the  Company's   businesses  owned  prior  to  these
acquisitions.  In addition,  the demand for cash to fund the working  capital of
the Company's subsidiaries is greater from late in the first quarter until early
in the fourth quarter.

Market Risk

As discussed  more  specifically  below,  the Company is exposed to market risks
related to changes in interest rates,  foreign currencies and commodity pricing.
The Company uses  derivative  financial  instruments on a limited basis to hedge
economic  exposures.  The  Company  does not  enter  into  derivative  financial
instruments or other financial instruments for trading purposes.





                                       37
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

A.    Interest Rate Risk

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest  rates  primarily
through its  investing  and  borrowing  activities.  In addition,  the Company's
ability  to finance  future  acquisition  transactions  may be  impacted  if the
Company is unable to obtain appropriate financing at acceptable interest rates.

The Company's investing strategy, to manage interest rate exposure, is to invest
in short-term,  highly liquid investments and marketable securities.  Short-term
investments  primarily consist of money market accounts and corporate commercial
paper with original  maturities  of 90 days or less.  At December 31, 1998,  the
fair value of the Company's  short-term  investments  approximated market value.
Marketable  securities  primarily  consist of  certificates  of deposit and bank
issued money market instruments,  all with original maturities of between 91 and
183 days. Restricted  investments and marketable securities primarily consist of
money market accounts and commercial  paper with original  maturities of 90 days
or less. At December 31, 1998, the fair value of the Company's  unrestricted and
restricted investments and marketable securities approximated market value.

The Company  manages  its  borrowing  exposure  to changes in interest  rates by
optimizing the use of fixed rate debt with extended maturities.  In addition, as
of December 31, 1998, the Company  hedged its exposure on a substantial  portion
of its variable rate debt by entering into interest rate swap agreements to lock
in a fixed rate. At December 31, 1998,  approximately 98% of the carrying values
of the Company's  long-term  debt were either at fixed interest rates or covered
by interest rate swap agreements that fixed the interest rates.

See table D (Long-term  Debt) and Notes 1 and 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated
Financial  Statements  included  elsewhere herein for further  disclosure of the
terms of the Company's debt and interest rate swap agreements.

B.    Foreign Currency Risk

The Company's results of operations are affected by fluctuations in the value of
the U.S.  dollar as  compared  to the value of  currencies  in  foreign  markets
primarily  related to changes in the Italian  Lira and the Canadian  Dollar.  In
1998,  the net  impact of  foreign  currency  changes  was not  material  to the
Company's financial condition or results of operations.  The Company manages its
exposure to foreign currency exchange risk principally by trying to minimize the
Company's net investment



                                       38
<PAGE>





NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

in foreign assets through the use of strategic short and long-term borrowings at
the foreign subsidiary level.  Consistent with this strategy,  notes payable and
other short-term obligations at December 31, 1998 consist entirely of short-term
borrowings by certain of the  Company's  foreign  subsidiaries.  At December 31,
1998,  the  Company's  net  investment  in  foreign  assets  was   approximately
$60,000,000.  An overall  unfavorable  change in foreign  exchange  rates of 10%
would result in an approximate $6,000,000 reduction in equity as a result of the
impact on the cumulative translation adjustment.  The Company generally does not
enter into derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency exposure.
At December  31, 1998,  the notional  amounts of  outstanding  foreign  currency
hedging contracts,  all of which expire in 1999, were not material.  The Company
does not expect the  settlement of such  contracts to have a material  impact on
financial condition or results of operations in fiscal 1999.

The  Company's  operations in Europe are not  significant  and,  therefore,  the
Company  does not expect to be  materially  impacted  by the  introduction  of a
European single currency, the Euro.

C.    Commodity Pricing Risk

The Company is subject to significant market risk with respect to the pricing of
its  principal raw  materials,  which  include,  among  others,  steel,  copper,
packaging material,  plastics,  resins,  glass, wood and aluminum.  If prices of
these raw materials were to increase  dramatically,  the Company may not be able
to pass such increases on to its customers and, as a result, gross margins could
decline  significantly.  The Company  manages its exposure to commodity  pricing
risk by continuing to diversify its product mix,  strategic  buying programs and
vendor  partnering.  The  Company  generally  does  not  enter  into  derivative
financial  instruments  to manage  commodity-pricing  exposure.  At December 31,
1998, the Company did not have any outstanding commodity forward contracts.

D.    Long-term Debt

The table that  follows  sets  forth as of  December  31,  1998,  the  Company's
long-term debt obligations, principal cash flows by scheduled maturity, weighted
average interest rates and estimated fair market values.  Approximately  1.2% of
the Company's  total  indebtedness  is  denominated in foreign  currencies.  The
weighted average interest rates for variable rate debt are based on December 31,
1998  interest  rates.  In  addition,  the table  that  follows  sets  forth the
outstanding notional amounts by year and weighted average interest rates of




                                       39
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

the Company's interest rate swap agreements.

Long-term Debt:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                              Scheduled Maturity          Average Interest Rate
                         Fixed    Variable               Fixed  Variable
Year Ending               Rate      Rate       Total      Rate    Rate    Total
                            (Amounts in thousands)

<S>                     <C>         <C>      <C>          <C>      <C>     <C>  
December 31, 1999       $  5,399    $ 1,377  $    6,776   7.16%    7.26%   7.18%
             2000          3,520      1,367       4,887   7.77     7.26    7.63
             2001          2,284      1,368       3,652   7.21     7.26    7.23
             2002          1,721     80,387      82,108   6.72     6.86    6.86
             2003          1,592         24       1,616   6.65     7.75    6.67
Thereafter (1)           914,821      4,977     919,798   9.19     4.46    9.17
                        ---------   -------  -----------  -----    -----   -----
Total Principal         $929,337    $89,500  $1,018,837   9.16%    6.74%   8.95%
Unamortized Debt
 Discount                 (4,948)       ---      (4,948)
                        ---------   -------  -----------
Total Long-term Debt
 at December 31, 1998   $924,389    $89,500  $1,013,889
                        =========   =======  ===========
Fair Market Value of
 Long-term Debt at
 December 31, 1998      $959,631    $89,500  $1,049,131
                        =========   =======  ===========
</TABLE>



Interest Rate Swaps:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  Average
                                                  Fixed       Variable
                               Notional           Pay         Receive
Year Ending                     Amount            Rate        Rate
                        (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                             <C>               <C>          <C>
Outstanding at
December 31, 1999               $40,000           5.76%        (2)
             2000                40,000           5.76         (2)
             2001                40,000           5.76         (2)
             2002                40,000           5.76         (2)
Fair Market Value of
 the liability related
 to Interest Rate Swaps
 at December 31, 1998            $1,600

<FN>

(1)   Senior  and  senior   subordinated   notes  with  a  total   principal  of
      $899,822,000  and a  weighted  average  interest  rate of 9.26%  mature at
      various times from 2004 through 2008.

(2)   The interest  rate swap  variable  receive rate for all periods is the one
      month LIBOR rate.
</FN>
</TABLE>



                                       40
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Year 2000 Disclosure

The Year  2000  ("Y2K")  issue  refers to and  arises  from  deficient  computer
programs and related  products,  such as embedded  chips,  which do not properly
distinguish  between a year that begins with "20"  instead of "19"  beginning on
January 1, 2000. If not corrected,  many  businesses and other  processes  could
fail or create erroneous results.  The extent of the potential impact of the Y2K
problem  is not yet  known,  and if not timely  corrected,  it could  affect the
global  economy.  As required by recent  guidance from the SEC applicable to all
public companies,  the following  disclosure  provides more detail regarding the
Company's Y2K compliance than previous reports filed by the Company.

A.    The Company's Readiness:

To manage its Y2K program,  the Company established a corporate-wide  initiative
and has  divided  its  efforts  into five  areas:  awareness  (communication  to
employees,  vendors  and  suppliers  of the Y2K issue),  assessment  (a complete
inventory   of  all   aspects  of  the   business   that  might  be   affected),
remediation/validation  (develop plans to correct all issues identified from the
assessment stage),  implementation  (corrective  measures taken to solve the Y2K
issues identified) and contingency  (alternative  actions developed in the event
that all corrective measures are not implemented by Y2K).  Further,  the Company
has identified three key areas of concentration: information technology systems,
non-IT  systems and third  parties  (suppliers  and  customers).  The  Company's
subsidiaries  are in various stages of completion of this  readiness,  including
the  assessment,  remediation  and  implementation  stages,  for the Y2K  issue.
Certain  of  the  Company's  subsidiaries  are  simultaneously  working  on  the
assessment, remediation and implementation stages of this initiative. During the
second and third fiscal quarters of 1999, the Company's  subsidiaries  expect to
make significant progress in the remediation and implementation  stages. Overall
the Company  believes that it is in the remediation  stage of addressing the Y2K
issue and expects by the end of the second  fiscal  quarter of 1999 to provide a
more  definitive  assessment  of the status of each stage.  Although the Company
believes that all  modifications  to  information  technology  ("IT") and non-IT
systems,  material to the Company's business, will be Y2K compliant on or before
December  31,  1999,  it cannot  predict  the  outcome or the success of its Y2K
program,  or that third party systems are or will be Y2K compliant,  or that the
costs required to address the Y2K initiative, or that the impact of a failure to
achieve  substantial Y2K compliance,  will not have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations. 



                                       41
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


     1.   Information  Technology  (IT)  systems:  The Company is  conducting  a
          comprehensive  review of its computer  systems to identify  those that
          could be affected by the Y2K issue.  The Company's  operating  systems
          and database systems are not all Y2K compliant.  The Company presently
          believes  that with minor  modifications  (conversion  and  testing in
          progress) to existing  software  and  replacement  of others,  the Y2K
          problem  will  not  pose  significant  operational  problems  for  the
          Company's computer systems as so modified.

     2.   Non-IT  systems:  Non-IT  systems  are those  that  typically  include
          "embedded"  technology such as microcontrollers and chips. The Company
          is in the process of  evaluating  the effect of the Y2K problem on all
          non-IT systems including all telecommunications equipment,  shop-floor
          controls,  alarm systems and any other  equipment that can potentially
          use  microcontrollers,  chips or  other  systems  affected  by the Y2K
          problem.

     3.   Third parties: Due to the pervasive use of computers by the Company in
          its dealings with suppliers,  customers,  financial institutions,  and
          other third parties,  the Y2K problem could have a material  impact on
          the Company if not timely  addressed by such third parties.  To assess
          third  party  readiness,   the  Company  is  surveying  its  principal
          suppliers and financial  institutions  and  receiving  responses  that
          indicate that such parties are in the process of adequately addressing
          the problem.  In cases where key  suppliers  have not responded or are
          not adequately  addressing the issue,  the Company will determine what
          contingency   plans  will  be  necessary  to  protect  the   Company's
          interests.  While the Company has not surveyed all its  customers,  it
          has  received  surveys  from  many  of its  principal  customers  that
          indicate that they are also addressing the problem.

The Company  operates in a decentralized  environment and major computer systems
are,  therefore,  in various  states of  readiness.  The  Company  has  nineteen
businesses  with various IT systems that support 100% of the Company's net sales
for 1998 after  excluding  net sales of  Businesses  sold in 1998.  The  Company
estimates  that the  remediation  effort  for IT  systems  Y2K  issues  of eight
business  units  representing  approximately  36%  of net  sales  for  1998  are
approximately 80-95% complete. The Company estimates



                                       42
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

that the  remediation  effort  for the IT systems  Y2K issues of seven  business
units  representing  approximately  43% of net sales for 1998 are  approximately
60-75% complete.  The Company  estimates that the remediation  effort for the IT
systems Y2K issues of four business units representing  approximately 21% of net
sales for 1998 is approximately 30-50% complete.

Substantially all of the non-IT systems,  including telephone systems and office
equipment,  have been  tested.  Those found not to be Y2K  compliant  are in the
process of being  replaced or  repaired.  Machinery  and  equipment  testing and
remediation  are  in  process  and  the  Company  estimates  this  phase  to  be
approximately 30% complete overall.

B.    Cost:

The Company's estimate for remediation  directly related to fixing Y2K issues is
approximately  $6,500,000.  The total estimated  expenditures  of  approximately
$6,500,000 consist of approximately $2,000,000 of IT computer hardware equipment
costs,  approximately  $3,500,000  of IT software and non-IT  computer  hardware
expenditures  and  approximately  $1,000,000 of other non-IT  expenditures.  The
Company has spent approximately $2,200,000 through December 31, 1998. All of the
Company's  Y2K  compliance  expenditures  have been or are expected to be funded
from the Company's operating cash flow.

The Company's Y2K  compliance  budget does not include  significant  amounts for
hardware replacement because the Company has historically employed a strategy to
continually  upgrade its  computer  systems.  Consequently,  the  Company's  Y2K
compliance  budget  has  not  required  the  diversion  of  funds  from  or  the
postponement of the implementation of other planned IT projects.

Actual  costs to be incurred  by the Company  will depend on a number of factors
which  cannot  be  accurately  predicted  and may  therefore  deviate  from  the
estimates  above  including,  among  others,  the extent and  difficulty  of the
remaining  remediation and other work to be done, the  availability  and cost of
consultants, and the extent of testing required to demonstrate Y2K compliance.

C.    Risks:

Based on current information, the Company believes that the Y2K problem will not
have a material  adverse  effect on the Company,  its business or its  financial
condition.  There can,  however,  be no assurances  that Y2K  remediation by the
Company or third parties will be properly and timely  completed,  and failure to
do



                                       43
<PAGE>





NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

so could have a material  adverse  effect on the  Company,  its business and its
financial  condition.  The Company  believes that the greatest risk presented by
the  Y2K  problem  is  from  third   parties,   such  as  suppliers,   financial
institutions,  utility providers and customers,  among others,  who may not have
adequately  addressed the problem.  A failure of any such third party's computer
or other  applicable  systems  in  sufficient  magnitude  could  materially  and
adversely affect the Company. The Company is not presently able to quantify this
risk.

The Company is unable to assess a  reasonable  worst case Y2K  scenario  given a
number  of  factors  outside  of  the  Company's  direct  or  indirect  control,
including,  among  others,  the  Company's  current  remediation  status and the
uncertainty  of the readiness of vendors and customers.  The Company  recognizes
the  risks in its  ability  to  conduct  business  if  other  key  suppliers  in
utilities, communications, transportation, banking and government, both domestic
(local, state and federal) and foreign, are not Y2K ready. The Company is in the
process  of  surveying  vendors  and  customers  about  their  readiness.   Upon
completion of this survey,  the Company will complete its own internal review of
this  information  to verify  the  accuracy  of the  responses.  The  Company is
monitoring news and progress  reports  pertaining to those critical  services to
determine the effect on the Company's ability to conduct business as a result of
Y2K  issues  on the  economy  if those and other  key  suppliers  in  utilities,
communications,  transportation,  banking and government,  both domestic (local,
state  and  federal)  and  foreign,  cease to  function.  Once the  Company  has
completed  its  remediation  phase of the Y2K issue,  the Company  will  develop
appropriate worst-case scenarios and plans to deal with such contingencies while
it develops  its  contingency  plans which are  expected to be  completed in mid
1999.

D.    Contingency Plans:

The Company is in the process of preparing appropriate  contingency plans in the
event that a significant internal or external exposure is identified.  While the
Company is not presently aware of any such significant exposure, there can be no
guarantee  that the systems of third parties on which the Company relies will be
converted in a timely manner,  or that a failure to properly  convert by another
company would not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The  Company's  contingency  plans  for IT  systems  have not  been  completely
developed,  but are  expected to be complete by mid 1999.  The Company  expects
to complete the  preparation  of its  contingency  plans once it evaluates  its
status after it has



                                       44
<PAGE>





NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

completed the remediation  phase of the Y2K project for IT systems.  In planning
for issues not resolved or  contemplated  for IT systems,  the Company  plans to
allocate  internal  resources and may retain  dedicated  consultants  and vendor
representatives  to be  available  to  take  corrective  action,  if  necessary.
However,  the Company will adjust and adopt additional plans if situations arise
requiring  modifications to existing contingency plans or new contingency plans,
as required.

The Company's contingency plans for non-IT systems have also not been completed.
The Company's  subsidiaries  do,  however,  have various  business  interruption
contingency  plans in place.  These plans are in the process of being  evaluated
for Y2K scenarios and will be adjusted as appropriate. The Company will develop,
if necessary,  appropriate  contingency plans by mid 1999 upon completion of its
remediation efforts in this area.

Forward-Looking Statements

This  document  contains  forward-looking  statements  within the meaning of the
Private  Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this discussion
and throughout  this document,  words such as "intends,"  "plans,"  "estimates,"
"believes,"  "anticipates" and "expects" or similar  expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Company's
current plans and expectations and involve risks and  uncertainties,  over which
the Company  has no  control,  that could cause  actual  future  activities  and
results of  operations to be  materially  different  from those set forth in the
forward-looking  statements.  Important  factors that could cause actual  future
activities and operating  results to differ include the availability and cost of
certain raw materials costs, (including,  among others, steel, copper, packaging
materials, plastics, resins, glass, wood and aluminum) and purchased components,
the level of domestic and foreign construction and remodeling activity affecting
residential and commercial markets,  interest rates, employment,  inflation, Y2K
readiness,   currency  translation,   consumer  spending  levels,  operating  in
international  economies,  the rate of sales  growth,  price,  and  product  and
warranty liability claims.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these  forward-looking  statements  which speak only as of the date hereof.  The
Company  undertakes  no  obligation  to  update  publicly  any   forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information,  future events or otherwise.
All subsequent written and oral forward-looking  statements  attributable to the
Company  or  persons  acting on its  behalf  are  expressly  qualified  in their
entirety by these  cautionary  statements.  Readers are also urged to  carefully
review and consider the various disclosures made by the Company, in this



                                       45
<PAGE>





NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

document, as well as the Company's periodic reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Quantitative and qualitative  disclosure about market risk required by this Item
7A is set forth in Item 7 -  Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations - Market Risk.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Financial  statements  and  supplementary  data  required by this Item 8 are set
forth at the pages indicated in item 14(a) included elsewhere herein.

ITEM 9.  DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

See Election of Directors in the  definitive  Proxy  Statement for the Company's
1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders,  incorporated herein by reference. See also
Part  I,  Item  1,  Business-General  Considerations-Executive  Officers  of the
Registrant.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

See Executive  Compensation in the definitive  Proxy Statement for the Company's
1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

See  Security  Ownership of Certain  Beneficial  Owners and  Management  in the
definitive   Proxy   Statement  for  the  Company's   1999  Annual  Meeting  of
Stockholders, incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

See Election of Directors in the definitive  Proxy  Statement for the Company's
1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, incorporated herein by reference.



                                       46
<PAGE>





NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) Financial Statements and Schedules

    The following documents are filed as part of this report:

1.  Financial Statements:                                  Page No.

    Consolidated Statement of Operations for the
      three years ended December 31, 1998                       49
    Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1998
      and 1997                                                  50
    Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the
      three years ended December 31, 1998                       52
    Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Investment
      for the three years ended December 31, 1998               54
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                  57
    Report of Independent Public Accountants                    90

2.  Financial Statement Schedules:

    Schedule I Condensed Financial Information of
      Registrant                                                91
    Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts               97

3.  The exhibits are listed in the Exhibit Index, which is incorporated herein
    by reference.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

    No  reports  on Form 8-K  were  filed by the  Registrant  during  the last
    quarter of the period covered by this report.





                                       47
<PAGE>





                                     SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the  registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on March 29, 1999.

                                       NORTEK, INC.


                            By: /s/Richard L. Bready
                            --------------------------
                                Richard L. Bready
                                Chairman of the Board

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following  persons on behalf of the  registrant and
in the capacities indicated, as of March 29, 1999.



/s/Richard L. Bready                        /s/J. Peter Lyons
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard L. Bready, Chairman                 J. Peter Lyons, Director
of the Board and President
(principal executive officer)



/s/Richard J. Harris                        /s/William I. Kelly
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard J. Harris, Vice President           William I. Kelly, Director
and Treasurer (principal financial
officer) and Director



/s/Almon C. Hall                            /s/Phillip L. Cohen
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Almon C. Hall, Vice President               Phillip L. Cohen, Director
and Controller (principal
accounting officer)





                                       48
<PAGE>



<TABLE>

Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Operations
<CAPTION>

                                          For the Years Ended December 31,
                                              1998        1997       1996
                                      (In thousands except per share amounts)

<S>                                       <C>           <C>          <C>     
Net Sales                                 $1,738,343    $1,134,129   $841,557
                                          ----------    ----------   --------
Costs and Expenses:
 Cost of products sold                     1,275,350       825,805    596,847
 Selling, general and administrative
   expense                                   315,449       219,376    180,308
 Amortization of goodwill and
  intangible assets                           14,416         5,967      3,451
                                          ----------    ----------   --------
                                           1,605,215     1,051,148    780,606
                                          ----------    ----------   --------
 Operating earnings                          133,128        82,981     60,951
 Gain on Businesses sold                       4,000           ---        ---
 Interest expense                            (86,298)      (50,210)   (28,400)
 Investment income                            10,470         9,929      6,049
                                          ----------    ----------   --------
 Earnings from continuing operations
   before provision for income taxes          61,300        42,700     38,600
 Provision for income taxes                   27,300        16,300     14,900
                                          ----------    ----------   --------
Earnings from continuing operations
  before extraordinary loss                   34,000        26,400     23,700
Earnings (loss) from discontinued
  operations                                   1,200        (5,200)    (1,700)
Extraordinary loss from debt
  retirements                                   (200)          ---        ---
                                           ---------    ----------   --------
Net Earnings                                $ 35,000      $ 21,200   $ 22,000
                                           =========    ==========   ========
Earnings (loss) Per Share:
Earnings from continuing operations:
  Basic                                        $3.11         $2.75      $2.26
  Diluted                                      $3.06         $2.68      $2.23
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations:
  Basic                                        $ .11         $(.54)     $(.16)
  Diluted                                      $ .11         $(.53)     $(.16)
Extraordinary loss from debt retirements:
  Basic                                        $(.02)         ---        ---
  Diluted                                      $(.02)         ---        ---
Net Earnings:
  Basic                                        $3.20         $2.21      $2.10
  Diluted                                      $3.15         $2.15      $2.07
Weighted Average Number of Shares:
  Basic                                       10,923         9,605     10,485
  Diluted                                     11,113         9,855     10,641

<FN>
The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>



                                       49
<PAGE>





Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheet
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          December 31,
                                                        1998         1997
                                                     (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>            
Assets

Current Assets:
 Unrestricted
   Cash and cash equivalents                          $ 87,876   $  125,842
   Marketable securities available for sale            121,757       35,988
 Restricted
   Investments and marketable securities at
     cost, which approximates market                    13,818        6,348
 Accounts receivable, less allowances of
   $10,657,000 and $11,047,000                         205,359      180,414
 Inventories
   Raw materials                                        69,247       72,693
   Work in process                                      13,010       18,399
   Finished goods                                       80,450       85,161
                                                    ----------   ----------
                                                       162,707      176,253
                                                    ----------   ----------

 Prepaid expenses                                       10,938        8,391
 Other current assets                                   15,513       12,627
 Net assets of a discontinued operation                    ---       22,386
 Prepaid income taxes                                   54,163       46,800
                                                    ----------   ----------
    Total current assets                               672,131      615,049
                                                    ----------   ----------

Property and Equipment, at Cost:
 Land                                                   12,628       12,081
 Buildings and improvements                            102,455       96,606
 Machinery and equipment                               294,551      250,677
                                                    ----------   ----------
                                                       409,634      359,364
 Less accumulated depreciation                         130,010      116,841
                                                    ----------   ----------
    Total property and equipment, net                  279,624      242,523
                                                    ----------   ----------

Other Assets:
 Goodwill, less accumulated amortization
   of $41,204,000 and $31,773,000                      598,823      378,232
 Intangible assets, net                                 73,441        8,752
 Deferred income taxes                                     ---       10,022
 Deferred debt expense                                  24,845       21,066
 Other                                                  41,129       28,902
                                                    ----------   ----------
                                                       738,238      446,974
                                                    ----------   ----------
      
                                                    $1,689,993   $1,304,546
                                                    ==========   ==========
<FN>
The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>



                                       50
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheet
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                             December 31,
                                                          1998         1997
                                                       (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                                  <C>            <C> 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Investment

Current Liabilities:
 Notes payable and other short-term obligations      $   10,962     $   11,770
 Current maturities of long-term debt                     6,776          5,969
 Accounts payable                                       120,101         91,488
 Accrued expenses and taxes, net                        197,085        164,001
                                                     ----------     ----------
    Total current liabilities                           334,924        273,228
                                                     ----------     ----------

Other Liabilities:                                           
 Deferred income taxes                                   26,040            ---
 Other                                                  104,306         67,390
                                                     ----------     ----------
                                                        130,346         67,390
                                                     ----------     ----------
Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations
  Payable, Less Current Maturities                    1,007,113        835,840
                                                     ----------     ----------

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)

Stockholders' Investment:
 Preference stock, $1 par value; authorized
  7,000,000 shares, none issued                             ---            ---
 Common stock, $1 par value; authorized
  40,000,000 shares; 18,427,595 and
  16,050,794 shares issued                               18,428         16,051
 Special common stock, $1 par value;
  authorized 5,000,000 shares; 854,935 and
  767,287 shares issued                                     855            767
 Additional paid-in capital                             201,626        135,345
 Retained earnings                                       93,966         58,966
 Accumulated other comprehensive loss                   (11,596)        (5,327)
 Less --treasury common stock at cost,
       7,290,335 and 7,032,497 shares                   (83,711)       (75,779)
     --treasury special common stock
       at cost, 286,009 and 285,304 shares               (1,958)        (1,935)
                                                     ----------     ---------- 
    Total stockholders' investment                      217,610        128,088
                                                     ----------     ----------
                                                     $1,689,993     $1,304,546
                                                     ==========     ==========

<FN>
The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                                       51
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                For the Years Ended December 31,
                                                     1998      1997       1996
                                                       (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                               <C>        <C>        <C>    
Cash Flows from operating activities:
Net earnings from continuing operations            $34,000    $26,400   $23,700
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations         1,200     (5,200)   (1,700)
Extraordinary loss from debt retirements              (200)       ---       ---
                                                   -------    -------   -------
Net earnings                                        35,000     21,200    22,000
                                                   -------    -------   -------
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash:
Depreciation and amortization                       42,084     26,696    19,831
Non-cash interest expense                            3,237      1,711     1,164
Gain on sale of Businesses sold                     (4,000)       ---       ---
Loss on discontinued operations                      3,800      2,500       ---
Loss on debt retirement                                300        ---       ---
Net gain on investments and marketable
  securities                                           ---       (200)     (750)
Deferred federal income tax provision (benefit)     15,100      4,000    (3,000)
Deferred federal income tax (benefit)
  provision on discontinued operations              (3,200)    (1,000)    1,200
Changes in certain assets and liabilities,
  net of effects from acquisitions and
  dispositions:
Accounts receivable, net                            (4,554)    10,259    (3,729)
Prepaids and other current assets                    1,581      5,699     3,280
Inventories                                           (979)     6,524    11,828
Net assets of discontinued operations               (7,426)     4,934       817
Accounts payable                                    12,532    (16,359)    1,699
Accrued expenses and taxes                          10,084     23,468    (7,550)
Long-term assets, liabilities and other, net        (2,374)    (4,317)      583
                                                  --------   --------   -------
  Total adjustments to net earnings                 66,185     63,915    25,373
                                                  --------   --------   -------
  Net cash provided by operating activities        101,185     85,115    47,373
                                                  --------   --------   -------
Cash Flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures                               (40,863)   (22,464)  (19,267)
Net cash paid for businesses acquired             (324,702)  (407,419)      ---
Net cash received from Businesses sold or
  discontinued                                     111,738        ---       ---
Purchase of investments and marketable
  securities                                      (179,582)  (283,918)  (66,901)
Proceeds from the sale of investments and
  marketable securities                             95,143    298,158    82,435
Change in restricted cash and investments           (7,463)      (674)      (72)
Other, net                                          (5,622)    (7,064)   (1,405)
                                                  --------   --------   -------
  Net cash used in investing activities           (351,351)  (423,381)   (5,210)
                                                  --------   --------   -------
</TABLE>




                                       52
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                For the Years Ended December 31,
                                                     1998      1997       1996
                                                       (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                                <C>        <C>       <C> 
Cash Flows from financing activities:
Sale of Notes, net                                 203,492    466,214       ---
Sale of Nortek Common Stock                         64,190        ---       ---
Increase in borrowings                                 ---        612     9,609
Payment of borrowings and purchase of Notes        (49,199)   (33,966)  (13,598)
Purchase of Nortek Common and Special Common
  Stock                                             (7,668)   (10,177)  (34,822)
Other, net                                           1,385        383       479
                                                   -------   --------   -------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
  activities                                       212,200    423,066   (38,332)
                                                   -------   --------   -------
Net (decrease) increase in unrestricted cash
  and cash equivalents                             (37,966)    84,800     3,831
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at
  the beginning of the year                        125,842     41,042    37,211
                                                   -------   --------   -------
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at
  the end of the year                              $87,876   $125,842   $41,042
                                                   =======   ========   =======

<FN>
The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                                       53
<PAGE>





Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Investment
For the Year Ended December 31, 1996
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                 Addi-                          Accumulated
                                      Special   tional                             Other
                            Common    Common    Paid-in   Retained   Treasury  Comprehensive Comprehensive
                             Stock     Stock    Capital   Earnings    Stock    Income (Loss) Income (Loss)



<S>                         <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>   
Balance, December 31,
1995                        $15,883    $ 774    $134,690  $15,766    $(33,080)     $(2,742)       $  ---
Net earnings                    ---      ---         ---   22,000         ---          ---        22,000
Other comprehensive
 income (loss):
 Translation adjustment         ---      ---         ---      ---         ---          138           138
 Minimum pension
  liability                     ---      ---         ---      ---         ---         (127)         (127)
 Unrealized decline in
  the value of market-
  able securities               ---      ---         ---      ---         ---         (481)         (481)
                                                                                                 -------               
Comprehensive income                                                                             $21,530
                                                                                                 =======              
27,697 shares of
 special common stock
 converted into 27,697
 shares of common stock          28      (28)        ---      ---         ---          ---
54,461 shares of common
 stock and 37,500
 shares of special
 common stock issued
 upon exercise of stock
 options                         55       38         338      ---         ---          ---
2,293,065 shares of
 treasury stock
 acquired                       ---      ---         ---      ---     (34,457)         ---
                            -------    -----    --------  -------    --------      -------                               
Balance, December 31,
 1996                       $15,966    $ 784    $135,028  $37,766    $(67,537)     ($3,212)
                            =======    =====    ========  =======    ========      =======        
<FN>
The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>




                                       54
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Investment
For the Year Ended December 31, 1997
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                 Addi-                          Accumulated
                                      Special   tional                             Other
                             Common   Common    Paid-in   Retained   Treasury  Comprehensive  Comprehensive
                             Stock     Stock    Capital   Earnings    Stock    Income (Loss)  Income (Loss)



<S>                         <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>           <C>           <C>
Balance, December 31,
1996                        $15,966   $ 784    $135,028   $37,766   $(67,537)     $(3,212)      $  ---
Net earnings                    ---     ---         ---    21,200          ---        ---        21,200
Other comprehensive
 income (loss):
 Translation adjustment         ---     ---         ---       ---          ---     (3,815)       (3,815)
 Minimum pension
  liability                     ---     ---         ---       ---          ---        919           919
 Unrealized appreciation
  in the value of
  marketable securities         ---     ---         ---       ---          ---        781           781
                                                                                                -------
Comprehensive income                                                                            $19,085
                                                                                                =======
22,690 shares of
 special common stock
 converted into 22,690
 shares of common stock          23     (23)        ---       ---         ---         ---
62,519 shares of common
 stock and 5,808
 shares of special
 common stock issued
 upon exercise of stock
 options                         62       6         317       ---          ---        ---
441,246 shares of
 treasury stock
 acquired                       ---     ---         ---       ---     (10,177)        ---
                            -------   -----    --------   -------    --------     -------
Balance, December 31,
 1997                       $16,051   $ 767    $135,345   $58,966    $(77,714)    $(5,327)
                            =======   =====    ========   =======    ========     =======

<FN>
The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>




                                       55
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Investment
For the Year Ended December 31, 1998
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Addi-                          Accumulated
                                      Special   tional                             Other
                             Common   Common    Paid-in   Retained   Treasury  Comprehensive  Comprehensive
                             Stock     Stock    Capital   Earnings    Stock    Income (Loss)  Income (Loss)
        


<S>                         <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>          <C>            <C> 
Balance, December 31,
1997                        $16,051   $ 767    $135,345   $58,966   $(77,714)    $ (5,327)      $  ---
Net earnings                    ---     ---         ---    35,000         ---         ---        35,000
Other comprehensive
 income (loss):
 Translation adjustment         ---     ---         ---       ---         ---      (1,436)       (1,436)
 Minimum pension liabil-
  ity net of $2,979 tax
  benefit                                                                          (4,898)       (4,898)
 Unrealized appreciation
  in the value of
  marketable securities         ---     ---         ---       ---         ---          65            65
                                                                                                -------
Comprehensive income                                                                            $28,731
                                                                                                -------
Sale of 2,182,500 shares
  of common stock             2,183     ---      62,007       ---         ---         ---
13,343 shares of
 special common stock
 converted into 13,343
 shares of common stock          13     (13)        ---       ---         ---         ---
180,958 shares of common
 stock and 100,991
 shares of special
 common stock issued
 upon exercise of stock
 options                        181     101       4,274       ---         ---         ---
258,543 shares of
 treasury stock
 acquired                       ---     ---         ---       ---      (7,955)        ---
                            -------   -----    --------   -------    --------    --------
Balance, December 31,
 1998                       $18,428   $ 855    $201,626   $93,966    $(85,669)   $(11,596)
                            =======   =====    ========   =======    ========    ========

<FN>
The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>




                                       56
<PAGE>





Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Company is a diversified manufacturer of residential and commercial building
products,  operating within three principal segments:  the Residential  Building
Products  Segment;  the Air Conditioning and Heating Products  Segment;  and the
Windows, Doors and Siding Segment. Through these principal segments, the Company
manufactures  and sells,  primarily in the United States,  Canada and Europe,  a
wide  variety of  products  for the  residential  and  commercial  construction,
manufactured  housing,  and the do-it-yourself  and professional  remodeling and
renovation  markets.  Effective  in  1998,  the  Company  adopted  Statement  of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  131,  "Disclosures  about  Segments of an
Enterprise  and  Related  Information"  ("SFAS  131")  and,   accordingly,   the
presentation for all years has been  reclassified to conform to the presentation
for 1998 (see Note 10).

Principles of Consolidation
- ---------------------------

The consolidated  financial  statements include the accounts of Nortek, Inc. and
all of its  significant  wholly-owned  subsidiaries  (the "Company" or "Nortek")
after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions.  Certain amounts in
the prior years'  consolidated  financial  statements have been  reclassified to
conform to the presentation at December 31, 1998.

Use of Estimates
- ----------------

The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting  principles  involves  estimates  and  assumptions  that  affect  the
reported  amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent  assets
and  liabilities  as of the date of the  financial  statements  and the reported
amounts of income and expense during the reporting periods. Actual results could
vary from the amounts derived from such estimates and assumptions.

Cash, Investments and Marketable Securities
- -------------------------------------------

Cash equivalents  consist of short-term highly liquid  investments with original
maturities of three months or less which are readily convertible into cash.

The Company has classified as restricted (in current assets in the  accompanying
consolidated  balance sheet) certain investments and marketable  securities that
are not  fully  available  for use in its  operations.  At  December  31,  1998,
approximately  $13,818,000 of cash,  investments and marketable  securities have
been pledged as collateral for insurance and other requirements.




                                       57
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments
- -----------------------------------------------------

The following  methods and  assumptions  were used to estimate the fair value of
each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that
value:

     Cash and Cash  Equivalents--  
     The carrying amount  approximates  fair value
     because of the short maturity of those instruments.

     Investments and Marketable  Securities--  
     The fair value of investments and marketable securities are based on 
     quoted market prices.  At December 31, 1998, the fair value of investments
     and marketable securities approximated the amount on the Company's 
     consolidated balance sheet.

     Long-Term  Debt--  
     At  December 31,  1998,  the fair value of long-term indebtedness was
     approximately $30,000,000 higher than the amount on the Company's
     consolidated balance sheet, before original issue discount,  based on
     market quotations (see Note 5).

Inventories
- -----------

Inventories  in the  accompanying  consolidated  balance sheet are valued at the
lower  of  cost  or  market.  At  December  31,  1998  and  1997,  approximately
$91,304,000 and $53,817,000 of total inventories,  respectively,  were valued on
the last-in,  first-out  method  (LIFO).  Under the first-in,  first-out  method
(FIFO) of accounting,  such inventories would have been approximately $3,407,000
and $5,041,000  greater at December 31, 1998 and 1997,  respectively.  All other
inventories were valued under the FIFO method.

Sales Recognition
- -----------------

The Company recognizes sales upon the shipment of its products net of applicable
provisions  for  discounts  and  allowances.  The Company also  provides for its
estimate of warranty  and bad debts at the time of sale as selling,  general and
administrative expense.

Foreign Currency Translation
- ----------------------------

The financial statements of subsidiaries outside the United States are generally
measured  using the local  currency  as the  functional  currency.  The  Company
translates the assets and



                                       58
<PAGE>





Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

liabilities  of its  foreign  subsidiaries  at the  exchange  rates in effect at
year-end.  Net sales and expenses are translated using average exchange rates in
effect during the year. Gains and losses from foreign  currency  translation are
credited  or charged to  accumulated  other  comprehensive  income  included  in
stockholders'  investment  in  the  accompanying   consolidated  balance  sheet.
Transaction gains or losses are recorded in selling,  general and administrative
expense and have not been material.

Depreciation and Amortization
- -----------------------------

Depreciation  and  amortization  of property  and  equipment  are  provided on a
straight-line  basis over the  estimated  useful  lives,  which are generally as
follows:

    Buildings and improvements                      10-35 years
    Machinery and equipment, including leases       3-15 years
    Leasehold improvements                          term of lease

Expenditures   for   maintenance   and  repairs  are  expensed  when   incurred.
Expenditures for renewals and betterments are capitalized. When assets are sold,
or  otherwise  disposed,  the  cost and  related  accumulated  depreciation  are
eliminated and the resulting gain or loss is recognized.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill
- ------------------------------

Intangible assets consist principally of patents,  trademarks and copyrights and
are amortized on a straight-line method over a weighted average estimated useful
life of 21 years.  Amortization  of  intangible  assets  charged  to  operations
amounted to approximately  $2,026,000,  $648,000 and $511,000 for 1998, 1997 and
1996, respectively. The Company has classified as goodwill the cost in excess of
fair value of the net assets (including tax attributes) of companies acquired in
purchase  transactions.  Goodwill is being amortized on a  straight-line  method
over 40 years.  Amortization  charged to  operations  amounted to  approximately
$12,390,000, $5,319,000 and $2,940,000 for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. At
each balance sheet date, in accordance  with SFAS No. 121,  "Accounting for Long
Lived Assets and for Long Lived Assets to be Disposed of," the Company evaluates
the  realizability  of intangible  assets and goodwill based on  expectations of
non-discounted future cash flows for each subsidiary having a material amount of
intangible assets and goodwill. If the sum of the expected non-discounted future
cash flows is less than the carrying  amount of  intangible  assets or goodwill,
the Company would recognize an impairment loss. Based



                                       59
<PAGE>





Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

on its most recent analysis, the Company believes that no material impairment of
intangible assets or goodwill exists at December 31, 1998.

Earnings Per Share
- ------------------

Basic earnings per share amounts have been computed  using the weighted  average
number of common and common  equivalent  shares  outstanding  during  each year.
Special Common Stock is treated as the equivalent of Common Stock in determining
earnings  per  share  results.  Diluted  earnings  per share  amounts  have been
computed  using the  weighted  average  number of common and  common  equivalent
shares and the dilutive  potential common and special common shares  outstanding
during each year.

A reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     For the years ended December 31,
                                          1998      1997      1996
                                  (In thousands except per share amounts)

<S>                                     <C>       <C>       <C>    
Earnings from continuing operations     $34,000   $26,400   $23,700

Basic EPS:
     Basic common shares                 10,923     9,605    10,485
     Basic EPS                            $3.11     $2.75     $2.26

Diluted EPS:
     Basic common shares                 10,923     9,605    10,485
     Plus: Impact of stock options
           (Note 6)                         190       250       156
                                        -------    ------   -------
     Diluted common shares               11,113     9,855    10,641
                                        =======    ======   =======
     Diluted EPS                          $3.06     $2.68     $2.23
                                        =======    ======   =======
</TABLE>

Comprehensive Income (Loss)
- ---------------------------

In 1998, the Company  adopted  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No.
130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" ("SFAS 130") which requires the display of
comprehensive  income (loss) and its  components  in the  financial  statements.
Comprehensive  income  (loss)  includes net earnings  and  unrealized  gains and
losses from currency  translation,  available for sale marketable securities and
minimum  pension  liability   adjustments.   The  components  of  the  Company's
comprehensive  income  (loss) and the effect on  earnings,  for the three  years
ended December 31,



                                       60
<PAGE>






Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

1998,  are  detailed in the  Company's  accompanying  Consolidated  Statement of
Stockholders' Investment.

The balances of each classification  within accumulated other comprehensive loss
as of December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                       Total
                                          Unrealized    Minimum     Accumulated
                              Foreign       Gains       Pension        Other
                              Currency   (Losses) on   Liability   Comprehensive
                            Translation   Securities  Adjustment       Loss
                                          (Amounts in thousands)

<S>              <C> <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>      
Balance December 31, 1996       $(1,278)     $(891)     $(1,043)      $ (3,212)
Current period change            (3,815)       781          919         (2,115)
                                -------      -----      -------       --------
Balance December 31, 1997        (5,093)      (110)        (124)        (5,327)
Current period change            (1,436)        65       (4,898)        (6,269)
                                -------      -----      -------       --------
Balance December 31, 1998       $(6,529)     $ (45)     $(5,022)      $(11,596)
                                =======      =====      =======       ========
</TABLE>


Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
- ---------------------------------------------

In June 1998,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board issued SFAS No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"). The
Statement  establishes  accounting and reporting  standards requiring that every
derivative  instrument  (including  certain derivative  instruments  embedded in
other  contracts)  be  recorded  in the  balance  sheet  as  either  an asset or
liability  measured at its fair value.  SFAS 133  requires  that  changes in the
derivative's  fair value be  recognized  currently in earnings  unless  specific
hedge  accounting  criteria are met.  Special  accounting for qualifying  hedges
allows a derivative's  gains and losses to offset related  results on the hedged
item  in the  income  statement,  and  requires  that a  company  must  formally
document,  designate and assess the  effectiveness of transactions  that receive
hedge accounting.

SFAS 133 is effective for fiscal years  beginning after June 15, 1999. A company
may also implement the Statement as of the beginning of any fiscal quarter after
issuance (that is, fiscal quarters beginning June 16, 1998 and thereafter). SFAS
133 cannot be applied retroactively.  SFAS 133 must be applied to (a) derivative
instruments and (b) certain derivative  instruments embedded in hybrid contracts
that were issued,  acquired,  or substantively  modified after December 31, 1997
(and, at the Company's election, before January 1, 1998).





                                       61
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

The Company is in the process of quantifying the impacts of adopting SFAS 133 on
its  financial  statements  and has not  determined  the  timing of or method of
adoption of SFAS 133.

2.   Acquisitions and Businesses Sold

Acquisitions are accounted for as purchases and, accordingly, have been included
in the Company's  consolidated results of operations since the acquisition date.
Purchase  price  allocations  are  subject  to  refinement  until all  pertinent
information regarding the acquisitions is obtained.

On October 9, 1998, the Company acquired Napco, Inc. and an affiliate ("Napco"),
for  approximately  $80,800,000 in cash (of which  approximately  $4,100,000 was
paid in 1999), approximately $400,000 of forgiveness of Napco employee loans and
the assumption of approximately  $10,200,000 of debt. The acquisition was funded
through  the  use  of  unrestricted   cash,  cash   equivalents  and  marketable
securities.

On July 31, 1998, the Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary,  purchased all
of the issued  and  outstanding  capital  stock of NuTone,  Inc.  ("NuTone"),  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of Williams  plc for an  aggregate  purchase  price of
approximately $242,500,000 in cash plus approximately $5,500,000 in expenses and
fees. In connection with the acquisition, the Company assumed NuTone's operating
liabilities (other than intercompany borrowings),  including certain liabilities
of NuTone concerning post retirement and other benefit obligations. The purchase
price  was  funded  through  the  use of the  net  proceeds  from  the  sale  of
$210,000,000  principal  amount of 8 7/8%  Notes due August 1, 2008 (the "8 7/8%
Notes") at a slight  discount,  which  occurred on July 31, 1998,  together with
approximately  $44,800,000  of the cash proceeds  received from the Common Stock
Offering (See Notes 5 and 6).

Consummation  of the  acquisition  of NuTone  was  subject  to a  Federal  Trade
Commission  ("FTC")  Order under the terms of which the Company was  required to
divest prior to December 31, 1998, all of the assets,  properties,  business and
goodwill of its M&S Systems LP ("M&S")  subsidiary.  On December 30,  1998,  the
Company sold M&S and Moore-O-Matic,  Inc. ("MOM") - after obtaining the required
FTC approval.

On August 26, 1997, the Company  acquired Ply Gem Industries,  Inc. ("Ply Gem")
in a tender  offer for a cash price of $19.50 per  outstanding  share of common
stock.  The aggregate  purchase price of approximately  $407,400,000  consisted
of $322,700,000 of



                                       62
<PAGE>





Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

cash paid to purchase the common  stock and to settle stock  options of Ply Gem,
$50,500,000  of  cash  paid  to  refinance  existing  indebtedness  of  Ply  Gem
(including the repurchase of $45,000,000 of accounts  receivable under Ply Gem's
securitization program), $23,500,000 of cash paid to certain officers of Ply Gem
in connection  with  termination  agreements  and  $10,700,000  of cash paid for
expenses of the acquisition.  Prior to accepting for payment the tendered shares
of Ply Gem on August 26, 1997, the Company sold $310,000,000 principal amount of
9 1/8%  Senior  Notes  due  September,  2007  (the "9 1/8%  Notes")  at a slight
discount  (see  Note 5).  The  Company  used a portion  of these  net  proceeds,
together  with  available  cash,  to  purchase  the  shares of Ply Gem,  fund an
approximate  $45,000,000  payment  to  terminate  Ply  Gem's  existing  accounts
receivable securitization program and pay certain fees and expenses. The Company
accounted for Ply Gem's subsidiary, Studley Products, Inc. ("Studley"), a vacuum
bag  manufacturer,  as an operation  held for sale since the date of the Ply Gem
acquisition.  Studley's net sales and operating loss excluded from the Company's
consolidated  results of operations  from the  acquisition  date to December 31,
1997 and from the period from January 1, 1998 to the date of sale,  May 8, 1998,
were approximately  $9,400,000 and $2,900,000  respectively,  and $7,300,000 and
$1,600,000,   respectively.   Studley's   operating  losses  from  the  date  of
acquisition  through the date of sale have been excluded  from the  consolidated
continuing  operations  of the  Company and  include  approximately  $100,000 of
allocated  interest  expense.  These  losses have been funded by the Company and
have been accounted for as an adjustment to the net realizable value of Studley.
The  ultimate  disposition  of Studley  resulted in a decrease in the  Company's
goodwill of approximately $1,000,000.

Since the acquisition date, the Company has realized, and expects to continue to
realize,  cost  savings as a result of the Ply Gem  acquisition.  These  savings
result  from  several  actions,  including:  (i)  the  elimination  of  expenses
associated with Ply Gem's New York  headquarters;  (ii) the  consolidation  into
Nortek of certain of Ply Gem's corporate functions such as accounting, legal and
risk  management;   and  (iii)  the   identification   and   rationalization  of
under-performing  product  lines.  Pro Forma earnings (see below) do not include
estimated cost savings and operating  efficiencies which management expects will
result from the  acquisition.  These  unaudited  estimated  pre-tax cost savings
total  approximately  $18,000,000  for the period January 1, 1997 to the date of
acquisition  for the year ended  December  31,  1997.  The actual  cost  savings
achieved since the acquisition of Ply



                                       63
<PAGE>





Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

Gem are reflected in the Company's historical consolidated operating results for
the period from the acquisition date to December 31, 1997 and for the year ended
December 31, 1998.

At the date of the NuTone  acquisition,  the Company  achieved  cost  reductions
directly  attributable  to the  acquisition  from  the  elimination  of fees and
charges paid by NuTone to Williams and related entities. The unaudited Pro Forma
operating earnings have been increased for the years ended December 31, 1998 and
1997 by approximately $354,000 and $1,746,000,  respectively.  Subsequent to the
NuTone acquisition,  the Company expects to realize approximately $15,000,000 in
unaudited  estimated annual cost reductions  ("NuTone Cost Reductions") that can
be achieved as a result of integrating NuTone into the Company's operations. Pro
Forma earnings have not been increased for the NuTone Cost Reductions for either
1998 or 1997, except for NuTone Cost Reductions actually achieved since the date
of acquisition (see Note 12).

The following presents the approximate unaudited Pro Forma net sales,  operating
earnings,  depreciation  and  amortization  expense (other than  amortization of
deferred debt expense and debt discount),  earnings from  continuing  operations
and diluted  earnings  per share of the Company  for all periods  presented  and
gives pro forma  effect to the  acquisitions  of NuTone and Ply Gem, the sale of
the 8 7/8% Notes,  the Common Stock Offering,  the sale of the 9 1/8% Notes, the
extension  of credit  under the Ply Gem credit  facility  to  refinance  certain
existing  indebtedness  and the  termination  of Ply Gem's  accounts  receivable
securitization  program,  the sale of 9 1/4% Senior  Notes due 2007 (the "9 1/4%
Notes"),  the refinancing of certain subsidiary  indebtedness,  and reflects the
estimated cost reductions  directly  attributable  to the NuTone  acquisition as
described above as if such  transactions and adjustments had occurred on January
1, 1997.  The Pro Forma results below include the actual  results of Ply Gem and
NuTone since August 26, 1997 and July 31, 1998, respectively, in accordance with
the purchase method of accounting for an acquisition.




                                       64
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

The following Pro Forma results do not give pro forma effect to the dispositions
of businesses that occurred in 1998 or the acquisition of Napco.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                       For the Years Ended December 31,
                                  ----------------------------------------
                                              1998          1997
                                   (In thousands except per share amounts)
                                               (unaudited)
<S>                                       <C>            <C>     
Pro Forma
Net sales                                 $1,849,000     $1,849,100
Depreciation and amortization expense         47,400         47,000
Operating earnings                           142,500        104,500
Earnings from continuing operations           31,400          5,000
Diluted earnings per share from
  continuing operations                   $     2.63     $      .42
</TABLE>

In  computing  the pro forma  earnings,  earnings  have been  reduced by the net
interest  income on the  aggregate  cash  portion of the  purchase  price of the
acquisitions at the historical  rate earned by the Company and interest  expense
on  indebtedness   incurred  in  connection  with  the  acquisitions,   and  the
refinancing and repayment of certain indebtedness of Ply Gem. Earnings have been
reduced by  amortization  of  goodwill  and  intangible  assets and  reflect net
adjustments to depreciation  expense as a result of an increase in the estimated
fair market value of property and  equipment and changes in  depreciable  lives.
Interest expense on the subsidiary indebtedness refinanced with funds from the 9
1/4%  Notes  was  excluded  at an  average  interest  rate  consistent  with the
indebtedness  outstanding which was refinanced,  net of the tax effect. Interest
expense was  included on the 9 1/4%  Notes,  the 9 1/8 % Notes,  and the 8 7/8 %
Notes at the applicable  coupon rate plus  amortization of deferred debt expense
and debt discount, net of tax effect.

The pro forma  information  presented  does not purport to be  indicative of the
results  which would have been  reported if these  transactions  had occurred on
January 1, 1997, or which may be reported in the future.

On December 30, 1998, the Company sold M&S and MOM for approximately $27,500,000
in cash and recorded a pre-tax gain of approximately  $4,000,000.  For the years
ended  December 31, 1998 and 1997,  combined net sales,  operating  earnings and
earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes of M&S and
MOM were approximately $42,100,000,  $3,600,000 and $3,600,000, and $37,300,000,
$3,400,000 and $3,400,000, respectively.




                                       65
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

During  1998,  the Company made several  dispositions  of certain  non-strategic
businesses  acquired in connection with the acquisition of Ply Gem. As discussed
above,  on May 8, 1998,  the Company sold Studley.  On May 22, 1998, the Company
sold Sagebrush Sales, Inc.  ("Sagebrush") for approximately  $9,100,000 in cash.
Sagebrush  had  unaudited  net  sales,  operating  earnings  and  earnings  from
continuing  operations  before  provision  for  income  taxes  of  approximately
$47,600,000,  $400,000  and  $400,000,  respectively,  for the full  year  ended
December 31, 1997 and net sales, operating earnings and earnings from continuing
operations  before  provision  for income  taxes of  approximately  $19,100,000,
$200,000 and $200,000,  respectively, for the five months ended May 22, 1998. On
July 2, 1998,  the  Company  sold  Goldenberg  Group,  Inc.  ("Goldenberg")  for
approximately   $11,100,000   including   approximately   $2,000,000  in  notes.
Goldenberg  had  unaudited  net sales,  operating  earnings  and  earnings  from
continuing  operations  before  provision  for  income  taxes  of  approximately
$41,300,000,  $500,000  and  $500,000,  respectively,  for the full  year  ended
December 31, 1997 and net sales, operating earnings and earnings from continuing
operations  before  provision  for income  taxes of  approximately  $21,500,000,
$500,000 and $500,000,  respectively,  for the six months ended July 2, 1998. On
July 31, 1998, the Company sold another Ply Gem business, Ply Gem Manufacturing,
which had unaudited net sales,  operating  earnings and earnings from continuing
operations  before  provision  for income  taxes of  approximately  $48,300,000,
$2,500,000 and  $2,500,000,  respectively,  for the full year ended December 31,
1997 and net sales,  operating earnings and earnings from continuing  operations
before  provision for income taxes of  approximately  $23,300,000,  $700,000 and
$700,000,  respectively,  for the seven months ended July 31, 1998.  On December
10,  1998,   the  Company  sold  Allied  Plywood   Corporation   ("Allied")  for
approximately  $16,500,000 in cash and approximately $7,000,000 in notes. Allied
had  unaudited  net sales,  operating  earnings  and  earnings  from  continuing
operations  before  provision  for income  taxes of  approximately  $84,400,000,
$400,000 and $400,000,  respectively,  for the full year ended December 31, 1997
and net sales, operating earnings and earnings from continuing operations before
provision for income taxes of approximately $80,300,000,  $800,000 and $800,000,
respectively for the eleven months ended November,  1998. The operating  results
of Sagebrush,  Goldenberg, Ply Gem Manufacturing and Allied, are included in the
Company's  1997  and  1998  consolidated  results  from  the date of the Ply Gem
acquisition, August 26, 1997, to the date of sale. The disposition of these four
businesses  did not result in any  significant  gains or  losses.  Approximately
$27,700,000  of the proceeds from the sale of these four  businesses was used to
pay down debt.  The remaining proceeds (including the proceeds from



                                       66
<PAGE>





Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

the  sale  of  the  plumbing  products  business,   Studley,  M&S  and  MOM)  of
approximately $84,000,000 were used for general corporate purposes (see Note 9).

3.    Cash Flows

Interest paid was  $78,988,000,  $35,921,000  and $30,568,000 in 1998, 1997 and
1996, respectively.

Fair value of assets  acquired was  $436,074,000  and  $672,311,000  in 1998 and
1997,  respectively.  Liabilities  assumed or created of businesses acquired was
$111,372,000  and  $264,892,000  in 1998 and 1997,  respectively.  Cash paid for
acquisitions was $324,702,000 and $407,419,000 in 1998 and 1997, respectively.

Significant  non-cash  financing  and  investing  activities  excluded  from the
accompanying  consolidated  statement of cash flows  include  capitalized  lease
additions of approximately $565,000 in 1998 and $500,000 in 1996 and an increase
of approximately $65,000, an increase of approximately $781,000 and a decline of
approximately  $481,000  in the  fair  market  value  of  marketable  securities
available for sale for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

4.   Income Taxes

The  following  is a summary  of the  components  of  earnings  from  continuing
operations before provision for income taxes:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                  For the Years Ended December 31,
                                  1998          1997        1996
                                      (Amounts in thousands)

<S>                             <C>           <C>         <C>    
Domestic                        $54,600       $37,000     $35,100
Foreign                           6,700         5,700       3,500
                                -------       -------     -------
                                $61,300       $42,700     $38,600
                                =======       =======     =======
</TABLE>




                                       67
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

The  following  is a summary of the  provision  (benefit)  for income taxes from
continuing  operations  included in the accompanying  consolidated  statement of
operations:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 For the Years Ended December 31,
                                  1998          1997        1996
                                     (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                             <C>           <C>         <C> 
Federal income taxes--
     Current                    $ 6,900       $ 9,000     $15,050
     Deferred                    15,100         4,000      (3,000)
                                -------       -------     -------
                                 22,000        13,000      12,050
Foreign                           2,000         1,000       1,300
State                             3,300         2,300       1,550
                                -------       -------     -------
                                $27,300       $16,300     $14,900
                                =======       =======     =======
</TABLE>

Income tax payments, net of refunds, were approximately  $4,568,000,  $7,977,000
and $18,611,000 in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The current provision does
not  reflect  tax  benefits  of  approximately  $2,000,000  for the  exercise of
non-qualified stock options. These benefits have been recorded as an increase in
additional paid-in capital.

The table that  follows  reconciles  the  federal  statutory  income tax rate of
continuing   operations   to  the   effective  tax  rate  of  such  earnings  of
approximately 44.5%, 38.2% and 38.6% in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       
                                     For the Years Ended December 31,
                                        1998       1997      1996
                                          (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                   <C>        <C>        <C>  
Income tax provision from
  continuing operations at
  the federal statutory rate          $21,455    $14,945    $13,510

Net change from statutory rate:
Amortization not deductible
  for income tax purposes               4,200      1,827      1,040
State income taxes, net of
  federal tax effect                    2,145      1,520      1,008
Change in tax reserves, net              (713)    (1,540)      (481)
Product development income tax
  credit from foreign operations         (309)      (264)      (478)
Effect of change in foreign tax
  law                                     ---       (766)       ---
Other, net                                522        578        301
                                      -------    -------    -------
                                      $27,300    $16,300    $14,900
                                      =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>





                                       68
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

The tax effect of temporary  differences which give rise to significant portions
of  deferred  income tax assets and  liabilities  as of  December  31,  1998 and
December 31, 1997 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           December 31,
                                                         1998        1997
                                                      (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                                    <C>         <C> 
Prepaid Income Tax Assets (classified current)
  Arising From:
    Accounts receivable                                  $  135    $  4,038
    Inventory                                             3,884       7,201
    Insurance reserves                                   11,698       9,624
    Warranty accrual                                     10,511       6,273
    Net operating losses of Ply Gem                         ---       6,000
    Other reserves and assets, net                       27,935      13,664
                                                       --------    --------
                                                       $ 54,163    $ 46,800
                                                       ========    ========

Deferred Income Tax Assets (Liabilities)
(classified non-current)
  Arising From:
    Property and equipment, net                        $(40,767)   $(30,032)
    Intangible assets, net                              (21,997)      4,580
    Capital loss carryforward                             6,326       7,771
    Net operating losses of Ply Gem                      21,457      21,580
    Valuation allowances                                 (6,326)     (7,771)
    Other reserves and assets, net                       15,267      13,894
                                                       --------    --------
                                                       $(26,040)   $ 10,022
                                                       ========    ========
</TABLE>

At December  31, 1998,  the Company has  approximately  $27,300,000  of net U.S.
federal  prepaid  income tax assets  which are  expected to be realized  through
future  operating  earnings.  At December 31, 1998,  the Company's  wholly owned
subsidiary,  Ply Gem, has a net operating loss  carry-forward  of  approximately
$61,300,000 that expires in 2011 and is subject to certain  limitations  imposed
by the Internal  Revenue Code.  These losses may only be utilized against future
income of the Ply Gem Group and the  utilization  of these  losses is limited to
approximately  $17,500,000  per year.  The  Company  has  established  valuation
allowances related to certain capital losses. Of the total valuation  allowance,
approximately  $2,200,000  will reduce goodwill if the tax benefit is ultimately
realized.




                                       69
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

5.    Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable

Short-term  bank  obligations  at  December  31,  1998 and 1997  consist of the
following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     December 31,
                                                   1998       1997
                                               (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                             <C>         <C>   
Secured lines of credit and bank advances
  of the Company's European subsidiaries        $10,589     $11,318
Other obligations                                   373         452
                                                -------     -------
Short-term bank obligations                     $10,962     $11,770
                                                =======     =======
</TABLE>

These short term bank  obligations are secured by  approximately  $29,500,000 of
accounts  receivable and inventory.  These  borrowings have an average  weighted
interest rate of approximately 4.3% at December 31, 1998.

Notes,  mortgage notes and obligations payable in the accompanying  consolidated
balance sheet at December 31, 1998 and 1997 consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    December 31,
                                                  1998       1997
                                              (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                            <C>         <C>    
8 7/8% Senior Notes due 2008, net of
  unamortized original issue discount
  of $735,000                                  $  209,265  $    ---
9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2007, net of
  unamortized original issue discount
  of $892,000 and $961,000                        174,108   174,039
9 1/8% Senior Notes due 2007, net of 
  unamortized original issue discount
  of $2,286,000 and $2,451,000                    307,714   307,549
9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due
  2004 ("9 7/8% Notes"), net of
  unamortized original issue
  discount of $1,035,000 and $1,259,000           203,787   217,241
Ply Gem term loan                                  78,440   103,940
Mortgage notes payable                             22,184    16,882
Other                                              18,391    22,158
                                               ----------  --------
                                               $1,013,889  $841,809
Less amounts included in current
  liabilities                                       6,776     5,969
                                               ----------  --------
                                               $1,007,113  $835,840
                                               ==========  ========
</TABLE>




                                       70
<PAGE>






Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

On July  31,  1998,  the  Company  sold  $210,000,000  of its 8 7/8%  Notes at a
discount of  approximately  $753,900,  which is being amortized over the life of
the issue.  Net  proceeds  from the sale of the 8 7/8%  Notes,  after  deducting
underwriting commissions and expenses,  amounted to approximately  $203,492,000.
The Company used a portion of these net proceeds,  together  with  approximately
$44,800,000  of the cash proceeds  received from the Common Stock  Offering,  to
purchase NuTone (See Notes 2 and 6).

The  indenture  governing  the 8 7/8%  Notes,  the  Company's  most  restrictive
indenture,  restricts,  among  other  things,  the  payment  of cash  dividends,
repurchase  of the  Company's  capital  stock and the  making of  certain  other
restricted payments,  the incurrence of additional  indebtedness,  the making of
certain investments,  mergers, consolidations and sale of assets (all as defined
in the indenture).  Upon certain asset sales (as defined in the indenture),  the
Company will be required to offer to  purchase,  at 100%  principal  amount plus
accrued  interest to the date of  purchase,  8 7/8% Notes in a principal  amount
equal  to any net cash  proceeds  (as  defined  in the  indenture)  that are not
invested in properties and assets used primarily in the same or related business
to those owned and operated by the Company at the issue date of the 8 7/8% Notes
or at the date of such asset sale and such net cash proceeds were not applied to
permanently reduce Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the indenture). The 8 7/8%
Notes are  redeemable at the option of the Company,  in whole or in part, at any
time and from time to time, at 104.438% on August 1, 2003,  declining to 100% on
August 1, 2006 and thereafter.  At March 5, 1999  approximately  $60,800,000 was
available for the payment of cash dividends or stock payments under the terms of
the Company's indenture governing the 8 7/8% Notes. (See Note 6.)

The  Company's  Ply Gem  subsidiary  has a credit  facility  with a syndicate of
banks,  which provides Ply Gem with a term loan and a letter of credit facility.
Interest on borrowings is at varying  rates based,  at Ply Gem's option,  on (a)
the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread or (b) the higher of (i)
 .5% above the federal  funds rate or (ii) the bank's prime rate.  Ply Gem pays a
facility fee quarterly which  fluctuates  between .20% and .30% of the aggregate
principal  amount available under the facility.  The average  weighted  interest
rate on the credit  facility for the year ended  December 31, 1998 was 6.7%. The
credit facility includes customary  covenants,  including covenants limiting Ply
Gem's  ability to pledge  assets or incur liens on assets and  maintain  certain
financial covenants. Borrowings under this credit facility are collateralized by
the common  stock,  inventory  and accounts  receivable  of Ply Gem's  principal
subsidiaries.




                                       71
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

Ply Gem has  $35,000,000  of interest  rate swap  agreements  that  terminate on
December  3, 1999,  whereby  Ply Gem will pay the  counterparties  interest at a
fixed  rate of 5.525%  and the  counterparties  will pay Ply Gem  interest  at a
floating  rate  equal to the one month  LIBOR  interest  rate.  Ply Gem also has
$40,000,000  of interest rate swaps that terminate on December  3,2003,  whereby
Ply Gem will pay the  counterparties  interest  at a fixed rate of 5.76% and the
counterparties  will pay Ply Gem  interest  at a floating  rate equal to the one
month LIBOR  interest  rate.  Amounts to be paid or received under interest rate
swap agreements are accrued as interest rates change and are recognized over the
life of the swap agreements as an adjustment to interest expense.  The Company's
Ply Gem subsidiary  also has  $75,000,000 of interest rate cap agreements  which
entitles Ply Gem to receive from the counterparties on a monthly basis an amount
by which  the LIBOR  interest  rate on  $75,000,000  of its  floating  rate debt
exceeds 7% during the period  December 5, 1998 to December 5, 1999.  The cost of
interest rate cap agreements are amortized to interest  expense over the life of
the cap.  Payments  received as a result of the cap agreements  reduce  interest
expense.  The  unamortized  costs of the cap  agreements  are  included in other
current assets in the Company's  accompanying  consolidated  balance sheet.  The
impact of these arrangements has not been material to the Company's consolidated
operating results.

Mortgage notes payable of approximately  $22,184,000 outstanding at December 31,
1998 include various  mortgage notes and other related  indebtedness  payable in
installments  through 2014. These notes bear interest at rates ranging from 2.0%
to 9.3% and are  collateralized  by property and equipment with an aggregate net
book value of approximately $32,100,000 at December 31, 1998.

Other obligations of approximately  $18,391,000 outstanding at December 31, 1998
include borrowings  relating to equipment purchases and other borrowings bearing
interest  at rates  primarily  ranging  between  3.5% to 15.0% and  maturing  at
various dates through 2017.  Approximately  $15,338,000 of such  indebtedness is
collateralized  by property and  equipment  with an aggregate  net book value of
approximately $20,400,000 at December 31, 1998.




                                       72
<PAGE>





Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

The table that follows is a summary of maturities  of all of the Company's  debt
obligations, excluding unamortized debt discount, due after December 31, 1999:

                             (Amounts in thousands)
  
                         2000                      $ 4,887
                         2001                        3,652
                         2002                       82,108
                         2003                        1,616
                         Thereafter                919,798

6. Common Stock, Special Common Stock, Stock Options and Deferred Compensation

In the first half of 1998 the Company sold 2,182,500  shares of its Common Stock
in a public  offering for  approximately  $64,190,000  in net cash proceeds (the
"Common Stock Offering"),  after deducting underwriting  commission and offering
expense,  and credited  $2,182,500 to Common Stock and $62,005,000 to additional
paid in Capital.  A portion of the net proceeds were used to acquire NuTone (See
Note 2).

Each share of Special  Common  Stock has 10 votes on all matters  submitted to a
stockholder vote, except that the holders of Common Stock,  voting separately as
a  class,  have the  right to elect  25% of the  directors  to be  elected  at a
meeting,  with the  remaining  75% being  elected by the  combined  vote of both
classes. Shares of Special Common Stock are generally non-transferable,  but are
freely convertible on a share-for-share basis into shares of Common Stock.

The Company has a shareholder  rights plan which  expires  March 31, 2006.  Each
shareholder right entitles  shareholders to buy 1/100 of a share of a new series
of preference stock of Nortek at an exercise price of $72 per share,  subject to
adjustments for stock dividends, splits and similar events.

The rights,  that are not currently  exercisable,  are attached to each share of
Common Stock and may be redeemed by the Directors at $.01 per share at any time.
After  a  shareholder  acquires  beneficial  ownership  of  17% or  more  of the
Company's  Common  Stock  and  Special  Common  Stock,  the  rights  will  trade
separately  and  become  exercisable   entitling  a  rights  holder  to  acquire
additional  shares of the Company's  Common Stock having a market value equal to
twice the amount of the exercise price of the right. In addition, after a person
or group  ("Acquiring  Company")  commences  a  tender  offer  or  announces  an
intention  to acquire  30% or more of the  Company's  Common  Stock and  Special
Common Stock, the rights will trade separately and, under certain  circumstances
will permit each rights



                                       73
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

holder to acquire common stock of the Acquiring  Company,  having a market value
equal to twice the amount of the exercise price of the right.

At December 31, 1998, a total of 1,914,857  shares of Common Stock were reserved
as follows:

            Stock option plans                           1,160,913
            Conversion of Special Common Stock             753,944
                                                         ---------
                                                         1,914,857
                                                         =========

At December 31, 1998, 1,120,516 shares of Special Common Stock were reserved for
stock option plans.

The Company has several  stock  option  plans which  provide for the granting of
options  to  certain  officers,  employees  and  non-employee  directors  of the
Company.  Options  granted under the plans vest over periods  ranging up to five
years and expire ten years from the date of grant. At December 31, 1998, 153,767
additional options are available for grant under these plans.

At December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, approximately 652,702, 709,762 and 353,800,
respectively,  of options to acquire  shares of Common and Special  Common stock
were exercisable.





                                       74
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

The table that  follows  summarizes  the Common and Special  Common Stock option
transactions for the three years ended December 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  Weighted
                                                                  Average
                                     Number      Option Price     Exercise
                                    of Shares      Per Share       Price
         <S>                       <C>          <C>                <C>          
         Options outstanding at
          December 31, 1995          451,500    $  2.25-$15.69     $ 7.36
          Granted                    275,000             14.75      14.75
          Exercised                  (95,200)       2.25-7.938       5.07
          Canceled                    (2,500)             8.75       8.75
                                   ---------    --------------     ------
         Options outstanding at
          December 31, 1996          628,800    $ 2.875-$15.69     $10.93
          Granted                    435,600       19.50-27.00      22.98
          Exercised                  (71,953)      2.875-15.69       6.66
          Canceled                    (6,667)            22.69      22.69
                                   ---------    --------------     ------
         Options outstanding at
          December 31, 1997          985,780    $ 2.875-$27.00     $16.48
          Granted                    382,300     22.938-31.875      23.23
          Exercised                 (350,934)     2.875-22.690      10.63
          Canceled                   (10,000)            22.69      22.69
                                   ---------    --------------     ------
         Options outstanding at
          December 31, 1998        1,007,146    $2.875-$31.875     $21.03
                                   =========    ==============     ======
                                
</TABLE>

13,250  of the  1,007,146  options  outstanding  at  December  31,  1998 have an
exercise price of $2.875,  with a weighted average  contractual life of 2 years.
All of these options are  exercisable.  27,147 options have an exercise price of
$8.75 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 5 years. All of these
options are exercisable.  173,849 options, all of which are exercisable, have an
exercise price of $14.750 and a remaining  contractual life of 8 years.  778,600
options,  433,898 of which are exercisable,  have exercise prices between $19.50
and $27.00  with a weighted  average  exercise  price of $22.98 and a  remaining
contractual life of 9.47 years. The remaining 14,300 options, 4,558 of which are
exercisable,  have exercise prices between $30.375 and $31.875,  with a weighted
average exercise price of $30.70 and a remaining contractual life of 10 years.

The Company  accounts  for stock  option  plans under APB Opinion No. 25,  under
which no compensation  cost has been  recognized  since options are granted with
exercise  prices  equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock at the date
of grant. Had compensation cost for these plans been determined  consistent with
SFAS No. 123, the Company's  earnings  from  continuing  operations  and diluted
earnings  per share from  continuing  operations  would have been  approximately
$31,700,000 and $2.86 for 1998, approximately $24,100,000 and $2.45



                                       75
<PAGE>



Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

for 1997 and approximately $23,300,000 and $2.19 for 1996, respectively, and net
earnings  and  diluted  net  earnings  per share  would have been  approximately
$32,700,000 and $2.95 for 1998, approximately $19,000,000 and $1.92 for 1997 and
approximately $21,600,000 and $2.03 for 1996, respectively.

The weighted  average grant date fair value of options granted was $9.40,  $9.82
and $6.15 in 1998,  1997 and 1996,  respectively.  The fair value of each option
grant is  estimated  on the date of the  grant  using the  Black-Scholes  option
pricing model with the following assumptions used:

                                        1998             1997           1996

        Risk-free interest rate       Between          Between
                                  4.50% and 5.66%  5.75% and 6.73%       7%

        Expected life                 5 years          5 years        5 years

        Expected volatility             37%              37%            33%

        Expected dividend yield          0%               0%             0%

The  Company's  Board of  Directors  has  authorized a program to purchase up to
500,000  shares of the Company's  Common and Special common Stock in open market
or negotiated transactions,  subject to market conditions, cash availability and
provisions of the Company's  outstanding debt instruments.  As of March 5, 1999,
the Company had purchased approximately 460,000 shares of its Common and Special
Common Stock for approximately  $13,000,000 under this program and accounted for
such share purchases as treasury stock.

7. Pension, Profit Sharing and other Post Retirement Benefits

The Company and its subsidiaries have various pension,  supplemental  retirement
plans for certain  officers,  profit sharing and other post  retirement  benefit
plans requiring  contributions to qualified trusts and union administered funds.
During  1998,  the Company  assumed  certain  liabilities  of NuTone  concerning
pension  obligations  and  post  retirement  obligations  that  provide  certain
retirement,  medical and life insurance  benefits to eligible retired  employees
and certain  active  employees.  The  information  presented  in the tables that
follow  has  been  presented  in  accordance  with  SFAS  No.  132,  "Employer's
Disclosures  About Pension and Other  Postretirement  Benefits," and revises the
Company's  disclosures  but does not change the  measurement  of  recognition of
pension benefits.



                                       76
<PAGE>



Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

Pension  and  profit   sharing   expense   charged  to   operations   aggregated
approximately   $9,800,000  in  1998,   approximately  $6,624,000  in  1997  and
approximately  $4,310,000 in 1996. The Company's policy is to fund currently the
actuarially determined annual contribution.

The table that follows provides a reconciliation  of benefit  obligations,  plan
assets  and funded  status of the plans in the  Company's  consolidated  balance
sheet at December 31, 1998 and 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    Non-pension
                                                                        Post
                                                                     Retirement
                                                                       Health
                                                   Pension Benefits   Benefits
                                                   1998      1997       1998
                                                        (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                             <C>        <C>       <C>  
 Change in benefit obligation:
   Benefit obligation at October 1,             $ 56,884   $52,592   $    ---
   Service cost                                    2,329       597        155
   Interest cost                                   5,594     2,979        800
   Amendments                                        851     1,454        ---
   Actuarial (gain) loss                          12,421     1,627       (384)
   Obligations from an acquisition                81,822       ---     29,022
   Benefits and expenses paid                     (5,051)   (2,365)       (32)
                                                --------   -------   --------
   Benefit obligation at September 30,          $154,850   $56,884   $ 29,561
                                                ========   =======   ========

 Change in plan assets:
   Fair value of plan assets at October 1,      $ 56,842   $48,651   $    ---
   Actual return on plan assets                   (2,980)   10,059        ---
   Plan assets from an acquisition                63,118       ---        ---
   Employer contribution                           2,407       497         32
   Benefits and expenses paid                     (5,051)   (2,365)       (32)
                                                --------   -------   --------
   Fair value of plan assets at September 30,   $114,336   $56,842   $    ---
                                                ========   =======   ========
</TABLE>





                                       77
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    Non-pension
                                                                        Post
                                                                     Retirement
                                                                       Health
                                                  Pension Benefits    Benefits
                                                  1998       1997       1998
                                                      (Amounts in thousands)
 <S>                                            <C>       <C>         <C>   
 Funded status and statement of financial position:
   Fair value of plan assets at September 30,   $114,336   $ 56,842   $    ---
   Benefit obligation at September 30,          (154,850)   (56,884)   (29,561)
                                                --------   --------   --------
   Funded status                                 (40,514)       (42)   (29,561)
   Amount contributed during fourth quarter          335        203        339
   Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain)             15,896     (5,113)      (384)
   Unrecognized prior service cost                 7,224      7,154        ---
                                                --------   --------   --------
   Prepaid (accrued) benefit cost               $(17,059)   $ 2,202   $(29,606)
                                                ========   ========   ========
   Amount recognized in the statement of
     financial position consists of:
   (a) Prepaid benefit cost                     $  6,130    $ 5,567   $    ---
   (b) Accrued benefit liability                 (38,111)    (8,369)   (29,606)
   (c) Intangible asset                            6,907      4,708        ---
   (d) Accumulated other comprehensive loss        8,015        296        ---
                                                --------   --------   --------
   Net prepaid (accrued) benefit cost           $(17,059)   $ 2,202   $(29,606)
                                                ========   ========   ========

</TABLE>

The projected benefit obligation,  accumulated benefit obligation and fair value
of plan assets for the pension plans with  accumulated  benefit  obligations  in
excess  of  plan  assets  were   $109,588,000,   $102,880,000  and  $66,365,000,
respectively,  as  of  December  31,  1998  and  $19,948,000,   $16,286,000  and
$8,170,000, respectively as of December 31, 1997.

Plan assets include commingled funds, marketable securities, insurance contracts
and cash and short-term investments.  The weighted average rate assumptions used
in  determining  pension  costs  and the  projected  benefit  obligation  are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 Years ended December 31,
                                                 1998      1997      1996
        <S>                                      <C>       <C>       <C>    
        Discount rate                            6.75%     7.50%     7.50%
        Expected return on plan assets           8.50      8.50      8.50
        Rate of compensation increase            5.00      5.00      5.00

</TABLE>





                                       78
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

The Company's net periodic  benefit cost for its defined benefit plans for 1998,
1997 and 1996 consists of the following components:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                Years ended December 31,
                                                1998      1997      1996
                                                 (Amounts in thousands)

        <S>                                    <C>       <C>       <C>   
        Service cost                           $2,329    $  597    $  358
        Interest cost                           5,594     2,979     2,226
        Expected return on plan assets         (5,135)   (2,819)   (3,944)
        Amortization of prior service cost        217       636     2,218
        Recognized actuarial loss                 311        93       ---
                                               ------    ------    ------
        Net periodic benefit cost              $3,316    $1,486    $  858
                                               ======    ======    ======
</TABLE>

For  purposes  of  calculating  the post  retirement  benefit  cost,  a  medical
inflation  rate of 6.75% was assumed for 1998.  The rate was assumed to decrease
gradually to an ultimate rate of 4.25% by 2003. The net periodic post retirement
benefit  cost of  approximately  $955,000  for the year ended  December 31, 1998
consisted of approximately  $155,000 of service cost and approximately  $800,000
of interest cost.

Assumed  health care cost trend rates have a  significant  effect on the amounts
reported  for the health  care plan.  A  one-percentage-point  change in assumed
health care cost trend rate would have the following effect:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                       Decrease Trend 1%   Increase Trend 1%
                                               (Amounts in thousands)
      <S>                                   <C>                  <C> 
      Effect on the total service
        and interest cost components        $   (47)             $   57
      Effect on the post retirement
        benefit obligation                  $(3,101)             $3,719
</TABLE>

8. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company provides accruals for all direct costs associated with the estimated
resolution of  contingencies at the earliest date at which it is deemed probable
that a  liability  has been  incurred  and the amount of such  liability  can be
reasonably estimated.





                                       79
<PAGE>




Nortek,  Inc.  and  Subsidiaries
Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements
(Continued)

At December 31, 1998, the Company and its subsidiaries are obligated under lease
agreements  for the rental of certain real estate and  machinery  and  equipment
used in its operations.  Minimum annual rental expense aggregates  approximately
$76,675,000 at December 31, 1998. The obligations are payable as follows:
<TABLE>
         <S>                                 <C> 
         1999                                $13,265,000
         2000                                  9,276,000
         2001                                  6,671,000
         2002                                  5,043,000
         2003                                  4,532,000
         Thereafter                           37,888,000
</TABLE>

Certain of these  lease  agreements  provide  for  increased  payments  based on
changes in the consumer price index. Rental expense charged to operations in the
accompanying consolidated statement of operations was approximately $15,000,000,
$8,700,000 and $6,725,000 for the years ended December 31, 1998,  1997 and 1996,
respectively.  Under  certain of these  lease  agreements,  the  Company and its
subsidiaries are also obligated to pay insurance and taxes.

The Company is subject to other  contingencies,  including legal proceedings and
claims  arising  out of its  businesses  that  cover a wide  range  of  matters,
including, among others,  environmental matters, contract and employment claims,
product  liability,  warranty and  modification,  adjustment or  replacement  of
component parts of units sold,  which may include product  recalls.  The Company
has used various  substances in its products and manufacturing  operations which
have been or may be deemed to be hazardous or  dangerous,  and the extent of its
potential liability, if any, under environmental, product liability and workers'
compensation statutes,  rules, regulations and case law is unclear. Further, due
to the  lack  of  adequate  information  and the  potential  impact  of  present
regulations and any future regulations, there are certain circumstances in which
no range of potential exposure may be reasonably estimated.

A  subsidiary  of the  Company is a defendant  in a number of lawsuits  alleging
damage caused by alleged defects in certain pressure treated wood products. Many
of the suits have been  resolved by dismissal or  settlement  with amounts being
paid out of insurance  proceeds or other third party recoveries.  The subsidiary
continues  to  vigorously  defend  the  remaining  suits.  Certain  defense  and
indemnity  costs are being paid out of insurance  proceeds  and proceeds  from a
settlement with suppliers of material used in the production of the treated wood
products.





                                       80
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

The subsidiary has engaged in coverage  litigation with certain insurers and has
settled coverage claims with several of the insurers.  The Company believes that
the remaining  coverage  disputes will be resolved on a  satisfactory  basis and
additional  coverage  will be available.  In reaching  this belief,  the Company
analyzed  insurance  coverage  and  the  status  of  the  coverage   litigation,
considered  the history of  settlements  with  primary and excess  insurers  and
consulted with counsel.

The Company has recorded  liabilities of  approximately  $10,168,000 at December
31, 1998 for the  estimated  costs to resolve  these  outstanding  matters.  The
Company has also  recorded  receivables  at December  31, 1998 of  approximately
$8,378,000 for the estimated  recoveries which are deemed probable of collection
related to insurance litigation matters discussed above.

While it is impossible to ascertain the ultimate  legal and financial  liability
with respect to contingent liabilities, including lawsuits, the Company believes
that the  aggregate  amount of such  liabilities,  if any,  in excess of amounts
provided,  will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial
position or results of operations of the Company.

9. Discontinued Operations

In the fourth quarter of 1997, the Company adopted a plan of disposition for its
plumbing  products  business  which was sold on July 10, 1998 for  approximately
$33,700,000 in cash.  The following is a summary of the results of  discontinued
operations for the three years ended December 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  Years Ended December 31,
                                                 1998       1997       1996
                                                   (Amounts in thousands)

    <S>                                         <C>       <C>        <C>     
    Net sales                                   $50,110   $104,467   $128,241
                                                =======   ========   ========

    Loss before income taxes                    $(3,800)  $ (5,700)  $ (2,600)
    Income tax benefit                            5,000      2,100        900
                                                -------   --------   --------
    Earnings (loss) from discontinued
      operations                                  1,200     (3,600)    (1,700)
    Reserve for future operating expenses,
      net of income tax benefit of
      $900,000                                      ---     (1,600)       ---
                                                -------   --------   --------
    Earnings (loss) from discontinued
      operations                                $ 1,200   $ (5,200)  $ (1,700)
                                                =======   ========   ========

</TABLE>



                                       81
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

Loss from discontinued  operations before income taxes includes an allocation of
corporate   interest  expense  of  approximately   $1,000,000,   $1,900,000  and
$1,700,000  in  1998,  1997  and  1996,  respectively.  Corporate  interest  was
allocated  to  discontinued  operations  based on the ratio of net assets of the
discontinued  operation to the sum of the total  consolidated  net assets of the
Company  plus   consolidated  debt  of  the  Company  other  than  debt  of  the
discontinued operation assumed by the buyer and debt that is directly attributed
to other operations of the Company.

The income tax benefit in 1998  includes  approximately  $800,000  recorded as a
result of the  realization of a portion of the tax capital loss arising from the
sale of the Plumbing Products business.

10. Operating Segment Information and Concentration of Credit Risk

Effective in 1998, the Company adopted SFAS 131,  "Disclosures About Segments of
an Enterprise and Related  Information."  This statement  introduced a new model
for segment reporting, called the "management approach". The management approach
is based on the way the chief operating decision-maker organizes segments within
a  company  for  making  operating  decisions  and  assessing  performance.  The
presentation  for  1997  and  1996  has  been  reclassified  to  conform  to the
presentation in 1998.

The Company is a diversified manufacturer of residential and commercial building
products,  which is organized  within three principal  operating  segments:  the
Residential Building Products Segment; the Air Conditioning and Heating Products
Segment;  and the  Windows,  Doors and  Siding  Segment.  Individual  subsidiary
companies  are  included  in each of the  Company's  three  principal  operating
segments based on the similarity of products,  production  processes,  customers
and expected  long-term  financial  performance  to other  subsidiary  companies
included  in the  particular  operating  segment.  Each of the  three  operating
segments  is a  reportable  segment  under the  provisions  of SFAS  131.  Other
includes   corporate  related  items,   results  of  insignificant   operations,
intersegment  eliminations and certain income and expense items not allocated to
reportable  segments.  The operating results labeled Businesses Sold consists of
entities sold during 1998 that were previously  included in the Company's former
Specialty  Products  and  Distribution  Group as well as other  businesses  sold
during 1998.

The Residential  Building Products Segment manufactures and distributes built-in
products  primarily for the residential new construction,  do-it-yourself  (DIY)
and  professional  remodeling and  renovation  markets  including  kitchen range
hoods, bath fans,  combination units (fan, heater and light  combinations).  The
Air Conditioning  and Heating  Products Segment  manufactures and sells heating,
ventilating and air



                                       82
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

conditioning  ("HVAC") systems for custom-designed  commercial  applications and
for  manufactured and site-built  residential  housing.  The Windows,  Doors and
Siding Segment manufactures and distributes vinyl and wood windows, doors, vinyl
siding,  aluminum  trim  coil,  soffit,  skirting  and  shutters  for use in the
residential construction, DIY and professional renovation markets.

The  Windows,  Doors and Siding  Segment was  purchased in  connection  with the
acquisition  of  Ply  Gem on  August  26,  1997  and,  accordingly,  information
presented  below  excludes  results of  operations  for this Segment for periods
prior to the acquisition date.

The accounting  policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note
1. Summary of Significant  Accounting  Policies.  The Company  evaluates segment
performance based on operating earnings before allocations of corporate overhead
costs. Intersegment net sales are not material for any of the periods presented.

Intersegment  eliminations  were not material for any of the periods  presented.
The income statement impact of all purchase  accounting  adjustments,  including
goodwill  and  intangible  assets  amortization,  is included  in the  operating
earnings  of  the  applicable  operating  segment;  however,  the  corresponding
purchase accounting balance sheet adjustments related to goodwill and intangible
assets are not  allocated  to the  individual  operating  segments.  Unallocated
assets consist  primarily of cash and cash equivalents,  marketable  securities,
net assets of discontinued  operations (in 1997 and 1996),  prepaid and deferred
income taxes, goodwill, intangible assets and deferred debt expense.

The tables  that  follow  exclude the  results of  operations  for the  plumbing
products  business  which  was  sold in 1998  and has  been  accounted  for as a
discontinued operation.





                                       83
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

Summarized  financial  information  for the  Company's  reportable  segments  is
presented  in the tables  that  follow for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  Years ended December 31,
                                               1998        1997        1996
                                                   (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                         <C>          <C>         <C>    
      Net Sales:
      Residential Building Products         $  475,029   $  381,750  $368,660
      Air Conditioning and Heating
       Products                                465,164      419,368   423,112
      Windows, Doors and Siding                536,781      189,027       ---
      Other                                     69,322       21,322       ---
                                            ----------   ----------  --------
                                             1,546,296    1,011,467   791,772
      Businesses sold                          192,047      122,662    49,785
                                            ----------   ----------  --------
        Consolidated net sales              $1,738,343   $1,134,129  $841,557
                                            ==========   ==========  ========

      Operating Earnings (Loss):
      Residential Building Products           $ 53,674      $40,287   $31,232
      Air Conditioning and Heating
       Products                                 55,729       41,267    38,531
      Windows, Doors and Siding                 31,492        8,991       ---
      Other, net                               (14,157)     (14,428)  (14,674)
                                            ----------    ---------  --------
                                               126,738       76,117    55,089
      Businesses sold                            6,390        6,864     5,862
                                            ----------    ---------  --------
        Consolidated operating earnings        133,128       82,981    60,951
                                            ==========    =========  ========
      Unallocated:
      Gain on Businesses sold                    4,000          ---       ---
      Interest expense                         (86,298)     (50,210)  (28,400)
      Investment income                         10,470        9,929     6,049
                                            ----------    ---------  --------
      Earnings from continuing
       operations before provision
       for income taxes                        $61,300      $42,700   $38,600
                                            ==========    =========  ========
</TABLE>






                                       84
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      December 31,
                                              1998         1997       1996
                                                 (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>
     Segment Assets:
     Residential Building Products          $252,533     $172,686   $182,783
     Air Conditioning and Heating
      Products                               164,710      132,772    126,904
     Windows, Doors and Siding               242,014      203,902        ---
     Other                                    17,029       27,546      4,186
                                          ----------   ----------   --------
                                             676,286      536,906    313,873
     Businesses sold                             ---       86,205     20,993
                                          ----------   ----------   --------
       Total Segment Assets                  676,286      623,111    334,866
     Unallocated:
     Cash, cash equivalents and
       marketable securities                 223,451      168,178     97,774
     Goodwill and intangible assets          672,264      386,984     94,942
     Prepaid and deferred income taxes        54,163       56,822     20,000
     Other assets                             63,829       69,451     42,651
                                          ----------   ----------   --------
       Consolidated assets                $1,689,993   $1,304,546   $590,233
                                          ==========   ==========   ========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                Years ended December 31,
                                              1998         1997       1996
                                                 (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                          <C>          <C>        <C>
     Depreciation and Amortization:
     Residential Building Products           $14,641      $10,980    $11,189
     Air Conditioning and Heating
      Products                                 8,920        8,412      7,452
     Windows, Doors and Siding                15,614        5,414        ---
     Other                                     1,222          525        322
                                             -------      -------    -------
                                              40,397       25,331     18,963
     Businesses sold                           1,687        1,365        868
                                             -------      -------    -------
     Consolidated depreciation and
       amortization                          $42,084      $26,696    $19,831
                                             =======      =======    =======
     Capital Expenditures:
     Residential Building Products           $ 8,638       $6,361     $7,732
     Air Conditioning and Heating
      Products                                20,665       10,724      9,986
     Windows, Doors and Siding                 9,809        3,244        ---
     Other                                       536          314        127
                                             -------      -------    -------
                                              39,648       20,643     17,845
     Businesses sold                           1,215        1,821      1,422
                                             -------      -------    -------
     Consolidated capital
       expenditures                          $40,863      $22,464    $19,267
                                             =======      =======    =======

</TABLE>





                                       85
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

Foreign net sales were  approximately  8%, 11% and 15% of consolidated net sales
for the years ended  December 31,  1998,  1997 and 1996,  respectively.  Foreign
long-lived assets were  approximately 6%, 9% and 31% of consolidated  long-lived
assets for the years  ended  December  31,  1998,  1997 and 1996,  respectively.
Foreign  net  sales  are  attributed  based  on the  location  of the  Company's
subsidiary  responsible for the sale. As required by SFAS 131, long-lived assets
exclude financial instruments and deferred income taxes.

No single customer accounts for 10% or more of consolidated net sales.

The Company operates internationally and is exposed to market risks from changes
in foreign exchange rates.  Financial  instruments which potentially subject the
Company to concentrations  of credit risk consist  principally of temporary cash
investments  and trade  receivables.  The  Company  places  its  temporary  cash
investments  with high  credit  quality  financial  institutions  and limits the
amount of credit exposure to any one financial  institution.  Concentrations  of
credit  risk with  respect to trade  receivables  are  limited  due to the large
number of customers  comprising the Company's customer base and their dispersion
across many different  geographical  regions.  At December 31, 1998, the Company
had no significant concentrations of credit risk.

11.Net Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities

At  December  31,  1998,   1997,   and  1996  the  reduction  in  the  Company's
stockholders'  investment for gross unrealized losses was approximately $45,000,
$110,000 and $891,000  respectively.  At December 31, 1998,  there were no gross
unrealized gains on the Company's marketable securities.

The Company's unrestricted marketable securities at December 31, 1998 consist of
certificates  of deposit  and bank  issued  money  market  instruments  of which
approximately $121,757,000 mature within one year.





                                       86
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)

12. Accrued Expenses and Taxes, Net

Accrued  expenses and taxes,  net, consist of the following at December 31, 1998
and 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                   December 31,
                                                 1998         1997
                                              (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                            <C>          <C>  
      Insurance                                $ 28,658     $ 23,880
      Employee compensation and benefits         48,094       37,600
      Interest                                   29,231       22,049
      Product warranty                           13,962        9,471
      Sales and marketing                        19,435       12,377
      Employee termination and other costs        2,666       10,179
      Other, net                                 55,039       48,445
                                               --------     --------
                                               $197,085     $164,001
                                               ========     ========
</TABLE>

The Company  has  recorded  liabilities,  in  connection  with the 1997 and 1998
acquisitions,  related to employee  terminations and other exit costs associated
with  management's  plans  to  eliminate  certain  activities  of  the  acquired
entities.  Management's  plans for  eliminating  certain Ply Gem activities were
completed  in 1998  and  relate  principally  to the  elimination  of Ply  Gem's
corporate  headquarters  and the  consolidation  of  certain  duplicate  Ply Gem
corporate  functions  such as  accounting,  legal and risk  management  into the
Company.  The finalization of management's initial plans relative to the Ply Gem
acquisition  in 1997  resulted in decreases of  approximately  $2,700,000 to the
initial liabilities recorded in 1997. These decreases were identified within one
year of the acquisition date and,  accordingly,  were recorded as adjustments to
the purchase price  allocation for the Ply Gem acquisition.  Management's  plans
for eliminating  certain  activities of the 1998 acquisitions were not finalized
as of December 31, 1998.  Accordingly,  the Company has recorded  liabilities of
approximately  $1,900,000 for the portions of the 1998 acquisitions'  plans that
were complete as of December 31, 1998, which principally  related to termination
of certain  corporate  employees of the 1998  acquired  businesses.  The Company
expects to finalize its plans with respect to the 1998  acquisitions  within one
year  of  the  respective   acquisition  dates  and,   accordingly,   additional
liabilities will be recorded as adjustments to the purchase price allocation for
each acquired  business.  Management's  estimates of the additional  liabilities
associated  with  their  plans  for the 1998  acquisitions  are in the  range of
approximately  $18,000,000 to $25,000,000  and relate  principally to additional
employee  terminations  and other  exit  costs  related  to the  elimination  or
consolidation  of certain  functions and  operations at each acquired  business.



                                       87
<PAGE>



Nortek,  Inc.  and  Subsidiaries  
Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements
(Continued)

Charges to the liabilities for employee  termination  include  payroll,  payroll
taxes  and   insurance   benefits   related  to  severance   packages  and  were
approximately  $5,300,000  and  $1,700,000 for the years ended December 31, 1998
and 1997,  respectively.  Charges to the liabilities for other exit costs relate
principally  to lease costs and other costs of closing  facilities and legal and
consulting  fees that were incurred due to the  implementation  of the Company's
exit  strategies.   Charges  to  the  liabilities  for  other  exit  costs  were
approximately  $1,400,000 and $400,000 for the years ended December 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively.

13. Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The tables that follow  summarize  unaudited  quarterly  financial  data for the
years ended December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

  
                                             For the Quarters Ended
                                   April 4     July 4   October 3  December 31
                                      (In thousands except per share amounts)
<S>                                <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>   
      1998
      Net sales                    $392,468   $449,647   $458,193    $438,035
      Gross profit                   98,148    116,141    127,001     121,703
      Earnings from continuing                                      
        operations                    1,300      8,500     13,300      10,900
      Earnings per share from
        continuing operations:
        Basic                           .14        .79       1.13         .93
        Diluted                         .13        .78       1.11         .92

      Net earnings                 $  1,300   $  8,500   $ 13,800    $ 11,400

      Net earnings per share:
        Basic                           .14        .79       1.17         .97
        Diluted                         .13        .78       1.15         .96

</TABLE>




                                       88
<PAGE>




Nortek, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             For the Quarters Ended
                                March 29   June 28    September 27  December 31
                                    (In thousands except per share amounts)
<S>                             <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>
    1997
    Net sales                   $194,238   $223,795     $300,380     $415,716
    Gross profit                  57,380     65,200       80,465      105,279
    Earnings from continuing                                        
      operations                   4,700      7,700        8,400        5,600
    Earnings per share from
      continuing operations:
      Basic                          .48        .80         .88           .59
      Diluted                        .47        .78         .86           .57

    Net earnings                $  3,700   $  6,700     $  7,700     $  3,100

    Net earnings per share:
      Basic                          .38        .70         .80           .33
      Diluted                        .37        .68         .78           .32

<FN>
See Notes 2 and 9 regarding certain other quarterly transactions included in the
operating results in the above table.
</FN>
</TABLE>




                                       89
<PAGE>




Report of Independent Public Accountants for Annual Report


To Nortek, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying  consolidated balance sheets of Nortek, Inc. (a
Delaware  corporation) and subsidiaries listed in Item 14(a)(1) of this form 10K
as of December  31, 1998 and 1997,  and the related  statements  of  operations,
stockholders'  investment  and cash  flows  for each of the  three  years in the
period ended  December 31, 1998.  These  financial  statements and the schedules
referred  to below  are the  responsibility  of the  Company's  management.  Our
responsibility  is to  express  an opinion  on these  financial  statements  and
schedules based on our audits.

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

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects,  the financial position of Nortek,  Inc. and subsidiaries
as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the results of their  operations and their
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended  December 31, 1998 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic  financial
statements taken as a whole. The schedules listed in Item 14(a)(2) are presented
for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commissions rules and
are not part of the  basic  financial  statements.  These  schedules  have  been
subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial
statements  and, in our  opinion,  fairly  state in all  material  respects  the
financial  data  required  to be set  forth  therein  in  relation  to the basic
financial statements taken as a whole.



ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP



/s/ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Boston, Massachusetts,
March 22, 1999





                                       90
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC.(Parent Company)
SCHEDULE I  CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE REGISTRANT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Condensed Balance Sheet
                                                            December 31,
                                                          1998         1997
                                                       (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>   
  Assets

  Current Assets:
  Unrestricted
    Cash and investments at cost which
     approximates market                               $   60,238     $ 91,644
    Marketable securities at cost which
     approximates market                                   86,736       35,988
  Restricted
    Cash and investments at cost which
     approximates market                                   10,801        3,548
    Marketable securities at cost which
     approximates market                                    2,796        2,800

  Notes and accounts receivable, net                        3,435        4,283
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets                   197          239
  Net assets of discontinued operations                       ---       22,386
  Prepaid income taxes                                      6,200        4,200
                                                       ----------     --------
        Total Current Assets                              170,403      165,088
                                                       ----------     --------

  Property and equipment, at cost                           1,708        1,588
  Less-accumulated depreciation                             1,350        1,211
                                                       ----------     --------
        Total property and equipment, net                     358          377
                                                       ----------     --------

  Investments and Other Assets:
  Net intercompany balance and investment
    in subsidiaries                                       953,887      700,202
  Deferred debt expense, net                               23,843       20,139
  Other                                                    25,787       23,113
                                                       ----------     --------
                                                        1,003,517      743,454
                                                       ----------     --------
                                                       $1,174,278     $908,919
                                                       ==========     ========

<FN>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>





                                       91
<PAGE>





NORTEK, INC. (Parent Company)
SCHEDULE I  CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE REGISTRANT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Condensed Balance Sheet (Continued)
                                                           December 31,
                                                         1998         1997
                                                      (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                                   <C>            <C> 
 Liabilities and Stockholders' Investment

 Current Liabilities:
 Accounts payable                                     $    1,340     $    557
 Accrued expenses and taxes                               45,319       49,311
                                                      ----------    ---------
 Total Current Liabilities                                46,659       49,868
                                                      ----------    ---------

 Other Liabilities:
 Deferred income taxes                                     1,400        5,300
 Other                                                    13,735       26,834
                                                      ----------    ---------
                                                          15,135       32,134
                                                      ----------    ---------
 Senior notes                                            691,087      481,588
                                                      ----------    ---------
 Senior subordinated notes                               203,787      217,241
                                                      ----------    ---------

 Commitments and Contingencies (Note 2)

 Stockholders' Investment:
 Preference stock, $1 per value; authorized
   7,000,000 shares, none issued                            ---          ---
 Common Stock, $1 par value; authorized
  40,000,000 shares, 18,427,595 and 16,050,794
  shares issued                                           18,428       16,051
 Special common stock, $1 par value; authorized
  5,000,000 shares, 854,935 and 767,287 shares
  issued                                                     855          767
 Additional paid-in Capital                              201,626      135,345
 Retained earnings                                        93,966       58,966
 Accumulated other comprehensive loss                    (11,596)      (5,327)
 Less--treasury common stock at cost, 7,290,335
       and 7,032,497 shares                              (83,711)     (75,779)
     --treasury special common stock at cost,
       286,009 and 285,304 shares                         (1,958)      (1,935)
                                                      ----------     --------
      Total Stockholders' Investment                     217,610      128,088
                                                      ----------     --------
                                                      $1,174,278     $908,919
                                                      ==========     ========

<FN>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>





                                       92
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. (Parent Company)
SCHEDULE I  CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE REGISTRANT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Condensed Statement of Operations
                                                For the Years Ended December 31,
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                   1998        1997       1996
                                         (In thousands except per share amounts)
<S>                                               <C>        <C>        <C>   
  Revenues:                              
  Charges and allocations to subsidiaries         $75,208    $34,498    $33,829
  Gain on sale of businesses                        4,000        ---        ---
  Interest and dividend income                      8,777      9,073      4,956
  Net gain on investment securities                   ---        200        750
  Other income                                        556        518        664
                                                  -------    -------    -------
    Total revenues                                 88,541     44,289     40,199
                                                  -------    -------    -------
  Expenses:
  Selling, general and administrative
    expense                                        15,030     13,605     11,503
  Interest expense                                 75,922     43,921     20,912
  Other expense                                       679        784        731
                                                  -------    -------    -------
    Total expenses                                 91,631     58,310     33,146
                                                  -------    -------    -------
  Earnings (loss) from continuing                                        
   operations, before equity in
   subsidiaries' earnings                          (3,090)   (14,021)     7,053
  Equity in subsidiaries earnings
   before provision for income taxes               64,390     56,721     31,547
                                                  -------    -------    -------
  Earnings from continuing operations
   before provision for income taxes               61,300     42,700     38,600
  Provision for income taxes                       27,300     16,300     14,900
                                                  -------    -------    -------
  Earnings from continuing operations
   before extraordinary loss                       34,000     26,400     23,700
  Earnings (loss) from discontinued
   operations                                       1,200     (5,200)    (1,700)
  Extraordinary loss from debt retirements           (200)       ---        ---
                                                  -------    -------    -------
    Net earnings                                  $35,000    $21,200    $22,000
                                                  =======    =======    =======
  Earnings (loss) per share:
  Earnings per share from continuing
   operations:
   Basic                                            $3.11      $2.75      $2.26
   Diluted                                          $3.06      $2.68      $2.23
  Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations:
   Basic                                            $ .11     $(0.54)    $(0.16)
   Diluted                                          $ .11     $(0.53)    $(0.16)
  Extraordinary loss from debt retirements:
   Basic                                            $(.02)      $---       $---
   Diluted                                          $(.02)      $---       $---
  Net earnings:
   Basic                                            $3.20      $2.21      $2.10
   Diluted                                          $3.15      $2.15      $2.07
  Weighted average number of shares:
   Basic                                           10,923      9,605     10,485
   Diluted                                         11,113      9,855     10,641

<FN>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>



                                       93
<PAGE>





NORTEK, INC. (Parent Company)
SCHEDULE I  CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE REGISTRANT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
                                                For the Years Ended December 31,
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                   1998       1997       1996
                                                     (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                             <C>        <C>        <C> 
  Cash flows from operating activities:
  Earnings from continuing operations           $ 34,000   $ 26,400   $ 23,700
  Net earnings (loss) from discontinued
   operations                                      1,200     (5,200)    (1,700)
  Extraordinary loss from debt retirements          (200)       ---        ---
                                                --------   --------   --------
  Net earnings                                    35,000     21,200     22,000
                                                --------   --------   --------

  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash:
  Depreciation and amortization                      117        139        320
  Non-cash interest expense                        2,856      1,421        802
  Gain on sale of Businesses sold                 (4,000)       ---        ---
  Loss on discontinued operations                  3,800      2,500        ---
  Loss on debt retirement                            300        ---        ---
  Equity in subsidiaries' earnings
   before provision for income taxes             (64,390)   (56,721)   (31,547)
  Charges and allocations to subsidiaries        (75,208)   (34,498)   (33,829)
  Net transfers from subsidiaries,
   principally cash                               97,905     57,034     69,616
  Gain on sale of investments and                                        
   marketable securities                             ---       (200)      (750)
  Deferred federal income tax provision
   (benefit)                                      15,100      4,000     (3,000)
  Deferred federal income tax (benefit)
   provision on discontinued operations           (3,200)    (1,000)     1,200

  Changes in certain assets and  liabilities,
   net of effects from  acquisitions
   and dispositions:
  Notes and accounts receivable and other
   current assets                                 (2,672)      (994)    (1,730)
  Other assets                                    (1,034)    (2,877)      (570)
  Net assets of discontinued operations           (7,426)     4,934        817
  Accrued expenses and taxes                      13,558      4,491     (2,704)
  Long-term liabilities                           (1,243)     4,832        903
  Other, net                                         948        277        482
                                                --------   --------   --------
  Total adjustments to net earnings              (24,589)   (16,662)        10
                                                --------   --------   --------
  Net cash provided by
   operating activities                           10,411      4,538     22,010
                                                --------   --------   --------
</TABLE>




                                       94
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. (Parent Company)
SCHEDULE I
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE REGISTRANT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows (Continued)

                                                For the Years Ended December 31,
                                                   1998       1997       1996
                                                     (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                              <C>        <C>          <C>  
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures                                  (65)       (70)      (123)
Purchases of investments and marketable
 securities                                      (124,986)  (283,918)   (66,901)
Proceeds from the sale of investments and
 marketable securities                             75,255    297,133     82,242
Proceeds either received directly or from
 subsidiaries relating to Businesses sold
 or discontinued                                   61,162        ---        ---
Cash paid for businesses acquired                 (46,040)       ---        ---
Cash contributed to subsidiaries for
 businesses acquired                             (248,000)  (407,419)       ---
Change in restricted cash, investments and
 marketable securities                             (7,234)      (828)       (96)
Other, net                                            (56)    (4,188)    (1,662)
                                                 --------   --------    -------
Net cash (used in) provided by investing
 activities                                      (289,964)  (399,290)    13,460
                                                 --------   --------    -------

Cash flows from financing activities:
Sale of Notes, net                                203,492    466,213        ---
Purchase of Notes                                 (13,678)       ---        ---
Sale of Nortek Common Stock                        64,190        ---        ---
Purchase of Nortek Common and Special
 Common Stock                                      (7,668)   (10,177)   (34,822)
Other, net                                          1,811        386        356
                                                 --------   --------    -------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
 activities                                       248,147    456,422    (34,466)
                                                 --------   --------    -------
Net (decrease) increase in unrestricted
 cash and investments                             (31,406)    61,670      1,004
Unrestricted cash and investments at the
 beginning of the year                             91,644     29,974     28,970
                                                 --------   --------    -------
Unrestricted cash and investments at the
 end of the year                                 $ 60,238   $ 91,644    $29,974
                                                 ========   ========    =======
Interest paid on indebtedness                    $ 65,599   $ 29,581    $21,662
                                                 ========   ========    =======
Net income taxes paid, including those
 paid by subsidiaries                            $  4,568   $  7,977    $18,611
                                                 ========   ========    =======

<FN>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>




                                       95
<PAGE>





NORTEK, INC. (Parent Company)
SCHEDULE I
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE REGISTRANT

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

1. The  accompanying  condensed  financial  statements  of  Nortek,  Inc.  ("the
Registrant")  have been  prepared  in  accordance  with the  reduced  disclosure
requirements  permitted by form 10-K,  Part IV, Item 14,  Schedule I - Condensed
Financial Information of the Registrant.  The consolidated  financial statements
and related  notes of Nortek,  Inc. and  subsidiaries,  are  included  elsewhere
herein in this  form  10-K  (Part II,  Item  8)and  are  incorporated  herein by
reference.  Certain 1997 and 1996 amounts have been  reclassified  to conform to
the 1998 presentation.

2. Descriptions of material  contingencies,  significant provisions of long-term
debt obligations and commitments of the Registrant are included in Notes 5 and 8
of the  Notes  to the  Nortek,  Inc.  and  subsidiaries  Consolidated  Financial
Statements,  which are  incorporated  herein by  reference.  The  following is a
summary of maturities of long-term debt of the  Registrant's  debt  obligations,
excluding  unamortized  discount,  at December 31, 1998: 

                           (Amounts in thousands)
                        1999                 $    ---
                        2000                      ---
                        2001                      ---
                        2002                      ---
                        2003                      ---
                  Thereafter                 $899,822

3. The  Registrant's  net  investment in  subsidiaries  is net of the cumulative
amount of intercompany cash transfers and other transactions.

4. In 1998, the Registrant made capital  contributions of $46,040,000 to Ply Gem
Corporation  ("Ply Gem") to provide  funding for certain  business  acquisitions
made by Ply Gem in 1998.

5. Included in the  Registrants  condensed  statement of cash flows for the year
ended December 31, 1997 (in net transfers from  subsidiaries,  principally cash)
are dividends  (declared by subsidiaries'  Board of Directors) from subsidiaries
of $70,000,000. There were no dividends declared in 1998 or 1996.

6.  Certain  of  the  Registrant's  subsidiaries  have  entered  into  financing
agreements which contain various restrictive covenants that place limitations on
the amount of  distributions  and  advances to the  Registrant.  At December 31,
1998,  approximately   $380,176,000  (of  which  approximately  $327,076,000  is
goodwill) of subsidiary net assets,  principally  Ply Gem and its  subsidiaries,
were restricted and  approximately  $89,756,000  principal  amount of subsidiary
indebtedness was outstanding under these financing agreements.




                                       96
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>




                                        Balance               Charged
                                           at                 to Cost     Charged      Deduction    Balance
                                       Beginning    Acqui-      and       to Other       from        at End
          Classification                of Year    sitions    Expense     Accounts     Reserves     of Year
<S>                                    <C>         <C>         <C>      <C>           <C>            <C>

For the year ended December 31, 1996:
 Allowance for doubtful
  accounts and sales allowances        $ 3,439     $  ---      $1,951   $    119(c)    $(1,853)(a)   $ 3,656

For the year ended December 31, 1997:
 Allowance for doubtful
  accounts and sales allowances          3,656      7,434       2,303        171(c)     (2,517)(a)    11,047

For the year ended December 31, 1998:
 Allowance for doubtful
  accounts and sales allowances        $11,047     $2,172      $8,711   $(1,434)(b)   $(10,138)(a)   $10,657
                                                                           $299 (c)


<FN>

(a)   Amounts written off, net of recoveries
(b)   Businesses sold
(c)   Other
</FN>
</TABLE>




                                       97
<PAGE>




NORTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibits  marked with an  asterisk  are filed  herewith.  The  remainder  of the
exhibits have  heretofore  been filed with the Commission  and are  incorporated
herein by  reference.  Exhibits  marked  with a double  asterisk  identify  each
management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

   3.1     Restated  Certificate of Incorporation of Nortek, Inc. (Exhibit 2 to
           Form 8-K filed April 23, 1987, File No. 1-6112).

   3.2     Amendment to Restated  Certificate of Incorporation of Nortek,  Inc.
           effective  May 10,  1989  (Exhibit  3.2 to Form 10-K filed March 30,
           1990, File No. 1-6112).

   3.3     By-laws of Nortek,  Inc.  (as amended  through  September  19, 1996)
           (Exhibit 3.3 to Form 10-Q filed November 5, 1996, File No. 1-6112).

   4.1     Second  Amended and Restated  Rights  Agreement  dated as of April 1,
           1996 between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company,  as
           Rights  Agent  (Exhibit 1 to Form 8-K filed  April 2, 1996,  File No.
           1-6112).

   4.2     Indenture dated as of February 14, 1994 between the Company and State
           Street Bank and Trust  Company,  as  Trustee,  relating to the 9 7/8%
           Senior  Subordinated  Notes due 2004  (Exhibit 4.5 to Form 10-K filed
           March 25, 1994, File No. 1-6112).

   4.3     Indenture  dated as of March 17,  1997  between the Company and State
           Street  Bank and Trust  Company,  as  Trustee,  relating to the 9.25%
           Series A and Series B Senior Notes due March 15, 2007 (Exhibit 4.2 to
           Registration Statement No. 333-25505 filed April 18, 1997).

   4.4     Indenture  dated as of August 26, 1997  between the Company and State
           Street Bank and Trust  Company,  as  Trustee,  relating to the 9 1/8%
           Series A and Series B Senior Notes due September 1, 2007 (Exhibit 4.1
           to Registration Statement No. 333-36711 filed September 30, 1997).



                                       98
<PAGE>





   4.5     Indenture  dated as of July 31,  1998  between  the Company and State
           Street Bank and Trust  Company,  as  Trustee,  relating to the 8 7/8%
           Series A and Series B Senior Notes due August 1, 2008 (Exhibit 4.1 to
           Registration Statement No. 333-64731 filed September 30, 1998).

**10.1     Employment  Agreement  between  Richard L.  Bready and the  Company,
           dated as of January 1, 1984  (Exhibit  10.2 to Form 10-K filed March
           31, 1986, File No. 1-6112).

**10.2     Amendment dated as of March 3, 1988 to Employment  Agreement  between
           Richard  L.  Bready  and the  Company  dated as of  January  1,  1984
           (Exhibit 19.2 to Form 10-Q filed May 17, 1988, File No. 1-6112).

**10.3     Second Amendment dated as of November 1, 1990 to Employment Agreement
           between Richard L. Bready and the Company dated as of January 1, 1984
           (Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-K filed April 1, 1991, File No. 1-6112).

**10.4     Employment  Agreement  between  Richard L.  Bready  and the  Company
           dated as of February 26, 1997  (Exhibit  10.3 to Form 10-Q filed May
           12, 1997, File No. 1-6112).

**10.5     Amendment No. 1 dated June 13, 1997 to Employment  Agreement between
           Richard L.  Bready and the  Company  dated as of  February  26, 1997
           (Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q filed August 8, 1997, File No. 1-6112).

**10.6     Deferred Compensation  Agreement dated March 7, 1983 between Richard
           L. Bready and the Company  (Exhibit 10.4 to  Registration  Statement
           No. 33-69778 filed February 9, 1994).

**10.7     Deferred  Compensation  Agreement  dated March 7, 1983 between Almon
           C. Hall and the Company (Exhibit 10.5 to Registration  Statement No.
           33-69778 filed February 9, 1994).

**10.8     Deferred Compensation  Agreement dated March 7, 1983 between Richard
           J. Harris and the Company  (Exhibit 10.6 to  Registration  Statement
           No. 33-69778 filed February 9, 1994).



                                       99
<PAGE>





**10.9     1984 Stock Option  Plan,  as amended  through May 27, 1987  (Exhibit
           28.2 to Registration Statement No. 33-22527 filed June 15, 1988).

**10.10    Change in Control  Severance  Benefit Plan for Key Employees  adopted
           February 10,  1986,  and form of agreement  with  employees  (Exhibit
           10.19 to Form 10-K filed March 31, 1986, File No. 1-6112).

**10.11    Change in Control Severance Benefit Plan for Key Employees as Amended
           and Restated  June 12, 1997,  and form of  agreement  with  employees
           (Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q filed August 8, 1997, file No.
           1-6112).

**10.12    1987 Stock Option Plan (Exhibit 28.3 to  Registration  Statement No.
           33-22527 filed June 15, 1988).

**10.13    1997  Equity  and Cash  Incentive  Plan  (Exhibit  10.1 to Form 10-Q
           filed May 12, 1997, File No. 1-6112).

**10.14    1997 Stock  Option  Plan for  Directors  (Exhibit  10.2 to Form 10-Q
           filed May 12, 1997, File No. 1-6112).

**10.15    Nortek, Inc.  Supplemental  Executive  Retirement Plan dated July 1,
           1997  (Exhibit  10.3 to Form 10-Q  filed  August 8,  1997,  File No.
           1-6112).

**10.16    First  Amendment  dated  July 1, 1997 to Nortek,  Inc.  Supplemental
           Executive  Retirement  Plan dated July 1, 1997 (Exhibit 10.4 to Form
           10-Q filed August 8, 1997, File No. 1-6112).

**10.17    Form  of  Indemnification  Agreement  between  the  Company  and  its
           directors and certain  officers  (Appendix C to Proxy Statement dated
           March 23, 1987 for Annual Meeting of Nortek Stockholders, File No.
           1-6112).

  10.18    Stock  Purchase  and  Sale  Agreement  dated  March 9,  1998  between
           Williams  Y&N  Holdings,  Inc. and NTK Sub,  Inc.  (Exhibit 2 to Form
           8-K/A filed March 18, 1998, File No. 1-6112).

 *10.19    Second  Amended and  Restated  Credit  Agreement,  dated as of
           August 26, 1997 and restated as of December  30, 1998,  among Ply Gem
           Industries,  Inc.,  Fleet  National  Bank,  as  Agent,  and the banks
           signatory thereto.



                                       100
<PAGE>





 *21.1     List of subsidiaries.

 *23.1     Consent of Independent Public Accountants.

 *27.1     Financial Data Schedule.



                                      101
<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 21.1






                              LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES

Set forth below is a list of all  subsidiaries of the Company as of December 31,
1998 the  assets  and  operations  of which  are  included  in the  Consolidated
Financial  Statements of Nortek,  Inc., except subsidiaries that,  considered in
the  aggregate  as a single  subsidiary,  would  not  constitute  a  significant
subsidiary:


                                                                   STATE OF
       NAME OF SUBSIDIARY                                       INCORPORATION

       Broan-NuTone Canada, Inc. ........................         Ontario
          Venmar Ventilation Inc ........................         Quebec
               Conservation Energy Systems, Inc. ........         Quebec
               Venmar Ventilation Inc. ..................         Quebec
               Aston Industries, Inc. ...................         Quebec
       Broan Mfg. Co., Inc. .............................         Wisconsin
          Aubrey Manufacturing, Inc. ....................         Delaware
       Jensen Industries, Inc. ..........................         Delaware
       LaCornue SA ......................................         France
       Linear Corporation ...............................         California
          Linear H.K. Manufacturing Limited .............         Hong Kong
          We Monitor America Incorporated ...............         Colorado
       Nordyne Inc. .....................................         Delaware
          Commercial Environmental Systems
          Group, Inc. ...................................         Delaware
               Mammoth, Inc. ............................         Delaware
               Governair Corporation ....................         Oklahoma
               Temtrol, Inc. ............................         Oklahoma
       Nortek (UK) Limited ..............................         United Kingdom
          Best S.p.A ....................................         Italy
               Best Deutschland GmbH ....................         Germany
          Elektromec S.p.A ..............................         Italy
       NuTone, Inc. .....................................         Delaware
       Ply Gem Industries, Inc. .........................         Delaware
          Currier Lumber Co., Inc. ......................         Michigan
               Continental Wood Preservers, Inc. ........         Michigan
          Great Lakes Window, Inc. ......................         Ohio
          Hoover Treated Wood Products ..................         Delaware
          Napco, Inc. ...................................         Delaware
          Richwood Building Products, Inc. ..............         Delaware
          SNE Enterprises, Inc. .........................         Delaware
          Variform, Inc. ................................         Missouri
       Rangaire LP ......................................         Delaware
       




                                                                  Exhibit 23.1
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



To Nortek, Inc.:

     As independent public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the incorporation
of our  report  dated  March 22,  1999,  included  in this Form  10-K,  into the
Company's previously filed Registration Statements on Form S-8 (File Nos.
33-22527, 33-47897 and 333-39293).




                                                  /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP




Boston, Massachusetts,
March 30, 1999





<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                <C>   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          87,876
<SECURITIES>                                   135,575
<RECEIVABLES>                                  216,016
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,657
<INVENTORY>                                    162,707
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               672,131
<PP&E>                                         409,634
<DEPRECIATION>                                 130,010
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,689,993
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          334,924
<BONDS>                                      1,007,113
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        19,283
<OTHER-SE>                                     198,327
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,689,993
<SALES>                                      1,738,343
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,738,343
<CGS>                                        1,275,350
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,275,350
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              86,298
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 61,300
<INCOME-TAX>                                    27,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             34,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                   1,200
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   (200)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.15
        

</TABLE>


                                                                   Exhibit 10.19






                     PLY GEM INDUSTRIES, INC.


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

           SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

    Dated as of August 26, 1997 and Amended and Restated as of
                         December 30, 1998

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

                  FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as Agent,

                                and

                    THE BANKS SIGNATORY HERETO







<PAGE>


                          TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                Page

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS............................................2
      1.1  Defined Terms..........................................2
      1.2  Other Definitional Provisions.........................28

SECTION 2. AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS......................29
      2.1  Commitments...........................................29
      2.2  Notes.................................................32
      2.3  Procedure for Loan Borrowings.........................32
      2.4  Intentionally Omitted.................................33
      2.5  Intentionally Omitted.................................33
      2.6  Termination or Reduction of Commitments...............33
      2.7  Fees..................................................34
      2.8  Optional and Mandatory Prepayments....................34
      2.9  Repayment of Loans....................................36
      2.10 Interest Rates and Payment Dates......................37
      2.11 Computation of Interest and Fees......................38
      2.12 Inability to Determine Interest Rate..................39
      2.13 Taxes.................................................39
      2.14 Illegality............................................41
      2.15 Increased Costs.......................................41
      2.16 Indemnity.............................................43
      2.17 Maximum Number of Tranches............................43
      2.18 Use of Proceeds.......................................43
      2.19 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments; L/C Participation....43
      2.20 Guaranties............................................46
      2.21 Security..............................................46
      2.22 Additional L/C Provisions.............................47
      2.23 Several Obligations...................................50

SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES........................50
      3.1  Financial Condition...................................50
      3.2  No Change.............................................50
      3.3  Corporate Existence; Compliance with the Law..........51
      3.4  Corporate Power;Authorization;Enforceable Obligations.51
      3.5  No Legal Bar..........................................52
      3.6  No Litigation.........................................52
      3.7  Federal Regulations...................................52
      3.8  Investment Company Act................................52
      3.9  Disclosure............................................52

<PAGE>

      3.10 No Default............................................52
      3.11 Taxes.................................................53
      3.12 Subsidiaries..........................................53
      3.13 Ownership of Property; Liens..........................53
      3.14 ERISA.................................................53
      3.15 Nortek Indentures.....................................55
      3.16 SEC Reports...........................................55
      3.17 Intangible Assets.....................................55
      3.18 Name Changes, Mergers, Acquisitions...................55
      3.19 Licenses and Approvals................................56
      3.20 Labor Disputes; Collective Bargaining Agreements;
           Employee Grievances...................................56
      3.21 Solvency..............................................56
      3.22 Outstanding Indebtedness for Borrowed Money...........56
      3.23 Hazardous Materials...................................56

SECTION 4. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT..................................57
      4.1  Conditions to Initial L/Cs............................57
           (a)  Napco Merger.....................................57
           (b)  Corporate Structure..............................57
           (c)  No Material Adverse Change.......................57
           (d)  Pre-Commitment Information.......................57
           (e)  Capital Structure................................57
           (f)  Compliance; No Litigation........................57
           (g)  Insurance........................................58
           (h)  Fees and Expenses................................58
           (i)  Consents and Approvals...........................58
           (j)  Agreement........................................58
           (k)  Notes............................................58
           (l)  Loan Party Consents..............................58
           (m)  Intentionally Omitted............................58
           (n)  Borrowing Certificates...........................59
           (o)  Intentionally Omitted............................59
           (p)  Legal Opinions...................................59
           (q)  Related Agreements...............................59
           (r)  Corporate Proceedings............................59
           (s)  Related Documents and Nortek Indentures..........59
           (t)  Consents.........................................60
           (u)  Other Fees.......................................60
           (v)  Good Standings...................................60
           (w)  Incumbency Certificates..........................60
           (x)  Solvency Certificate.............................60

<PAGE>

           (y)  Ownership, Liens.................................60
           (z)  Projections......................................61
           (aa) Other Documentation..............................60
      4.2  Conditions to Loans and L/Cs..........................61
           (a)  Representations and Warranties...................61
           (b)  No Default or Event of Default...................61
           (c)  No Violations of Law.............................61
           (d)  Other............................................61
      4.3  Conditions to Company Loans to New Designated
           Subsidiaries..........................................61

SECTION 5. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.................................62
      5.1  Financial Statements..................................62
      5.2  Certificates; Other Information.......................63
      5.3  Payment of Obligations................................64
      5.4  Material Operating Subsidiaries.......................64
      5.5  Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence......64
      5.6  Maintenance of Property; Insurance....................64
      5.7  Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions65
      5.8  Notices...............................................65
      5.9  Copies of Corporate Documents.........................66
      5.10 Intentionally Omitted.................................66
      5.11 Hazardous Material....................................66
      5.12 Further Assurances....................................67
      5.13 Compliance with Terms of Leaseholds...................67
      5.14 Performance of Related Documents......................67
      5.15 Hedge Agreements......................................68
      5.16 Conditions Subsequent to Second Closing Date..........68

SECTION 6. NEGATIVE COVENANTS....................................68
      6.1  Limitation on Indebtedness............................68
      6.2  Limitation on Liens...................................70
      6.3  Limitation on Contingent Obligations..................72
      6.4  Limitation on Fundamental Changes.....................72
      6.5  Distributions.........................................74
      6.6  Limitation on Dividend Restrictions Regarding
           Subsidiaries..........................................74
      6.7  Prohibition on Investments, Acquisitions, Loans and
           Advances..............................................74
      6.8  Prohibition on Optional Prepayments...................76
      6.9  Consolidated Net Worth................................77
      6.10 Leverage Ratio........................................77
      6.11 Interest Coverage Ratio...............................77
      6.12 Current Ratio.........................................77

<PAGE>

      6.13 Nortek Administrative Fee.............................77
      6.14 Amendment, etc. of Related Documents..................78
      6.15 Fiscal Year...........................................78
      6.16 Transactions with Affiliates..........................78
      6.17 Ownership of Designated Subsidiaries..................78
      6.18 Limitation on Capital Expenditures....................79
      6.19 Financing Leases......................................79
      6.20 Change in Nature of Business..........................79
      6.21 Charter Amendments....................................79
      6.22 Accounting Changes....................................79
      6.23 Intentionally Omitted.................................79
      6.24 Negative Pledge.......................................79
      6.25 Formation of Subsidiaries.............................79

SECTION 7.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT....................................79

SECTION 8. THE AGENT.............................................83
      8.1  Appointment...........................................83
      8.2  Delegation of Duties..................................83
      8.3  Exculpatory Provisions................................84
      8.4  Reliance by Agent.....................................84
      8.5  Notice of Default.....................................84
      8.6  Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Banks.................85
      8.7  Indemnification.......................................85
      8.8  Agent in Its Individual Capacity......................86
      8.9  Successor Agent.......................................86
      8.10 Failure to Act........................................86

SECTION 9. MISCELLANEOUS.........................................86
      9.1  Amendments and Waivers................................86
      9.2  Notices...............................................87
      9.3  No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies........................88
      9.4  Survival of Representations and Warranties............89
      9.5  Payment of Expenses, Etc..............................89
      9.6  Binding Effect; No Assignment or Delegation by Company
           or any Designated Subsidiary..........................90
      9.7  Assignments and Participations by Banks; Pledge to
           Federal Reserve Bank..................................90
      9.8  Further Assurances....................................94
      9.9  Adjustments; Set-off..................................94
      9.10 Severability..........................................95
      9.11 Confidentiality.......................................95

<PAGE>

      9.12 Counterparts..........................................95
      9.13 Second Closing Date Assignments; Etc..................96
      9.14 GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF TRIAL
           BY JURY...............................................97


SCHEDULES

      I         Initial Commitments and Loans
      II        Existing Napco Debt
      2.1       Existing Letters of Credit
      2.20      Material Operating Subsidiaries
      3.11      Taxes
      3.12      Subsidiaries, including Non-Core Subsidiaries
      3.14      Contingent Liability relating to Post-Retirement Benefit
      3.18      Name Changes, Mergers, Acquisitions
      3.20      Labor Disputes; Collective Bargaining Agreements; 
                Employee  Grievances
      3.22(a)   Company Indebtedness
      3.22(b)   Napco Indebtedness
      6.2       Liens
      6.3       Contingent Obligations
      9.13      Closing Date Assignments


EXHIBITS

      A         Form of Note
      B         Form of Application
      C         Form of Notice of Borrowing/Conversion
      D-1       Form of Borrowing Certificate for the Company
      D-2       Form of Borrowing Certificate for Subsidiaries
      E         Form of Assignment and Acceptance
      F         Form of Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray
      G         Forms of Solvency Certificate


<PAGE>




     SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT  AGREEMENT,  dated as of August 26, 1997
and amended and  restated as of December  30,  1998,  among PLY GEM  INDUSTRIES,
INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company");

     the Designated Subsidiaries from time to time party hereto;

     the Banks from time to time party hereto; and

     FLEET  NATIONAL BANK  ("Fleet"),  as agent for the Banks (in such capacity,
together with its successors in such capacity, the "Agent").


                        W I T N E S S E T H :

     WHEREAS,  the  Company  and  the  Designated  Subsidiaries  (the  "Existing
Designated  Subsidiaries")  are borrowers  under an Amended and Restated  Credit
Agreement,  dated as of August 26, 1997 (as  heretofore  amended,  the "Existing
Credit  Agreement"),  with the lenders party thereto (the "Existing  Banks") and
Fleet, as agent for the Existing Banks, which provides,  among other things, for
the making of a single  term loan to the  Company  and the  Existing  Designated
Subsidiaries  and for the maintenance of existing,  and issuance of new, letters
of  credit  for  the  account  of  the  Company  and  the  Existing   Designated
Subsidiaries;

     WHEREAS,  on October 9, 1998,  Napco  Target I and Napco Target II (each as
hereinafter  defined) were merged with and into the Napco Purchaser  pursuant to
the  Napco  Merger  Agreement  (each as  hereinafter  defined),  with  Napco (as
hereinafter  defined)  as  the  surviving  corporation.   Immediately  upon  the
consummation  of the Napco Merger,  the Napco  Purchaser (i) acquired all of the
shares of common  stock of each of Napco Target I and Napco Target II and all of
the  options to purchase  shares of such  common  stock from the holders of such
shares and options for the Napco Cash Purchase  Price (as  hereinafter  defined)
and (ii) assumed certain indebtedness of each of Napco Target I and Napco Target
II in an aggregate  principal amount of approximately  $9,900,000  consisting of
certain existing term loans,  capitalized leases and stand-by letters of credit.
In order to facilitate the  consummation of the foregoing  transactions,  Nortek
(as  hereinafter  defined)  contributed  to the  Company  $46,040,000  in common
equity,  and the  Company,  in turn,  lent to the Napco  Purchaser  an aggregate
amount equal to the Napco Cash Purchase Price;

     WHEREAS,  the Company has requested that the Existing  Credit  Agreement be
amended and restated in connection with the closing of the Napco  Transaction to
provide, among other things,  additional financing to the Company in the form of
a stand-by letter of credit;



<PAGE> 1



     WHEREAS,  such  stand-by  letter of credit  will be used to  refinance  the
Existing Napco L/C (as hereinafter defined);

     WHEREAS,  the Banks have agreed to amend and restate  the  Existing  Credit
Agreement and Fleet has agreed to issue the requested  stand-by letter of credit
for the account of the Company, in each case on the terms and conditions of this
Agreement; and

     WHEREAS,  this Agreement shall constitute the "Ply Gem Credit Facility" for
purposes  of that  certain  Nortek  Indenture  described  in  clause  (c) of the
definition thereof in subsection 1.1.

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
herein contained, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

           SECTION 1.DEFINITIONS1.  DEFINITIONS

     1.1 Defined Terms.  As used in this  Agreement,  the following  terms shall
have  the  following   respective  meanings  (such  definitions  to  be  equally
applicable to the singular and plural forms thereof):

     "Account  Party"  shall mean with  respect  to (i) each  Company  L/C,  the
Company or any Designated Subsidiary, as the case may be, in its capacity as the
Person for the account of which such Company L/C is issued or deemed  issued and
(ii) the Napco L/C, the Company.

     "Additional  Subsidiary  Grantors" shall mean each of (a) Continental  Wood
Preservers,  Inc., a Michigan  corporation,  (b) SNE Enterprises  Texas, Inc., a
Delaware  corporation,  (c) SNE Special Services,  Inc., a Delaware corporation,
and (d) SNE Transportation Company, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation.

     "Affiliate"  of any Person  shall mean (a) any other  Person  (other than a
Subsidiary) which,  directly or indirectly,  is in control of, is controlled by,
or is under common  control  with such Person,  or (b) any other Person who is a
director or officer (i) of such Person, (ii) of any Subsidiary of such Person or
(iii) of any  Person  described  in  clause  (a)  above.  For  purposes  of this
definition, control of a Person shall mean the power, direct or indirect, (i) to
vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election
of  directors of such  Person,  or (ii) to direct or cause the  direction of the
management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise.

     "Agent" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble hereto.



<PAGE> 2


     "Agreement"  shall mean this Second Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement,
as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

     "Allied Sale" shall mean the sale by the Company of all of its interests in
and to the capital stock of Allied Plywood  Corporation,  a Delaware corporation
and wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, which occurred on December 10, 1998,
the Net Proceeds from such sale being approximately $15,900,000.

     "Applicable  Margin"  shall  mean,  for any day for any Type of  Loan,  the
relevant  rate per annum for such Type of Loan as determined by reference to the
applicable  ratio of Senior Funded Debt to Consolidated  EBITDA set forth in the
table below:


                     Ratio        Prime Rate Loans   Eurodollar Loans

Level I           3.25:1.00 or           0.0%             1.075%
                  greater

Level II          3.00:1.00 or           0.0%             0.850%
                  greater but
                  less than
                  3.25:1.00

Level III         2.50:1.00 or           0.0%             0.750%
                  greater but
                  less than
                  3.00:1.00

Level IV          2.00:1.00 or           0.0%             0.525%
                  greater but
                  less than
                  2.50:1.00

Level V           1.50:1.00 or           0.0%             0.400%
                  greater but
                  less than
                  2.00:1.00

Level VI          less than              0.0%             0.300%
                  1.50:1.00

The determination of the Applicable Margin pursuant to the table set forth above
shall be made on a quarterly  basis based on an examination of the  consolidated
financial  statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries  delivered pursuant to
and in compliance with subsection  5.1(a) or (b);  provided,  however,  that the
initial  Applicable  Margin  shall be at Level IV in such  table from the Second
Closing Date until such time as consolidated financial statements of the Company
and its  Subsidiaries  indicating an Applicable  Margin at a different  Level in
such table are first  delivered  to the Agent and the Banks  pursuant  to and in
compliance with subsection  5.1(a) or (b). Each change in the Applicable  Margin
shall be effective as of the first day of the calendar month  following the date
of the  Company's  financial  statements  reflecting  any change in the ratio of
Senior  Funded  Debt  to  Consolidated  EBITDA.  In  the  event  that  financial
statements for the four fiscal  quarters most recently  completed  prior to such
date of determination either: (a) have not been delivered to the Agent in


<PAGE>  3


compliance with subsection 5.1(a) or (b), or (b) if delivered,  do not comply in
form or substance with  subsection  5.1(a) or (b), then the Agent may determine,
in its  reasonable  judgment,  the ratio of Senior  Funded Debt to  Consolidated
EBITDA  referred  to above that would have been in effect as at such date,  and,
consequently,  the Applicable Margin in effect for the period commencing on such
date.

     "Application"  shall  mean  any  agreement,  substantially  in the  form of
Exhibit B hereto,  between  Fleet,  as issuing  bank,  and any Account  Party in
respect of the issuance of an L/C.

     "Asset Sale" shall mean any sale or other disposition by the Company or any
of the  Subsidiaries  (whether in one sale or a series of related  sales) of any
business unit or units (including,  without limitation, any Non-Core Subsidiary)
or any product  line or group of product  lines  (whether  pursuant to a sale of
stock or sale of assets).

     "Assignment  and  Acceptance"  shall  mean  an  agreement  in the  form  of
Exhibit E hereto.

     "Available Company Commitment" shall mean, as to each Bank, at a particular
time,  an amount equal to the  difference  between (a) the amount of such Bank's
Company Commitment at such time and (b) the aggregate unpaid principal amount at
such time of (i) all Company Loans made by such Bank pursuant to subsection  2.3
and (ii) such Bank's Commitment Percentage of Bank L/C Obligations to the extent
arising solely from the issuance or deemed issuance of Company L/Cs.

     "Available Company L/C Commitment" at any date shall mean the lesser of (a)
the  difference  between the Company L/C Sublimit and the Specified  Company L/C
Obligations at such date and (b) the Available Company Commitments.

     "Available Napco  Commitment"  shall mean, as to each Bank, at a particular
time,  an amount equal to the  difference  between (a) the amount of such Bank's
Napco  Commitment at such time and (b) the aggregate  unpaid principal amount at
such time of such Bank's  Commitment  Percentage of Bank L/C  Obligations to the
extent arising solely from the issuance of the Napco L/C.

     "Banks"  shall mean the Initial  Banks and each Person that shall  become a
Bank hereunder pursuant to subsection 9.7.

     "Bank L/C  Obligations" at any date shall mean the sum of (a) the aggregate
undrawn  amount  at such  date of all L/Cs  issued  or  deemed  issued  by Fleet
pursuant to this Agreement,  plus (b) the amount of all Unpaid Drawings relating
to such L/Cs.


<PAGE>  4


     "Business Day" shall mean a day other than a Saturday,  Sunday or other day
on which commercial banks in Boston, Massachusetts are authorized or required by
law to close.

     "Business of the Company"  shall mean (a) the  businesses  described in the
Company's  Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the Company's 1996
Annual Report to Stockholders  and (b) other  businesses  related to, or growing
out of, such businesses.

     "Capital  Expenditures"  shall  mean,  during  any  period,  the  amount of
additions  to  property,  plant and  equipment  for such  period as shown on the
consolidated  financial  statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such
period prepared in accordance with GAAP, net of Financing Leases.

     "Cash Equivalents" shall mean (a) securities with maturities of one year or
less from the date of  acquisition  issued or directly and fully  guaranteed  or
insured  by the  United  States  Government  or any  agency  or  instrumentality
thereof,  (b) certificates of deposit,  acceptances and Eurodollar time deposits
with  maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition  and overnight
or demand bank deposits of any Bank and  certificates of deposit with maturities
of one year or less from the date of  acquisition  and  overnight or demand bank
deposits of any other  commercial  bank having  capital and surplus in excess of
$500,000,000, the holding company of which has a commercial paper rating meeting
the requirements  specified in clause (d) below, (c) repurchase obligations with
a term of not more than 7 days for underlying  securities of the types described
in clauses (a) and (b)  entered  into with any bank  meeting the  qualifications
specified in clause (b) above,  and (d)  commercial  paper of a domestic  issuer
rated at least A-2 or the equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor's, a division of
The  McGraw-Hill  Companies,  Inc. or P-2 or the  equivalent  thereof by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc.

     "CERCLA" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response,  Compensation
and Liability  Act of 1980,  42 U.S.C.  ' 9601, et seq., as amended from time to
time.

     "Change  of  Control"  shall  occur when (a) any person or group of related
persons,  excluding  Permitted  Shareholders,  gains  beneficial  ownership of a
majority in voting  interest of the  outstanding  voting stock of the Company or
has caused to be elected a majority  of the Board of  Directors  of the  Company
against  the  wishes of a  majority  of the voting  interest  held by  Permitted
Shareholders;  or (b) all or substantially  all of the assets of the Company are
sold or liquidated.

     "Code" shall mean the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended from time
to time.


<PAGE>  5


     "Collateral   Grantor"   shall  have  the  meaning   ascribed   thereto  in
subsection 2.21.

     "Commitment" shall mean, as to any Bank, its obligation to make or maintain
Company Loans pursuant to subsection 2.1 and participate in L/Cs in an aggregate
amount  not to  exceed  at any one time  outstanding  the  amount  set  forth on
Schedule I under the heading  "Commitment",  as such amount may be adjusted from
time to time  pursuant to  subsection  2.6, 2.8 or 9.7;  and, as to Fleet in its
capacity as issuing bank, its obligation to issue and maintain  Company L/Cs and
the Napco L/C, in an aggregate  amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the
Company L/C Sublimit and the Napco Commitment, respectively, as such amounts may
be reduced from time to time pursuant to subsection 2.6.

     "Commitment Percentage" as to any Bank, shall mean the percentage set forth
on Schedule I under the heading  "Commitment  Percentage" as such percentage may
increase or decrease from time to time pursuant to subsection 9.7.

     "Commonly  Controlled  Entity"  shall  mean  an  entity,   whether  or  not
incorporated,  which is under common  control with the Company or any Subsidiary
within the meaning of Section  4001(a)(14)  of ERISA or Code  Section  414(m) or
414(o).

     "Company" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble hereto.

     "Company  Commitment"  shall  mean,  as to any Bank,  that  portion  of its
Commitment  set forth on Schedule I under the heading  "Company  Commitment"  as
such amount may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to subsection 2.6, 2.8 or
9.7.

     "Company  Facility"  shall mean, at any time,  the aggregate  amount of the
Banks' Company Commitments.

     "Company  L/C" shall mean each  Stand-by L/C and Trade L/C issued or deemed
issued  under this  Agreement  for the account of the Company or any  Designated
Subsidiary other than the Napco L/C.

     "Company  L/C  Sublimit"  shall  mean  $12,788,225,  as such  amount may be
permanently reduced from time to time pursuant to subsection 2.6.

     "Company Loans" shall have the meaning specified in subsection 2.1(a)(i).

     "Company  Security  Agreement"  shall have the meaning  ascribed thereto in
subsection 2.21.



<PAGE>  6


     "Consolidated Current Assets" shall mean, at any date, the amount which, in
conformity  with GAAP,  would be set forth  opposite the caption  "total current
assets" (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and
its consolidated Subsidiaries as at such date.

     "Consolidated  Current  Liabilities"  shall mean,  at any date,  the amount
which, in conformity  with GAAP,  would be set forth opposite the caption "total
current  liabilities"  (or any like caption) on a consolidated  balance sheet of
the  Company  and  its  consolidated  Subsidiaries  as at such  date;  provided,
however,  that the Company Loans, the L/Cs and any current liabilities resulting
from the  transactions  contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the Napco Merger
Agreement  shall at all times be excluded from the  definition  of  Consolidated
Current Liabilities.

     "Consolidated EBIT" shall mean, for any period, the sum of (a) Consolidated
Net Income for such  period,  plus (b) all taxes based upon  income  deducted in
calculating  such  Consolidated  Net Income plus (c), to the extent  deducted in
calculating   Consolidated  Net  Income,   Consolidated   Interest  Expense  and
consolidated   amortization  of  Debt  Discount  and  of  expenses  incurred  in
connection  with the incurrence of  Indebtedness  for such period,  plus (d) all
extraordinary  losses and the  unusual  losses set forth in clauses  (i) through
(ix) below in each case to the extent deducted in calculating  Consolidated  Net
Income, plus (e) the amount of the Nortek Administrative Fee accrued during such
period,  minus (f) all  extraordinary  gains and the unusual  gains set forth in
clauses  (i)  through  (ix)  below  in  each  case  to the  extent  included  in
calculating  Consolidated  Net Income:  (i) gain or loss  arising from the sale,
abandonment  or  other  disposition  of any  property  or asset  outside  of the
ordinary  course of business or  realized on the  disposition  of a segment of a
business;  (ii) gain or loss resulting from any  extinguishments  of debt; (iii)
gain or loss  resulting  from a  casualty,  including  but not  limited to fire,
earthquake  or  hurricane;  (iv) loss  resulting  from  write-off of  intangible
assets;  (v) gain arising from the write-up in the book value of any asset; (vi)
provisions  for plant closings and  realignment  of operations or  restructuring
costs;  (vii)  cumulative  effects of changes in accounting  principles;  (viii)
losses from expropriation or condemnation;  and (ix) gain or loss arising from a
change from FIFO to LIFO inventory accounting,  provided that for any portion of
any period ending on or before October 9, 1998, such amounts shall be calculated
on a pro forma basis giving effect to the Napco  Acquisition as though the Napco
Acquisition had occurred at the beginning of such period.

     "Consolidated   EBITDA"  shall  mean,  for  any  period,  the  sum  of  (a)
Consolidated EBIT, plus (b) depreciation expense plus (c) amortization  expense,
in each case of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  determined on a  consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP for such period,  provided that for any portion of
any period ending on or before October 9, 1998, such amounts shall be calculated


<PAGE>  7


on a pro forma basis giving effect to the Napco  Acquisition as though the Napco
Acquisition had occurred at the beginning of such period.

     "Consolidated  Interest  Expense"  shall  mean,  for  any  period,  (a) the
aggregate  amount of all  interest  charges  paid or accrued  during such period
(including  imputed  interest on obligations  consisting of Financing Leases and
all  amounts  accrued  or  paid  pursuant  to  Hedge  Agreements  but  excluding
amortization  of Debt Discount and of expenses  incurred in connection  with the
incurrence of  Indebtedness) on Indebtedness of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries,  minus (b) the sum of (i)  interest  income  and (ii) all  amounts
received or receivable pursuant to Hedge Agreements, in each case of the Company
and its Subsidiaries  determined on a consolidated basis,  provided that for any
portion of any period ending on or before October 9, 1998, such amounts shall be
calculated on a pro forma basis giving effect to the Napco Acquisition as though
the Napco Acquisition had occurred at the beginning of such period.

     "Consolidated Net Income" shall mean, for any period,  the amount which, in
conformity  with GAAP,  would be set  opposite  the caption "net income" (or any
like  caption)  on a  consolidated  statement  of income of the  Company and its
consolidated  Subsidiaries for such period, provided that for any portion of any
period ending on or before October 9, 1998,  such amounts shall be calculated on
a pro forma basis  giving  effect to the Napco  Acquisition  as though the Napco
Acquisition had occurred at the beginning of such period; and provided, further,
that the Nortek  Administrative Fee shall not be deducted from the income of the
Company and such Subsidiaries for the purpose of determining "net income".

     "Consolidated  Net Worth" shall mean, at a particular date, (a) all amounts
which would, in conformity with GAAP, be included under stockholders'  equity on
a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries at
such  date,  plus (b) any  unrealized  losses  to the  extent  reflected  in the
calculation of stockholders' equity, plus (c) all accrued and unpaid liabilities
in  respect  of the  Nortek  Administrative  Fee,  minus  (d) the sum of (i) any
unrealized  gains to the extent  reflected in the  calculation of  shareholders'
equity,  and (ii) any investments made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
in Nortek or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Subsidiaries  consisting of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries).

     "Contingent  Obligation" as to any Person shall mean any obligation of such
Person  guaranteeing  or  in  effect  guaranteeing  any  Indebtedness,   leases,
dividends or other contractual  obligations ("primary obligations") of any other
Person (the "primary  obligor") in any manner,  whether  directly or indirectly,
including,  without  limitation,  any obligation of such Person,  whether or not
contingent,  (a) to  purchase  any  such  primary  obligation  or  any  property
constituting  direct or  indirect  security  therefor,  (b) to advance or supply
funds (i) for the purchase or payment of any such primary  obligation or (ii) to
maintain  working  capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise
to maintain  the net worth or solvency of the primary  obligor,  (c) to purchase
property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner
of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make


<PAGE>  8


payment of such primary  obligation  or (d) otherwise to assure or hold harmless
the owner of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof;  provided,
however,  that the term Contingent  Obligation shall not include endorsements of
instruments  for deposit or collection in the ordinary  course of business.  The
amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the
stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such
Contingent  Obligation  is made or, if not stated or  determinable,  the maximum
reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person
in good faith.

     "Contractual  Obligation"  of any Person  shall mean any  provision  of any
security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or undertaking to
which  such  Person  is a party or by which it or any of its  property  is bound
(including,  without  limitation,  in the case of each of the Loan  Parties  and
their respective Subsidiaries, the Nortek Indentures).

     "Debt  Discount"  shall mean debt  discount  with  respect to  Subordinated
Indebtedness permitted by the provisions hereof.

     "Default"  shall mean any of the events  specified in Section 7, whether or
not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, or any
other condition, has been satisfied.

     "Designated  Subsidiary"  shall  mean,  initially,  each  of the  following
Subsidiaries: SNE Enterprises,  Inc., a Delaware corporation;  Variform, Inc., a
Missouri corporation; and Great Lakes Window, Inc., an Ohio corporation. Subject
to the reasonable approval of the Agent and all of the Banks with respect to the
financial condition and maximum borrowing limit of a Subsidiary, the Company may
at any time  designate  as a Designated  Subsidiary  any  wholly-owned  Material
Operating Subsidiary which is not then a Designated  Subsidiary by notice to the
Agent,  provided  that the  Company  contemporaneously  delivers  to the Agent a
Solvency  Certificate with respect to such Subsidiary and causes such Subsidiary
to deliver to the Agent duly executed Notes payable to the order of the Banks, a
duly  executed   Guaranty  and  a  duly  executed  Company  Security   Agreement
supplement,  each in form and substance  satisfactory to the Agent, and provided
further that each Designated  Subsidiary  shall be a wholly-owned  Subsidiary of
the  Company so long as it is a  Designated  Subsidiary.  The Company may at any
time remove any Subsidiary from the list of Designated Subsidiaries by notice to
the Agent, effective,  however, only upon (a) payment in full of any Obligations
owed to the Agent and the Banks hereunder by such Designated  Subsidiary and the
expiration  or other  termination  of any Company L/C with respect to which such
Designated  Subsidiary is the Account Party or (b) subject to the consent of the
Agent and the Required Banks (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), the


<PAGE>  9


assumption, in a writing satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent, by the
Company or another Designated Subsidiary of any obligations not so paid, so long
as such assumption  shall not violate any provision of the Nortek  Indentures or
any  other  indenture  or  agreement  binding  upon  the  Company  or any of its
Subsidiaries,  provided that,  concurrently  with such  assumption,  the Company
shall  certify,  and shall  furnish an opinion of  counsel,  in each case to the
Agent and the Banks,  to the effect  that such  assumption  does not violate the
Nortek  Indentures or any other indenture or agreement binding on the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries and otherwise in form and substance  satisfactory to the
Agent. Any representation,  warranty or covenant in this Agreement applicable at
any time to the  Designated  Subsidiaries  shall be deemed  applicable  to those
Subsidiaries which, at such time, are Designated Subsidiaries as defined herein.

     "Designated   Subsidiary  Borrowing  Limit"  shall  mean,  initially,   the
following amounts for the indicated Subsidiaries:

                Designated Subsidiaries   Borrowing Limit

                SNE Enterprises, Inc.      $45,000,000
                Variform, Inc.             $49,000,000
                Great Lakes Window, Inc.   $30,000,000

The Designated  Subsidiary Borrowing Limit for any Designated  Subsidiary may be
increased  from time to time up to an amount not to exceed the aggregate  amount
of the Company  Commitments at such time,  subject to the consent of the Company
and the Agent and so long as such  increase  shall not violate any  provision of
the Nortek  Indentures  or any other  indenture  or  agreement  binding upon the
Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries,  provided  that,  concurrently  with  such
increase, the Company shall certify, and shall furnish an opinion of counsel, in
each case to the Agent and the Banks,  to the effect that such increase does not
violate the Nortek Indentures or any other indenture or agreement binding on the
Company  or any  of  its  Subsidiaries  and  otherwise  in  form  and  substance
satisfactory to the Agent.

     "Disposal" shall mean the discharge, deposit, injection, dumping, spilling,
leaking or placing of any  hazardous  materials  into or on any land or water so
that such hazardous  materials or constituent  thereof may enter the environment
or be emitted  into the air or  discharged  into any  waters,  including  ground
waters.

     "Dollars"  and "$" shall  mean  dollars  in lawful  currency  of the United
States of America.

     "Domestic Lending Office," shall mean,  initially,  the office of each Bank
designated as such on Schedule I under the heading  "Domestic Lending Office and
Address for Notices";  thereafter, such other office of such Bank, if any, which
shall be making or maintaining Company Loans.


<PAGE>  10


     "Drawing  Fee"  shall  have the  meaning  ascribed  thereto  in  subsection
2.1(c)(v).

     "Eligible Assignee" shall mean (a) any Bank and any entity controlled by or
under common control with such Bank and (b) a commercial  bank having a combined
capital  and  surplus of at least  $500,000,000,  in either case which does not,
either directly or indirectly,  engage in business competitive with the business
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and to which the Company and the Agent
shall have consented, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.

     "Eligible  Participant"  shall mean (a) any entity  controlled  by or under
common control with any Bank and (b) a commercial bank having a combined capital
and surplus of at least  $200,000,000,  in either case,  which does not,  either
directly or indirectly,  engage in business competitive with the business of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

     "Environmental  Laws and  Regulations"  shall mean all  federal,  state and
local, environmental,  health and safety laws, regulations,  ordinances, orders,
judgments  and decrees  applicable to the Company or any  Subsidiary,  or any of
their respective assets or properties.

     "Environmental  Liability"  shall mean any liability  under any  applicable
Environmental  Laws and  Regulations  for any  Disposal,  Release or  threatened
Release of a Hazardous  Substance,  pollutant or  contaminant as those terms are
defined under CERCLA and any liability  which would require a removal,  remedial
or response  action,  as those terms are defined under CERCLA,  by any Person or
any  environmental  regulatory body having  jurisdiction over the Company or any
other Subsidiary,  and/or any liability arising under any Environmental Laws and
Regulations for the Company's or any other  Subsidiary's  failure to comply with
such laws and regulations including,  without limitation,  the failure to comply
with or obtain any applicable environmental permit.

     "Environmental  Proceeding"  shall mean any judgment,  action or proceeding
pending before any court or other Governmental  Authority or any notice,  demand
or order,  with respect to the Company or any  Subsidiary  and arising  under or
relating to any Environmental Laws and Regulations.

     "ERISA" shall mean the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time.

     "Eurocurrency  Reserve  Requirements"  for any day after the First  Closing
Date  as  applied  to a  Eurodollar  Loan  shall  mean  the  aggregate  (without
duplication)  of the rates  (expressed as a decimal) of reserve  requirements in
effect on such day (including, without limitation, basic, supplemental, marginal
and emergency  reserves  under any  regulations of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with


<PAGE>  11


respect thereto),  dealing with reserve requirements prescribed for eurocurrency
funding  (currently  referred to as "Eurocurrency  Liabilities" in Regulation D)
maintained by a member bank of such System. The Banks confirm to the Company and
the Designated  Subsidiaries that no Eurocurrency  Reserve Requirements exist as
of the Second Closing Date.

     "Eurodollar  Lending  Office"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to  each  Bank,
initially,  the office of such Bank  designated  as such on Schedule I under the
heading "Eurodollar Lending Office"; thereafter, such other office of such Bank,
if any, which shall be making or maintaining Eurodollar Loans.

     "Eurodollar  Loans" shall mean Company Loans hereunder at such time as they
bear interest based upon the Eurodollar Rate.

     "Eurodollar  Rate" shall mean,  for any day during the Interest  Period for
any Eurodollar  Loan under the applicable  Facility,  an interest rate per annum
equal to the rate per annum (rounded upward, if necessary,  to the nearest l/100
of one percent) obtained by dividing (a) the rate per annum at which deposits in
U.S.  dollars  are  offered  in  London,  England  to prime  banks in the London
interbank  market,  as set forth on the "LIBO" page on the Reuters Monitor Money
Rates Service screen,  at 11:00 A.M.  (London time) two Business Days before the
first day of such Interest  Period in an amount  substantially  equal to Fleet's
Eurodollar  Loan under the  applicable  Facility to be  outstanding  during such
Interest Period (or, if Fleet shall not have such a Eurodollar Loan, $1,000,000)
and for a period equal to such Interest Period by (b) a percentage  equal to one
minus the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements for such day.

     "Event of  Default"  shall mean any of the events  specified  in Section 7,
provided that any  requirement  for the giving of notice,  the lapse of time, or
both, or any other condition, has been satisfied.

     "Existing  Banks" shall have the meaning  ascribed  thereto in the preamble
hereto.

     "Existing  Commitment"  shall mean,  for each  Existing  Bank,  all of such
Existing  Bank's  rights  in and  to,  and  all of its  obligations  under,  the
Commitment (as defined in the Existing  Credit  Agreement)  held by it under the
Existing  Credit  Agreement  immediately  prior to  giving  effect  hereto,  the
aggregate  amount of which for each Existing Bank is set forth opposite its name
on Schedule 9.13 hereto.

     "Existing  Company  L/Cs"  shall  have  the  meaning  ascribed  thereto  in
subsection 2.1(c)(i)(A).


<PAGE>  12


     "Existing Credit  Agreement" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the
preamble hereto.

     "Existing Designated  Subsidiaries" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto
in the preamble hereto.

     "Existing Napco Debt" shall mean the Indebtedness of each of Napco Target I
and Napco Target II set forth on Schedule II hereto.

     "Existing  Napco L/C" shall mean the  stand-by  letter of credit  issued by
Mellon Bank, N.A. to Integra Trust Company, National Association, as trustee for
certain bondholders,  originally for the account of Napco Target I in the amount
of $4,997,082.

     "Existing  Outstandings"  shall mean,  for each Existing  Bank, all of such
Existing  Bank's rights in and to, and all of its  obligations  with respect to,
the Loans and Bank L/C  Obligations  (each,  as defined in the  Existing  Credit
Agreement)  owing to it or in which it has a  participation  interest  under the
Existing Credit Agreement,  the aggregate amount of which for each Existing Bank
is set forth opposite its name on Schedule 9.13 hereto and represents the sum of
(i) such  Existing  Bank's  share of such  Loans and (ii) such  Existing  Bank's
Commitment Percentage (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) of such Bank
L/C Obligations.

     "Facilities" shall mean the Company Facility and the Napco Facility.

     "Facility Fee" shall mean at any time of  determination  a fee equal to the
relevant annual fee percentage  determined by reference to the applicable  ratio
of Senior  Funded  Debt to  Consolidated  EBITDA  set  forth in the table  below
multiplied by the aggregate amount of the Commitments at such time (whether used
or unused):



<PAGE>  13



                               Ratio           Annual Percentage Fee

Level I                  3.25:1.00 or greater          0.300%

Level II                 3.00:1.00 or                  0.275%
                         greater but less
                         than 3.25:1.00

Level III                2.50:1.00 or                  0.250%
                         greater but less
                         than 3.00:1.00

Level IV                 2.00:1.00 or                  0.225%
                         greater but less
                         than 2.50:1.00

Level V                  1.50:1.00 or                  0.225%
                         greater but less
                         than 2.00:1.00

Level VI                 less than 1.50:1.00           0.200%

The  determination  of the  applicable fee pursuant to the table set forth above
shall be made on a quarterly  basis based on an examination of the  consolidated
financial  statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries  delivered pursuant to
and in compliance with subsection  5.1(a) or (b);  provided,  however,  that the
initial  Facility Fee shall be at Level IV in such table from the Second Closing
Date until such time as consolidated financial statements of the Company and its
Subsidiaries  indicating a Facility  Fee at a different  Level in such table are
first  delivered to the Agent and the Banks  pursuant to and in compliance  with
subsection  5.1(a) or (b). Each change in the Facility Fee shall be effective as
of the first  day of the  calendar  month  following  the date of the  Company's
financial statements reflecting any change in the ratio of Senior Funded Debt to
Consolidated  EBITDA. In the event that financial statements for the four fiscal
quarters most recently completed prior to such date of determination either: (a)
have not been  delivered to the Agent in compliance  with  subsection  5.1(a) or
(b), or (b) if  delivered,  do not comply in form or substance  with  subsection
5.1(a) or (b), then the Agent may  determine,  in its reasonable  judgment,  the
ratio of Senior Funded Debt to Consolidated  EBITDA referred to above that would
have been in effect as at such date,  and,  consequently,  the  Facility  Fee in
effect for the period commencing on such date.

     "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per
annum equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of the rates
on overnight  Federal  funds  transactions  with members of the Federal  Reserve
System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such
day is not a Business Day, for the next  preceding  Business Day) by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York,  or, if such rate is not so published for any day that
is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day for such


<PAGE>  14


transactions  received  by  the  Agent  from  three  Federal  funds  brokers  of
recognized standing selected by it.

     "Fee Letter" shall mean the letter  agreement  between the Agent and Nortek
(on its behalf and on behalf of the Company) dated August 14, 1997.

     "Fifth Third Letters of Credit"  shall mean the existing  letters of credit
issued by Fifth Third Bank as to which the Company or Great Lakes Window, Inc.
is the account party.

     "Financing  Lease" shall mean (a) any lease of property,  real or personal,
the then present value of the minimum  rental  commitment  of which  should,  in
accordance  with GAAP, be capitalized on a balance sheet of the lessee,  and (b)
any  other  such  lease  the  obligations  under  which  are  capitalized  on  a
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

     "First  American Letter of Credit" shall mean the existing letter of credit
issued by M&I First American Bank as to which SNE Transportation Company, Inc.
is the account party.

     "First Closing Date" means August 26, 1997.

     "Fleet" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble hereto.

     "GAAP" shall mean generally  accepted  accounting  principles in the United
States of America as in effect and applied in the Company's  certified financial
statements as at December 31, 1997.

     "Governmental Authority" shall mean any nation or government,  any state or
other  political  subdivision  thereof  and  any  entity  exercising  executive,
legislative,  judicial,  regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining
to government.

     "Guarantor"  shall have the meaning  ascribed  thereto in  subsection  2.20
hereof.

     "Guaranty"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed  thereto in  subsection  2.20
hereof.

     "Hazardous Materials" shall mean any Toxic Chemical,  Hazardous Substances,
contaminants  or  pollutants,  medical  wastes,  infectious  wastes or Hazardous
Wastes.

     "Hazardous  Substance"  shall have the same meaning as set forth in Section
101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act, 42 U.S.C. ' 9601(14) or state or local law.


<PAGE>  15


     "Hazardous  Waste" shall have the same meaning as set forth by the Resource
Conservation  and  Recovery  Act,  42 U.S.C.  ' 6903(5),  and the  Environmental
Protection Agency's implementing regulations, or state or local law.

     "Hedge  Agreement"  shall  mean  any  interest  rate  swap,  cap or  collar
agreement,  interest  rate future or option  contract  and any or other  similar
agreement.

     "Hedge  Bank"  shall  mean any Bank or any of its  Affiliates  or any other
financial  institution  acceptable to the Required Banks that has become a party
to the Company  Security  Agreement  and has  appointed  Fleet as its  custodian
thereunder, in each case, in its capacity as a party to a Hedge Agreement with a
Loan Party.

     "Indebtedness"  of a  Person,  at a  particular  date,  shall  mean the sum
(without  duplication)  at such  date of (a)  indebtedness  of such  Person  for
borrowed money or evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or like instruments, (b)
indebtedness  of such  Person for the  deferred  purchase  price of  property or
services,  except (i)  accounts  payable  and  accrued  expenses  arising in the
ordinary  course of  business,  (ii)  obligations  incurred in  connection  with
additions  to property,  plant or equipment  which are deferred for no more than
100 days after the later of the  acquisition  or completion of  installation  of
such additions, (iii) other obligations (not including taxes) which are deferred
for no more than 100 days after the date on which they would first be  reflected
as  liabilities on a balance sheet of such Person,  (iv)  obligations to pay for
services of officers,  directors  or employees of the Company or any  Subsidiary
and (v) the Nortek  Administrative Fee, (c) obligations of such Person under any
Financing  Lease and (d)  indebtedness  of such Person arising under  acceptance
facilities.  Without  limitation,  Indebtedness shall include undrawn letters of
credit and unreimbursed draws on letters of credit.

     "Initial  Banks" shall mean the financial  institutions  that have executed
the signature pages hereto.

     "Insolvency" or "Insolvent",  as to any Multiemployer  Plan, shall have the
respective meanings assigned to such terms in Section 4245 of ERISA.

     "Interest  Payment Date" shall mean (a) as to any Prime Rate Loan,  each of
(i) the date on which such Prime Rate Loan is paid,  refinanced or converted and
(ii) the last day of each March,  June,  September  and December  after the date
such Prime Rate Loan is made and (b) as to any Eurodollar  Loan, each of (i) the
date on which such Eurodollar Loan is paid,  refinanced or converted and (ii) in
the  case  of any  Eurodollar  Loan in  respect  of  which  the  Company  or any
Designated  Subsidiary (as  applicable)  has selected an Interest Period of one,
two or three months,  the last day of such Interest Period,  and, in the case of
any Eurodollar Loan in respect of which the Company or any Designated Subsidiary


<PAGE>  16


(as  applicable)  has selected an Interest Period of duration of more than three
months,  each date  which is three  months  from the first day of such  Interest
Period.

     "Interest  Period" shall mean,  with respect to any  Eurodollar  Loan,  the
period  commencing on the date of the making of such Eurodollar Loan or the date
of the conversion of any Prime Rate Loan into such  Eurodollar  Loan, and ending
one, two, three or six months (or, to the extent permitted by subsection 2.3(c),
one week) thereafter as selected by the Company or a Designated  Subsidiary,  as
applicable,  in its  notice  of  borrowing  delivered  in  connection  with  the
occurrence of the First Closing Date and,  thereafter,  each  subsequent  period
commencing  on the last day of the  immediately  preceding  Interest  Period and
ending on the last day of the period  selected  by the  Company or a  Designated
Subsidiary, as applicable, in its notice of conversion as provided in subsection
2.3;  provided,  however,  that the  foregoing  provision  relating  to Interest
Periods is subject to the following:

               (a)  if the  Interest  Period in respect of any  Eurodollar  Loan
                    would  otherwise  end on a day which is not a  Working  Day,
                    that   Interest   Period  shall  be  extended  to  the  next
                    succeeding  Working Day unless the result of such  extension
                    would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar
                    month in which event such  Interest  Period shall end on the
                    immediately preceding Working Day;

               (b)  any Interest  Period  pertaining  to a Eurodollar  Loan that
                    would otherwise extend beyond the Termination Date shall end
                    on the Termination Date;

               (c)  any  Interest  Period in respect of a  Eurodollar  Loan that
                    begins on the last Working Day of a calendar  month (or on a
                    day for which there is no numerically  corresponding  day in
                    the  succeeding  calendar  month at the end of such Interest
                    Period) shall end on the last Working Day of such succeeding
                    calendar month; and

               (d)  the number of Eurodollar Loan Tranches in effect at the same
                    time shall not be in excess of the Tranche Limit.

In the event that the Company or the Designated Subsidiary, as applicable, fails
to select the duration of an Interest  Period for any Eurodollar Loan within the
time period and otherwise as provided in subsection  2.3, such  Eurodollar  Loan
will be  automatically  converted  into a Prime Rate Loan on the last day of the
current Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan.

     "investments" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in subsection 6.7.

     "Issuance Fee" shall mean at any time of  determination  a fee at an annual
rate determined by reference to the applicable ratio of Senior Funded Debt to


<PAGE>  17


Consolidated  EBITDA set forth in the table below payable on the undrawn  amount
of each Stand-by L/C issued or deemed issued by Fleet:

                               Ratio               Annual Fee

Level I                  3.25:1.00 or greater         1.075%

Level II                 3.00:1.00 or                 0.850%
                         greater but less
                         than 3.25:1.00

Level III                2.50:1.00 or                 0.750%
                         greater but less
                         than 3.00:1.00

Level IV                 2.00:1.00 or                 0.525%
                         greater but less
                         than 2.50:1.00

Level V                  1.50:1.00 or                 0.400%
                         greater but less
                         than 2.00:1.00

Level VI                 less than 1.50:1.00          0.300%

The  determination  of the  applicable fee pursuant to the table set forth above
shall be made on a quarterly  basis based on an examination of the  consolidated
financial  statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries  delivered pursuant to
and in compliance with subsection  5.1(a) or (b);  provided,  however,  that the
initial  Issuance Fee shall be at Level IV in such table from the Second Closing
Date until such time as consolidated financial statements of the Company and its
Subsidiaries  indicating an Issuance Fee at a different  Level in such table are
first  delivered to the Agent and the Banks  pursuant to and in compliance  with
subsection  5.1(a) or (b). Each change in the Issuance Fee shall be effective as
of the first  day of the  calendar  month  following  the date of the  Company's
financial statements reflecting any change in the ratio of Senior Funded Debt to
Consolidated  EBITDA. In the event that financial statements for the four fiscal
quarters most recently completed prior to such date of determination either: (a)
have not been delivered to the Agent in compliance with subsection 5.1(a) or (b)
or (b) if delivered,  do not comply in form or substance with subsection  5.1(a)
or (b), then the Agent may determine,  in its reasonable judgment,  the ratio of
Senior Funded Debt to Consolidated EBITDA referred to above that would have been
in effect as at such date, and, consequently, the Issuance Fee in effect for the
period commencing on such date.

     "L/C  Participant"  shall have the meaning  ascribed  thereto in subsection
2.19(c).

     "L/Cs" shall mean the Company L/Cs and the Napco L/C.

     "Leverage  Ratio"  shall have the meaning  ascribed  thereto in  subsection
6.10.



<PAGE>  18


     "Lien"  shall  mean any  mortgage,  deed of trust,  pledge,  hypothecation,
assignment  or deposit  by way of  security,  encumbrance,  lien  (statutory  or
other), or preference, priority or other security interest or security agreement
or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without
limitation,  any  conditional  sale or  other  title  retention  agreement,  any
Financing  Lease and the filing of any  financing  statement  under the  Uniform
Commercial Code or comparable law of any jurisdiction).

     "Loan  Documents"  shall mean (a) for  purposes of this  Agreement  and the
Notes and any amendment,  supplement or  modification  hereof or thereof and for
all other  purposes  (other than for purposes of the Guaranties and the Security
Documents),  (i) this Agreement, (ii) the Notes, (iii) the Guaranties,  (iv) the
Security  Documents  and  (v)  each  Application  and (b)  for  purposes  of the
Guaranties and the Security Documents, (i) this Agreement, (ii) the Notes, (iii)
the Guaranties,  (iv) the Security Documents, (v) each Application and (vi) each
Hedge  Agreement  to which a Hedge  Bank is a party,  in each  case as  amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

     "Loan Parties" shall mean the Company,  the  Designated  Subsidiaries,  the
Guarantors and the Collateral Grantors.

     "Material  Adverse Effect" shall mean a material  adverse effect on (i) the
business,  condition  (financial  or  otherwise),   operations,  performance  or
properties of Company and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, (ii) the ability
of the Company,  individually,  or the Company and the other Loan Parties, taken
as a whole,  to perform  its or their  respective  obligations  in any  material
respect under any Loan Document or Related Document to which the Company or such
other Loan Party is a party or (iii) the  rights and  remedies  of the Agent and
the Banks under any Loan Document or Related Document.

     "Material   Operating   Subsidiaries"   shall  mean  (a)  each   Designated
Subsidiary;  (b)  any  Subsidiary  of the  Company  other  than  Napco  and  its
Subsidiaries  which  conducts  business   operations  and  is  material  to  the
operations  of the  business  of the Company  and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a
whole; and (c) each Subsidiary of the Company which the Company  designates as a
Material Operating Subsidiary.

     "Merger"  shall mean the merger of the Company with and into the  Purchaser
pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

     "Merger  Agreement" shall mean the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
July 24, 1997, as amended,  supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time
in accordance  with its terms,  to the extent  permitted by the Loan  Documents,
among Nortek, the Purchaser and the Company, which Agreement provides for the


<PAGE>  19


consummation  of the Tender Offer and the merger of the Purchaser  with and into
the Company, with the Company being the Surviving Corporation.

     "Multiemployer  Plan"  shall mean a Plan which is a  multiemployer  plan as
defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

     "Napco" shall mean Napco,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation and a wholly-owned
Subsidiary of the Company.

     "Napco  Acquisition"  shall mean the  acquisition by the Napco Purchaser of
all of the shares of common  stock of each of Napco Target I and Napco Target II
and of all of the  options  to  purchase  such  shares of common  stock from the
holders  (other than the Napco  Purchaser)  of such shares and options  upon the
consummation of the Napco Merger for cash  consideration  in an aggregate amount
equal to the Napco Cash Purchase Price.

     "Napco Cash  Purchase  Price" shall mean the sum of (i)  $75,300,000,  plus
(ii)  the  aggregate  amount,  if any,  payable  by or on  behalf  of the  Napco
Purchaser  pursuant to and in  accordance  with  Section 2.6 of the Napco Merger
Agreement (regarding post-closing adjustments),  plus (iii) a contingent payment
in the amount of $1,500,000,  plus (iv) the aggregate  amount of the adjustment,
if any, to such  contingent  payment  pursuant to and in accordance with Section
2.4 of the Napco Merger  Agreement  (regarding the  contingent  payment) or such
Section 2.6, as the case may be.

     "Napco  Commitment"  shall  mean,  as to  any  Bank,  that  portion  of its
Commitment set forth on Schedule I under the heading "Napco  Commitment" as such
amount may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to subsection 2.6, 2.8 or 9.7.

     "Napco  Facility"  shall mean,  at any time,  the  aggregate  amount of the
Banks' Napco Commitments.

     "Napco L/C" shall mean the Stand-by L/C issued under this Agreement for the
account of the Company in substitution for the Existing Napco L/C.

     "Napco Merger" shall mean the merger pursuant to the Napco Merger Agreement
of Napco  Target I and Napco  Target II with and into the Napco  Purchaser,  the
surviving corporation of such merger being Napco.

     "Napco Merger Agreement" shall mean the Merger Agreement dated September 1,
1998,  as amended by the  Amendment  dated as of  October 9, 1998,  among  Napco
Target I, Napco Target II, the Napco Purchaser and Nortek, as amended,


<PAGE>  20


supplemented  or otherwise  modified  from time to time in  accordance  with its
terms, but solely to the extent permitted under the Loan Documents.

     "Napco  Payment  Amount"  shall  have  the  meaning   ascribed  thereto  in
subsection 2.8(d).

     "Napco Purchaser" shall mean 2001 Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation
and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company.

     "Napco  Subordinated  Note" shall mean the promissory note dated October 9,
1998 from the Napco  Purchaser  to the  Company  in the amount of the Napco Cash
Purchase Price, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time
in accordance with its terms,  but solely to the extent permitted under the Loan
Documents.

     "Napco Target I" shall mean Napco, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation.

     "Napco Target II" shall mean NVP, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation.

     "Napco  Transaction" shall mean,  collectively,  (i) the Napco Merger, (ii)
the Napco Acquisition and (iii) the assumption by the Napco Purchaser of certain
indebtedness  of Napco Target I and Napco  Target II in an  aggregate  principal
amount not to exceed $9,900,000  consisting of term loans,  capital leases and a
stand-by letter of credit.

     "Net Proceeds" shall mean the aggregate cash proceeds received from time to
time (whether as initial  consideration or through payment or disposition of any
deferred payment  obligation) by the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any
sale or other disposition of its assets (whether at the time of any such sale or
disposition or at any time  thereafter),  in each case net of (a) the reasonable
expenses  (including legal fees and brokers' and underwriters'  commissions paid
to third parties)  incurred in effecting  such asset sale or other  disposition,
(b) any taxes reasonably  attributable to such asset sale or other  disposition,
(c) the amount of any  Indebtedness  (other than the  Obligations)  secured by a
Lien on any such asset  that,  by the terms of the  instrument  evidencing  such
Indebtedness,  is required to be repaid upon such sale or other  disposition and
(d) to the extent  the  Company  or such  Subsidiary  is  required  to  maintain
reserves for  liabilities  resulting from such asset sale or other  disposition,
reasonable  reserves so long as such reserves are required to be so  maintained;
provided,  however,  that (i) the amount of any liabilities existing at the time
of an asset sale or disposition  which relate to the assets sold,  which are not
assumed by the purchaser and which the seller remains obligated to pay, shall be
deducted from the aggregate cash proceeds of such sale or  disposition;  (ii) if
any deferred payment  obligation is evidenced by any note or other obligation of
the  purchaser or any third party,  then any document or  instrument  evidencing
such obligation shall be pledged by the Company or the Subsidiary involved to


<PAGE>  21


the  Agent  for the  benefit  of the  Banks  pursuant  to the  Company  Security
Agreement or a security  agreement similar to the Company Security Agreement but
only as collateral  for the obligation to prepay  pursuant to subsection  2.8(d)
with  respect  to the  asset  sale or  disposition  to which  such  document  or
instrument  relates (but subject to release if any such  document is sold by the
Company  or the  Subsidiary  involved  so long as the  proceeds  are  applied in
accordance  with such  subsection  2.8(d)),  provided  that the  Company or such
Subsidiary  shall not be required to pledge any such  document or  instrument if
the  aggregate  amount  of  Indebtedness  evidenced  by all such  documents  and
instruments  which  are  not  pledged  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of this
definition  does not exceed  $15,000,000 at any time  outstanding;  and provided
further  that the Company  will be entitled,  except  after the  occurrence  and
during the  continuance  of an Event of Default,  to receive all  payments  with
respect to such instruments, subject to the prepayment obligations in subsection
2.8(d);  and (iii) Net  Proceeds  shall not include  cash  proceeds of (A) asset
sales permitted by subsections  6.4(a), (c) and (g) and (B) mergers permitted by
subsections 6.4(b) and (f).

     "Non-Core   Subsidiaries"   shall  mean  each  Subsidiary  of  the  Company
identified as such on Schedule 3.12.

     "Nortek" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble hereto.

     "Nortek  Administrative  Fee" shall  mean an annual  fee  charged by Nortek
commencing  with the fiscal  year ending  December  31, 1998 in an amount not to
exceed  4% of  the  annual  net  sales  of  the  Company  and  its  consolidated
Subsidiaries.

     "Nortek  Indentures"  shall mean (a) the Indenture dated as of February 14,
1994  between  Nortek and State Street Bank and Trust  Company  (the  "Trustee")
pursuant to which Nortek's  9-7/8% Senior  Subordinated  Notes due March 1, 2004
were issued, (b) the Indenture dated as of March 17, 1997 between Nortek and the
Trustee  pursuant to which Nortek's  9-1/4% Senior Notes due March 15, 2007 were
issued,  (c) the  Indenture  dated as of August 26, 1997 between  Nortek and the
Trustee  pursuant to which  Nortek's  9-1/8%  Senior Notes due September 1, 2007
were issued and (d) the Indenture  dated as of July 31, 1998 between  Nortek and
the Trustee pursuant to which Nortek's 8-7/8% Senior Notes were issued,  in each
case  as  amended,  supplemented  or  otherwise  modified  from  time to time in
accordance with its terms.

     "Notes" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in subsection 2.2.

     "Notice of  Borrowing/Conversion"  shall have the meaning  ascribed to such
term in subsection 2.3.

     "Obligations"  shall mean the unpaid principal of and interest on the Notes
and all other  obligations  and  liabilities  of the  Company and the other Loan


<PAGE>  22


Parties to the Agent or to the Banks,  whether  direct or indirect,  absolute or
contingent,  due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred,  which
may arise under, out of, or in connection  with, this Agreement,  the other Loan
Documents  and any  other  document  made,  delivered  or  given  in  connection
therewith or herewith, whether on account of principal, interest,  reimbursement
obligations, fees, indemnities,  costs, expenses (including, without limitation:
(a) any interest  accruing  thereon  after the date of filing any petition by or
against the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with any bankruptcy or other
proceeding,  whether  or not a  claim  by the  Agent  or  any  of the  Banks  is
enforceable in such proceeding; and (b) all fees and disbursements of counsel to
the Agent or to the Banks that are  required to be paid by the Company  pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement) or otherwise.

     "Participant" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in subsection 9.7(d).

     "Participating  Interest"  shall  have  the  meaning  ascribed  thereto  in
subsection 9.7(d).

     "Patent Rights" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in subsection 3.17.

     "PBGC"  shall  mean  the  Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  (or  any
successor) established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA.

     "Permitted Shareholders" means Nortek and the Purchaser, so long as it is a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of Nortek.

     "Person" shall mean an individual, a partnership,  a corporation, a limited
liability  company,  a  business  trust,  a joint  stock  company,  a trust,  an
unincorporated  association,  a joint venture,  a Governmental  Authority or any
other entity of whatever nature.

     "Plan" shall mean at any particular  time, any employee  benefit plan which
is covered by ERISA and in respect of which the  Company,  any  Subsidiary  or a
Commonly  Controlled  Entity is (or, if such Plan were  terminated at such time,
would under  Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an  "employer" as defined in
Section 3(5) of ERISA.

     "Post-Default  Rate" shall have the meaning  ascribed thereto in subsection
2.10(d).

     "Pre-Commitment  Information" shall mean all of the information relating to
(a) Nortek,  the  Company or any of their  respective  Subsidiaries  (other than
Napco and its  Subsidiaries)  furnished to the Agent by Nortek or the Company on
or before  August 14, 1997 and (b) Nortek,  the  Company,  Napco or any of their
respective Subsidiaries furnished to the Agent by Nortek or the Company on or


<PAGE>  23


before the Second Closing Date in connection with, or otherwise relating to, the
Napco Transaction.

     "Prime  Rate" shall mean a  fluctuating  interest  rate per annum in effect
from time to time,  which  rate shall at all times be equal to the higher of (a)
the rate of interest publicly  announced by Fleet in Boston,  Massachusetts from
time to time as its prime rate and (b) one half of one percent  (1/2%) per annum
above the Federal  Funds Rate.  The Prime Rate is not  intended to be the lowest
rate of interest  charged by Fleet in  connection  with  extensions of credit to
debtors.  Each change in any  interest  rate  provided for herein based upon the
Prime Rate shall take effect at the time of such change in the Prime Rate.

     "Prime Rate Loans" shall mean Company Loans  hereunder at such time as they
bear interest based upon the Prime Rate.

     "Purchaser"   shall  mean  NTK  Sub,  Inc.,  a  Delaware   corporation  and
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of Nortek,  formed by Nortek  for the sole  purpose of
acquiring the Company.

     "Regulation  A",   "Regulation  D",  "Regulation  G",  "Regulation  U"  and
"Regulation X" shall mean, respectively,  Regulation A, Regulation D, Regulation
G,  Regulation  U and  Regulation  X of the Board of  Governors  of the  Federal
Reserve System, as from time to time in effect.

     "Regulatory  Change"  shall  mean the  introduction  of, or any  change in,
United States federal,  state or local laws or regulations (including Regulation
D) or treaties or foreign laws or  regulations  after the First  Closing Date or
the  adoption  or making  after  such date of any  interpretations,  directives,
guidelines  or requests  applying  generally to a class of banks of or under any
United States  federal,  state or local laws or  regulations  or any treaties or
foreign  laws or  regulations  (whether  or not  having the force of law) by any
court or governmental or monetary  authority charged with the  interpretation or
administration thereof.

     "Related  Documents"  shall mean the  Merger  Agreement,  the Napco  Merger
Agreement,  the Napco  Subordinated  Note and each of the  documents  evidencing
Subordinated Indebtedness.

     "Release"  shall have the same  meaning as set forth in Section  101(22) of
the  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation and Liability Act, 42
U.S.C. '9601(22), or state or local law.

     "Reorganization",  as to any  Multiemployer  Plan,  shall have the  meaning
assigned to such term in Section 4241 of ERISA.


<PAGE>  24



     "Reportable  Event"  shall  mean any of the  events  set  forth in  Section
4043(c) of ERISA other than those events as to which the 30-day notice period is
waived.

     "Required  Banks" shall mean, at any date, Banks having at least 51% of the
aggregate amount of the Commitments,  and, if the Commitments are terminated and
Company  Loans and/or Bank L/C  Obligations  are  outstanding,  Banks holding at
least 51% of the aggregate  principal amount of outstanding Company Loans and/or
Commitment Percentages relating to Bank L/C Obligations, as the case may be.

     "Requirement  of  Law"  for  any  Person  shall  mean  the  Certificate  of
Incorporation and By-Laws or other organizational or governing documents of such
Person, and any law, treaty,  rule or regulation or guideline,  or determination
of an  arbitrator  or a court  or other  Governmental  Authority,  in each  case
applicable  to or binding  upon such  Person or any of its  property or to which
such Person or any of its property is subject.

     "Responsible Officer" of any Person shall mean the chief executive officer,
president,  chief  financial  officer,  chairman,  chief  accounting  officer or
treasurer, or any executive vice president, of such Person.

     "Scheduled  Payment  Date"  shall  have the  meaning  ascribed  thereto  in
subsection 2.8(d).

     "SEC Reports"  shall mean the Company's  annual report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended  December  31, 1996 and other  documents  filed by the Company
with the Securities and Exchange Commission during 1996.

     "Second  Closing Date" shall mean the date on which each of the  conditions
precedent in Section 4 shall have been satisfied or duly waived.

     "Secured Parties" shall mean the Agent, the Banks, Fleet in its capacity as
issuer of L/Cs hereunder and the Hedge Banks.

     "Security  Documents"  shall  mean,  collectively,   the  Company  Security
Agreement and any other  agreement  that creates or purports to create a Lien in
favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

     "Senior Funded Debt" shall mean, at any time of determination,  the average
(calculated  for the two most recent  consecutive  full  fiscal  quarters of the
Company  for which  consolidated  financial  statements  of the  Company and its
Subsidiaries  have been  delivered to the Agent and the Banks pursuant to and in
compliance  with  subsection  5.1(a) or (b)), (a) aggregate  Indebtedness of the
Company and its Subsidiaries less (b) the aggregate Subordinated Indebtedness of


<PAGE>  25


the Company and its  Subsidiaries,  in each case  calculated  on a  consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP,  provided that with respect to any fiscal quarter
ending on or before December 31, 1998, such average amount for any period ending
on or before  October 9, 1998 shall be  calculated  on a pro forma basis  giving
effect to the Napco  Acquisition as though the Napco Acquisition had occurred at
the beginning of such period.

     "Single  Employer Plan" shall mean any Plan which is covered by Title IV of
ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan.

     "Solvency  Certificate" shall mean a certificate  substantially in the form
of Exhibit G hereto.

     "Solvent" and "Solvency"  shall mean with respect to any Person at the time
of determination:

               (a)  the then fair market value of its assets is greater than its
                    probable   liability  on  its  existing   debts   (including
                    contingent debts) as such debts become absolute and matured;

               (b)  the then  present fair  saleable  value of its assets is not
                    less  than  the  amount  that  will be  required  to pay its
                    probable   liability  on  its  existing   debts   (including
                    contingent debts) as such debts become absolute and matured;

               (c)  it is then  able  and  expects  to be able to pay its  debts
                    (including,  without limitation,  contingent debts and other
                    commitments) as they mature; and

               (d)  it has  capital  sufficient  to  carry  on its  business  as
                    conducted and as proposed to be conducted.

The  amount  of  contingent  debts and other  commitments  at any time  shall be
computed as that  amount that  represents  the  maximum  reasonably  anticipated
liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person in good faith.

     "Special  Subsidiary  Loans" shall mean loans by the Company  and/or any of
its  Subsidiaries  to  Subsidiaries  which  are  not,  directly  or  indirectly,
wholly-owned Subsidiaries.

     "Specified  Company L/C  Obligations" at any date shall mean the sum of (a)
the aggregate undrawn amount of all letters of credit as to which the Company or
any  Subsidiary is an account party at such date  (excluding (i) the Fifth Third
Letters of Credit, the First American Letter of Credit and the Napco L/C, and


<PAGE>  26


(ii) any renewals, extensions and replacements of any of the Fifth Third Letters
of Credit,  the First American  Letter of Credit or the Napco L/C), plus (b) the
amount of all Unpaid Drawings in respect of Company L/Cs.

     "Subordinated  Indebtedness" shall mean the Indebtedness permitted pursuant
to subsection 6.1(f).

     "Stand-by  L/C" means each letter of credit that was  originally  issued or
deemed  issued  under the  Existing  Credit  Agreement  or is issued  under this
Agreement that is not a Trade L/C.

     "Subsidiary"  of any Person  shall mean a  corporation  or other  entity of
which shares of stock or other ownership  interests having ordinary voting power
(other than stock or other ownership  interests having such power only by reason
of the happening of a contingency)  to elect a majority of the directors of such
corporation,  or other Persons performing similar functions for such entity, are
owned, directly or indirectly,  by such Person. Unless otherwise qualified,  all
references to a "Subsidiary" or to "Subsidiaries", in this Agreement shall refer
to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.

     "Target I" and  "Target  II" shall have the  respective  meanings  ascribed
thereto in the preamble hereto.

     "Taxes" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in subsection 2.13.

     "Tender  Offer"  shall  mean  the  tender  offer by the  Purchaser  for the
acquisition of the common stock of the Company for $19.50 per share.

     "Termination  Date"  shall mean  August  26,  2002 or, if such day is not a
Business Day, the Business Day next preceding such day.

     "Toxic  Chemical" shall mean any substance on the list described in Section
313(c) of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, 42 U.S.C.
'11023(c).

     "Trade L/C" means any letter of credit that was originally issued or deemed
issued under the Existing Credit Agreement or is issued under this Agreement for
the benefit of a supplier  of  Inventory  (as  defined in the  Company  Security
Agreement) for the account of the Company or any of the Designated  Subsidiaries
to effect  payment for such  Inventory,  the  conditions  to drawing under which
include  the  presentation  to Fleet,  as issuer of such  letter of  credit,  of
negotiable bills of lading, invoices and related documents sufficient, in the


<PAGE>  27


judgment of Fleet, to create a valid and perfected lien on or security  interest
in such Inventory,  bills of lading,  invoices and related documents in favor of
Fleet.

     "Tranche"  shall mean all  Eurodollar  Loans of the same  borrower with the
same Interest Period, which Interest Period ends on the same day.

     "Tranche  Limit" at any time  shall  mean a number  equal to the sum of the
number of  Designated  Subsidiaries  at such time  plus six;  provided  that the
Tranche Limit shall not be less than nine.

     "Type" shall mean, as to any Company Loan,  its nature as a Prime Rate Loan
or Eurodollar Loan, as the case may be.

     "Unpaid  Drawings"  shall mean any  amount  paid or  disbursed  by Fleet in
respect of any  drawing  under any L/C for which  Fleet has not  received  prior
payment  from  the  applicable  Account  Party  in  accordance  with  subsection
2.1(c)(i)(D),  provided  that such amount shall cease to be an "Unpaid  Drawing"
upon Fleet's receipt of such amount from the applicable Account Party.

     "Working  Day" shall mean any  Business  Day on which  dealings  in foreign
currency and  exchange  between  banks may be carried on in London,  England and
Boston, Massachusetts.

     1.2 Other Definitional Provisions.  (a) All terms defined in this Agreement
shall  have  such  defined  meanings  when  used in the  Loan  Documents  or any
certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise
defined therein.

     (b) As used herein,  in the Loan Documents and in any  certificate or other
document  made or delivered  pursuant  hereto,  accounting  terms not defined in
subsection  1.1, and  accounting  terms partly  defined in subsection 1.1 to the
extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP.

     (c) The words  "hereof",  "herein"  and  "hereunder"  and words of  similar
import when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and
not to any  particular  provision of this  Agreement;  and Section,  subsection,
Schedule and Exhibit  references  contained in this  Agreement are references to
Sections,  subsections,  Schedules and Exhibits in or to this  Agreement  unless
otherwise specified.

     (d) In  this  Agreement  in the  computation  of  periods  of  time  from a
specified  date to a later  specified  date,  the word  "from"  means  "from and
including" and the words "to" and "until" each mean "to but excluding".


<PAGE>  28


           SECTION 2.AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS

     2.1  Commitments.  (a) (i) Company Loans.  Each Bank has made a single term
loan to the Company and the  Designated  Subsidiaries,  or has been  assigned an
interest in such a term loan made by a Bank (as defined in the  Existing  Credit
Agreement),  pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement (each such term loan will
be deemed to be a term loan  hereunder  and shall be  referred  to as a "Company
Loan" and,  together  with such other term  loans,  the  "Company  Loans") in an
aggregate principal amount which, as of the Second Closing Date and after giving
effect to all  prepayments  and  scheduled  payments  under the Existing  Credit
Agreement,  is set forth on Schedule I, as such amount may be reduced  from time
to time as provided  herein.  Any portion of any Company  Loan repaid or prepaid
may  not be  reborrowed,  provided  that  the  consummation  of the  transaction
described  in  subsection   2.1(a)(ii)  shall  not  constitute  a  repayment  or
prepayment for the purposes hereof.

     (ii)  Effective as of the Second  Closing  Date,  each Existing Bank hereby
sells and assigns all of its rights in and to, and all of its obligations under,
each Existing  Outstanding owing to it and the Existing Commitment held by it to
the Banks and each Bank hereby  purchases  and  assumes,  pro rata based on such
Bank's  Company  Commitment,  all of the Existing  Banks'  rights in and to, and
obligations under, the Existing Outstandings and the Existing  Commitments,  the
amounts of which are set forth opposite its name on Schedule 9.13 hereto.

     (b) The Company Loans may be made as (i) Eurodollar  Loans, (ii) Prime Rate
Loans or (iii) subject to the other provisions hereof, any combination  thereof,
as  determined  by the Company  and  notified  to the Agent in  accordance  with
subsection 2.3.

     (c) (i) (A) Existing Company L/Cs. Effective as of the Second Closing Date,
(I) the "L/Cs" issued for the account of any Account Party by Fleet  pursuant to
the Existing Credit Agreement (such "L/Cs" as are outstanding  thereunder on the
Second  Closing  Date and set forth on  Schedule  2.1 being,  collectively,  the
"Existing Company L/Cs", and  individually,  an "Existing Company L/C"), will be
deemed to be Company L/Cs hereunder for the account of such Account Party,  (II)
the Existing  Company L/Cs will no longer be Obligations  outstanding  under the
Existing  Credit  Agreement  and  (III)  Fleet  will be  deemed to have sold and
transferred an undivided  interest and participation in respect of each Existing
Company  L/C  issued  by it and  each  Bank  hereunder  will be  deemed  to have
purchased and received as provided in  subsection  2.1(a)(ii),  without  further
action on the part of any party, an undivided interest and participation in such
Existing  Company  L/C,  based  on such  Bank's  Commitment  Percentage  of such
Existing Company L/C.

     (B) L/Cs.  Upon the  execution  and delivery by the Company or a Designated
Subsidiary,  as the case may be, to Fleet of an Application for a Company L/C or
the Napco L/C, and upon payment by the Company to Fleet of the standard charges


<PAGE>  29


and fees then  customarily  imposed by Fleet in connection with such Application
(which have been  supplied to the Company) for the sole account of Fleet,  Fleet
shall from time to time on any Business Day, subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement and in reliance on the agreements of the other Banks set forth
in  subsection  2.19(c),  in a timely  manner in  accordance  with its  standard
operating  procedures,  issue Company L/Cs for the account of the Company or any
Designated  Subsidiary,  in each  case in an  aggregate  face  amount  up to the
Available  Company L/C  Commitment as then in effect and issue the Napco L/C for
the  account  of the  Company  in a face  amount  equal to the  Available  Napco
Commitment  as then in effect,  in each case with a term selected by the Company
or such  Designated  Subsidiary,  as the case may be, which shall not exceed one
year plus renewals as provided  therein,  in the case of Stand-by  L/Cs, and 180
days, in the case of Trade L/Cs,  and which shall expire in either case no later
than 30 days prior to the Termination  Date. The Agent shall notify each Bank of
the  issuance  of an L/C  hereunder,  and Fleet  will be deemed to have sold and
transferred  an  undivided  interest  and  participation  in respect of each L/C
issued  by it and each Bank  hereunder  will be  deemed  to have  purchased  and
received, without further action on the part of any party, an undivided interest
and  participation  in such L/C, based on such Bank's  Commitment  Percentage of
such L/C.  The Company may only  request the  issuance of one Stand-by L/C under
the Napco Facility.

     (C) Intentionally omitted.

     (D) Fleet shall  notify the Company of any  payment or  disbursement  to be
made by Fleet under any L/C not later than one Business Day prior to the date on
which  such  payment  or  disbursement  is to be made by Fleet.  The  applicable
Account Party shall pay Fleet in advance of any drawing in immediately available
funds at its office  indicated on Schedule I on the earlier of the day of demand
therefor by Fleet and the day on which Fleet delivers  notice in accordance with
the immediately preceding sentence.

     (ii) Upon the  presentation  and payment of a draft pursuant to any Company
L/C and the payment in full to Fleet by the applicable  Account Party in respect
thereof or upon the  expiration  or  termination  of any Company L/C without any
drawing  under such Company L/C, in each case in  accordance  with the terms and
conditions  thereof,  the face amount of such  Company L/C shall be added to the
Available  Company  L/C  Commitment  against  which  Company  L/Cs can be issued
hereunder.

     (iii) If,  notwithstanding  the other provisions of this subsection 2.1(c),
on the Termination Date there are outstanding any L/Cs which have not expired or
been  terminated with the consent of the Company,  the applicable  Account Party
and the  respective  beneficiaries  thereof,  then  this  Agreement  (including,
without  limitation,  this  subsection  2.1(c)  and  subsection  2.22)  and  the
respective rights, obligations and covenants of the Company, the Designated


<PAGE>  30


Subsidiaries,  Fleet and the Banks  under this  Agreement  shall  remain in full
force and  effect  until the date on which  the last of the L/Cs  expires  or is
terminated with the consent of the Company, the applicable Account Party and the
respective  beneficiaries  thereof and all payments  made or to be made by Fleet
under the L/Cs are paid or  reimbursed  in full by the Company or one or more of
the Designated Subsidiaries,  in the case of Company L/Cs, or by the Company, in
the case of the Napco L/C, except that Fleet's Commitment shall terminate on the
Termination Date.

     (iv) Intentionally omitted.

     (v) Upon the  presentation  for  payment  of any draft to be drawn  under a
Trade L/C, the Company shall pay to Fleet for the ratable benefit of the Banks a
payment  commission  or fee (each a "Drawing  Fee")  equal to one quarter of one
percent (1/4%) of the face amount of the draft.

     (vi) The  Company  shall pay to the Agent for the  ratable  benefit  of the
Banks an Issuance Fee with respect to each Stand-by L/C on the undrawn amount of
such  Stand-by L/C, at an annual rate equal to the  percentage  set forth in the
definition of Issuance  Fee, and payable on the date of issuance and  thereafter
in advance on the first day of each January,  April, July and October so long as
such  Stand-by L/C is  outstanding;  provided,  however,  that such Issuance Fee
shall be pro rated for the  portion  of any  quarter  during  which the  undrawn
amount of such Stand-by L/C is reduced or such  Stand-by L/C is  terminated  and
the Agent and the Banks shall refund to the Company any unearned portion of such
Issuance Fee.

     (vii) Each Unpaid  Drawing shall be due and payable  immediately  and shall
bear interest until paid in full at the Post-Default  Rate regardless of whether
or not there are funds in any account of the applicable Account Party with Fleet
in an amount equal to or exceeding  such Unpaid  Drawing,  sufficient  Available
Company  Commitments  to permit  creation of a Company Loan  sufficient  to fund
payment of such Unpaid Drawing or Fleet  advances any funds in payment  thereof.
In the event of any  conflict,  discrepancy  or any  omission of terms  provided
herein between the terms  established  by Fleet in its  Application or otherwise
and this Agreement, the terms provided herein shall prevail.

     (viii) The obligations of each Account Party under this  subsection  2.1(c)
to pay Fleet in advance the amount of any payment or  disbursement to be made by
Fleet  under any L/C or to  reimburse  Fleet  with  respect  to Unpaid  Drawings
(including  interest  thereon)  shall,  subject to the other  provisions of this
Agreement,  including  without  limitation  subsection  2.22,  be  absolute  and
unconditional   under  any  and  all  circumstances  and  (but  as  so  subject)
irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment which the Company
or any  Designated  Subsidiary  may have or have had  against  Fleet,  including
(without limitation,  but as so subject) any defense based on the failure of any
drawing under the L/C to conform to the terms of such L/C or any non-application
or misapplication by the beneficiary of the L/C of the proceeds of such drawing.


<PAGE>  31



     2.2  Notes.   The  Company   Loans  made  by  each  Bank  and  such  Bank's
participation  in each  L/C in  accordance  with  subsection  2.19(c)  shall  be
evidenced  by  promissory  notes,   substantially  in  the  form  of  Exhibit  A
(individually,  a "Note"  and,  collectively,  the  "Notes"),  in each case with
appropriate insertions as to date, name of Bank and principal amount, payable to
the order of such Bank and  evidencing  the  obligation  of the  Company  or the
applicable  Designated  Subsidiary,  as the case may be, to pay the  outstanding
principal  amount thereof with interest on the unpaid principal amount from time
to time  outstanding of such Note as prescribed in subsection 2.10. Each Bank is
hereby  authorized to record the date, Type and amount of each Company Loan, the
maturity  date  therefor and the date and amount of each  repayment of principal
thereof,  and, in the case of Eurodollar  Loans,  the interest rate with respect
thereto,  either  on its  own  books  and  records  or on the  schedule  (or any
continuations  thereof)  annexed to and  constituting a part of its Note and any
such  recordation  shall  constitute prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the
information so recorded;  provided that the failure to make any such recordation
shall not in any way affect the  obligation  of the Company  and the  Designated
Subsidiaries to repay the Company Loans. Each Note shall (a) be dated the Second
Closing  Date,  (b) be  payable  with  respect  to  principal  as set  forth  in
subsection  2.9, and (c) bear interest on the unpaid  principal  amount  thereof
from time to time  outstanding  until  payment in full of the  principal  amount
thereof at the  applicable  interest  rate per annum  determined  as provided in
subsection  2.10.  Interest on the Notes shall be payable on the dates specified
in subsection 2.10.

     2.3  Procedure for Loan  Borrowings.  (a) The Company may from time to time
request  for itself or on behalf of any  Designated  Subsidiary  that all or any
portion of the Company Loans of one Type be converted  into Company Loans of the
other Type by giving  irrevocable  notice to the Agent, three Working Days prior
to the  requested  conversion  date, in the case of  Eurodollar  Loans,  and one
Business Day prior to the requested  conversion  date, in the case of Prime Rate
Loans, provided that (i) in the case of any conversion from a Prime Rate Loan to
a Eurodollar  Loan, (A) the Interest  Period  available for such Eurodollar Loan
shall be subject to subsection  2.3(c),  (B) the obligation of the Banks to make
Eurodollar Loans shall not then be suspended pursuant to subsection 2.12 or 2.14
and (C) the number of Eurodollar  Loan Tranches in effect after giving effect to
such  conversion  shall not exceed the Tranche  Limit then in effect and (ii) in
the case of any conversion from a Eurodollar Loan to a Prime Rate Loan, (A) such
conversion  shall  only be made on the last day of an  Interest  Period for such
Eurodollar  Loan and (B) after giving effect to such  conversion,  the aggregate
amount of all  Eurodollar  Loans having the same  Interest  Period ending on the
same date is at least $1,000,000. Each such notice of borrowing or conversion (a
"Notice of Borrowing/Conversion")  shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit
C hereto, and shall specify: (1) the borrower and the amount to be borrowed or


<PAGE>  32


converted,  (2) the requested borrowing or conversion date, (3) whether the Type
of Company Loan to be borrowed, or into which a Company Loan shall be converted,
is to be a Eurodollar Loan,  Prime Rate Loan or a combination  thereof and, if a
combination, the respective amount of each Type of borrowing and (4) in the case
of Eurodollar Loans, the length of the Interest Period with respect thereto. The
aggregate  amount of  Company  Loans to any  Designated  Subsidiary  at any time
outstanding shall not exceed the Designated  Subsidiary Borrowing Limit for such
Designated Subsidiary in effect at such time.

     (b) The provisions of subsection 2.3(a) notwithstanding,  if the Company or
any Designated Subsidiary,  as applicable,  shall not have given a timely notice
of the next Interest Period for any outstanding Eurodollar Loan, then unless the
Agent shall have received notice that the Company or such Designated Subsidiary,
respectively,  elects not to continue  such  Eurodollar  Loan on the last day of
such Interest  Period as a Eurodollar Loan (such notice to have been received at
least  one  Business  Day  prior to the last day of such  Interest  Period)  the
Company  or such  Designated  Subsidiary,  as the case may be,  shall be  deemed
irrevocably  to have requested that Prime Rate Loans be made by the Banks on the
last day of such Interest Period in the same aggregate  amount as the Eurodollar
Loans  the last day of the  Interest  Period  of which is on such day  (subject,
however,  to the  requirement  that the  aggregate  amount of the Company  Loans
outstanding at any time pursuant to subsection 2.1 may not exceed the amounts of
the Available Company Commitments then in effect).

     2.4 Intentionally Omitted.

     2.5 Intentionally Omitted.

     2.6  Termination  or Reduction of  Commitments.  (a) Optional.  The Company
shall have the  right,  upon not less than three  Business  Days'  notice to the
Agent,  to terminate the Company  Commitments or the Napco  Commitments or, from
time to time,  to reduce  the  amount of the  Company  Commitments  or the Napco
Commitments,  provided that no such reduction or termination  shall be permitted
if, after giving effect thereto, and to any prepayments of the Company Loans and
any payments or  reimbursements  in respect of Company L/Cs or the Napco L/C, as
the  case  may be,  by the  Company  or any  Designated  Subsidiary  made on the
effective date of such reduction or termination,  the then outstanding principal
amount of the Company Loans and Bank L/C Obligations arising with respect to the
Company  L/Cs or the Napco L/C, as the case may be,  would  exceed the amount of
the Company Commitments or Napco Commitments,  respectively, then in effect. The
aggregate amount of all reductions  indicated on the same notice delivered under
this  subsection  shall be in an amount of (i) $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of
$1,000,000  in  excess  thereof  or (ii)  (in the  case  of a  termination)  the
aggregate amount of the Company  Commitments or Napco  Commitments,  as the case
may be, then in effect,  and shall reduce  permanently  in  accordance  with the
allocations set forth in such notice the amount of the Company Commitments or


<PAGE>  33


Napco Commitments then in effect. The Commitments once terminated or reduced may
not be reinstated.

     (b)  Mandatory.  After giving effect to the Company Loans made on or before
the Second  Closing Date and the issuance of the Napco L/C, upon each  repayment
or  prepayment of the Company  Loans,  upon each drawing under the Napco L/C and
payment by the Company of amounts due  hereunder  in respect of such drawing and
upon the  expiration or  termination  of such Napco L/C, the  aggregate  Company
Commitments  or  Napco  Commitments,  as  applicable,  of  the  Banks  shall  be
automatically and permanently  reduced,  on a pro rata basis, by an amount equal
to the amount by which the aggregate Company  Commitments or Napco  Commitments,
respectively,  immediately  prior to such reduction  exceed the aggregate unpaid
principal  amount or face amount,  as the case may be, of the Company  Loans and
the Company L/C Sublimit and the remaining face amount, if any, of the Napco L/C
and the outstanding  principal amount, if any, of any Unpaid Drawings in respect
of the  Napco L/C  immediately  after  giving  effect  to any such  drawing  and
payment,   expiration  or  termination,   respectively.   The  Commitments  once
terminated or reduced may not be reinstated.

     2.7 Fees.  (a) The  Company  agrees to pay to the Agent for the  account of
each Bank the Facility Fee for the period  commencing on the Second Closing Date
extending to but not including the earlier of (i) the date the  Commitments  are
terminated  or (ii) the  Termination  Date.  The accrued  Facility  Fee shall be
payable on the last day of each March,  June,  September  or December and on the
Termination  Date or such earlier  date as the  Commitments  shall  terminate as
provided herein, commencing on the first of such dates to occur after the Second
Closing Date.

     (b) The  Company  agrees  to pay to the Agent  the  additional  fees in the
amounts and upon the terms set forth in the Fee Letter.

     (c) The Company  agrees to pay to the Agent on the Second  Closing Date for
the account of each Bank an amendment and  restatement  fee in the amount of 1/8
of 1% of such Bank's Commitment.

     2.8 Optional and Mandatory Prepayments. (a) The Company and each Designated
Subsidiary  may at any time and from time to time prepay the Company  Loans then
outstanding, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, provided, however,
that if the Company or any Designated Subsidiary prepays any Eurodollar Loans on
any day other than the last day the  Interest  Period  therefor,  the Company or
such  Designated  Subsidiary  shall  concurrently  pay  any  amounts  due  under
subsection 2.16 incurred in connection therewith.  Optional prepayments pursuant
to this subsection  2.8(a) shall be made upon at least three Working Days' prior
irrevocable notice to the Agent in the case of Eurodollar Loans, and one


<PAGE>  34


Business Day's prior  irrevocable  notice to the Agent in the case of Prime Rate
Loans, specifying (i) the date and amount of such prepayment,  (ii) the Facility
or  Facilities  under  which the  prepayment  will be made,  (iii)  whether  the
prepayment is of Eurodollar  Loans,  Prime Rate Loans or a combination  thereof,
and, if of a combination  thereof,  the amount of  prepayment  allocable to each
Type and (iv) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the Interest Periods affected. If
any such notice is given, the Company or the Designated  Subsidiary involved, as
applicable,  will make the prepayment  specified  therein,  and such  prepayment
shall be due and payable on the date  specified  therein,  together with accrued
interest  to such  date on the  amount  prepaid.  The  aggregate  amount  of all
prepayments of the Company Loans specified in the same notice delivered pursuant
to this  paragraph  (a) shall be in an amount equal to  $5,000,000  or any whole
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof or the amount of all Company Loans then
outstanding,  provided that  prepayments  of Eurodollar  Loans  pursuant to this
paragraph  (a) shall be made in such a manner that,  after giving effect to such
prepayments,  no  Eurodollar  Loans  having the same  Interest  Period  shall be
maintained in an amount less than $1,000,000.

     (b) Intentionally omitted.

     (c) Intentionally omitted.

     (d) The Company shall prepay the Company Loans then  outstanding and reduce
the Company  Commitments  as set forth in subsection  2.6(b) upon the receipt by
the Company or any  Subsidiary of Net Proceeds of any sale or other  disposition
of any of its assets, in each case to the extent set forth below:

               (i)  during such time as the Leverage Ratio  (calculated based on
                    the  financial  statements  most  recently  delivered to the
                    Agent  and the  Banks  pursuant  to and in  compliance  with
                    subsection  5.1(a)  or (b)) is  greater  than  or  equal  to
                    2.50:1.00,  75% of all such Net Proceeds shall be applied to
                    prepay the  installments  required to be made on the Company
                    Loans  pursuant  to  subsection  2.9 in direct  order of the
                    maturity thereof; and

               (ii) during such time as the Leverage Ratio  (calculated based on
                    the  financial  statements  most  recently  delivered to the
                    Agent  and the  Banks  pursuant  to and in  compliance  with
                    subsection 5.1(a) or (b)) is less than 2.50:1.00, 50% of all
                    such  Net   Proceeds   shall  be   applied   to  prepay  the
                    installments  required  to be  made  on  the  Company  Loans
                    pursuant to  subsection  2.9 in direct order of the maturity
                    thereof;

Notwithstanding the foregoing  provisions of this subsection 2.8(d), (A) subject
to the final sentence of this subsection 2.8(d), the Company may deduct from the
aggregate  amount of the Net  Proceeds  arising  from the Allied Sale  otherwise
payable under clauses (i) and (ii) of the subsection 2.8(d) an amount (the


<PAGE>  35


"Napco Payment  Amount") not to exceed  $2,500,000,  but only to the extent that
the portion of such Net Proceeds  representing  the Napco Payment Amount is used
solely to repay or prepay  the  Existing  Napco  Debt or any other  Indebtedness
incurred by the Napco  Purchaser or Napco in  substitution  for, or otherwise in
replacement  of, all or any  portion of the  Existing  Napco Debt and (B) solely
with  respect to  payments  due under any  document or  instrument  which is not
required to be pledged by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Agent as
set forth in the  definition  of "Net  Proceeds",  the Company  shall prepay the
Company  Loans  then  outstanding  and reduce  the  Commitments  as set forth in
subsection 2.6(b) on the following dates (each a "Scheduled  Prepayment  Date"),
in each case in an aggregate  amount equal to the  applicable  percentage on the
March 31 immediately  preceding such Scheduled  Prepayment  Date as set forth in
clause (i) or (ii) of this  subsection  2.8(d) of that amount  which is equal to
the aggregate  amount of Net Proceeds  received by the Company or the applicable
Subsidiary  under  such  document  or  instrument  during  the  one-year  period
immediately  preceding such Scheduled  Prepayment Date less the aggregate amount
of Net Proceeds with respect to which the Company has made prepayments  prior to
such Scheduled Prepayment Date in accordance with this subsection 2.8(d):

                     Scheduled Prepayment Dates

                     June 1, 1999
                     June 1, 2000
                     and each subsequent June 1 until the Termination Date

Prior to any  application  of the Net Proceeds of the Allied Sale in  accordance
with clause (A) of this  subsection  2.8(d),  the Company  shall  deliver to the
Agent a  certificate  of a  Responsible  Officer  of the  Company  in  form  and
substance satisfactory to the Agent setting forth (i) the amount of Net Proceeds
received or to be received by the Company from the Allied  Sale,  (ii) the Napco
Payment  Amount and (iii) the manner of  application of the Napco Payment Amount
to the  repayment  or  prepayment  of  the  Existing  Napco  Debt  or any  other
Indebtedness referred to in such clause (A).

     (e) Any payment of the Company Loans pursuant to this  subsection 2.8 or to
subsection 2.9 shall be applied first to the Prime Rate Loans of the Company and
the Designated  Subsidiaries  then  outstanding,  and the balance of any payment
shall be applied  to the  Eurodollar  Loans of the  Company  and the  Designated
Subsidiaries in chronological order of the respective  maturities thereof (or as
the Company may  otherwise  specify in writing to the Agent),  together with any
payments required by subsection 2.16.

     2.9 Repayment of Loans.  The Company shall, and shall cause each Designated
Subsidiary  to,  repay to the Agent  for the  ratable  account  of the Banks the
aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Company Loans owing by the Company
or such Designated Subsidiary, as the case may be, on the following dates in the
aggregate amounts indicated for all such Company Loans being repaid on such date


<PAGE>  36


(which amounts shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in
accordance with the order of priority set forth in subsection 2.8(d)):

    Date                                                                Amount
March 31, 1998 .......................................               $ 1,000,000
June 30, 1998 ........................................               $ 1,000,000
September 30, 1998 ...................................               $ 1,000,000
December 31, 1998 ....................................               $ 1,000,000
March 31, 1999 .......................................               $ 1,000,000
June 30, 1999 ........................................               $ 1,000,000
September 30, 1999 ...................................               $ 1,000,000
December 31, 1999 ....................................               $ 1,000,000
March 31, 2000 .......................................               $ 1,250,000
June 30, 2000 ........................................               $ 1,250,000
September 30, 2000 ...................................               $ 1,250,000
December 31, 2000 ....................................               $ 1,250,000
March 31, 2001 .......................................               $ 1,500,000
June 30, 2001 ........................................               $ 1,500,000
September 30, 2001 ...................................               $ 1,500,000
December 31, 2001 ....................................               $ 1,500,000
March 31, 2002 .......................................               $ 3,000,000
June 30, 2002 ........................................               $ 3,000,000
August 26, 2002 ......................................               $96,728,225

provided,  however,  that the final principal installment shall be repaid on the
earlier of the  Termination  Date and the date of the termination in full of the
Company  Commitments  pursuant to  subsection  2.6 or Section 7 and in any event
shall be in an amount  equal to the  aggregate  principal  amount of the Company
Loans,  Company L/Cs and Unpaid Drawings in respect of Company L/Cs  outstanding
on such date.

     2.10 Interest Rates and Payment Dates.  (a) Each Eurodollar Loan shall bear
interest for the Interest  Period with respect  thereto on the unpaid  principal
amount  thereof  at a rate  per  annum  equal  to the  Eurodollar  Rate for such
Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time.

     (b) Each  Prime  Rate Loan  shall bear  interest  on the  aggregate  unpaid
principal  amount  thereof at a rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate in effect
from time to time plus the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time.

     (c) Each  Unpaid  Drawing  shall  bear  interest  on the  aggregate  unpaid
principal amount thereof at the Post-Default  Rate in accordance with subsection
2.1(c)(vii).


<PAGE>  37


     (d) If all or a portion of the principal amount of any of the Company Loans
shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated  maturity,  by acceleration or
otherwise),  such overdue principal amount shall, without limiting the rights of
the Banks  under  Section  7,  bear  interest  at a rate per annum  which is two
percent (2%) above the otherwise applicable rate (the "Post-Default Rate"), from
the date of such  non-payment  until  paid in full  (before,  as well as  after,
judgment);  provided  that if such  overdue  principal  amount is of  Eurodollar
Loans, then, at the end of the Interest Period relating thereto, such Eurodollar
Loans may be  continued  only as Prime Rate Loans and shall bear  interest  at a
rate per annum which is two percent  (2%) above the rate  required to be paid on
Prime Rate Loans  pursuant to  subsection  2.10(b) until paid in full (before as
well as after judgment).

     (e)  Interest  on each  Company  Loan  shall be  payable in arrears on each
Interest Payment Date applicable thereto.

     (f) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding,  the obligation of the
Company and each  Designated  Subsidiary to make  payments of interest  shall be
subject to the limitation  that payments of interest shall not be required to be
made to any Bank to the extent that such  Bank's  receipt  thereof  would not be
permissible  under the law or laws  applicable  to such Bank  limiting  rates of
interest  which may be charged or collected by such Bank;  provided that nothing
in  this  subsection  2.10(f)  shall  release  the  Company  or  any  Designated
Subsidiary,  as applicable,  from paying any portion of interest then payable to
the extent that such Bank's receipt thereof would be permissible  under such law
or laws.  Any such  payments  of  interest  which  are not made to any Bank as a
result of the limitation  referred to in the preceding sentence shall be made by
the Company and each Designated Subsidiary to such Bank on the earliest Interest
Payment Date or Dates on which the receipt  thereof would be  permissible  under
the laws applicable to such Bank limiting rates of interest which may be charged
or collected by the Agent.

     2.11 Computation of Interest and Fees. (a) The Facility Fee and interest in
respect of Prime Rate Loans shall be  calculated  on the basis of a 365 (or 366,
as the case  may be) day  year for the  actual  days  elapsed.  Interest  on all
Eurodollar  Loans and Issuance Fees and the fees payable  pursuant to subsection
2.7(b)  shall be  calculated  on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days
elapsed. The Agent shall as soon as practicable, but not later than the close of
business on the date of  determination,  notify the  Company and the  Designated
Subsidiaries  and the Banks of each  determination  of a  Eurodollar  Rate.  Any
change in the interest rate on the Company Loans  resulting from a change in the
Prime Rate or the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements shall become effective as of
the  opening of  business  on the day on which such  change in the Prime Rate is
announced,  or such change in the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements shall become
effective,  as the case may be. The Agent shall as soon as practicable,  but not
later than three Business Days before the close of business on the effective


<PAGE> 38


date,  notify the Company and the Designated  Subsidiaries  and the Banks of the
effective date and the amount of each such change.

     (b) Each  determination  of an interest  rate by the Agent  pursuant to any
provision of this Agreement shall be prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the
facts so determined.

     2.12  Inability  to  Determine  Interest  Rate.  Notwithstanding  any other
provision  of this  Agreement,  in the  event  that  the  Required  Banks  shall
reasonably have determined (which determination shall be prima facie evidence of
the facts so  determined)  that the rates  quoted  by Fleet for the  purpose  of
computing the  Eurodollar  Rate do not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to
the Banks of  funding  any  Company  Loans that the  Company  or any  Designated
Subsidiary has requested be converted into  Eurodollar  Loans,  such Banks shall
notify  the Agent  thereof  and the Agent  shall  promptly  give  telecopier  or
telephonic notice of such determination,  confirmed in writing to the Company or
such Designated  Subsidiary and the Banks at least one Business Day prior to the
requested  conversion date for such Eurodollar Loans. Unless the Company or such
Designated  Subsidiary  shall have notified the Agent  promptly after receipt of
such  telecopier  or  telephonic  notice that it wishes to rescind or modify its
request regarding such Eurodollar Loans, any requested Eurodollar Loans shall be
made as Prime Rate Loans. Until any such notice has been withdrawn by the Agent,
no further  Eurodollar Loans shall be made. The Agent shall withdraw such notice
promptly after it determines that the circumstances  giving rise to the delivery
of such notice no longer exist.

     2.13  Taxes.  (a) All  payments  made by the  Company  and each  Designated
Subsidiary  under this  Agreement  shall be made free and clear of, and  without
reduction  for or on account  of, any present or future  income,  stamp or other
taxes, levies, imposts,  duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings,  now
or  hereafter  imposed,   levied,   collected,   withheld  or  assessed  by  any
Governmental  Authority  excluding,  in the case of the Agent and each Bank, net
income  and  franchise  taxes  imposed  on  the  Agent  and  such  Bank  by  the
jurisdiction under the laws of which such Agent or such Bank is organized or any
political  subdivision  or  taxing  authority  thereof  or  therein  or  by  any
jurisdiction in which such Bank's Domestic Lending Office or Eurodollar  Lending
Office,  as the case may be, is located or any political  subdivision  or taxing
authority  thereof or therein (all such  non-excluded  taxes,  levies,  imposts,
deductions,  charges or withholdings being hereinafter  called "Taxes").  If any
Taxes are required to be withheld from any amounts payable to any Bank hereunder
or under the Notes,  the amounts so payable to such Bank shall be  increased  to
the  extent  necessary  to yield  to such  Bank  (after  payment  of all  Taxes,
including  Taxes on such  increased  amount)  interest or any such other amounts
payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this Agreement and
the  Notes.  Whenever  any Taxes are  payable by the  Company or any  Designated
Subsidiary,  as promptly as possible thereafter,  the Company or such Designated
Subsidiary shall send to the Agent for the account of such Bank a certified copy


<PAGE>  39


of an original  official  receipt  received  by the  Company or such  Designated
Subsidiary showing payment thereof. If the Company or any Designated  Subsidiary
fails to pay any Taxes when due to the appropriate  taxing authority or fails to
remit to the Agent the required receipts or other required documentary evidence,
the Company or such  Designated  Subsidiary  shall  indemnify  the Agent and the
Banks for any incremental  taxes,  interest or penalties that may become payable
by the Agent or any Bank as a result of any such failure.  Each Bank confirms to
the Company and the Designated Subsidiaries that tax withholding requirements do
not currently apply to payments to be made to it hereunder.

     (b) If the  Company  or any  Designated  Subsidiary  shall  at any  time be
required  to  withhold  any Taxes in respect  of any amount  payable to any Bank
hereunder or under the Notes, the Company or such Designated Subsidiary shall be
entitled to prepay the Company Loans  allocable to such Bank, and the Company or
such Designated Subsidiary shall be entitled to terminate the Commitment of such
Bank (such  prepayment  to be made  together  with all other amounts due to such
Bank hereunder and under the Notes,  including,  without  limitation,  interest,
fees and any amounts payable pursuant to subsection 2.16).

     (c) Each  Bank  agrees  to use  reasonable  efforts  (including  reasonable
efforts to change its Domestic Lending Office or Eurodollar  Lending Office,  as
the case may be) to avoid the  imposition of any Taxes on payments  hereunder or
to  minimize  any  amounts  which might  otherwise  be payable  pursuant to this
subsection  2.13;  provided,  however,  that  such  efforts  shall not cause the
imposition on such Bank of any  additional  costs or legal or regulatory  burden
deemed by such Bank to be material.

     (d) If the  Company  or any  Designated  Subsidiary  makes  any  additional
payment to the Agent or any Bank pursuant to this  subsection 2.13 in respect of
any Taxes,  and the Agent or such Bank  determines  that it has  received  (i) a
refund of such Taxes or (ii) a credit  against or relief or remission  for, or a
reduction  in the amount of, any tax or other  governmental  charge  solely as a
result of any  deduction  or credit for any Taxes  with  respect to which it has
received  payments under this subsection 2.13, the Agent and such Bank shall, to
the  extent  that they can do so  without  prejudice  to the  retention  of such
refund,  credit,  relief,  remission  or  reduction,  pay to the Company or such
Designated  Subsidiary  such  amount  as the  Agent  and such  Bank  shall  have
determined to be  attributable to the deduction or withholding of such Taxes. If
the Agent or such Bank later determines that it was not entitled to such refund,
credit,  relief,  remission  or reduction to the full extent of any payment made
pursuant to the first sentence of this subsection  2.13(d),  the Company or such
Designated Subsidiary shall upon demand of the Agent or such Bank promptly repay
the amount of such overpayment. Any determination made by the Agent or such Bank
pursuant to this subsection 2.13(d) shall constitute prima facie evidence of the
accuracy thereof,  and nothing in this subsection  2.13(d) shall be construed as
requiring the Agent or any Bank to conduct its respective business or to arrange
or alter in any respect its respective tax or financial affairs so that it is


<PAGE>  40


entitled to receive such a refund, credit or reduction or as allowing any person
to inspect any records, including tax returns, of the Agent or any Bank.

     2.14  Illegality.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  herein,  if  any
Regulatory  Change  shall  make it  unlawful  for any  Bank to make or  maintain
Eurodollar  Loans as  contemplated  by this  Agreement or to accept  deposits in
order to make or maintain such Eurodollar Loans, (a) the agreements of such Bank
hereunder to make Eurodollar Loans shall forthwith be suspended for the duration
of such illegality and (b) each Eurodollar Loan then outstanding,  if any, shall
be  converted  into a Prime  Rate  Loan on the last day of the  Interest  Period
therefor or within such  earlier  period as required by law for the  duration of
such  illegality.  If any such  conversion of a Eurodollar Loan is made on a day
which is not the last day of the Interest Period therefor,  the Company and each
Designated  Subsidiary  hereby  agrees to pay  promptly  to any  Bank,  upon its
demand,  any amounts  required  to be paid by the  Company  and such  Designated
Subsidiary  pursuant to subsection 2.16 (such Bank's  reasonable  notice of such
costs and the manner in which they were calculated,  as certified to the Company
or such  Designated  Subsidiary,  as applicable,  shall  constitute  prima facie
evidence of the accuracy of the amounts set forth therein). This agreement shall
survive  termination of this Agreement and the payment of the outstanding Notes.
Each Bank shall use its  reasonable  efforts to promptly  notify the Company and
each  Designated  Subsidiary as soon as practicable as to any Regulatory  Change
described in this subsection 2.14.

     2.15 Increased Costs. (a) In the event that any Regulatory Change:

               (i)  subjects  any  Bank to any tax of any kind  whatsoever  with
                    respect to this  Agreement,  its Notes or any Company  Loans
                    made by it, or changes  the basis of taxation of payments to
                    such Bank of principal,  interest,  fees or any other amount
                    payable  hereunder  (except  for changes in Taxes and except
                    for taxes measured by the net income of such Bank);

               (ii) imposes,  modifies  or  holds  applicable  to such  Bank any
                    reserve,  Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation  premium or
                    assessment,  special  deposit,  compulsory  loan or  similar
                    requirement  against any  Eurodollar  Loans made,  or assets
                    held  by,  or  credit  extended  by,  or  deposits  or other
                    liabilities  in or for the  account  of, or  acquisition  of
                    funds by or for the  account of, any office of such Bank (or
                    any  Person  controlling  such Bank) (but only to the extent
                    not  otherwise   included  in  the   determination   of  the
                    Eurodollar Rate); or

               (iii)imposes  on such Bank any  other  condition  affecting  this
                    Agreement or any Company Loans made hereunder;



<PAGE>  41


and the result of any of the  foregoing  is to increase the cost to such Bank of
making or  maintaining  Company  Loans or  Commitments  or to reduce  any amount
receivable by it in respect of Company Loans or  Commitments,  then, in any such
case, the Company or the applicable Designated Subsidiary shall promptly pay the
Bank, upon its demand  pursuant to subsection  2.15(c),  any additional  amounts
necessary to compensate such Bank (or any Person controlling such Bank) for such
additional cost or reduced amount  receivable plus interest thereon at the Prime
Rate, for five (5) Business Days from the date demanded and  thereafter,  at the
Post-Default Rate, in each case until payment in full thereof.

     (b) In the event that any Bank (or any Person  controlling such Bank) shall
have  reasonably  determined  that any Regulatory  Change does or shall have the
effect of reducing the rate of return on such Bank's (or such Person's)  capital
as a consequence of its  obligations  hereunder to a level below that which such
Bank (or such  Person)  could have  achieved on the Second  Closing Date but for
such  Regulatory  Change (taking into  consideration  such Bank's  policies with
respect to capital  adequacy) by any amount reasonably deemed by such Bank to be
material,  then from  time to time,  within  15 days  after  demand by such Bank
pursuant  to  subsection  2.15(c),  the  Company  or the  applicable  Designated
Subsidiary shall promptly pay the Bank such additional amount or amounts as will
compensate such Bank (or such Person) for such reduction.

     (c) If any Bank (or any Person  controlling  such Bank) becomes entitled to
claim any additional amounts pursuant to this subsection 2.15, it shall promptly
after becoming  aware thereof  notify the Company or the  applicable  Designated
Subsidiary  of the event by reason of which it has become so entitled.  Any such
claim for additional  amounts by such Bank shall be accompanied by a certificate
setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation  thereof (provided,  however,
that such Bank shall not be  required to disclose  proprietary  or  confidential
information in such  certificate),  submitted by such Bank to the Company or the
applicable  Designated  Subsidiary,  and such certificate shall constitute prima
facie evidence of the accuracy of the amount of such claim. This agreement shall
survive  termination  of  the  Commitments  and  the  payment  in  full  of  the
outstanding Notes for 180 days (but not longer).

     (d) If the  Company  or any  Designated  Subsidiary  shall  at any  time be
required to pay amounts  pursuant  to this  subsection  2.15 to any Bank (or any
Person  controlling such Bank), the Company or such Designated  Subsidiary shall
be entitled to prepay the Company  Loans  allocable to such Bank,  and thereupon
the Company or such  Designated  Subsidiary  shall be entitled to terminate  the
Commitment  of such Bank (such  prepayment  to be made  together  with all other
amounts  due to such Bank  hereunder  and under the  Notes,  including,  without
limitation, interest, fees and any amounts payable pursuant to subsection 2.16).



<PAGE>  42


     2.16 Indemnity.  Each of the Company and each Designated  Subsidiary agrees
to indemnify  each Bank for, and to hold such Bank  harmless  from,  any loss or
expense  (but not  including  loss of  Applicable  Margin)  which  such Bank may
sustain  or incur as a  consequence  of (a) any  default  by the  Company or any
Designated  Subsidiary  in  borrowing  or failure to borrow for any reason  such
Eurodollar  Loans after the Company or such  Designated  Subsidiary  has given a
notice in respect thereof in accordance with subsection 2.3, (b) receipt by such
Bank of any prepayment (whether optional or mandatory) of any Eurodollar Loan on
a day  which  is not the  last  day of an  Interest  Period  applicable  to such
Eurodollar  Loan,  (c) default by the Company or any  Designated  Subsidiary  in
making  any  prepayment  of a  Eurodollar  Loan  after it has  given a notice in
accordance with subsection  2.8(a) or (d) acceleration of any Eurodollar  Loans,
and each Bank shall use  reasonable  efforts to minimize any amounts due to such
Bank  pursuant  to  this  subsection  2.16.  The  Company  and  each  Designated
Subsidiary shall promptly pay to each Bank, upon its demand  (accompanied by the
certificate  described below), any amounts necessary to compensate such Bank for
such  losses or  expenses  incurred  by such Bank in making or  maintaining  any
Company  Loans in  accordance  with this  subsection  2.16,  including,  without
limitation,  any  interest  or fees  payable  by such Bank to  lenders  of funds
obtained by it in order to make or maintain its Eurodollar  Loans. Any claim for
additional  amounts  pursuant  to the  foregoing  sentence by such Bank shall be
accompanied by a certificate  setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation
thereof  (provided,  however,  that such Bank shall not be  required to disclose
proprietary or confidential information in such certificate),  submitted by such
Bank to the Company or such Designated  Subsidiary,  and such certificate  shall
constitute  prima facie  evidence  of the  accuracy of the amount of such claim,
provided that the  determination  of such amount is made on a reasonable  basis.
This  subsection  2.16 shall  survive  termination  of the  Commitments  and the
payment in full of the outstanding Notes for 180 days (but not longer).

     2.17  Maximum  Number of  Tranches.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision
hereof, there shall not at any time be outstanding  hereunder Tranches in excess
of the Tranche Limit.

     2.18 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Company Loans may only be used to
refinance   certain   Indebtedness  of  the  Company  and/or  its   Subsidiaries
outstanding on the First Closing Date.

     2.19 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments; L/C Participation. (a) Each borrowing
of Company  Loans by the Company or any  Designated  Subsidiary  from the Banks,
each payment by the Company on account of any fees hereunder (including, without
limitation, any Issuance Fees and Drawing Fees in respect of L/Cs (but excluding
fees  payable  pursuant  to  subsection  2.7(b))),  and  any  reduction  of  the
Commitments  of the  Banks  hereunder  shall be made pro rata  according  to the
respective  Commitment  Percentages of the Banks.  Each payment  (including each
prepayment) by the Company or any Designated  Subsidiary on account of principal
of and interest on the Company Loans and other amounts due hereunder (other than
payments made pursuant to subsection 2.13, 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16) shall be made pro
rata according to the respective  outstanding  principal  amounts of the Company
Loans held by each Bank. All payments (including  prepayments) to be made by the
Company or any Designated Subsidiary on account of principal and interest on the


<PAGE>  43


Notes or on account of any fees or other  amounts  due  hereunder  shall be made
without set-off or counterclaim  and shall be made to the Agent, for the account
of the Banks,  at the Agent's  office in Boston,  Massachusetts  as set forth in
subsection  9.2,  in  lawful  money  of the  United  States  of  America  and in
immediately  available  funds not later than 11:00  a.m.  Boston,  Massachusetts
time,  on the date on which such  payment  shall  become  due.  The Agent  shall
distribute  such  payments to the Banks  promptly  upon receipt in like funds as
received.  If any payment  hereunder  (other than payments on Eurodollar  Loans)
becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business  Day,  such payment shall
be extended to the next  succeeding  Business Day, and, with respect to payments
of  principal,  interest  thereon shall be payable at the then  applicable  rate
during such  extension.  If any  payment on a  Eurodollar  Loan  becomes due and
payable  on a day other  than a  Working  Day,  the  maturity  thereof  shall be
extended to the next succeeding  Working Day unless the result of such extension
would be to extend such payment into another  calendar month in which event such
payment shall be made on the immediately  preceding Working Day and with respect
to  payments  of  principal  interest  thereon  shall  be  payable  at the  then
applicable rate during such extension.

     (b) Unless the Agent shall have been  notified in writing by any Bank prior
to a  borrowing  date  that  such  Bank  will not make the  amount  which  would
constitute its Commitment Percentage of the Company Loans on such date available
to the Agent, the Agent may assume that such Bank has made such amount available
to the Agent on such  borrowing  date,  and the Agent may, in reliance upon such
assumption,  make  available  to the  Company  or a  Designated  Subsidiary,  as
applicable,  a  corresponding  amount.  If such amount is made  available to the
Agent on a date after such borrowing  date,  such Bank shall pay to the Agent on
demand an amount equal to the product of (i) the daily Federal Funds Rate during
such period, times (ii) the amount of such Bank's Commitment  Percentage of such
borrowing,  times (iii) a fraction the  numerator of which is the number of days
that elapse from and  including  such  borrowing  date to the date on which such
Bank's  Commitment  Percentage of such borrowing  shall have become  immediately
available to the Agent and the denominator of which is 365. A certificate of the
Agent  submitted  to any Bank with  respect  to any  amounts  owing  under  this
subsection  2.19(b) shall be conclusive,  absent  manifest error. If such Bank's
Commitment  Percentage  of such  borrowing is not in fact made  available to the
Agent by such Bank within three Business Days of such borrowing  date, the Agent
shall be entitled to recover such amount with  interest  thereon at the rate per
annum applicable to the Company Loans hereunder,  on demand, from the Company or
a Designated Subsidiary,  as applicable.  Except as set forth in the immediately
preceding  sentence,  neither the Company  nor the  Subsidiaries  shall have any
liability to any Person under this subsection 2.19(b).


<PAGE>  44


     (c) (i) Fleet,  as the issuing bank with  respect to each L/C,  irrevocably
agrees to grant and hereby grants to each Bank (each Bank, in such capacity,  an
"L/C  Participant")  and, to induce Fleet to issue and maintain L/Cs  hereunder,
each L/C  Participant  irrevocably  agrees to accept  and  purchase  and  hereby
accepts  and  purchases  from  Fleet,  on the terms and  conditions  hereinafter
stated,  for such L/C Participant's  own account and risk an undivided  interest
equal to such L/C Participant's Commitment Percentage in Fleet's obligations and
rights under each L/C issued or deemed  issued by it hereunder and the amount of
Unpaid Drawings with respect to any draft paid by Fleet  thereunder,  effective,
in the case of each L/C issued (but not deemed issued) hereunder, on the date of
issuance  thereof and, in the case of each Existing Company L/C issued by Fleet,
on the Second Closing Date. Each L/C Participant unconditionally and irrevocably
agrees  with Fleet with  respect to any L/C that,  if a draft is paid under such
L/C for which Fleet is not  reimbursed in full by the relevant  Account Party on
the date required by subsection  2.1(c)(vii),  such L/C Participant shall pay to
Fleet upon  notification  or demand at Fleet's  address  for  notices  specified
herein an amount equal to such L/C  Participant's  Commitment  Percentage of the
amount of such draft, or any part thereof, which is not so reimbursed.

     (ii) If any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant to Fleet with
respect  to  any  L/C  pursuant  to  subsection  2.19(c)(i)  in  respect  of any
unreimbursed  portion  of any  payment  made by Fleet  under such L/C is paid to
Fleet within three  Business Days after the date such payment is due by such L/C
Participant,  such L/C Participant  shall pay to Fleet on demand an amount equal
to the product of (A) such amount,  times (B) the daily  average  Federal  Funds
Rate during the period from and  including  the date such payment is required to
the date on which such payment is  immediately  available to Fleet,  times (C) a
fraction the  numerator  of which is the number of days that elapse  during such
period and the  denominator  of which is 365. If any such amount  required to be
paid by any L/C  Participant  pursuant to  subsection  2.19(c)(i) is not in fact
made available to Fleet by such L/C Participant within three Business Days after
the date such payment is due by such L/C Participant, Fleet shall be entitled to
recover from such L/C Participant,  on demand, such amount with interest thereon
calculated  from such due date at the rate per annum  applicable  to Prime  Rate
Loans  hereunder.  A certificate of Fleet submitted to any L/C Participant  with
respect to any amounts  owing under this  subsection  shall be conclusive in the
absence of manifest error.

     (iii)Whenever,  at any time after Fleet has made payment  under any L/C and
has  received  from any L/C  Participant  its pro rata share of such  payment in
accordance  with  subsection  2.19(c)(i),  Fleet receives any payment related to
such L/C  (whether  directly  from  the  Company,  a  Designated  Subsidiary  or
otherwise,  including by means of set-off or the proceeds of collateral  applied
thereto by Fleet),  or any payment of interest  on account  thereof,  Fleet will
distribute  to such  L/C  Participant  its pro  rata  share  thereof;  provided,
however,  that in the event that any such  payment  received  by Fleet  shall be
required to be returned by it, such L/C  Participant  shall  return to Fleet the
portion thereof previously distributed by Fleet to it. Neither the Company nor


<PAGE>  45


any  Subsidiary  shall have any liability or obligation to any person under this
subsection 2.19(c).

     2.20 Guaranties.  The due payment and performance of the Obligations of the
Loan Parties  shall be  guaranteed to the Banks and the Agent by the Company and
each of the  Material  Operating  Subsidiaries  listed on  Schedule  2.20 hereto
(hereinafter,  together  with  any  other  Material  Operating  Subsidiary  that
executes and delivers a Guaranty,  referred to,  individually,  as a "Guarantor"
and,  collectively,  as the "Guarantors"),  by the execution and delivery to the
Agent by each Guarantor of a Guaranty in form and substance  satisfactory to the
Agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time with its
terms, individually,  a "Guaranty" and, collectively,  as to all the Guarantors,
the "Guaranties").  In addition, each Material Operating Subsidiary that becomes
a Material Operating Subsidiary after the First Closing Date shall, concurrently
with becoming a Material Operating Subsidiary,  execute and deliver to the Agent
a  Guaranty,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to the Agent,  and upon such
execution  and  delivery,  such  Material  Operating  Subsidiary  shall become a
Guarantor under the Loan Documents.

     2.21 Security.  In order to secure, among other things, the due payment and
performance by the Company, each Designated Subsidiary and each Guarantor of its
respective  Obligations,  each of the  Company,  each other  Guarantor  and each
Additional Subsidiary Grantor (collectively,  together with any other Subsidiary
that executes and delivers a Company Security  Agreement or otherwise  becomes a
party to a Company Security  Agreement,  being referred to herein as "Collateral
Grantors" and, individually, a "Collateral Grantor") has, pursuant to an amended
and restated security agreement in form and substance  satisfactory to the Agent
and the Banks dated  February  24,  1994 and  amended and  restated on the First
Closing Date (as amended,  supplemented or otherwise  modified from time to time
in accordance with its terms, the "Company Security Agreement"),  granted to the
Agent for the ratable  benefit of the Secured  Parties a first  priority lien on
and security interest in the following:

               (a)  all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of
                    each Guarantor (other than the Company);

               (b)  all present and future accounts  receivable and inventory of
                    such Collateral Grantor; and

               (c)  all  proceeds  and  products  of  the  property  and  assets
                    described in clauses (a) and (b) above.

     Each  Collateral  Grantor shall execute and deliver or cause to be executed
and delivered such other agreements, instruments and documents as the Agent may


<PAGE>  46


reasonably  require  in order to effect the  purposes  of the  Company  Security
Agreement,  this subsection 2.21 and this Agreement.  In addition, each Material
Operating  Subsidiary  that becomes a Material  Operating  Subsidiary  after the
First  Closing  Date  shall,  concurrently  with  becoming a Material  Operating
Subsidiary, execute and deliver a Company Security Agreement supplement, in form
and  substance  satisfactory  to the  Agent,  pursuant  to which  such  Material
Operating  Subsidiary  will  grant to the Agent for the  ratable  benefit of the
Secured  Parties a first  priority  lien on and security  interest in the assets
described in clause (b) of  subsection  2.21 above and, to the extent it relates
to such  clause (b),  clause (c) of such  subsection  2.21 above,  and upon such
execution  and  delivery,  such  Material  Operating  Subsidiary  shall become a
Collateral Grantor under the Loan Documents.

     2.22  Additional  L/C  Provisions.  (a) Without  limiting the generality of
subsection 2.15, if:

               (i)  any  Regulatory  Change  shall  (A)  impose,  modify or deem
                    applicable   any   reserve,    special   deposit,    capital
                    maintenance,  deposit  insurance  premium or assessment,  or
                    similar  requirement  against  letters  of credit  issued or
                    deemed  issued by, or assets held by, or deposits  made with
                    or for the account of, Fleet,  (B) impose on Fleet any other
                    condition  regarding  the L/Cs or (C)  subject  Fleet to any
                    tax,  charge,  fee,  deduction  or  withholding  of any kind
                    whatsoever (except for changes in Taxes and except for taxes
                    measured by the net income of Fleet); and

               (ii) the result of any such event shall be to  increase  the cost
                    to Fleet of the  issuance  or  maintenance  of the L/Cs,  or
                    reduce  the  amount of  principal,  interest,  or any fee or
                    compensation receivable by Fleet in respect of the L/Cs;

then, upon demand of Fleet, the Company or the applicable Designated Subsidiary,
as applicable,  shall pay to Fleet, from time to time as specified by Fleet, all
additional  amounts which are necessary to compensate  Fleet for such  increased
cost or reduction incurred by Fleet,  accruing from and after the date initially
demanded by Fleet.  All  payments of  compensation  for such  increased  cost or
reduction shall be accompanied by interest  thereon,  at the Prime Rate from the
date demanded for five (5) Business Days, and  thereafter,  at the  Post-Default
Rate,  in each case until  payment in full  thereof.  A  certificate  as to such
increased  cost incurred by Fleet showing in reasonable  detail the  calculation
thereof  shall be submitted by Fleet to the Company and shall  constitute  prima
facie evidence of the accuracy of the amounts set forth therein. For purposes of
this  subsection  2.22,  all  references  to L/Cs  shall be  deemed  to refer to
participations in L/Cs, and all references to "Fleet" shall be deemed to include
any  L/C  Participant,  except  that  amounts  payable  by the  Company  and the
Designated  Subsidiaries  shall only be paid to Fleet and then  delivered to any
L/C Participant having such cost. In the event of any inconsistency  between the
terms of this subsection 2.22 and subsection 2.15, the provisions of subsection


<PAGE>  47


2.15 shall govern.  This Agreement shall survive  termination of the Commitments
and payment of the outstanding Notes for 180 days (but not longer).

     (b) The  obligations of the Company and each  Designated  Subsidiary  under
this  Agreement  with  respect to the L/Cs shall,  absent  gross  negligence  or
willful misconduct by Fleet, (x) be absolute,  unconditional and irrevocable and
(y) be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,  under
all  circumstances  whatsoever,  including,  without  limitation,  the following
circumstances:

               (i)  the L/Cs,  the  Notes,  this  Agreement  or any  other  Loan
                    Documents or agreements,  instruments or documents  relating
                    thereto   proving   to  be  forged,   fraudulent,   invalid,
                    unenforceable or insufficient in any respect;

               (ii) any  amendment or waiver of, or any consent to the departure
                    from,  all  or  any  of  the  Security   Documents  and  any
                    subsequent such agreements;

               (iii)the existence of any claim, setoff,  defense or other rights
                    which the Company or any  Designated  Subsidiary may have at
                    any time against any  beneficiary  or any  transferee of any
                    beneficiary  (or  any  Persons  or  entities  for  whom  any
                    beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting);

               (iv) any  demand  presented  under  any L/C  (or any  endorsement
                    thereon)   proving  to  be  forged,   fraudulent,   invalid,
                    unenforceable   or   insufficient  in  any  respect  or  any
                    statement   therein   being   inaccurate   in  any   respect
                    whatsoever;

               (v)  the failure of any  document to bear  reference,  or to bear
                    adequate reference, to the applicable L/C;

               (vi) the  use to  which  the  L/Cs  may be  put  or any  acts  or
                    omissions  of the Company or any  Designated  Subsidiary  or
                    beneficiaries in connection therewith; or

               (vii)any other similar circumstances,

provided that such  circumstances or happening shall not have constituted  gross
negligence or willful misconduct of Fleet.

     (c) Fleet shall not be responsible:  (i) for the validity or  insufficiency
of any instrument  transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign
the L/Cs or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof in whole or in
part,  which may prove to be invalid or  ineffective  for any  reason;  (ii) for
errors,  omissions,  interruptions  or delays in transmission or delivery of any
messages, by mail, cable telegraph, telex or otherwise, whether or not they be


<PAGE>  48


in cipher;  (iii) for any loss or delay in the  transmission or otherwise of any
document or draft required in order to make a draw under the L/Cs or of proceeds
thereof;  and (iv) for any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of
Fleet provided that this  paragraph (c) shall not apply to the gross  negligence
or  willful  misconduct  of Fleet.  None of the above  shall  affect,  impair or
prevent the vesting of any of Fleet's rights or powers hereunder.

     (d) In  furtherance  and  extension  and not in  limitation of the specific
provisions  hereinabove set forth, any action taken or omitted by Fleet under or
in  connection  with  the  L/Cs  or the  related  drafts  or  documents,  unless
constituting gross negligence or willful  misconduct,  shall be binding upon the
Company  and the  Designated  Subsidiaries  and shall  not put  Fleet  under any
resulting liability to the Company and the Designated Subsidiaries.

     (e) The Company and each Designated  Subsidiary shall at all times protect,
indemnify  and save  harmless  Fleet and each Bank from and  against any and all
claims, actions, suits and other legal proceedings, and from and against any and
all losses, claims, demands, liabilities,  damages, costs, charges, counsel fees
and other expenses which Fleet or any Bank may, at any time, sustain or incur by
reason of or in  consequence  of or arising out of the issuance of the L/Cs;  it
being the  intention of the parties that this  Agreement  shall be construed and
applied to protect and  indemnify  Fleet and each Bank  against any and all risk
involved in the issuance of the L/Cs,  all of which risks are hereby  assumed by
the Company and each Designated Subsidiary,  including,  without limitation, any
and all risks of the acts or  omissions,  whether  rightful or wrongful,  of any
present or future  Governmental  Authority (all such acts and omissions,  herein
called the  "Governmental  Acts") or any risk of default  under any  Contractual
Obligation  resulting from the failure of the Company or the relevant Designated
Subsidiary  to make payments in respect of L/Cs in  accordance  with  subsection
2.1(c)(i)(D); provided, however, that the Company and each Designated Subsidiary
shall  not be  required  to  indemnify  Fleet or any  Bank  for (i) any  claims,
damages, losses,  liabilities,  costs or expenses to the extent, but only to the
extent,  caused by the willful  misconduct  or gross  negligence  of Fleet (with
respect to which, however, Fleet shall be liable to the other Banks) or (ii) any
breach  of  obligations  of Fleet  to other  Banks.  Notwithstanding  any  other
provision  contained in this Agreement,  the obligations of the Company and each
Designated  Subsidiary  under this subsection 2.22 shall survive the termination
of this Agreement.

     (f) In the event that the credit rating of Fleet is downgraded to less than
"A-" by Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies,  Inc. or any
successor to the rating agency business thereof and such down-grading will cause
the Company or any  Designated  Subsidiary  to incur any  additional  expense or
otherwise be adversely  affected,  the Company or any Designated  Subsidiary may
replace any L/C issued or deemed  issued by Fleet with an L/C issued by any Bank
or any other bank, in each case with a credit rating of "A-" or better, provided
that any such letter of credit  shall not be  entitled  to the  benefits of this
Agreement and, to the extent such letter of credit replaces a Company L/C, shall


<PAGE>  49


constitute  Specified  Company L/C  Obligations  (to the extent  provided in the
definition  thereof),  with the effect of  reducing  the  Available  Company L/C
Commitment (in accordance with the definition thereof),  and, to the extent such
letter of credit  replaces the Napco L/C,  shall have the effect of  terminating
the Available Napco Commitment in full.

     2.23 Several Obligations.  The failure of any Bank to make any Company Loan
or fund the L/C  participation  to be made or funded by it on the date specified
therefor  shall not relieve the other Banks of their  respective  obligations to
make their Company Loans or fund their L/C  participations  on such date, but no
Bank shall be responsible for the failure of the other Banks to make the Company
Loans or fund the L/C participations to be made by such other Banks.

     SECTION 3.REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     To  induce  (a)  each  Bank to enter  into  this  Agreement  and to make or
maintain the Company  Loans and (b) Fleet to issue or maintain  L/Cs  hereunder,
the Company and each Designated Subsidiary, as applicable, hereby represents and
warrants to such Bank that, except as disclosed in the SEC Reports:

     3.1 Financial Condition.  The consolidated balance sheet of the Company and
its  consolidated   Subsidiaries  as  at  December  31,  1997  and  the  related
consolidated  statements of income,  stockholders' equity and cash flows for the
fiscal year ended on such date,  certified  by Grant  Thornton,  copies of which
have  heretofore  been  furnished to each Bank,  and the unaudited  consolidated
balance sheet and related consolidated statements of income, stockholders equity
and cash flow of the Company and its  consolidated  Subsidiaries  for the ending
quarter  September  30,  1998  present  fairly,  in  conformity  with GAAP,  the
consolidated   financial   condition   of  the  Company  and  its   consolidated
Subsidiaries as at such date, and the  consolidated  results of their operations
and cash flows for the period then ended (subject to normal year-end adjustments
as to  such  September  30,  1998  financial  statements).  All  such  financial
statements  have been  prepared in  accordance  with GAAP  applied  consistently
throughout the periods  involved  (except as approved by such accountants and as
disclosed therein). Neither the Company nor any of its consolidated Subsidiaries
had,  at the dates of the  balance  sheets  referred  to above,  any  Contingent
Obligation,  contingent  liability or liability  for taxes,  long-term  lease or
unusual  forward or long-term  commitment,  required to be reflected  under GAAP
which is not reflected in the  foregoing  statements or in the notes thereto and
which was material to the Company and its consolidated  Subsidiaries  taken as a
whole (including, without limitation, any Environmental Liability).

     3.2 No Change.  Since December 31, 1997 there has been no material  adverse
change  in  the  business,   operations,   property,  performance  or  condition
(financial or otherwise) of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.


<PAGE>  50



     3.3 Corporate  Existence;  Compliance with the Law. Each of the Company and
its  Subsidiaries  (a) is duly organized,  validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the jurisdiction of its  incorporation,  (b) has the corporate
power and  authority  and the legal right to own and operate  its  property,  to
lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it
is currently engaged, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and in good
standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where  qualification is required by
the nature of its  business or the  character  and  location of its  property or
business  and in which the failure to so qualify  could have a Material  Adverse
Effect and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law, including, without
limitation,  all applicable  Environmental  Laws and Regulations,  except to the
extent  that the  failure  to comply  therewith  could  not,  in the  aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     3.4 Corporate Power;  Authorization;  Enforceable Obligations.  Each of the
Company and its  Subsidiaries  has the  corporate  power and  authority to make,
deliver and perform each of this Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan Documents,
the Related Documents and the other documents contemplated hereby to which it is
a  party  and to  consummate  (a)  the  transactions  contemplated  by the  Loan
Documents and Related  Documents to which it is a party,  (b) in the case of the
Company,  the Merger and the other transactions  contemplated thereby and (c) in
the case of Napco, the Napco Transaction and the other transactions contemplated
thereby.  Each of the  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  has taken  all  necessary
corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of each of
this  Agreement,  the Notes,  the other Loan  Documents and the other  documents
contemplated  hereby to which it is a party. No consent or authorization  of, or
filing  with,  any  Person  (including,  without  limitation,  any  Governmental
Authority), is required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance,
validity  or  enforceability  of this  Agreement,  the  Notes,  the  other  Loan
Documents or the other documents contemplated hereby or with the consummation of
the Tender  Offer or Merger,  the Napco  Transaction  or the other  transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby,  other than (i) the Certificate of Ownership and
Merger merging the Purchaser with and into the Company,  (ii) the Certificate of
Merger  merging  Napco  Target I and  Napco  Target  II with and into the  Napco
Purchaser and (iii) those consents, authorizations and filings which the failure
to  obtain,  take,  give  or  make  could  not,  either  individually  or in the
aggregate,  be  reasonably  likely to (A) have a Material  Adverse  Effect,  (B)
affect  the  enforceability,  validity  or  binding  effect  of any of the  Loan
Documents  or (C)  expose  the  Agent or any Bank to  personal  liability.  This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and each
Designated Subsidiary,  and this Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan Documents,
the Related Documents and the other documents  contemplated  hereby  constitute,
legal,  valid and binding  obligations of the Company and each Subsidiary  party
thereto,  enforceable  against the Company and each Subsidiary  party thereto in
accordance with their respective terms,  except as enforceability may be limited
by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws
affecting  the  enforcement  of  creditors'  rights  generally  and  by  general
principles  of  equity  (regardless  of  whether  enforcement  is  sought  in  a
proceeding in equity or at law).


<PAGE>  51


     3.5  No  Legal  Bar.  The  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of  this
Agreement,  the Notes, the other Loan Documents,  the Related  Documents and the
other documents contemplated hereby, the borrowings hereunder and the use of the
proceeds thereof,  and the consummation of the Merger, the Napco Transaction and
the other  transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby,  will not violate any
Requirement  of Law or any  Contractual  Obligation of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries,  and will not result in or require the creation or  imposition  of
any  Lien  on  any  of  its  or  their  respective  properties  pursuant  to any
Requirement of Law or any Contractual  Obligation,  except,  with respect to the
foregoing  other than with respect to the Loan  Documents,  such  violations  as
could not, either individually or in the aggregate,  be reasonably likely to (i)
have a  Material  Adverse  Effect,  (ii)  subject  any Loan  Party or any of its
Subsidiaries to any criminal penalties or (iii) subject the Agent or any Bank to
any civil or criminal penalties.

     3.6  No  Litigation.   No  action,  suit,   litigation,   investigation  or
proceeding,  including,  without limitation, any Environmental Proceeding, of or
before any arbitrator or Governmental  Authority is pending or, to the knowledge
of the Company, threatened, by or against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
or against any of their respective  properties or revenues that could reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     3.7 Federal  Regulations.  No part of the  proceeds  of any  Company  Loans
hereunder will be used in violation of the provisions of the  Regulations of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, including, without limitation,
Regulations G, U and X.

     3.8  Investment  Company Act.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is an
"investment  company",  or a company  "controlled"  by an "investment  company",
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

     3.9 Disclosure. The financial statements, certificates, opinions, and other
statements furnished in writing to the Agent or the Banks by or on behalf of the
Company or any Subsidiary in connection with this Agreement or the  transactions
contemplated hereby do not, taken as a whole,  contain any untrue statement of a
fact,  or omit to state  any  fact  necessary  in  order to make the  statements
contained  therein or herein not  misleading,  except for matters that could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     3.10 No Default.  Neither the  Company  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is in
default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation in any respect which
could  reasonably be expected to have a Material  Adverse  Effect.  After giving
effect to the amendment and restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement as this
Agreement, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.


<PAGE>  52



     3.11  Taxes.  Except  as set forth on  Schedule  3.11  hereto,  each of the
Company and its  Subsidiaries  has filed or caused to be filed all  material tax
returns which to its knowledge are required to be filed,  and has paid all taxes
shown to be due and payable on said returns or on any  assessments  made against
it or any of its property and all other  material  taxes,  fees or other charges
which to its  knowledge  have been  imposed on it or any of its  property by any
Governmental  Authority  (other  than those the amount or  validity  of which is
currently  being contested in good faith by appropriate  proceedings  diligently
pursued and with  respect to which  reserves in  conformity  with GAAP have been
provided  in its  books);  no  material  tax liens have been  filed and,  to the
knowledge of the Company,  no claims are being asserted with respect to any such
taxes, fees or other charges,  except for claims not material to the Company and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     3.12  Subsidiaries.  At  the  Second  Closing  Date,  the  Company  has  no
Subsidiaries  except  those listed on Part I of Schedule  3.12,  and the Company
owns directly or indirectly 100% of the  outstanding  voting shares of each such
Subsidiary  except as disclosed  therein.  Part II of Schedule  3.12 lists those
Subsidiaries which were Non-Core  Subsidiaries on the First Closing Date for the
purposes of subsection 6.9.

     3.13 Ownership of Property;  Liens.  Except as permitted in subsection 6.2,
each of the  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  has good title in fee simple to, or
valid  leasehold  interest in, all its real property,  and good title to all its
other property,  and none of such owned property is subject to any Lien,  except
for the security interest granted pursuant to the Security Documents.

     3.14 ERISA. Except as described on Schedule 3.14, as it may be updated from
time to time by the Company pursuant to subsection 5.8(c),  neither the Company,
nor any Commonly  Controlled Entity, is a participating  employer in any Plan in
which more than one employer makes  contributions  as described in Sections 4063
and 4064 of ERISA, which,  together with all other liabilities described in this
subsection,  could give rise to a liability  which is material.  For purposes of
this  subsection,  a  liability  is  material  if it,  together  with all  other
liabilities  described in this  subsection,  could subject the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries to any tax, penalty, or other liabilities that could reasonably
be expected to have a Material  Adverse Effect.  Except as described on Schedule
3.14,  as it may be  updated  from  time to time,  neither  the  Company  or any
Subsidiary nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has any contingent  liability with
respect to any  post-retirement  benefit under any employee welfare benefit plan
(as defined in Section 3(l) of ERISA) other than (a)  liability  for health plan
continuation  coverage as described in Part 6 of Title 1 of ERISA, (b) liability
under any severance plan, (c) liability under plans or programs required by law,
and (d) disability benefits under any tax-qualified pension plans in an amount


<PAGE>  53


which together with all other  liabilities  described in this subsection,  could
give  rise  to a  liability  which  is  material.  Neither  the  Company  or any
Subsidiary nor any Commonly  Controlled  Entity has received any notice from the
PBGC that any of the Single Employer Plans is being  involuntary  terminated and
no  event  shall  have  occurred,  and  there  exists  no  condition  or  set of
circumstances, which present a material risk of the distress termination (within
the meaning of Section 4041(c) of ERISA) or the  involuntary  termination of any
of the Single  Employer  Plans.  Neither the Company or any  Subsidiary  nor any
Commonly  Controlled Entity has incurred any liability to the PBGC which remains
outstanding other than the payment of premiums,  and there are no premiums which
have become due which are unpaid.  Each Single Employer Plan that is intended to
be  qualified  under  Section  401(a)  of the Code has  been  determined  by the
Internal  Revenue Service to be so qualified and each trust related to such plan
has been determined to be exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code, or the period
for  obtaining  such a  determination  letter has not expired;  and no event has
occurred and no condition currently exists which might reasonably be expected to
give rise to a liability that is material as a result of the failure of any plan
that is  intended  to be  qualified  under  Section  401(a) of the Code to be so
qualified.  No Plan is being audited or investigated by any government agency or
subject to any pending or threatened claim or suit, which audit,  investigation,
pending claim or suit could  reasonably be expected to give rise to a liability,
which together with all other liabilities  described in this subsection would be
material. Each Single Employer Plan currently meets and during the preceding six
years has met the minimum  funding  standard of Section 302 of ERISA and Section
412 of the Code  (without  regard to any funding  waiver).  With respect to each
Multiemployer  Plan, the Company,  each Subsidiary and each Commonly  Controlled
Entity  have paid or accrued to the extent  required  by GAAP all  contributions
pursuant to the terms of each applicable  collective  bargaining  agreement.  No
Reportable  Event has occurred  during the six-year  period prior to the date on
which  this  representation  is made or deemed  made with  respect to any Single
Employer  Plan  which  Reportable  Event,  together  with all other  liabilities
described in this subsection,  could give rise to a liability which is material,
and each Single  Employer  Plan has complied in all material  respects  with the
applicable  provisions  of ERISA and the Code.  The present value of all benefit
liabilities (within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA) under each Single Employer
Plan maintained by the Company, any Subsidiary or any Commonly Controlled Entity
(based on those  assumptions used to fund the respective  Single Employer Plans)
did not, as of the last annual valuation date, exceed the value of the assets of
such Single  Employer Plan  allocable to such benefit  liabilities  by more than
$2,500,000.  Except as  described on Schedule  3.14,  neither the Company or any
Subsidiary nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has any unsatisfied liability with
respect to a complete or partial  withdrawal from any Multiemployer  Plan, which
together  with all  other  liabilities  described  in this  subsection  would be
material,  and, to the best of the Company's  knowledge,  the liability to which
the  Company,  any  Subsidiary  or any Commonly  Controlled  Entity would become
subject  under  ERISA  if the  Company,  any  Subsidiary  or any  such  Commonly
Controlled Entity were to withdraw completely from all Multiemployer Plans as of
the valuation date most closely preceding the Second Closing Date would not,


<PAGE>  54


together with all other liabilities  described in this subsection,  be material.
Neither the Company or any  Subsidiary  nor any Commonly  Controlled  Entity has
failed to make any  payment  when due with  respect to any  complete  or partial
withdrawal  from  any  Multiemployer  Plan.  No  such  Multiemployer  Plan is in
Reorganization  or  Insolvent,  where the  liability  which could  reasonably be
expected  to  result  is in  an  amount  which,  taken  together  with  all  the
liabilities  described in this subsection,  is material.  Neither the Company or
any  Subsidiary  nor any  Commonly  Controlled  Entity is  required  to  provide
security to a Single  Employer  Plan pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA or Section
401(a)(29) of the Code.  Neither the Company or any  Subsidiary nor any Commonly
Controlled  Entity has  engaged  in a  transaction  which  could  reasonably  be
expected to subject it to liability under Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA which
liability  together with all other  liabilities  described in this subsection is
material.  Except as disclosed in Schedule  3.14, as it may be updated from time
to time there are no  agreements  which will  provide  payments to any  officer,
employee,  shareholder or highly compensated  individual which will be parachute
payments under Section 280G of the Code that are nondeductible to the Company or
any  Subsidiary  and which will be subject to the tax under  Section 4999 of the
Code for which the Company or any Subsidiary  would have a material  withholding
liability.

     3.15 Nortek  Indentures.  There have been  delivered  to the Agent and each
Bank a true and correct  copy of each of the Nortek  Indentures,  including  all
amendments,  waivers and supplements  thereto.  To the knowledge of the Company,
the Nortek  Indentures and all such other  documents have been duly executed and
delivered by the parties  thereto and are in full force and effect at the Second
Closing Date.

     3.16 SEC Reports.  The Company has  furnished the Agent with true copies of
the SEC Reports.

     3.17 Intangible Assets. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries  possesses
all patents,  trademarks,  service marks, trade names, and copyrights and rights
with respect to the  foregoing  (collectively,  "Patent  Rights"),  necessary to
conduct its business as now conducted  and as proposed to be  conducted,  except
for   technology  not  material  to  the  operations  of  the  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole. To the best knowledge of the Company,  the Patent
Rights do not conflict with the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names,
copyrights  and other rights with respect to the  foregoing of any other Person,
except for conflicts which are not material to the operations of the Company and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     3.18 Name Changes, Mergers, Acquisitions.  Except as a result of the Merger
and the Napco  Transaction and except as set forth on Schedule 3.18, none of the
Company,  Napco or any of the  Material  Operating  Subsidiaries  has within the


<PAGE>  55


six-year period immediately  preceding the Second Closing Date changed its name,
been the  surviving  entity of a merger or  consolidation,  or  acquired  all or
substantially all of the assets of any Person.

     3.19 Licenses and Approvals.  The Company and each of the  Subsidiaries has
all necessary  licenses,  permits and  governmental  authorizations,  including,
without limitation, licenses, permits and authorizations required to comply with
all Environmental Laws and Regulations, to own and operate its properties and to
carry on its  business  as now  conducted,  except  for  licenses,  permits  and
authorizations,  which the failure to have does not materially  adversely affect
the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     3.20 Labor Disputes; Collective Bargaining Agreements; Employee Grievances.
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.20, there is no pending strike, work stoppage,
material  unfair labor practice  claim or charge,  arbitration or other material
labor  dispute  against or  affecting  the  Company or any  Subsidiary  or their
representative employees.

     3.21 Solvency. To the best of the knowledge of the Company, each Loan Party
is Solvent,  individually and together with its  Subsidiaries  and, after giving
effect to the receipt and  application  of the Company Loans and the issuance or
deemed  issuance of L/Cs in accordance  with the terms of this  Agreement,  each
Loan Party,  individually and together with its Subsidiaries,  shall continue to
be Solvent.

     3.22  Outstanding  Indebtedness  for Borrowed Money.  Schedule 3.22(a) sets
forth a complete and accurate  list of all  Indebtedness  of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (other than Napco and its Subsidiaries) for borrowed money, and all
available  committed  credit  lines,  outstanding  on the  First  Closing  Date.
Schedule  3.22(b) sets forth a complete and accurate list of all Indebtedness of
Napco and its  Subsidiaries  for borrowed  money,  and all  available  committed
credit  lines,  outstanding  on the  Second  Closing  Date,  including,  without
limitation, the Existing Napco Debt and the Existing Napco L/C.

     3.23 Hazardous Materials.  Except as described in the Phase I Environmental
Assessments  &  Transaction  Screens  of  Ply  Gem  Industries,   Inc.  and  its
Subsidiaries  across the United  States  draft dated June 20,  1997  prepared by
Dames &  Moore,  Hazardous  Materials  have  not been  released,  discharged  or
disposed of at, or transported  to or from,  any of the real property  currently
owned,  leased or occupied by the Company or its Subsidiaries so as to give rise
to any liability under  Environmental Laws and Regulations,  except in such case
where the liability would not have a Material Adverse Effect.



<PAGE>  56


           SECTION 4.CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     4.1  Conditions  to   Effectiveness   of  Section   2.14.1   Conditions  to
Effectiveness of Section 2.1. The  effectiveness of Section 2.1 shall be subject
to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent:

     (a)  Napco  Merger.  The  Napco  Merger  shall  have  been  consummated  in
accordance  with the Napco Merger  Agreement  without any waiver or amendment of
any term or condition  therein not  consented to by the Banks and in  compliance
with all applicable laws and necessary  approvals.  The Banks shall be satisfied
that the restrictions in any applicable state takeover law and any supermajority
charter provisions are not applicable to the Napco Merger or that any conditions
for avoiding the restrictions set forth therein have been satisfied.

     (b) Corporate  Structure.  The Agent and the Banks shall be satisfied  with
the corporate and legal structure and  capitalization of the Company and each of
the other Loan Parties, including,  without limitation, the terms and conditions
of the charter,  bylaws and each class of capital  stock of the Company and each
other Loan Party and each agreement or instrument  relating to such structure or
capitalization.

     (c) No Material  Adverse Change.  Since December 31, 1997, there shall have
occurred no material  adverse  change in the business,  condition  (financial or
otherwise),  operations,  performance  or  properties  of the  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

     (d) Pre-Commitment Information. All of the Pre-Commitment Information shall
be true and correct in all material aspects; and no additional information shall
have come to the attention of the Agent or any of the Banks that is inconsistent
in any  material  respect  with the  Pre-Commitment  Information  or that  could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     (e)  Capital  Structure.  The Banks shall be  satisfied  with the terms and
conditions  of the  $46,040,000  in common equity  contributed  by Nortek to the
Company and the subordinated loan in the amount of the Napco Cash Purchase Price
by the  Company to the Napco  Purchaser  in  connection  with the Napco  Merger,
including,  without  limitation,  the  payment  terms,  covenants  and events of
default thereof. The Napco Purchaser shall have received at least $76,800,000 in
net cash proceeds from the loan described in the immediately  preceding sentence
and all such proceeds shall have been used prior to the occurrence of the Second
Closing  Date under this  Agreement  in  accordance  with the terms of the Napco
Merger Agreement.

     (f) Compliance;  No Litigation.  The Agent and the Banks shall be satisfied
that the Company and its  Subsidiaries  are, and will be after giving  effect to
the  occurrence of the Second  Closing Date, in compliance  with all  applicable
laws, including, without limitation, ERISA and all Environmental Laws and


<PAGE>  57


Regulations,  except  where the  failure to so comply  could not  reasonably  be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  There shall exist no action,  suit,
investigation,  litigation  or  proceeding  affecting  the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries  pending or  threatened  before any court,  governmental  agency or
arbitrator  that (i) could be  reasonably  expected  to have a Material  Adverse
Effect or (ii) purports to affect the legality,  validity or  enforceability  of
the Tender Offer, the Merger,  the Napco Merger,  this Agreement,  any Note, any
other  Loan  Document,   any  Related   Document  or  the  consummation  of  the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

     (g) Insurance.  The Agent and the Banks shall be satisfied with the amount,
types and terms and  conditions of all  insurance  maintained by the Company and
its Subsidiaries.

     (h) Fees and  Expenses.  All accrued fees and expenses of the Agent and the
Banks  (including  the fees and expenses of counsel for the Agent and the Banks)
for which  statements  have been rendered on or prior to the Second Closing Date
shall have been paid.

     (i) Consents and Approvals.  All  governmental and third party consents and
approvals necessary in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents,
the  Related   Documents  and  the  Nortek   Indentures  and  the   transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby shall have been obtained (without the imposition
of any conditions that are not acceptable to the Banks) and shall remain in full
force  and  effect;  all  applicable  waiting  periods  in  connection  with the
transactions  contemplated  hereby shall have expired  without any action having
been  taken by any  competent  authority  restraining,  preventing  or  imposing
materially adverse conditions upon the rights of the Company or its Subsidiaries
freely to  transfer  or  otherwise  dispose  of, or to create  any Lien on,  any
properties now owned or hereafter acquired by any of them.

     (j) Agreement.  The Agent and each Bank shall have received this Agreement,
duly executed and delivered by the Company and each Designated Subsidiary.

     (k) Notes.  The Agent  shall have  received,  for the account of each Bank,
Notes in  substitution  for the "Notes"  issued to such Bank under the  Existing
Credit  Agreement,  in each  case  conforming  to the  requirements  hereof  and
executed  and  delivered  by a duly  authorized  officer of the Company and each
Designated Subsidiary, respectively.

     (l) Intentionally Omitted.

     (m)  Amendment  to Security  Agreement.  The Agent and each Bank shall have
received Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Security Agreement, in form
and  substance  satisfactory  to the Agent,  duly  executed and delivered by the
parties thereto.


<PAGE>  58


     (n) Borrowing Certificates. The Agent and each Bank shall have received (i)
a certificate of the Company in substantially  the form of Exhibit D-1 dated the
Second Closing Date and executed and delivered by a duly  authorized  officer of
the Company and (ii) a certificate of each other Loan Party in substantially the
form of Exhibit D-2 dated the Second  Closing Date and executed and delivered by
a duly authorized officer of each other Loan Party.

     (o) Intentionally Omitted.

     (p)  Legal  Opinions.  The  Agent and each Bank  shall  have  received  the
executed legal opinion of Ropes & Gray,  counsel to Nortek,  the Company and its
Subsidiaries,  dated the  Second  Closing  Date,  in  substantially  the form of
Exhibit F, together with copies of the legal  opinions,  if any, upon which such
counsel  relies and, if any such legal opinion is not addressed to the Agent and
the Banks, a reliance letter authorizing the Agent and the Banks to rely on such
legal opinion, with such changes thereto as may be approved by, and otherwise in
form and substance  satisfactory  to the Agent and its counsel and covering such
matters incident to the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement, the Notes,
the other Loan Documents,  the Related  Documents and the Nortek  Indentures and
otherwise by the Napco Transaction as the Agent may reasonably require.

     (q) Related  Agreements.  The Agent and each Bank shall have  received true
and  correct  copies,  certified  as to  authenticity  by the  Company  and each
Subsidiary,  of the Certificate of Incorporation  and By-laws of the Company and
each such  Subsidiary  and such  other  documents  or  instruments  to which the
Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party or by which any of them is bound
as may be reasonably requested by the Agent.

     (r)  Corporate  Proceedings.  The Agent and each Bank shall have received a
copy of the resolutions,  in form and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to the
Agent, of the Board of Directors of the Company,  each other Loan Party and each
Subsidiary   authorizing  the  execution,   delivery  and  performance  of  this
Agreement,  the Notes, the other Loan Documents,  the Related  Documents and all
documents and instruments to be delivered in connection  herewith,  in each case
to which it is a party,  and the  consummation of the Napco  Transaction and the
other transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby,  certified by the Secretary
or an  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Company  or  such  other  Loan  Party  (as
applicable),  as of the Second  Closing Date;  and each such  certificate  shall
state that the resolutions  thereby  certified have not been amended,  modified,
revoked or rescinded as of the date of such certificate.

     (s) Related Documents and Nortek Indentures. The Agent shall have received,
with a copy for each Bank, a certified  copy of each  Related  Document and each
Nortek Indenture which became  effective after the First Closing Date,  together
with all amendments, waivers or supplements thereto, and each amendment, waiver


<PAGE>  59


or supplement to any other  Related  Document or Nortek  Indenture to the extent
such amendment,  waiver or supplement  became  effective after the First Closing
Date.

     (t)  Consents.  The Agent,  with a copy for each Bank,  shall have received
true copies (in each case  certified as to  authenticity  on such date by a duly
authorized  officer of the Company or by such other Person as may be appropriate
or may be required by the Agent) of all documents and instruments, including all
consents, authorizations,  filings and orders, required under any Requirement of
Law  or by  Contractual  Obligations  of  the  Company  or  any  Subsidiary,  in
connection   with   the   execution,   delivery,   performance,   validity   and
enforceability  of this Agreement,  the Notes,  the other Loan Documents and the
Related Documents and such consents, authorizations, filings and orders shall be
satisfactory  in form and  substance to the Agent and shall be in full force and
effect.

     (u) Other Fees. The Agent shall have received for itself or for the account
of each Bank,  as  appropriate,  the fees  payable on the  Second  Closing  Date
pursuant to subsection 2.7.

     (v) Good  Standings.  The Agent  and each Bank  shall  have  received  good
standing  certificates  as of dates not more than  forty-five (45) days prior to
the  Second  Closing  Date  with  respect  to the  Company  and each  Designated
Subsidiary from the Secretary of State of the jurisdiction of its  incorporation
and from the  Secretary  of State of each  state in which  the  Company  or such
Designated Subsidiary is qualified to do business.

     (w) Incumbency Certificates. The Agent and each Bank shall have received an
incumbency  certificate  (with specimen  signatures) with respect to the Company
and each other Loan Party.

     (x) Solvency Certificate.  The Agent and each Bank shall have received from
the Company a Solvency  Certificate,  in form and substance  satisfactory to the
Banks,  attesting to the Solvency of the Company  individually and together with
its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  immediately  before and immediately after
giving effect to the Loan Documents, from the treasurer of the Company.

     (y) Ownership,  Liens. A majority of the capital stock of the Company shall
be directly or indirectly owned by Nortek free and clear of any lien,  charge or
encumbrance.

     (z) Projections.  The Agent and the Banks shall have received a copy of the
Company's four year projections (including, without limitation, a balance sheet,
an  income  statement  and a  statement  of cash  flows,  as well as  management
assumptions with respect  thereto) with respect to the Company,  all in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.


<PAGE>  60


     (aa)  Other  Documentation.  Such other  documentation  as the Agent or the
Banks shall reasonably request.

     4.2  Conditions  to Loans  and  L/Cs.  The  agreement  of Fleet to issue or
maintain  L/Cs  requested  to be made or issued or deemed  issued  hereunder  is
subject  to the  satisfaction,  immediately  prior to or  concurrently  with the
issuance of any such L/C, of the following additional conditions precedent:

     (a)  Representations  and  Warranties.  Each  of  the  representations  and
warranties  made by the Company and each other Loan Party in or pursuant to this
Agreement  (other than  subsections  3.21 and 3.22) and the other Loan Documents
shall be true and correct in all material  respects on and as of such date as if
made on and as of such date  (except  any such  representations  and  warranties
that,  by their  terms,  refer to a  specific  date  other  than the date of the
relevant L/C, in which case as of such specific date).

          (b)  No  Default or Event of  Default.  No Default or Event of Default
               shall  have  occurred  and be  continuing  on such  date or after
               giving  effect  to the L/Cs  requested  to be made or  issued  or
               deemed issued on such date.

          (c)  No Violations of Law. Such L/C and the use of proceeds thereof or
               any drawing  thereon  shall not  contravene,  violate or conflict
               with,  nor  involve any Bank in a  violation  of, any law,  rule,
               injunction,  or regulation,  or determination of any court of law
               or other Governmental  Authority (including,  without limitation,
               Regulation U).

          (d)  Other.  All corporate or other  proceedings,  and all  documents,
               instruments  and  other  legal  matters  in  connection  with the
               transactions  contemplated by this  Agreement,  the Notes and the
               other Loan Documents shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and
               substance to the Agent and its counsel.  Each borrowing hereunder
               or  issuance  or  deemed  issuance  of  an  L/C  hereunder  shall
               constitute a representation  and warranty by the Company and each
               borrowing Designated  Subsidiary as of the date of such borrowing
               or issuance or deemed  issuance  that the  conditions  to such or
               issuance or deemed issuance contained in subsections  4.2(a), (b)
               and (c) have been satisfied.

     4.3  Conditions  to  Company  Loans  to New  Designated  Subsidiaries.  The
agreement of each Bank to make any Company Loan to any new Designated Subsidiary
shall be subject to the  receipt by each  Bank,  as  appropriate,  of (a) a Note
issued  by such  Designated  Subsidiary,  (b)  corporate  documents  of such new
Designated  Subsidiary,  (c) a copy of an opinion  of counsel to the  Company in
substantially  the form provided with respect to Designated  Subsidiaries on the
First Closing Date (including, without limitation, an opinion to the effect that


<PAGE>  61


the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents by such Designated
Subsidiary, including without limitation any borrowing made by it thereunder, do
not violate the requirements of the Nortek Indentures or any indentures or other
agreements binding upon such Designated  Subsidiary) and (d) any other documents
reasonably requested by the Agent or any of the Banks in connection therewith.

           SECTION 5.AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     The Company and each Designated  Subsidiary  hereby covenant and agree with
the Agent and the Banks that,  from and after the Second  Closing Date until the
Obligations  are paid in full and the  Commitments  are  terminated and all L/Cs
have expired or been duly terminated, the Company shall, and, in the case of the
agreements set forth in subsections  5.3, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7,  5.11,  5.13,  5.14 and
5.16 (as applicable),  such Designated Subsidiary shall (and each of the Company
and such Designated  Subsidiary shall cause each of its respective  Subsidiaries
to):

     5.1 Financial Statements. Furnish to the Agent and each Bank:

               (a)  as soon as available,  but in any event within 90 days after
                    the end of each  fiscal year of the  Company,  copies of (i)
                    the  consolidated  balance  sheets  of the  Company  and its
                    consolidated  Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year
                    and  the   related   consolidated   statements   of  income,
                    stockholders' equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, in
                    each case setting forth in comparative  form the figures for
                    the previous  year,  certified,  without  qualification,  by
                    Arthur  Andersen,  L.L.P. or another  independent  certified
                    public   accountant   of  recognized   standing   reasonably
                    acceptable to the Banks; provided, however, that the Company
                    shall not be required to provide such comparative figures in
                    the certified financial  statements to be furnished pursuant
                    to this  subsection  in respect of the  fiscal  year  ending
                    December 31,  1998, and (ii) the consolidating balance sheet
                    of the Company and its  consolidated  Subsidiaries as at the
                    end of  such  fiscal  year  and  the  related  consolidating
                    statement  of  income  for such  fiscal  year,  in each case
                    showing   intercompany   eliminations,    certified   by   a
                    Responsible  Officer of the Company as being, to the best of
                    such  officer's  knowledge,  fairly  stated in all  material
                    respects  when  considered  in relation to the  consolidated
                    financial  statements  of the Company  and its  consolidated
                    Subsidiaries; and

               (b)  as soon as available,  but in any event within 45 days after
                    the end of each of the first  three  fiscal  quarters of the
                    Company,  copies of (i) the unaudited  consolidated  balance
                    sheets of the Company and its  consolidated  Subsidiaries as
                    at the end of such fiscal quarter and the related  unaudited
                    consolidated  statements  of income  and cash flows for such
                    fiscal  quarter  and  for the  portion  of the  fiscal  year
                    through  such fiscal  quarter,  certified  by a  Responsible
                    Officer of the Company as presenting  fairly, to the best of


<PAGE>  62


                    such  officer's  knowledge,   the  financial  condition  and
                    results of  operations  of the Company and its  consolidated
                    Subsidiaries  (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments)
                    and (ii) the  unaudited  consolidating  balance sheet of the
                    Company and its  consolidated  Subsidiaries as at the end of
                    such fiscal quarter and the related unaudited  consolidating
                    statement  of income  for the  portion  of the  fiscal  year
                    through   such  fiscal   quarter,   in  each  case   showing
                    intercompany   eliminations,   certified  by  a  Responsible
                    Officer  of the  Company  as  being,  to the  best  of  such
                    officer's knowledge,  fairly stated in all material respects
                    when  considered in relation to the  consolidated  financial
                    statements of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries;
                    all such  financial  statements to be prepared in reasonable
                    detail  and (in the  case  of  such  consolidated  financial
                    statements)  in  accordance  with GAAP applied  consistently
                    throughout the periods reflected therein (except as approved
                    by the Company's accountants or such Responsible Officer, as
                    the  case may be,  and  disclosed  therein  and  subject  to
                    year-end adjustments).

     5.2 Certificates; Other Information. Furnish to the Agent and each Bank:

          (a)  concurrently  with  the  delivery  of each  set of the  financial
     statements  referred to in clause (i) of paragraph (a) of subsection 5.1, a
     certificate of the independent  certified public  accountants  reporting on
     such financial statements stating that in making the examination  necessary
     therefor  no  knowledge  was  obtained  of any Default or Event of Default,
     except as specified in such certificate;

          (b)  concurrently  with  the  delivery  of each  set of the  financial
     statements  referred  to in  paragraphs  (a) and (b) of  subsection  5.1, a
     certificate  of a  Responsible  Officer of the Company (i) stating that, to
     the best of such  officer's  knowledge,  during  such  fiscal  quarter  the
     Company has  observed or  performed  in all  material  respects  all of its
     covenants and other agreements,  and satisfied every condition contained in
     this Agreement to be observed,  performed or satisfied by it, and that such
     officer has obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except
     as specified in such certificate, and (ii) showing in reasonable detail the
     calculations supporting such statement in respect of subsections 6.9, 6.10,
     6.11, 6.12 and 6.18;

          (c) within five days after the same are filed, copies of all financial
     statements  and reports  which the  Company may make to, or file with,  the
     Securities   and  Exchange   Commission   or  any  successor  or  analogous
     Governmental Authority;

          (d) not later  than 90 days after the end of each  fiscal  year of the
     Company,  a copy of the projections by the Company of the operating  budget
     and cash flow of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  for the next succeeding
     fiscal year,  such  projections  to be  accompanied  by a certificate  of a
     Responsible Officer of the Company to the effect that such projections have


<PAGE>  63


     been prepared on a basis  consistent  with the Company's  past practice (or
     otherwise  stating the basis on which such projections have been prepared);
     and

          (e) promptly,  such additional  financial and other information as the
     Agent or any Bank may from time to time reasonably request.

     5.3 Payment of  Obligations.  Pay,  discharge  or  otherwise  satisfy at or
before  maturity or before they become  delinquent,  as the case may be, all (a)
lawful  taxes,  assessments  and  governmental  charges or levies upon it or its
property  or  assets,  and (b)  claims or  demands  of  materialmen,  mechanics,
carriers,  warehousemen,  landlords  and other like Persons  which,  in any such
case,  if unpaid  would by law give rise to a Lien upon any of its  property  or
assets,  except when the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested
in good faith by appropriate  proceedings  and reserves in conformity  with GAAP
with  respect  thereto  have been  provided  on the books of the  Company or its
Subsidiaries, as the case may be.

     5.4 Material Operating  Subsidiaries.  Give notice to the Agent (which upon
receipt  shall  give a copy  thereof  to the  Banks)  of the  occurrence  of any
Subsidiary  becoming  a Material  Operating  Subsidiary  concurrently  with such
occurrence.

     5.5 Conduct of Business and  Maintenance of Existence.  Except as permitted
by  subsection  6.4,  continue  to engage in the  Business of the  Company,  and
preserve,  renew and keep in full force and effect its  corporate  existence and
take all  reasonable  action to maintain all rights,  privileges  and franchises
necessary or desirable in the normal  conduct of its  business;  and comply with
all  Contractual   Obligations  and  Requirements  of  Law  including,   without
limitation,  ERISA  and all  Environmental  Laws and  Regulations  except to the
extent that the failure to comply therewith would not, in the aggregate,  have a
Material Adverse Effect.

     5.6  Maintenance  of  Property;  Insurance.  Keep all  property  useful and
reasonably  necessary in its business in good working order and condition except
to the extent that breach of this clause would not materially  adversely  affect
the operations of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole;  maintain
with  reputable  insurance  companies  believed by the Company to be financially
sound  insurance on all its property in at least such amounts and with only such
deductibles  and self  insurance  as are usually  maintained  by, and against at
least such risks (but  including in any event product  liability) as are usually
insured against in the same general area by, companies  engaged in the same or a
similar business; and, furnish to the Agent and each Bank, upon written request,
full information as to the insurance carried.



<PAGE>  64


     5.7  Inspection of Property;  Books and Records;  Discussions.  Keep proper
books  of  record  and  account  in which  full,  true and  correct  entries  in
conformity  with GAAP and all material  Requirements of Law shall be made of all
dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities; and permit
representatives  of the Agent or any Bank as the  representative of the Agent to
visit and inspect any of its properties and examine and make abstracts from such
of its books and records as the Agent or such Bank may reasonably request at any
reasonable  time and as often as may  reasonably be desired,  and to discuss the
aspects  of  the  business,  operations,  properties  and  financial  and  other
condition  of the  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  as the Agent or such Bank may
reasonably   request  with  officers  and  employees  of  the  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries  and with its independent  certified public  accountants,  provided
that mutually satisfactory advance arrangements for any such visit or inspection
shall be made with appropriate representatives of the Company.

     5.8 Notices. Give notice to the Agent (which upon receipt shall give a copy
thereof  to each of the  Banks)  promptly  after a  Responsible  Officer  of the
Company has actual  knowledge  thereof,  but in any event within five (or 30, in
the case of any event described in clause (c)(i) below) Business Days after such
officer shall have obtained such actual knowledge:

               (a)  of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

               (b)  of any (i) default or event of default under any Contractual
                    Obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii)
                    litigation,  investigation  or proceeding which may exist at
                    any time between the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries and
                    any  Governmental  Authority,  which, in either case, if not
                    cured or if  adversely  determined,  would  have a  Material
                    Adverse Effect;

               (c)  of  the  following   events:   (i)  the  occurrence  of  any
                    Reportable  Event with respect to any Single  Employer Plan,
                    which Reportable  Event,  together with all other Reportable
                    Events,  if any,  could  subject  the  Company or any of its
                    Subsidiaries to any tax,  penalty or other  liabilities that
                    in the  aggregate  could  reasonably  be  expected to have a
                    Material  Adverse  Effect,  or any  withdrawal  from, or the
                    receipt  by the  Company,  any  Subsidiary  or any  Commonly
                    Controlled  Entity of any notice  regarding the termination,
                    Reorganization  or Insolvency  of, any  Multiemployer  Plan;
                    (ii) the receipt or filing by the Company, any Subsidiary or
                    any Commonly  Controlled  Entity of any notice regarding the
                    institution of proceedings or the taking of any other action
                    by  PBGC,  the  Company,  any  Subsidiary  or  any  Commonly
                    Controlled Entity or Multiemployer  Plan with respect to the
                    withdrawal  from,  or  the  termination,  Reorganization  or
                    Insolvency  of, any Plan  subject to Title IV  of ERISA;  or
                    (iii) that a prohibited transaction has occurred (as defined
                    in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code),  which
                    could  subject  the  Company  or  any  Subsidiary  to tax or


<PAGE>  65


                    penalty  which  could  reasonably  be  expected  to  have  a
                    Material  Adverse  Effect;  and the Company shall update the
                    schedules  referred to in subsection 3.14 as of the date any
                    representations set forth therein is deemed to be made;

               (d)  of any litigation or proceeding affecting the Company or any
                    of  its   Subsidiaries  in  which  the  amount  involved  is
                    $10,000,000 or more and not covered by insurance or in which
                    material injunctive or similar relief is sought;

               (e)  of a material  adverse  change in the business,  operations,
                    property,  performance or condition (financial or otherwise)
                    of the  Company and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole from
                    that  reflected in the  financial  statements  most recently
                    delivered  to the Banks  pursuant to  subsection  5.1 (a) or
                    (b); and

               (f)  (i)  any  notice  of  any  violation  or  administrative  or
                    judicial  complaint or order  having been filed  against the
                    Company or such other Subsidiary  alleging violations of any
                    Environmental Laws and Regulations,  or (ii) any notice from
                    any  governmental  body  alleging  that the  Company or such
                    other  Subsidiary is or may be subject to any  Environmental
                    Liability;  and promptly upon receipt  thereof,  provide the
                    Agent with a copy of such notice.

     Upon the  request of the Agent or any Bank,  the  Company  will  reasonably
consult  with the Agent as to the  subject  matter of notices  pursuant  to this
subsection 5.8.

     5.9 Copies of Corporate Documents.  Promptly deliver to the Agent copies of
any amendments or  modifications  to the certificate of incorporation or by-laws
of the Company or any  Subsidiary,  certified with respect to the certificate of
incorporation  by the Secretary of State of the state of  incorporation  of such
Person and, with respect to the by-laws, by the secretary or assistant secretary
of such Person.

     5.10 Intentionally Omitted.

     5.11 Hazardous Material.  Operate all property owned, operated or leased by
it in such a manner  that (a) no  Hazardous  Material  shall  be  placed,  held,
located or disposed of, on,  under or at the real  property  owned,  operated or
leased by the Company or any  Subsidiary  or any part  thereof,  except for such
Hazardous  Materials  which are  necessary  for the  Company's  operation of its
business  thereon and which shall be used,  stored,  treated and  disposed of in
compliance  with all applicable  Environmental  Laws and Regulations or (b) such
real property owned,  operated or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary or any
part thereof shall not be used as a collection,  storage,  treatment or disposal
site for any Hazardous Material, except, (i) in the case of clause (b) above, in
compliance with all  Environmental  Laws or Regulations and (ii) in each case to
the extent failure to comply with this subsection 5.11, in the aggregate, would


<PAGE>  66


not have a material  adverse  effect on the  business,  operations,  property or
financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     5.12 Further  Assurances.  (a) Promptly  upon request by the Agent,  or any
Bank through the Agent,  correct, and cause each of its Subsidiaries promptly to
correct,  any  material  defect  or  error  that may be  discovered  in any Loan
Document or in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation thereof.

     (b) Promptly upon request by the Agent, or any Bank through the Agent,  do,
execute,  acknowledge,  deliver, record, re-record,  file, re-file, register and
re-register,  and  cause  each  of its  Subsidiaries  promptly  to do,  execute,
acknowledge,   deliver,   record,   re-record,   file,  re-file,   register  and
re-register,  any and all such further  acts,  pledge  agreements,  assignments,
financing statements and continuations thereof, termination statements,  notices
of assignment, transfers, certificates,  assurances and other instruments as the
Agent, or any Bank through the Agent,  may reasonably  require from time to time
in order to (i) carry out more  effectively the purposes of this Agreement,  the
Notes or any other  Loan  Document,  (ii) to the  fullest  extent  permitted  by
applicable  law,  subject  any of  the  Company's  or  any of its  Subsidiaries'
properties,  assets,  rights or interests to the Liens now or hereafter intended
to be covered by any of the Security  Documents,  (iii) perfect and maintain the
validity, effectiveness and priority of any of the Security Documents and any of
the Liens  intended to be created  thereunder  and (iv) assure,  convey,  grant,
assign, transfer,  preserve, protect and confirm more effectively unto the Agent
and the Banks the rights  granted or now or hereafter  intended to be granted to
the Agent and the Banks under any Loan  Document  or under any other  instrument
executed in connection with any Loan Document to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is or is to be a party;  provided,  however, that in any event this
subsection  5.12 shall not require  Liens on, and the  execution and delivery of
Security Documents  covering,  any property to the extent not otherwise required
by the terms of the Loan Documents.

     5.13 Compliance  with Terms of Leaseholds.  Make all payments and otherwise
perform all  obligations  in respect of all leases of real property to which the
Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party,  keep such leases in full force
and effect and not allow such leases to lapse or be  terminated or any rights to
renew such leases to be forfeited or cancelled,  notify the Agent of any default
by any party with  respect to such  leases and  cooperate  with the Agent in all
respects to cure any such default,  except, in any case, where the failure to do
so, either  individually or in the aggregate,  would not be reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect.

     5.14 Performance of Related Documents. Perform and observe all of the terms
and  provisions  of each  Related  Document to be  performed  or observed by it,
maintain  each such  Related  Document  in full force and effect,  enforce  such
Related Document in accordance with its terms, take all such action to such end


<PAGE>  67


as may be from time to time reasonably  requested by the Agent and, upon request
of the  Agent,  make to each  other  party to each such  Related  Document  such
demands and requests for information and reports or for action as the Company or
other  Loan  Party (as  applicable)  is  entitled  to make  under  such  Related
Document,  except, in any case, where the failure to do so, either  individually
or in the aggregate, could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

     5.15 Hedge Agreements.  Maintain at all times Hedge Agreements with Persons
acceptable to the Agent,  covering a notional amount of not less than 40% of the
Company  Commitments and providing for such Persons to make payments  thereunder
for a period of no less than two years to the extent of  increases  in  interest
rates greater than 3% above the weighted  average  Eurodollar  Rate on the First
Closing Date.

     5.16 Conditions Subsequent to Second Closing Date. (a) Use its best efforts
to deliver to the Agent, in form and substance  satisfactory to the Agent and in
sufficient  copies for each Bank, as soon as possible and in any event within 45
days after the Second  Closing  Date (or such later date as may be agreed by the
Company and the Agent)  evidence that all action as the Agent may deem necessary
or  desirable  in order to perfect  and  protect  the first  priority  liens and
security  interests created under the Company Security  Agreement has been taken
(including,  without limitation,  obtaining landlord's letters, bailee's letters
or warehouseman's letters, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Agent); and

     (b) Deliver to the Agent,  in form and substance  satisfactory to the Agent
and in  sufficient  copies for each Bank, by January 7, 1999 (or such later date
as may be agreed by the Company and the Agent),  a favorable  opinion of Ropes &
Gray, counsel to Nortek, the Company and its Subsidiaries,  regarding perfection
matters.

           SECTION 6.NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     Each of the Company and each  Designated  Subsidiary  hereby  covenants and
agrees with the Agent and the Banks that, from and after the Second Closing Date
until the  Obligations  are paid in full and the  Commitments are terminated and
all L/Cs  have  expired  or been duly  terminated,  none of the  Company  or any
Designated  Subsidiary  shall,  or  shall  permit  any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
directly or indirectly:

     6.1 Limitation on Indebtedness.  Create,  incur,  assume or suffer to exist
any Indebtedness, except:

               (a)  the Company Loans and the L/Cs;



<PAGE>  68


               (b)  Indebtedness  of the Company to any  Subsidiary,  and of any
                    Subsidiary to the Company, any other Subsidiary,  so long as
                    such  Indebtedness  remains  subordinated to the Obligations
                    under   the  Loan   Documents   on  terms   and   conditions
                    satisfactory to the Banks;

               (c)  Indebtedness  of the  Company  and  any of its  Subsidiaries
                    under  Financing  Leases,  or  Indebtedness   incurred  upon
                    refinancing  or replacement  of such  Financing  Leases,  or
                    Indebtedness incurred in connection with (and not later than
                    180 days  following,  in the case of the acquisition of land
                    or  improvements;  or 45 days following,  in the case of the
                    acquisition of other  property) the acquisition of property,
                    or Indebtedness incurred to renew, extend, refund, refinance
                    or replace the foregoing,  in an aggregate  principal amount
                    not  exceeding  as  to  the  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries
                    $35,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

               (d)  certain Indebtedness listed on Schedule 3.22 and outstanding
                    on  the  First  Closing  Date,  and  extensions,   renewals,
                    refundings,  refinancings and replacements thereof, provided
                    that Indebtedness  under that certain Credit Agreement dated
                    February 24,  1994 (as  amended  prior to  August 26,  1997)
                    among the Company, certain of its Subsidiaries,  the lenders
                    party   thereto  and  Fleet,   as   successor   to  National
                    Westminster Bank USA, as agent, may not be outstanding after
                    August 26,   1997;  and  Indebtedness  incurred  to  finance
                    property  currently  subject to  existing  operating  leases
                    existing on the First  Closing  Date, to the extent that (i)
                    the  corresponding  operating lease is terminated,  and (ii)
                    the aggregate debt service under such  Indebtedness does not
                    exceed the aggregate  rental payments saved as a consequence
                    of the termination of such lease;

               (e)  Indebtedness  of a  corporation  which  becomes a Subsidiary
                    after   the  First   Closing   Date,   provided   that  such
                    Indebtedness  existed at the time such corporation  became a
                    Subsidiary and was not created in anticipation thereof;

               (f)  unsecured subordinated Indebtedness of the Company, provided
                    that such Indebtedness is on such terms and pursuant to such
                    documentation  as the Required  Banks shall  approve,  which
                    approval shall not be unreasonably withheld;

               (g)  Indebtedness of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  evidenced
                    by promissory notes or other contractual  obligations of the
                    Company  given to the  sellers as part of the  consideration
                    for acquisitions permitted by subsection 6.7; and

               (h)  other  Indebtedness of the Company and its  Subsidiaries not
                    to  exceed  $10,000,000  in the  aggregate  at any one  time
                    outstanding;   provided,   however,   that   the   aggregate
                    Indebtedness  of the Company  under this  clause  (h),  when
                    added to the Indebtedness under clauses (e) (other than


<PAGE>  69


                    Indebtedness   constituting   Existing  Napco  Debt  or  the
                    Existing  Napco L/C) and (g) of this  subsection  6.1, shall
                    not exceed,  in the years  indicated,  the amounts set forth
                    below:


               Year                                 Amount
               1997                               $20,000,000
               1998                               $25,000,000
               1999                               $30,000,000
               2000                               $35,000,000
               2001 (and each year thereafter)    $40,000,000


provided,  however, that such Indebtedness shall not be owed to Nortek or any of
its Subsidiaries  (other than  Subsidiaries  consisting of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, to the extent permitted above).

     6.2 Limitation on Liens. Create,  incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien
upon any of its  property,  assets or  revenues,  whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, other than:

               (a)  Liens for  taxes,  assessments,  fees or other  governmental
                    charges  not yet due or which  are being  contested  in good
                    faith  by  appropriate   proceedings  or  other  appropriate
                    actions,   provided  that  adequate  reserves  with  respect
                    thereto  are  maintained  on the books of the Company or its
                    Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in conformity with GAAP;

               (b)  statutory  liens of  landlords,  carriers',  warehouseman's,
                    mechanics', materialmen's,  repairmen's, or other like Liens
                    arising in the  ordinary  course of business and not overdue
                    for a  period  of  more  than 60 days  or  which  are  being
                    contested in good faith by appropriate  proceedings or other
                    appropriate actions;

               (c)  pledges   or   deposits   in   connection    with   workers'
                    compensation,   unemployment   insurance  and  other  social
                    security legislation;

               (d)  deposits to secure the performance of tenders,  bids,  trade
                    contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases, statutory
                    obligations,  surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and
                    other  obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary
                    course of business or deposits  incurred in connection  with
                    other  obligations to the extent such other  obligations are
                    covered by insurance;



<PAGE>  70


               (e)  easements,   (including,   without  limitation,   reciprocal
                    easement agreements and utility agreements),  rights-of-way,
                    covenants,  consents,  reservations,   encroachments,  minor
                    defects or  irregularities  in title,  variations  and other
                    restrictions,   charges  or  encumbrances  (whether  or  not
                    recorded)   affecting  real  or  personal  property,   which
                    individually   or  in  the  aggregate  do  not  or  are  not
                    reasonably  likely to have a material  adverse effect on the
                    conduct  by  the  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  of  their
                    businesses taken as a whole;

               (f)  Liens in  existence  on the  First  Closing  Date  listed on
                    Schedule 6.2 securing  Indebtedness  permitted by subsection
                    6.1,  provided  that no such  Lien is  spread  to cover  any
                    additional  property (other than the proceeds thereof) after
                    the  First  Closing  Date and that the  principal  amount of
                    Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased;

               (g)  Liens   securing   Indebtedness   of  the  Company  and  its
                    Subsidiaries  permitted by  subsection  6.1(c) in respect of
                    the deferred  acquisition  price of property,  provided that
                    (i) such Liens shall be created not later than  (A) 180 days
                    after the  acquisition  of such property in the case of land
                    or  improvements,  and (B) 45 days after the  acquisition of
                    other property,  (ii) such Liens do not at any time encumber
                    any  property  other  than  the  property  financed  by such
                    Indebtedness  and the proceeds of such property so financed,
                    (iii) the principal  amount of Indebtedness  secured thereby
                    is  not  increased   and  (iv)  the   principal   amount  of
                    Indebtedness  secured  by any  such  Lien  shall  at no time
                    exceed the original acquisition price of such property;

               (h)  Liens on the  property  or  assets  of a  corporation  which
                    becomes a Subsidiary  after the First  Closing Date securing
                    Indebtedness  permitted by subsection 6.1(e),  provided that
                    (i) such Liens existed at the time such corporation became a
                    Subsidiary  and were not  created in  anticipation  thereof,
                    (ii) no such Lien is spread to cover any  property or assets
                    of such corporation after the time such corporation  becomes
                    a Subsidiary  (other than proceeds of the property or assets
                    which were the  original  subjects of such Lien),  and (iii)
                    the principal amount of Indebtedness  secured thereby is not
                    increased after such time;

               (i)  Liens   existing  on   property  or  assets   prior  to  the
                    acquisition  thereof  by  the  Company  or  any  Subsidiary,
                    provided   that  (i)  such   Liens   were  not   created  in
                    anticipation  thereof,  (ii) no such Lien is spread to cover
                    any  additional  property  (other  than the  proceeds of the
                    property or assets which were the  original  subject of such
                    Lien) and (iii) the principal amount of Indebtedness secured
                    thereby is not increased;

               (j)  Liens arising out of the  refinancing,  extension,  renewal,
                    refunding or replacement of any Indebtedness  secured by any
                    Lien   permitted  by  any  of  the  other  clauses  of  this
                    subsection,  provided  that (i) no such  Lien is  spread  to
                    cover any additional property (other than the proceeds of


<PAGE>  71


                    the property  which was the  original  subject of such Lien)
                    and  (ii)  the  principal  amount  of  Indebtedness  secured
                    thereby is not increased;

               (k)  Liens arising pursuant to any order of attachment, distraint
                    or similar  legal process  arising in connection  with court
                    proceedings  so long as the  execution or other  enforcement
                    thereof is effectively stayed and the claims secured thereby
                    are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
                    or other appropriate action;

               (l)  Liens securing reimbursement  obligations in connection with
                    trade  letters of credit  issued on behalf of the Company or
                    any  Subsidiary  in the  ordinary  course  of its  business,
                    provided  that  such  Liens  attach  solely to the goods the
                    acquisition  of which is  financed  by such letter of credit
                    and to the proceeds thereof;

               (m)  Intentionally omitted;

               (n)  Liens arising under the Security Documents;

               (o) Financing Leases permitted under subsection 6.1; and

               (p)  Other Liens  securing  obligations  which do not  constitute
                    Indebtedness, the aggregate amount of which obligations does
                    not exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding.

     6.3 Limitation on Contingent  Obligations.  Create, incur, assume or suffer
to exist  any  Contingent  Obligation,  except  (a)  Contingent  Obligations  in
existence  on the First  Closing  Date listed on Schedule  6.3,  (b)  Contingent
Obligations of the Company in respect of  obligations of any Material  Operating
Subsidiary or of any  Subsidiary in respect of Obligations of the Company or any
Material Operating Subsidiary, (c) Contingent Obligations of the Company and its
Subsidiaries  supporting  primary  obligations  of other  Persons the  aggregate
amount of which does not exceed $4,000,000 at any time and (d) guarantees by the
Company  or any  Material  Operating  Subsidiary  of leases of  tractors  and/or
trailers  entered into in the ordinary course of business from time to time by a
wholly-owned  Subsidiary  of the Company or such Material  Operating  Subsidiary
which provides  transportation  services  exclusively to such Material Operating
Subsidiary (and which conducts no other business activities).

     6.4   Limitation  on  Fundamental   Changes.   Enter  into  any  merger  or
consolidation  or  amalgamation,  or liquidate,  wind up or dissolve  itself (or
suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer
or otherwise dispose of its property, business or assets except the following:



<PAGE>  72


               (a)  The  Company  and  any  of  its  Subsidiaries  may  sell  or
                    otherwise  dispose of (i) inventory and Cash  Equivalents in
                    the ordinary course of business,  (ii) tangible assets to be
                    replaced in the ordinary course of business within 12 months
                    by other tangible assets of equal or greater value and (iii)
                    tangible  assets  that are no  longer  used or useful in the
                    business of the Company or the  applicable  Subsidiary,  the
                    fair market  value of which shall not exceed  $2,000,000  in
                    any fiscal year of the Company.

               (b)  Mergers  constituting  investments  permitted by  subsection
                    6.7.

               (c)  Licensing of products and  intangible  assets for fair value
                    in the ordinary course of business.

               (d)  So  long as  immediately  before  and  after  giving  effect
                    thereto no Default or Event of Default  exists,  the Company
                    and its  Subsidiaries  may sell assets  having a fair market
                    value not  exceeding  $25,000,000  in any fiscal year of the
                    Company so long as the Net  Proceeds  thereof are applied to
                    repay the Company Loans as required by subsection 2.8(d).

               (e)  Asset Sales; provided, however, that

               (i)  the Net Proceeds from all such sales or  dispositions  shall
                    not  exceed  $150,000,000  in the  aggregate  from the First
                    Closing Date through the term of this Agreement;

               (ii) the   consideration   received   by  the   Company   or  its
                    Subsidiaries  from each such sale or disposition is at least
                    equal  to the  fair  market  value  of the  assets  sold  or
                    disposed of in such sale or disposition;

               (iii)the Net Proceeds from such sale or  disposition in each case
                    shall be applied in accordance with subsection 2.8(d); and

               (iv) any evidence of  indebtedness  referred to in the definition
                    of Net  Proceeds  shall be  pledged in  accordance  with the
                    provisions of such definition.

               (f)  Any   Subsidiaries   of  the   Company   may  be  merged  or
                    consolidated  with or into the  Company  (provided  that the
                    continuing or surviving corporation shall be the Company) or
                    with or into any one or more  wholly-owned  Subsidiaries  of
                    the Company  (provided that a wholly-owned  Subsidiary shall
                    be the continuing or surviving corporation and that any such
                    wholly-owned  Subsidiary shall be organized under a state of
                    the United States).



<PAGE>  73


               (g)  Any  wholly-owned  Subsidiary may sell,  lease,  transfer or
                    otherwise  dispose  of  any  or  all  of  its  assets  (upon
                    voluntary  liquidation  or  otherwise)  to the  Company or a
                    wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company.

               (h)  The Company may merge with the Purchaser pursuant to, and in
                    accordance  with, the Merger  Agreement,  and Napco Target I
                    and  Napco  Target II may  merge  with the  Napco  Purchaser
                    pursuant  to,  and in  accordance  with,  the  Napco  Merger
                    Agreement.

     6.5  Distributions.  During  such time as a Default  or an Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, or if a Default or Event of Default would
result  therefrom,  (a)  declare or pay any  dividends,  (b)  purchase,  redeem,
retire,  defease or otherwise  acquire for value any of its capital stock or any
warrants,  rights or options to acquire  such  capital  stock,  now or hereafter
outstanding,  (c) return any capital to its  stockholders  as such, (d) make any
distribution of assets, capital stock, warrants, rights, options, obligations or
securities to its  stockholders  as such, (e) issue or sell any capital stock or
any warrants,  rights or options to acquire such capital stock or (f) permit any
of its Subsidiaries to purchase,  redeem,  retire,  defease or otherwise acquire
for value any capital stock of the Company or any warrants, rights or options to
acquire  such  capital  stock  or to  issue  or sell  any  capital  stock or any
warrants,  rights or options to acquire such capital stock;  provided,  however,
that notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection 6.5, but in any
event subject to the other  provisions of this Agreement,  during such time as a
Default or an Event of Default  shall have occurred and be  continuing,  or if a
Default or Event of Default would result therefrom, the Company (i) may make any
dividend payable solely in shares of its common stock and (ii) may pay dividends
in an aggregate amount during any calendar year not to exceed the lesser of: (A)
twenty ($.20) cents per share of outstanding common stock and (B) $4,000,000.

     6.6 Limitation on Dividend Restrictions Regarding Subsidiaries.  Except for
any limitation or restriction pursuant to any applicable law or pursuant to this
Agreement, permit any limitation or restriction to exist upon the ability of any
Subsidiary  to declare or pay  dividends in respect of the capital stock of such
Subsidiary, whether such limitation or restriction is imposed through a covenant
limiting dividends, through financial covenants or otherwise.

     6.7 Prohibition on Investments,  Acquisitions, Loans and Advances. Make any
advance,  loan,  extension of credit or capital contribution to, or purchase any
stock,  bonds,  notes,  debentures  or other  securities  of,  or make any other
investment  in, or purchase any assets  constituting  a going  concern  business
from,  any Persons (all of the  foregoing  being herein  called  "investments"),
except:

          (a)  extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business;


<PAGE>  74


          (b)  investments in Cash Equivalents;

          (c)  loans  and   advances  to   employees   of  the  Company  or  its
               Subsidiaries  for travel,  entertainment,  relocation and similar
               expenses or otherwise, in the ordinary course of business;

          (d)  investments by the Company in its Subsidiaries and investments by
               such  Subsidiaries  in the  Company  and in  other  Subsidiaries;
               provided that there shall not be  outstanding at any time Special
               Subsidiary  Loans in an aggregate  principal  amount in excess of
               $15,000,000;

          (e)  (i) investments by the Napco Purchaser in order to consummate the
               Napco  Transaction  so long as the aggregate  amount  invested in
               connection therewith (whether cash, equity, assumption of debt or
               otherwise)  shall not exceed  the sum of the Napco Cash  Purchase
               Price plus  $9,900,000 and (ii) other  investments by the Company
               and  its  Subsidiaries  not  to  exceed  (A) $50,000,000  in  the
               aggregate   during   any   fiscal   year  of  the   Company   and
               (B) $100,000,000  in the  aggregate  from the First  Closing Date
               through  the  term of this  Agreement  (the  amount  of any  such
               investment to be determined at cost, which cost shall include the
               aggregate  amount  of  any  Indebtedness   assumed  or  given  in
               connection  therewith) in connection  with the acquisition of the
               stock of any corporation or of the assets of any Person, provided
               that,  in  the  case  of  clauses  (i)  and  (ii), (w)  any  such
               investment shall have been approved or otherwise  endorsed by the
               board  of  directors  of the  applicable  target  (if any) or not
               contested  (if  no  board   approval  is   required),   (x)  such
               corporation or assets are, prior to such acquisition,  engaged or
               used, as the case may be, in a business of the type  described in
               subsection 5.5, (y) the Company shall be in pro forma  compliance
               with the covenants  contained in subsections  6.9, 6.10, 6.11 and
               6.12,  calculated based on the most recent  financial  statements
               delivered to the Agent and the Bank pursuant to subsection 5.1(a)
               or (b), as though such  acquisition had occurred at the beginning
               of the  four-quarter  period  ending  on the last day of the most
               recently  completed  fiscal  quarter  of the  Company  for  which
               results  are  available,  and  (z) immediately  before  and after
               giving effect to such acquisition, no Default shall have occurred
               and be continuing or would result therefrom;

          (f)  investments  made with capital stock of the Company in connection
               with  the  acquisition  of the  stock  of any  corporation  which
               becomes a  Subsidiary,  which  thereupon  shall be deemed to be a
               Material  Operating  Subsidiary,  or of the assets of any Person,
               provided  that (i) such  acquisition  shall have been approved or
               otherwise  endorsed by the board of  directors  of such Person or
               not  contested  (if no board  approval is required) and (ii) such
               corporation or assets are, prior to such acquisition,  engaged or


<PAGE>  75


               used, as the case may be, in a business of the type  described in
               subsection 5.5;

          (g)  investments  made with common stock of the Company in  connection
               with the acquisition of the stock of any  corporation  which does
               not become a Subsidiary as a result of such acquisition, provided
               that the aggregate  amount of such  investments  shall not exceed
               $10,000,000  from the First Closing Date through the term of this
               Agreement (the amount of the investment, in the case of each such
               acquisition,  being  the  market  value,  on  the  date  of  such
               acquisition,  of the common  stock of the  Company  delivered  as
               consideration in such acquisition);

          (h)  other  investments  (but not a  Special  Subsidiary  Loan) not to
               exceed  $20,000,000 in the aggregate  (valued at cost) at any one
               time  outstanding  and  (except  in the  case  of  United  States
               government securities) not to exceed $4,000,000 in the securities
               of any one issuer; and

          (i)  so long as no  Default or Event of Default  has  occurred  and is
               continuing  and so long as no Default  or Event of Default  would
               result therefrom, investments by the Company and its Subsidiaries
               in Nortek; provided that,  notwithstanding the foregoing,  during
               the occurrence and  continuance of a Default or Event of Default,
               or if a Default or Event of Default would result  therefrom,  the
               Company and its  Subsidiaries  may make  investments in Nortek to
               the extent that the Company and its  Subsidiaries  are  otherwise
               permitted to make investments under this subsection 6.7.

     6.8 Prohibition on Optional Prepayments.  Prepay, purchase, redeem, retire,
defease or otherwise  acquire,  or make any  optional  payment on account of any
principal of,  interest on, or premium  payable in connection  with the optional
prepayment,  redemption or retirement of any of its  Subordinated  Indebtedness,
provided,  however, that in each other case nothing in this subsection 6.8 shall
be deemed to prevent the Company from:

          (a)  making a commitment to prepay, redeem or otherwise acquire or pay
               any Subordinated  Indebtedness  which by its terms is convertible
               into common  stock of the Company for the purpose of inducing the
               holders of such Indebtedness to so convert such Indebtedness; and

          (b)  in  connection  with  any  induced   conversions  of  convertible
               subordinated   Indebtedness,   acquiring   or  paying   any  such
               Indebtedness  which is not  converted  into  common  stock of the
               Company  as a  result  of  such  inducement,  provided  that  the
               aggregate  amount  of  money  expended  by the  Company  and  its
               Subsidiaries in connection with such acquisition and payment does
               not exceed the sum of (i) the net cash proceeds to the Company of
               any  substantially  contemporaneous  sale  of its  common  stock,


<PAGE>  76


               (ii) an amount equal to 2% of the aggregate  principal  amount of
               the  issue  of  convertible  subordinated  Indebtedness  being so
               acquired  or paid  outstanding  immediately  prior to the  public
               announcement  by the Company of such  acquisition  or payment and
               (iii) the fees and  expenses  incurred  in  connection  with such
               acquisition or payment.

     6.9 Consolidated Net Worth.  Permit Consolidated Net Worth, at any time, to
be less than an amount  equal to the amount by which  $375,000,000  exceeds  the
lesser  of (a)  losses  on the sale of  Non-Core  Subsidiaries  after  the First
Closing Date and (b) $25,000,000.

     6.10  Leverage  Ratio.  Permit  the ratio  (the  "Leverage  Ratio")  of (a)
consolidated   Indebtedness   of  the  Company  and  its   Subsidiaries  to  (b)
Consolidated EBITDA for the four most recent consecutive full fiscal quarters of
the  Company at any time  within any period set forth  below to exceed the ratio
set forth below for such period:

Quarter Ending On                                        Maximum Leverage Ratio
September 30, 1997 .....................................        3.50:1.00
December 31, 1997 ......................................        3.50:1.00
March 31, 1998 .........................................        3.50:1.00
June 30, 1998 ..........................................        3.50:1.00
September 30, 1998 .....................................        3.50:1.00
December 31, 1998 ......................................        3.00:1.00
March 31, 1999 .........................................        2.75:1.00
June 30, 1999 ..........................................        2.50:1.00
September 30, 1999 .....................................        2.50:1.00
December 31, 1999 ......................................        2.50:1.00
March 31, 2000 .........................................        2.50:1.00
June 30, 2000  and thereafter...........................        2.00:1.00


     6.11 Interest Coverage Ratio.  Permit the ratio of (a) Consolidated  EBITDA
to (b)  Interest  Expense  for the four  most  recent  consecutive  full  fiscal
quarters of the Company at any time to be less than 3.50 to 1.00.

     6.12 Current  Ratio.  Permit the ratio of  Consolidated  Current  Assets to
Consolidated Current Liabilities at any time to be less than 2.0 to 1.0.

     6.13 Nortek  Administrative  Fee.  Pay or  otherwise  discharge  any Nortek
Administrative  Fee at any time prior to the Termination  Date,  except that the
Company may pay such Nortek Administrative Fee from time to time to the extent


<PAGE>  77


that it would otherwise be permitted to declare or pay dividends at such time in
the amount of such Nortek Administrative Fee in accordance with subsection 6.5.

     6.14 Amendment, etc. of Related Documents.  Cancel or terminate any Related
Document or consent to or accept any cancellation or termination thereof, amend,
modify or change in any manner any term or condition of any Related  Document or
give any consent, waiver or approval thereunder,  waive any default under or any
breach of any term or condition of any Related Document,  agree in any manner to
any other  amendment,  modification  or change of any term or  condition  of any
Related  Document  or take any  other  action  in  connection  with any  Related
Document,  in each case, that would materially  adversely affect the interest or
rights of the  Company or any  Subsidiary  thereunder  or that would  materially
adversely affect the rights or interests of the Agent or any Bank under the Loan
Documents.

     6.15  Fiscal  Year.  Change its fiscal  year,  except (a) to conform to the
fiscal  year of Nortek  following  the  Merger or the Napco  Merger (b) with the
consent of the Agent, which will not be unreasonably withheld.

     6.16  Transactions with Affiliates.  Except as otherwise  permitted by this
Agreement,  directly or  indirectly:  (a) make any  investment  in an  Affiliate
except that any investments  permitted  under  subsection 6.7 shall be permitted
hereunder;  (b) transfer, sell, lease, assign or otherwise dispose of any assets
to an  Affiliate;  (c) merge into or  consolidate  with or  purchase  or acquire
assets from an Affiliate;  or (d) enter into any other  transaction  directly or
indirectly  with  any  Affiliate;  provided,  however,  that:  (i)  payments  on
investments  permitted by subsection 6.7 shall be permitted hereunder,  (ii) any
Affiliate  who is a natural  person may serve as an  employee or director of the
Company,  any  Subsidiary,  Nortek or any of its  Subsidiaries  and receive such
compensation  and  benefits  for his  services in such  capacity as the Board of
Directors of the Company or such Subsidiary shall in good faith determine, (iii)
any merger permitted under subsection 6.4 shall be permitted hereunder, (iv) any
dividend or other distribution permitted under subsection 6.5 shall be permitted
hereunder,  (v)  accrual  of, or to the extent  permitted  by  subsection  6.13,
payment  or  discharge  of,  any Nortek  Administrative  Fee shall be  permitted
hereunder and (vi) the Company or any Subsidiary may enter into any  transaction
with an Affiliate if the monetary or business  consideration  arising  therefrom
would be  substantially  as  advantageous  to the Company or a Subsidiary as the
monetary  or business  consideration  that would  reasonably  be expected by the
Company  or  such  Subsidiary  to  be  obtained  in a  comparable  arm's  length
transaction with a Person not an Affiliate.

     6.17 Ownership of Designated  Subsidiaries.  Cease to own all of the issued
and outstanding  capital stock of any Designated  Subsidiary so long as any such
Subsidiary continues to be a Designated Subsidiary.


<PAGE>  78


     6.18 Limitation on Capital  Expenditures.  Make Capital Expenditures (i) in
excess of $125,000,000  during the five-year  period ending with the Termination
Date,  (ii) in excess of  $37,500,000  during any fiscal year which  follows the
1996 fiscal  year,  or (iii) in excess of  $56,250,000  during any period of two
consecutive fiscal years following the 1996 fiscal year.

     6.19  Financing  Leases.  Create,  incur,  assume  or  suffer  to exist any
Financing  Leases  obligations  that  would  cause  the  direct  and  contingent
liabilities of the Company and its  Subsidiaries,  on a consolidated  basis,  in
respect  of all  such  Financing  Leases  to  exceed  $35,000,000  at  any  time
outstanding.

     6.20 Change in Nature of Business.  Engage in any  business  other than the
Business of the Company.

     6.21 Charter  Amendments.  Amend its certificate of incorporation or bylaws
in any manner that would materially adversely affect the rights of the Agent and
the Banks under the Loan Documents.

     6.22 Accounting  Changes.  Make or permit any change in accounting policies
or  reporting  practices,  except as required by generally  accepted  accounting
principles and except for the purpose of conforming  such policies and practices
of the Company or Napco with those of Nortek  following  the Merger or the Napco
Merger, respectively.

     6.23 Intentionally Omitted.

     6.24  Negative  Pledge.  Enter  into  or  suffer  to  exist  any  agreement
prohibiting or  conditioning  the creation or assumption of any Lien upon any of
its property or assets other than (i) in favor of the Secured Parties or (ii) in
connection with the Nortek Indentures.

     6.25  Formation  of  Subsidiaries.  Organize or invest in any new  Material
Operating  Subsidiary  or permit any  existing  Subsidiary  to become a Material
Operating  Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary shall have executed and delivered a
Guaranty and a Company Security Agreement supplement, each in form and substance
satisfactory  to the Agent,  and shall have become a Guarantor  and a Collateral
Grantor under the Loan Documents.

           SECTION 7.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     Upon the  occurrence  and during the  continuance  of any of the  following
events:



<PAGE>  79


          (a)  (i) The Company or any  Designated  Subsidiary  shall fail to pay
               any principal of any Note when due in  accordance  with the terms
               of the Loan Documents or the applicable  Account Party shall fail
               to make any  payment in  respect  of L/Cs when due in  accordance
               with  subsection  2.1(c)(i)(D)  or (ii) the  Company or any other
               Loan Party shall fail to pay any  interest,  any fee or any other
               payment under any Loan Document,  the amount of which is provided
               for herein,  in the Fee Letter or in such Loan  Document,  within
               five (5)  Business  Days  after any such  amount  becomes  due in
               accordance with the terms hereof or thereof; or

          (b)  Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Company
               or any of its  Subsidiaries  in this  Agreement,  any other  Loan
               Document or in any  certificate,  document or  financial or other
               statement  furnished at any time under or in connection  herewith
               or therewith  shall prove to have been  incorrect in any material
               respect on or as of the date made, deemed made or confirmed; or

          (c)  The  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall  default  in the
               observance or performance of any covenant or agreement  contained
               in subsection 5.8(a) or Section 6 of this Agreement; or

          (d)  The  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall  default  in the
               observance  or  performance  of any other  covenant or  agreement
               contained  in this  Agreement,  or  contained in any of the other
               Loan  Documents  (other  than as set forth in clauses (a) through
               (c) of this Section 7) and such default shall continue unremedied
               for a period of 30 days  after the  earlier  of the date on which
               (A) a  Responsible  Officer of the Company  becomes aware of such
               failure or (B) written  notice  thereof  shall have been given to
               the Company by the Agent or any Bank; or

          (e)  The Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall (i) default in the
               payment of  principal of or interest on any  Indebtedness  (other
               than the Notes) which  Indebtedness is in an aggregate  principal
               amount equal to or greater than  $10,000,000 or in the payment of
               any Contingent  Obligation (other than any Guaranty)  relating to
               any primary obligation the aggregate principal amount of which is
               equal to or greater than $10,000,000, beyond the period of grace,
               if any,  provided in the instrument or agreement under which such
               Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation was created or (ii) default
               in the  observance  or  performance  of any  other  agreement  or
               condition  relating  to any  such  Indebtedness  (other  than the
               Notes) or  Contingent  Obligation  (other than any  Guaranty)  or
               contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing,  securing or
               relating thereto,  or contained in any Nortek  Indenture,  or any
               other event shall occur or condition  exist,  the effect of which
               default  or  other  event  or   condition   described  in  either
               clause (i)  or (ii) of this  paragraph is to cause,  or to permit
               the holder or  holders of such  Indebtedness  or  beneficiary  or
               beneficiaries  of such  Contingent  Obligation  (or a trustee  or


<PAGE>  80


               agent on  behalf of such  holder or  holders  or  beneficiary  or
               beneficiaries)  to cause such Indebtedness to become due prior to
               its  stated  maturity  or such  Contingent  Obligation  to become
               payable; or

          (f)  (i) The Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall  commence  any
               case, proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future
               law  of  any  jurisdiction,  domestic  or  foreign,  relating  to
               bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization  or relief  of  debtors,
               seeking to have an order for relief  entered  with respect to it,
               or seeking to adjudicate it as bankrupt or insolvent,  or seeking
               reorganization,  arrangement,  adjustment,  wind-up, liquidation,
               dissolution,  composition  or other  relief with respect to it or
               its debts,  or (B) seeking  appointment  of a receiver,  trustee,
               custodian  or  other  similar  official  for it or for all or any
               substantial  part of its  assets,  or the  Company  or any of its
               Subsidiaries  shall make a general  assignment for the benefit of
               its  creditors;  or (ii) there  shall be  commenced  against  the
               Company or any of its Subsidiaries  any such case,  proceeding or
               other  action  referred to in clause (i) which (A) results in the
               entry  of an  order  for  relief  or  any  such  adjudication  or
               appointment or (B) remains undismissed, unstayed, undischarged or
               unbonded  for a  period  of 60  days;  or  (iii)  there  shall be
               commenced  against  the  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  any
               case, proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a warrant of
               attachment,  execution,  distraint or similar process against all
               or any substantial  part of its assets which results in the entry
               of an order  for any  such  relief  which  shall  not  have  been
               vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60
               days from the entry  thereof;  or (iv) the  Company or any of its
               Subsidiaries shall take any action authorizing, or in furtherance
               of, or indicating  its consent to,  approval of, or  acquiescence
               in, any of the acts set forth above in clause (i),  (ii) or (iii)
               above;  or (v)  the  Company  or any  of its  Subsidiaries  shall
               generally  not,  or shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing
               its inability to, pay its debts as they become due; or

          (g)  One or more  judgments  or decrees  shall be entered  against the
               Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  involving in the aggregate a
               liability  (to the extent not paid or fully covered by insurance)
               of $5,000,000 or more and all such judgments or decrees shall not
               have  been  vacated,  satisfied,  discharged,  stayed  or  bonded
               pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or

          (h)  (i) Any Person shall engage in any "prohibited  transaction"  (as
               defined  in  Section  406 of ERISA or  Section  4975 of the Code)
               involving any Plan or engage in a transaction which could subject
               such person to liability under Section 502(l) of ERISA,  (ii) any
               "accumulated  funding  deficiency"  (as defined in Section 302 of
               ERISA),  whether or not waived,  shall exist with  respect to any
               Single Employer Plan,  (iii) a  Reportable Event shall occur with
               respect  to,  or  proceedings  shall  commence  to have a trustee
               appointed,  or a trustee shall be appointed,  to administer or to

<PAGE>  81



               terminate,  any Single Employer Plan,  which  Reportable Event or
               institution of proceedings or appointment of a trustee is, in the
               reasonable  opinion  of  the  Agent,  likely  to  result  in  the
               termination of any Single  Employer Plan for purposes of Title IV
               of ERISA,  (iv) any Single  Employer Plan shall,  other than in a
               standard  termination,  terminate  for  purposes  of  Title IV of
               ERISA, or the Company,  any Subsidiary or any Commonly Controlled
               Entity  shall  file a notice  of  intent  to  terminate  a Single
               Employer Plan in a distress  termination under Section 4041(c) of
               ERISA,  or (v) the  Company  or any  Commonly  Controlled  Entity
               shall, or is, in the reasonable opinion of the Agent,  likely to,
               incur any  liability in  connection  with its failure to meet any
               obligation arising out of a withdrawal from, or the Insolvency or
               Reorganization  of,  a  Multiemployer  Plan  and in each  case in
               clauses (i) through (v) above, such event or condition,  together
               with all other  such  events or  conditions,  if any,  which have
               occurred  or exist  could  reasonably  be expected to subject the
               Company or any of its  Subsidiaries to any tax,  penalty or other
               liabilities that in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to
               have a Material Adverse Effect; or

          (i)  A Change of Control shall occur; or

          (j)  any non-monetary judgment or decree shall be rendered against the
               Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  that  could  reasonably  be
               likely to have a Material  Adverse  Effect,  and such judgment or
               decree shall not have been vacated, satisfied, discharged, stayed
               or bonded  pending  appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof;
               or

          (k)  (i) any  provision of any Loan Document  after  delivery  thereof
               pursuant  to  subsection  4.1 shall for any  reason  (other  than
               pursuant to the terms  thereof) cease to be valid and binding on,
               or enforceable  against,  any of the Company or its  Subsidiaries
               which are party  thereto;  or (ii) any  Security  Document  after
               delivery thereof shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the
               terms  thereof)  cease to  create  a valid  and  perfected  first
               priority  (subject  during  the first 45 days  after  the  Second
               Closing  Date (or such  later date as agreed by the Agent and the
               Company as specified in  subsection 5.16)  only to the completion
               of  the  actions  required  under  subsection 5.16)  lien  on and
               security  interest  in the  Collateral  purported  to be  covered
               thereby;  or (iii) in  the case of clause (i) or (ii) above,  the
               Company or any Subsidiary shall so state in writing;

then, and in any such event, (x) if such event is an Event of Default  specified
in  paragraph  (f)  above  with  respect  to  the  Company,   automatically  the
Commitments  shall  immediately  terminate and the Company Loans hereunder (with
accrued  interest  thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and
the Notes shall immediately become due and payable, and (y) if such event is any
other Event of Default,  either or both of the  following  actions may be taken:
(1) with the consent of the Required Banks, the Agent may, or upon the request


<PAGE>  82


of the Required Banks,  the Agent shall,  by notice to the Company,  declare the
Commitments  to  be  terminated  forthwith,   whereupon  the  Commitments  shall
immediately terminate; and (2) with the consent of the Required Banks, the Agent
may, or upon the request of the Required  Banks,  the Agent  shall,  declare the
Company Loans (with accrued interest  thereon) and all other amounts owing under
this Agreement and the Notes to be due and payable forthwith, whereupon the same
shall immediately become due and payable. In addition,  after the occurrence and
during the  continuance of an Event of Default,  the Company and each Subsidiary
shall,  promptly upon demand by the Agent,  deliver to the Agent cash collateral
in such  form as  reasonably  requested  by the  Agent,  for  deposit  in a cash
collateral  account, in a maximum amount equal to the undrawn amount of all L/Cs
then outstanding,  to be maintained by the Agent as an interest-bearing  deposit
account under the sole  dominion and control of the Agent as pledgee,  and shall
execute  and  deliver  such  documents  and  instruments   (including  a  pledge
agreement)  as the Agent may  reasonably  request in order to perfect or protect
the Agent's  lien and  security  interest in such  collateral  account to secure
payment of the Reimbursement  Obligations with respect to L/Cs then outstanding.
Such deposit shall be held by the Agent as such security for the ratable benefit
of the Banks.  Upon cure of the Event of Default,  all such cash collateral (and
interest  accrued  thereon)  shall  promptly  be returned to the Company and its
Subsidiaries).   Except  as  expressly   provided   above  in  this  Section  7,
presentment,  demand,  protest  and all  other  notices  of any kind are  hereby
expressly waived.

           SECTION 8.THE AGENT

     8.1 Appointment. Each Bank (in its capacity as a Bank and a potential Hedge
Bank) hereby  irrevocably  designates  and appoints  Fleet as the Agent for such
Bank  under  this  Agreement  and the other  Loan  Documents  and each such Bank
irrevocably authorizes Fleet, as Agent for such Bank, to take such action on its
behalf under the  provisions of this  Agreement and the other Loan Documents and
to exercise  such powers and perform such duties as are  expressly  delegated to
the Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,  together
with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any
provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement,  the Agent shall not have
any duties or responsibilities,  except those expressly set forth herein, or any
fiduciary  relationship  with any Bank,  and no  implied  covenants,  functions,
responsibilities,  duties,  obligations or  liabilities  shall be read into this
Agreement or otherwise exist against the Agent.

     8.2  Delegation  of Duties.  The Agent may execute any of its duties  under
this   Agreement  and  the  other  Loan   Documents  by  or  through  agents  or
attorneys-in-fact  and shall be  entitled  to advice of counsel  concerning  all
matters  pertaining to such duties.  The Agent shall not be responsible  for the
negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact  selected by it with
reasonable care.



<PAGE>  83


     8.3  Exculpatory  Provisions.  Neither  the Agent nor any of its  officers,
directors,  employees,  agents,  attorneys-in-fact  or  Affiliates  shall be (a)
liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person
under or in connection  with this  Agreement or any of the other Loan  Documents
(except for its or such Person's own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or
(b) responsible in any manner to any of the Banks for any recitals,  statements,
representations  or  warranties  made by the Company,  or any  Subsidiary or any
officer  thereof  contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents
or in any  certificate,  report,  statement  or other  document  referred  to or
provided  for in, or  received by the Agent under or in  connection  with,  this
Agreement  or any of the  other  Loan  Documents  or for  the  value,  validity,
effectiveness,  genuineness,  enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or
any of the  other  Loan  Documents  or for any  failure  of the  Company  or any
Subsidiary to perform its obligations  hereunder or thereunder.  The Agent shall
be  under  no  obligation  to any  Bank to  ascertain  or to  inquire  as to the
observance or performance  of any of the agreements  contained in, or conditions
of,  this  Agreement  or any of the other  Loan  Documents,  or to  inspect  the
properties, books or records of the Company or any Subsidiary.

     8.4  Reliance by Agent.  The Agent shall be entitled to rely,  and shall be
fully  protected  in  relying,  upon  any  Note,  resolution,  notice,  consent,
certificate,  affidavit,  letter,  cablegram,  telegram,  telecopy,  or teletype
message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be
genuine and correct and to have been signed,  sent or made by the proper  Person
or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel  (including,  without
limitation, counsel to the Company and any Subsidiary),  independent accountants
and other experts  selected by the Agent. The Agent may deem and treat the payee
of any Note as the owner  thereof for all  purposes  unless a written  notice of
assignment,  negotiation  or  transfer  thereof  shall  have been filed with the
Agent.  The Agent  shall be fully  justified  in failing or refusing to take any
action under this Agreement and the other Loan  Documents  unless it shall first
receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Banks as it deems appropriate
or it shall first be  indemnified to its  satisfaction  by the Banks against any
and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or
continuing  to take any  such  action.  The  Agent  shall in all  cases be fully
protected in acting, or in refraining from acting,  under this Agreement and the
other Loan  Documents in accordance  with a request of the Required  Banks,  and
such request and any action taken or failure to act  pursuant  thereto  shall be
binding upon all the Banks and all future holders of the Notes.

     8.5 Notice of Default.  The Agent shall not be deemed to have  knowledge or
notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder unless the
Agent has received  notice from a Bank, the Company or any Subsidiary  referring
to this Agreement,  describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that
the notice is a "notice of default". In the event that the Agent receives such a
notice, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Banks. The Agent shall
take such  action with  respect to such  Default or Event of Default as shall be
reasonably directed by the Required Banks; provided that unless and until the


<PAGE>  84


Agent  shall  have  received  such  directions,  the Agent may (but shall not be
obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect
to such  Default  or Event of Default  as it shall  deem  advisable  in the best
interests of the Banks.

     8.6 Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Banks. Each Bank expressly acknowledges
that neither the Agent nor any of its officers,  directors,  employees,  agents,
attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates has made any representations or warranties to it
and that no act by the Agent  hereinafter  taken,  including  any  review of the
affairs of the  Company or any  Subsidiary,  shall be deemed to  constitute  any
representation or warranty by the Agent to any Bank. Each Bank represents to the
Agent that it has,  independently  and  without  reliance  upon the Agent or any
other  Bank,  and  based on such  documents  and  information  as it has  deemed
appropriate,  made its own  appraisal of and  investigation  into the  business,
operations,  property,  performance and other condition (financial or otherwise)
and  creditworthiness  of the  Company  and  each  Subsidiary  and  made its own
decision to make and maintain its Company  Loans  hereunder  and enter into this
Agreement.  Each Bank also  represents that it will,  independently  and without
reliance  upon the Agent or any other  Bank,  and  based on such  documents  and
information as it shall deem  appropriate at the time,  continue to make its own
credit  analysis,  appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under
this Agreement,  and to make such  investigation as it deems necessary to inform
itself as to the business, operations, property, performance and other condition
(financial  or  otherwise)  and   creditworthiness   of  the  Company  and  each
Subsidiary.  Except for notices,  reports and other documents expressly required
to be  furnished  to the Banks by the Agent  hereunder,  the Agent shall have no
duty or  responsibility to provide any Bank with any credit or other information
concerning the business,  operations,  property, performance and other condition
(financial or otherwise) or creditworthiness of the Company and its Subsidiaries
which  may  come  into  the  possession  of the  Agent  or any of its  officers,
directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates.

     8.7 Indemnification. The Banks agree to indemnify the Agent in its capacity
as such (to the extent not  reimbursed  by the Company and without  limiting the
obligation of the Company to do so), ratably according to the respective amounts
of their  Commitments,  from and against any and all  liabilities,  obligations,
losses,  damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses or
disbursements  of any kind whatsoever  which may at any time (including  without
limitation  at any time  following  the  payment of the  Notes) be  imposed  on,
incurred by or asserted  against the Agent in any way relating to or arising out
of  this  Agreement  or  any of  the  other  Loan  Documents  or  any  documents
contemplated by or referred to herein or the transactions contemplated hereby or
any action taken or omitted by the Agent under or in connection  with any of the
foregoing;  provided that no Bank shall be liable for the payment of any portion
of  such  liabilities,   obligations,   losses,  damages,  penalties,   actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting solely from the


<PAGE>  85


Agent's  gross  negligence  or  willful  misconduct.   The  agreements  in  this
subsection  shall survive the payment of the Notes and all other amounts payable
hereunder.

     8.8 Agent in Its Individual Capacity. The Agent and its Affiliates may make
loans to,  accept  deposits  from,  issue or  maintain  L/Cs on  account  of and
generally  engage in any kind of business with the Company and its  Subsidiaries
as though the Agent were not the Agent  hereunder.  With  respect to its Company
Loans made or renewed by it and any Note  issued to it, the Agent shall have the
same rights and powers  under this  Agreement  as any Bank and may  exercise the
same as though it were not the Agent,  and the terms  "Bank" and  "Banks"  shall
include the Agent in its individual capacity.

     8.9 Successor  Agent. The Agent may resign as an Agent upon 20 days' notice
to the Banks. If the Agent shall resign as the Agent under this Agreement,  then
the Required Banks shall appoint from among the Banks a successor  agent for the
Banks which  successor  agent shall be approved by the Company,  whereupon  such
successor  agent  shall  succeed to the  rights,  powers and duties of the Agent
which resigned,  and the term "Agent", shall mean such successor agent effective
upon its  appointment,  and the former Agent's rights,  powers and duties as the
Agent shall be terminated,  without any other or further act or deed on the part
of such former  Agent or any of the parties to this  Agreement or any holders of
the  Notes;  provided,   however,  that  upon  the  occurrence  and  during  the
continuance  of an Event of Default the approval of the Company of the successor
agent shall not be required  hereunder.  Upon its  resignation  hereunder,  each
Agent shall execute and deliver any  documents  relating to its actions as Agent
which may be necessary to permit the successor agent to act as Agent  hereunder.
After any retiring Agent's resignation hereunder as the Agent, the provisions of
this  subsection  8.9 shall  inure to its  benefit  as to any  actions  taken or
omitted to be taken by it while it was the Agent under this Agreement.

     8.10  Failure to Act.  Except for action  expressly  required  of the Agent
hereunder,  the  Agent  shall in all  cases be fully  justified  in  failing  or
refusing to act hereunder  unless it shall be indemnified to its satisfaction by
the Banks  against any and all  liability and expense that may be incurred by it
by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.

           SECTION 9.MISCELLANEOUS

     9.1 Amendments and Waivers. With the written consent of the Required Banks,
the Agent, the Company and the Designated  Subsidiaries  may, from time to time,
enter into  written  amendments,  supplements  or  modifications  hereto for the
purpose of adding any  provisions to this  Agreement or the other Loan Documents
or  changing  in any  manner  the  rights  of the Banks or the  Company  and the
Designated Subsidiaries hereunder,  and the Agent may execute and deliver to the
Company and the Designated  Subsidiaries a written instrument  waiving,  on such
terms and conditions as the Agent may specify in such instrument, any of the


<PAGE>  86


requirements  of this  Agreement  or the other Loan  Documents or any Default or
Event of Default and its consequences;  provided,  however,  that no such waiver
and no such amendment,  supplement or modification shall (a) extend the maturity
of any Company  Loan,  or reduce the  principal  amount  thereof,  or change the
amount or termination date of any Bank's Commitment, or release, amend or modify
any  Guaranty or any  collateral  covered by any of the Security  Documents,  or
reduce the interest  rate or Facility  Fee,  Issuance Fee or Drawing Fee payable
hereunder  or extend the time of payment of interest  and any fees  hereunder or
the time of payment or  reimbursement  of any amounts drawn or to be drawn under
L/Cs or amend the  definition  of  "Required  Banks" or increase the Company L/C
Sublimit, or amend, modify or waive any provision of subsection 4.1, 4.2 or 5.16
or this  subsection 9.1, or consent to the assignment or transfer by the Company
and each Designated  Subsidiary of any of its rights and obligations  under this
Agreement,  in each case without the written consent of all of the Banks, or (b)
amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 8 or otherwise affect the rights
and  obligations  of the Agent  under the Loan  Documents  without  the  written
consent of the then Agent (with any such change in any provision of Section 8 to
be  effective  prospectively  only).  Any such  waiver  and any such  amendment,
supplement or  modification  shall be binding upon the parties to this Agreement
and all  holders of the Notes.  In the case of any  waiver,  the parties to this
Agreement  shall be restored to their former  position and rights  hereunder and
under the outstanding Notes, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be
deemed to be cured and not  continuing;  but no such waiver  shall extend to any
subsequent or other Default or Event of Default,  or impair any right consequent
thereon.

     9.2  Notices.  All notices,  consents,  requests and demands to or upon the
respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing or by telegraph or
telecopy and, unless otherwise  expressly  provided  herein,  shall be deemed to
have been duly given or made when  delivered by hand,  or four (4) Business Days
after deposit in the mail,  registered mail, return receipt  requested,  postage
prepaid,  or, in the case of  telegraphic  or telecopy  notice,  when  received,
addressed as follows in the case of the Company and the Designated  Subsidiaries
and the Agent,  and as set forth on Schedule I in the case of the other  parties
hereto, or to such address or other address as may be hereafter  notified by any
of the respective parties hereto or any future holders of the Notes:


<PAGE>  87


      The Company
      or any
      Designated
      Subsidiary:    Ply Gem Industries, Inc.
                     c/o Nortek, Inc.
                     50 Kennedy Plaza
                     Providence, Rhode Island 02903
                     Attention:Richard J. Harris
                                 Vice President
                            Telephone:(401) 751-1600
                            Telecopy: (401) 751-4610

      With a copy to:Ropes & Gray
                     One International Place
                     Boston, Massachusetts  02110
                     Attention:Douglass N. Ellis, Jr., Esq.
                            Telephone:(617) 951-7000
                            Telecopy: (617) 951-7050

      The Agent:     Fleet National Bank
                     One Federal Street
                     Boston, Massachusetts  02211
                      Attention:John Mann, Agency Services
                            Telephone:(617) 346-0429
                            Telecopy: (617) 346-4682

                     and

                     Fleet National  Bank
                     111 Westminster Street
                     Providence, Rhode Island  02903
                     Attention:John Webb
                                 Vice President
                             Telephone:401-278-6486
                             Telecopy: 401-278-5726
      with a copy to:Shearman & Sterling
                     599 Lexington Avenue
                     New York, New York  10022
                     Attention:Pamela Borgeson, Esq.
                     Telephone:(212) 848-7649
                     Telecopy: (212) 848-7179

provided  that any  notice,  request or demand to or upon the Agent or the Banks
pursuant to subsection 2.3, 2.6 or 2.8 shall not be effective until received.



<PAGE>  88


     9.3 No Waiver;  Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no delay in
exercising,  on the part of the Agent or any Bank, any right,  remedy,  power or
privilege hereunder,  shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any
other or further  exercise  thereof or the exercise of any other right,  remedy,
power or privilege. The rights, remedies,  powers and privileges herein provided
are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies,  powers and privileges
provided by law.

     9.4 Survival of Representations  and Warranties.  All  representations  and
warranties  made  hereunder  and  in  any  document,  certificate  or  statement
delivered pursuant hereto or in connection  herewith shall survive the execution
and delivery of this Agreement and the Notes and the making of the Company Loans
and the issuance of L/Cs.

     9.5 Payment of Expenses,  Etc.  The Company  agrees (a) to pay or reimburse
the Agent for all its reasonable  out-of-pocket  costs and expenses  incurred in
connection with the  preparation,  execution and delivery of, and any amendment,
supplement or modification to, this Agreement,  the other Loan Documents and any
other documents  prepared in connection  herewith,  and the  consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the
reasonable  fees  and  disbursements  of  counsel  to the  Agent  in  connection
therewith, all reasonable and customary syndication expenses,  including without
limitation  travel  expenses  incurred  by the  Agent  in  connection  with  due
diligence and syndication member and prospective member meetings and typesetting
duplication  and  binding  expenses  with  respect to  materials  for  syndicate
members,  (b) to pay or reimburse each Bank and the Agent for all its reasonable
out-of-pocket  costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or
preservation of any rights against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries  under
this Agreement,  the other Loan Documents and any such other  documents,  (c) to
pay, indemnify, and to hold each Bank and the Agent and each of their Affiliates
and  their  officers,  directors,   employees,  agents  and  advisors  (each  an
"Indemnified  Party")  harmless  from, any and all recording and filing fees and
any and all liabilities  with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying,
stamp,  excise  and other  taxes,  if any,  if legal,  which may be  payable  or
reasonably  determined  to be  payable  in  connection  with the  execution  and
delivery of, or consummation of any of the transactions  contemplated by, or any
amendment,  supplement or modification  of, or any waiver or consent under or in
respect  of,  this  Agreement,  the  other  Loan  Documents  and any such  other
documents,  and (d) to pay, indemnify,  and hold each Indemnified Party harmless
from and against any and all other liabilities,  obligations,  losses,  damages,
penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any
kind or nature  whatsoever with respect to, or arising out of, the  Commitments,
Company  Loans and L/Cs,  the actual or proposed  use of proceeds  thereof,  the
execution,  delivery,  enforcement and performance of this Agreement,  the other
Loan Documents or the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  thereby
(including without limitation; the Tender Offer, the Merger and the Napco


<PAGE>  89


Transaction)  or  related  to  any  Environmental   Liability  or  Environmental
Proceeding (other than costs, expenses and disbursements incurred by Banks other
than the Agent in negotiating and closing the transactions  contemplated hereby)
(all the foregoing, collectively, the "indemnified liabilities");  provided that
the Company shall have no  obligation  hereunder to any  Indemnified  Party with
respect to  indemnified  liabilities  arising from (i) the gross  negligence  or
willful misconduct of such Indemnified  Party, (ii) legal proceedings  commenced
against  such  Indemnified  Party by any  security  holder or  creditor  of such
Indemnified  Party  arising  out of and  based  upon  rights  afforded  any such
security holder or creditor solely in its capacity as such,  (iii) any breach of
obligations  of any  Bank  (including,  without  limitation,  the  Agent  in its
capacity as such) to any other Bank or (iv) a successful claim by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries against such Indemnified Party as determined in a final,
non-appealable  judgment  by a court  of  competent  jurisdiction.  The  Company
acknowledges  that the Agent and the Banks shall,  prior to  foreclosure  of, or
exercise  by  them of  proxy  rights  with  respect  to,  any of the  shares  of
Subsidiaries securing the Company Loans, have no liability or responsibility for
either:

          (A)  damage,  loss or  injury  to human  health,  the  environment  or
               natural  resources caused by the presence,  disposal,  release or
               threatened release of Hazardous Materials on any part of the real
               property  owned,  operated  or  leased  by  the  Company  or  its
               Subsidiaries; or

          (B)  abatement   and/or   clean-up   required   under  any  applicable
               Environmental  Laws and  Regulations  for a  release,  threatened
               release or disposal  of any  Hazardous  Materials  located at the
               real  property  owned,  operated  or leased by the Company or its
               Subsidiaries  or used by or in  connection  with the Company's or
               any Subsidiary's business.

The agreements in this subsection  shall survive  repayment of the Notes and all
other amounts payable hereunder;  provided,  however,  that nothing herein shall
affect the provisions relating to 180-day periods contained in subsections 2.15,
2.16 and 2.22.

     9.6  Binding  Effect;  No  Assignment  or  Delegation  by  Company  or  any
Designated  Subsidiary.  This  Agreement  shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the Company and each Designated  Subsidiary and their  successors and
to the benefit of the Banks and the Agent and their  respective  successors  and
assigns.  The  rights  and  obligations  of  the  Company  and  each  Designated
Subsidiary  under this Agreement shall not be assigned or delegated  without the
prior written consent of the Agent, and each Bank, and any purported  assignment
or delegation without such consent shall be void.

     9.7  Assignments  and  Participations  by Banks;  Pledge to Federal Reserve
Bank.  (a) Each Bank may assign to one or more banks or other  entities all or a
portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement  (including,  without
limitation,  all or a portion of its Commitment,  the Company Loans owing to it,
and the  Note or Notes  held by it);  provided,  however,  that:  (i) each  such
assignment shall be of a constant, and not a varying, percentage of all of the


<PAGE>  90


assigning Bank's rights and obligations  under this Agreement in respect of both
of the Facilities,  (ii) except in connection with the assignment by any Bank of
its entire Commitment,  the amount of the Commitment of the assigning Bank being
assigned  pursuant  to each such  assignment  (determined  as of the date of the
Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment)  shall in no event be
less than  $5,000,000 in the  aggregate  under both  Facilities  and shall be an
integral  multiple of $1,000,000,  and (iii) each such assignment shall be to an
Eligible Assignee. Upon the execution,  delivery, acceptance and recording, from
and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance,  which
effective  date  shall be at least  three  Business  Days  after  the  execution
thereof:  (x) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent
that rights and obligations  hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such
Assignment and Acceptance,  have the rights and obligations of a Bank hereunder,
and (y) the Bank  assignor  thereunder  shall,  to the  extent  that  rights and
obligations  hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant to such  Assignment and
Acceptance,  relinquish  its rights and be released from its  obligations  under
this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or
the remaining  portion of an assigning Bank's rights and obligations  under this
Agreement,  such Bank shall cease to be a party  hereto);  and provided  further
that the Company  shall not be required to pay any amount  under this  Agreement
that is greater than the amount which it would  otherwise  have been required to
pay had such assignment not been made.

     (b) By executing  and  delivering an Assignment  and  Acceptance,  the Bank
assignor  thereunder and the assignee  thereunder confirm to and agree with each
other and the other  parties  hereto as  follows:  (i) other than as provided in
such Assignment and Acceptance,  such assigning Bank makes no  representation or
warranty  and  assumes  no  responsibility   with  respect  to  any  statements,
warranties or  representations  made in or in connection  with this Agreement or
the execution, legality, validity, enforceability,  genuineness,  sufficiency or
value of this Agreement or any other instrument or document  furnished  pursuant
hereto; (ii) such assigning Bank makes no representation or warranty and assumes
no  responsibility  with respect to the  financial  condition of the Company and
each  Designated  Subsidiary or the performance or observance by the Company and
each Designated  Subsidiary of any of their  respective  obligations  under this
Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished  pursuant hereto;  (iii)
such assignee  confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement,  together
with  copies  of  such  financial   statements  and  such  other  documents  and
information  as it has deemed  appropriate  to make its own credit  analysis and
decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance;  (iv) such assignee will,
independently  and without  reliance upon the Agent,  such assigning Bank or any
other  Bank and  based  on such  documents  and  information  as it  shall  deem
appropriate at the time,  continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or
not taking action under this Agreement; (v) such assignee confirms that it is an
Eligible Assignee;  (vi) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Agent to take
such  action as agent on its  behalf  and to  exercise  such  powers  under this
Agreement as are delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof,  together with such
powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (vii) such assignee agrees that


<PAGE>  91


it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the  obligations  which by
the  terms of this  Agreement  are  required  to be  performed  by it as a Bank.
Neither the Company nor any  Subsidiary  shall have any  liability or obligation
under this subsection 9.7(b).

     (c) Upon  its  receipt  of an  Assignment  and  Acceptance  executed  by an
assigning  Bank and an assignee  representing  that it is an Eligible  Assignee,
together  with any  original  Note subject to such  assignment,  the Agent shall
accept such  Assignment  and  Acceptance,  and give prompt notice thereof to the
Company. Within five Business Days after its receipt of such notice, each of the
Company and each  Designated  Subsidiary  (as  applicable),  at its own expense,
shall  execute and deliver to the Agent in exchange for the  surrendered  Note a
new Note to the  order  of such  Eligible  Assignee  in an  amount  equal to the
Commitment  assumed by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance and, if the
assigning Bank has retained a Commitment  hereunder,  a new Note to the order of
the  assigning  Bank  in an  amount  equal  to  the  Commitment  retained  by it
hereunder.  Such new Note(s) shall be in an aggregate  principal amount equal to
the aggregate  principal  amount of such  surrendered  Note,  shall be dated the
effective  date of such  Assignment  and  Acceptance  and shall  otherwise be in
substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

     (d) Each of the Company and each Designated  Subsidiary  acknowledges  that
any Bank may, in the ordinary course of its commercial  banking  business and in
accordance  with  applicable  law, at any time: (i) sell to one or more Eligible
Participants participating interests in any Company Loan owing to such Bank, any
Note held by such Bank,  any  Commitment  of such Bank or any other  interest of
such Bank hereunder (each a "Participating Interest"),  without in any such case
the need for any  approval by the  Company,  and (ii)  subject to the  Company's
prior  approval in each  instance  (but only when no Event of Default shall have
occurred and is continuing),  which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld,
sell to one or more banks or other entities that do not, directly or indirectly,
engage  in  business  competitive  with  the  business  of the  Company  and its
Subsidiaries (each such participant and each Eligible Participant is hereinafter
referred  to   individually  as  a   "Participant"   and   collectively  as  the
"Participants") a Participating  Interest,  provided that no Participant  (other
than an Affiliate of such Bank which is a Subsidiary  of such Bank or the parent
holding  company of such Bank or a Subsidiary of such holding  company) shall be
entitled under the relevant participation  agreement or any associated agreement
to require such Bank to take or omit to take any action  hereunder,  except,  to
the extent that any  Participant  has any interest  directly  affected  thereby,
action that extends the final maturity of any Company Loan,  reduces the rate or
extends the time of payment of interest  on any Company  Loan,  extends the time
for  payment or reduces  any fee  payable to such Bank  hereunder,  reduces  the
principal amount of any Company Loan or releases all or substantially all of the
Collateral described in the Company Security Agreement. In the event of any such
sale by such Bank of  participating  interests  to a  Participant,  such  Bank's
obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged,  such Bank shall remain
solely responsible for the performance thereof, such Bank shall remain the


<PAGE>  92


holder of any such Note for all purposes under this  Agreement,  and the Company
shall  continue to deal solely and directly  with such Bank in  connection  with
such Bank's rights and obligations under this Agreement. Each of the Company and
each Designated  Subsidiary also agrees that each Participant  shall be entitled
to the benefits of  subsections  2.13,  2.15,  2.16 and 2.22 with respect to its
participation in the Commitments, and the Eurodollar Loans outstanding from time
to time;  provided that no Participant  shall be entitled to receive any greater
amount  pursuant to such  subsections  than the transferor  Bank would have been
entitled to receive in respect of the amount of the participation transferred by
such transferor Bank to such Participant had no such transfer occurred.

     (e) Each of the Company and each Designated Subsidiary authorizes each Bank
to disclose  to any  Eligible  Assignee or  Participant  or  potential  Eligible
Assignee or  Participant  any and all financial  information  in its  possession
concerning the Company and each Designated  Subsidiary  which has been delivered
to it by the Company and each Designated  Subsidiary  pursuant to this Agreement
or which has been delivered to it by the Company and each Designated  Subsidiary
in connection  with its credit  evaluation of the Company prior to entering into
this   Agreement;   provided  that  the  intended   recipient   first   delivers
confidentiality  undertakings  for the  benefit of the  Company to the effect of
subsection 9.11 with respect to non-public information.

     (f) If,  pursuant  to  subsection  9.7(a)  or  (b),  any  interest  in this
Agreement,  a  participation  agreement  or  any  Note  is  transferred  to  any
Participant  or  Eligible  Assignee  which is  organized  under  the laws of any
jurisdiction  other than the United States or any State thereof,  the transferor
Bank shall cause such  Participant or Eligible  Assignee  concurrently  with the
effectiveness of such transfer,  (i) to represent to the transferor Bank for the
benefit  of the  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  that under  applicable  law and
treaties no taxes will be required to be withheld by the transferor  Bank or the
Company or any Designated  Subsidiary with respect to any Company Loans, (ii) to
furnish to the Bank and the Company either U.S.  Internal  Revenue  Service Form
4224 or U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 (wherein such Participant claims
entitlement  to complete  exemption  from U.S.  federal  withholding  tax on all
interest payments hereunder) and (iii) to agree to provide the transferor Bank a
new Form 4224 or Form 1001 upon the  obsolescence  of any  previously  delivered
form and  comparable  statements in  accordance  with  applicable  U.S. laws and
regulations and amendments duly executed and completed by such Participant,  and
to comply from time to time with all applicable U.S. laws and  regulations  with
regard to such withholding tax exemption.

     (g) No person to whom a participation  has been granted or who has received
an  assignment  hereunder  may grant any  participation  or make any  assignment
unless such participation or assignment would be permitted under this subsection
9.7 if made by a Bank.


<PAGE>  93


     (h)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  herein,  no  assignment  or
participation  will be permitted if, after giving effect thereto,  the aggregate
Commitment  of the  transferee  (if other  than the Agent in its  capacity  as a
Bank),   together  with  such   transferee's   participating   interest  in  the
Commitments, would exceed 25% of the aggregate Commitments.

     (i)  Notwithstanding  any other provision set forth in this Agreement,  any
Bank may at any time  create a security  interest  in all or any  portion of its
rights under this Agreement  (including,  without limitation,  the Company Loans
owing to it and the Notes held by it) in favor of any  Federal  Reserve  Bank in
accordance with  Regulation A. No such  assignment  shall release the transferor
Bank from its obligations hereunder.

     9.8 Further Assurances. At any time and from time to time, upon the request
of the Agent, the Company and each Designated Subsidiary shall execute,  deliver
and  acknowledge  or cause to be  executed,  delivered  and  acknowledged,  such
further documents and instruments and do such other acts and things as the Agent
may  reasonably  request in order to fully effect the purposes of this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents and any other agreements, instruments and documents
delivered pursuant hereto or in connection with the Company Loans or the L/Cs.

     9.9 Adjustments; Set-off. (a) If any Bank (a "Benefited Bank") shall at any
time receive any payment of all or part of any of its Company  Loans or interest
thereon,  or receive any collateral in respect  thereof or any payment under any
Guaranty (whether voluntarily or involuntarily,  by set-off,  pursuant to events
or  proceedings  of the nature  referred  to in  paragraph  (f) of Section 7, or
otherwise)  in a greater  proportion  than any such  payment  to and  collateral
received by any other  Bank,  if any,  in respect of such other  Bank's  Company
Loans,  or interest on any of the foregoing,  such Benefited Bank shall purchase
for cash from each other Bank such  portion  of each such other  Bank's  Company
Loans,  or shall  provide  each such  other Bank with the  benefits  of any such
collateral,  or the  proceeds  thereof,  as shall  be  necessary  to cause  such
Benefited  Bank to share the excess  payment or benefits of such  collateral  or
proceeds  ratably with the other Banks;  provided,  however,  that if all or any
portion of such  excess  payment or benefits is  hereafter  recovered  from such
Benefited  Bank,  such purchase  shall be rescinded,  and the purchase price and
benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest. Each of
the Company and each Designated Subsidiary agrees that each Bank so purchasing a
portion of any other  Bank's  Company  Loans may  exercise all rights of payment
(including,  without limitation, rights of set-off) with respect to such portion
as fully as if such Bank were the direct  holder of such  portion.  Any payments
received after the Banks have taken action pursuant to this subsection 9.9 shall
be allocated  ratably among the Company Loans and  participations in L/Cs of all
the Banks.

     (b) In  addition to any rights and  remedies of each Bank  provided by law,
upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, each


<PAGE>  94


Bank shall have the right, without prior notice to the Company or any Designated
Subsidiary,  any such notice being expressly  waived to the extent  permitted by
applicable law, to set off and apply against any  indebtedness,  whether matured
or unmatured,  of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to such Bank under this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, any amount owing from such Bank to
the Company or any such  Subsidiary  at, or at any time after,  the happening of
any of the above-mentioned events, and such right of set-off may be exercised by
such Bank against the Company or any such  Subsidiary  or against any trustee in
bankruptcy,  debtor  in  possession,  assignee  for the  benefit  of  creditors,
receiver, custodian or execution, judgment or attachment creditor of the Company
or any such  Subsidiary or against  anyone else claiming  through or against the
Company  or any  such  Subsidiary  or such  trustee  in  bankruptcy,  debtor  in
possession,  assignee for the benefit of  creditors,  receivers,  or  execution,
judgment or  attachment  creditor,  notwithstanding  the fact that such right of
set-off shall not have been  exercised by such Bank prior to the making,  filing
or issuance,  or service upon such Bank of, or of notice of, any such  petition,
assignment  for the benefit of creditors,  appointment  or  application  for the
appointment of a receiver, or issuance of execution, subpoena, order or warrant.
Each Bank agrees promptly to notify the Company, any such Subsidiary,  the Agent
and each other Bank after any such  set-off and  application  made by such Bank,
provided  that the failure to give such notice  shall not affect the validity of
such set-off and application.

     9.10  Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective
to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability  without  invalidating the
remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any
jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render  unenforceable such provision in any
other jurisdiction.

     9.11  Confidentiality.  Each Bank agrees to maintain the confidentiality of
information designated as confidential and provided to it by the Company, or any
Subsidiary  in  connection  with this  Agreement  or the other  Loan  Documents;
provided,  however,  that any  Bank may  disclose  such  information  (a) at the
request of any bank regulatory authority or in connection with an examination of
such  Bank by any such  authority,  (b)  pursuant  to  subpoena  or other  court
process,  (c) when  required to do so in accordance  with the  provisions of any
applicable law, (d) as required by any other Governmental Authority, (e) to such
Bank's  independent  auditors,  attorneys or other  professional  advisors  upon
receipt of a  confidentiality  undertaking  for the  benefit  of the  Company in
conformity with this subsection 9.11 as to non-public  information or (f) to any
Eligible Assignee or Participant or potential  Eligible Assignee or Participant;
provided that such Eligible Assignee or Participant,  as the case may be, agrees
in writing to maintain the  confidentiality  of such  information  in conformity
with this subsection 9.11.

     9.12  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be executed by one or more of the
parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts and all of said


<PAGE>  95


counterparts  taken  together  shall be  deemed to  constitute  one and the same
instrument.  A set of the  copies of this  Agreement  signed by all the  parties
shall be lodged with the Company, the Designated Subsidiaries and the Agent.

     9.13 Second  Closing Date  Assignments;  Etc. (a) As of the Second  Closing
Date,  prior to giving effect to any assignment  under this Agreement as of such
date, each Existing Bank represents and warrants,  as to the assignment effected
by such Existing Bank by this  Agreement  that as of the Second Closing Date (i)
its  Existing  Commitment  is in the dollar  amount  specified  as its  Existing
Commitment  on Schedule  9.13  hereto and the  aggregate  outstanding  principal
amount of Existing Advances  Outstanding  constituting "Loans" owing to it under
the Existing Credit Agreement and the aggregate amount of Existing  Outstandings
constituting its "Bank L/C Obligations"  under the Existing Credit Agreement are
each in the dollar amount  specified as such on Schedule  9.13 hereto;  and (ii)
that such Existing Bank is the legal and beneficial owner of such interest being
assigned by it hereunder and that such interest is free and clear of any adverse
claim created by such Existing Bank.

     (b) Each Existing  Bank and Bank confirms to, and agrees with,  each of the
other Banks as to the  assignment  effected by this  Agreement by such  Existing
Bank or Bank, as the case may be, as follows:  (i) each such Existing Bank makes
no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility  with respect to any
statements,  warranties or  representations  made in or in  connection  with the
Existing  Credit  Agreement  or  this  Agreement  or  the  execution,  legality,
validity,  enforceability,  genuineness,  sufficiency  or value of the  Existing
Credit Agreement or this Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished
pursuant thereto or hereto; (ii) each such Existing Bank makes no representation
or  warranty  and  assumes  no  responsibility  with  respect  to the  financial
condition of the Company or any of the other Loan Parties or the  performance of
observance  by  the  Company  or any of the  other  Loan  Parties  of any of its
obligations  under the Existing Credit  Agreement or this Agreement or any other
instrument or document  furnished  pursuant  thereto or hereto;  (iii) each Bank
confirms that it has received such  documents and  information  as it has deemed
appropriate to make its own credit  analysis and decision to execute and deliver
this Agreement and agrees that it shall have no recourse  against the Agent, any
Existing  Bank or any other Bank with  respect to any  matters  relating  to the
Existing  Credit  Agreement  or  this  Agreement;   and  (iv)  each  Bank  will,
independently  and without  reliance  upon the Agent,  any Existing  Bank or any
other  Bank and  based  on such  documents  and  information  as it  shall  deem
appropriate at the time,  continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or
not  taking  action  under  this  Agreement,  the Notes held by it and the other
documents executed in connection herewith.

     (c) As of the Second  Closing Date,  (i) each Bank shall be a party to this
Agreement and, to the extent provided herein, have the rights and obligations of
a Bank  hereunder  and (ii) each  Existing  Bank shall,  to the extent  provided
herein,  relinquish its rights and be released from its  obligations  under this
Agreement as to any assignment effected herein.


<PAGE>  96


     (d) From and after the  Second  Closing  Date,  the  Agent  shall  make all
payments  under  this  Agreement  in  respect of the  interest  assigned  hereby
(including,   without  limitation,  all  payments  of  principal,  interest  and
commitment fees with respect thereto) to the Banks hereunder.

     (e) On or before the Second  Closing Date,  the Company shall have paid all
accrued  interest,  fees and  other  amounts  which are due and  payable  to the
Existing Banks and the Agent (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) as of
the Second  Closing  Date in  connection  with the  Existing  Credit  Agreement.
Without  prejudice to the survival of any other  agreement of the Company  under
the  Existing  Credit  Agreement,  all  amounts  that  would  be  payable  under
subsections  2.13,  2.15, 2.16 and 9.5 of the Existing Credit Agreement shall be
payable under this  Agreement to the extent that such amounts have not been paid
as of the Second Closing Date.

     (f) As of the Second  Closing Date,  (i) the Existing  Credit  Agreement is
amended and restated in full as set forth in this  Agreement,  (ii) the Existing
Commitments are  terminated,  (iii) the Notes (as defined in the Existing Credit
Agreement)  are  cancelled and replaced by the Notes,  and (iv) all  obligations
which, by the terms of the Existing Credit Agreement, are evidenced by the Notes
(as defined in the Existing Credit  Agreement) are evidenced by the Notes and by
this Agreement.

     9.14  GOVERNING  LAW;   CONSENT  TO   JURISDICTION;   WAIVER  OF  TRIAL  BY
JURY.1GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION;  WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. (a) THIS
AGREEMENT,  THE OTHER LOAN  DOCUMENTS AND ALL OTHER  DOCUMENTS  AND  INSTRUMENTS
EXECUTED AND DELIVERED IN CONNECTION  HEREWITH AND THEREWITH,  SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY, AND CONSTRUED AND  INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK.

     (b) EACH OF THE COMPANY AND EACH DESIGNATED SUBSIDIARY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS
THAT ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING  AGAINST IT UNDER,  ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY
MANNER RELATING TO THIS  AGREEMENT,  AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY BE BROUGHT
IN ANY  COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK,  COUNTY  OF NEW YORK,  OR IN THE  UNITED
STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK. EACH OF THE COMPANY
AND EACH DESIGNATED SUBSIDIARY, BY THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT,
EXPRESSLY  AND  IRREVOCABLY  ASSENTS AND SUBMITS TO THE  PERSONAL  NON-EXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF ANY OF SUCH COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING. EACH OF THE
COMPANY  AND EACH  DESIGNATED  SUBSIDIARY  FURTHER  IRREVOCABLY  CONSENTS TO THE
SERVICE OF ANY COMPLAINT, SUMMONS, NOTICE OR OTHER PROCESS RELATING TO ANY SUCH


<PAGE>  97


ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY DELIVERY THEREOF IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW. EACH
OF THE COMPANY AND EACH DESIGNATED  SUBSIDIARY  HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES  ANY  CLAIM OR  DEFENSE  IN ANY SUCH  ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  BASED ON ANY
ALLEGED LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION, IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR
ANY SIMILAR BASIS. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND EACH DESIGNATED  SUBSIDIARY SHALL NOT
BE  ENTITLED  IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  TO ASSERT ANY DEFENSE  GIVEN OR
ALLOWED UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK UNLESS SUCH
DEFENSE IS ALSO  GIVEN OR ALLOWED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  NOTHING
IN THIS  SUBSECTION  SHALL  AFFECT OR IMPAIR IN ANY  MANNER OR TO ANY EXTENT THE
RIGHT OF ANY BANK TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST THE
COMPANY OR ANY DESIGNATED  SUBSIDIARY IN ANY JURISDICTION OR TO SERVE PROCESS IN
ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

     [THE REST OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


<PAGE>  98



     (c) EACH OF THE COMPANY,  THE  DESIGNATED  SUBSIDIARIES,  THE BANKS AND THE
AGENT  WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY  LITIGATION  IN ANY COURT WITH RESPECT TO, IN
CONNECTION WITH, OR ARISING OUT OF, THIS AGREEMENT,  THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR
ANY  INSTRUMENT  OR  DOCUMENT  DELIVERED  PURSUANT  TO  THIS  AGREEMENT,  OR THE
VALIDITY, PROTECTION, INTERPRETATION, COLLECTION OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this  Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly  authorized  officers as of
the day and year first above written.

                                    PLY GEM INDUSTRIES, INC.


                                    By /s/ Richard J. Harris
                                    ------------------------
                                    Title: Vice President


ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED AS TO
  EACH PROVISION RELATING TO
     ANY DESIGNATED SUBSIDIARY:

SNE ENTERPRISES, INC.


By                                  
   Title:


VARIFORM, INC.


By                                  
   Title:


GREAT LAKES WINDOW, INC.


By                                  
   Title:


<PAGE>

                                    FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                                    as Agent and as a Bank


                                    By _________________________________
                                      Title


                                    BANK OF MONTREAL


                                    By _________________________________
                                      Title


                                   EUROPEAN AMERICAN BANK


                                    By _________________________________
                                      Title


                                    CITIZENS BANK OF RHODE ISLAND


                                    By _________________________________
                                      Title


                                 SOVEREIGN BANK


                                    By _________________________________
                                      Title


                                   ERSTE BANK


                                    By _________________________________
                                      Title





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