OWENS & MINOR INC/VA/
10-Q, 2000-05-11
MEDICAL, DENTAL & HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
Previous: OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORP, 10-Q, 2000-05-11
Next: PG&E GAS TRANSMISSION NORTHWEST CORP, 10-Q, 2000-05-11



<PAGE>

                                 UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-Q

             [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                    OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2000
                                                --------------
                                      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       1-9810
                                              ----------------

                              Owens & Minor, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Virginia                                             54-1701843
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                      (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                       Identification No.)

4800 Cox Road, Glen Allen, Virginia                  23060
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip Code)

Post Office Box 27626, Richmond, Virginia            23261-7626
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Mailing address of principal executive offices)     (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code   (804) 747-9794
                                                     --------------

     Indicate by check mark whether the 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 _____
                                              ---

     The number of shares of Owens & Minor, Inc.'s common stock outstanding as
of April 28, 2000, was 32,835,392 shares.

                                       1
<PAGE>

                     Owens & Minor, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                                     Index

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Page
<S>                                                                                            <C>
Part I.    Financial Information

           Item 1.  Financial Statements
                    Consolidated Statements of Income - Three Months
                    Ended March 31, 2000 and 1999                                                3

                    Consolidated Balance Sheets -
                    March 31, 2000 and December 31, 1999                                         4

                    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
                    Three Months Ended March 31, 2000 and 1999                                   5

                    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                   6

           Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                    Condition and Results of Operations                                         14

           Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk                  16

Part II.   Other Information

           Item 1.  Legal Proceedings                                                           17

           Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                            17
</TABLE>

                                       2
<PAGE>

Part I.  Financial Information

Item 1.  Financial Statements


                     Owens & Minor, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                       Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Three Months Ended
                                                                                         March 31,
                                                                           -------------------------------------

                                                                                2000                   1999
                                                                           --------------         --------------
<S>                                                                        <C>                    <C>
Net sales                                                                   $    854,549           $    741,084
Cost of goods sold                                                               764,781                662,355
                                                                              -----------            -----------

Gross margin                                                                      89,768                 78,729
                                                                              -----------            -----------

Selling, general and administrative expenses                                      65,233                 58,598
Depreciation and amortization                                                      5,161                  4,461
Interest expense, net                                                              3,305                  3,096
Discount on accounts receivable securitization                                     1,859                    995
Distributions on mandatorily redeemable
   preferred securities                                                            1,774                  1,774
                                                                              -----------            -----------
Total expenses                                                                    77,332                 68,924
                                                                              -----------            -----------

Income before income taxes                                                        12,436                  9,805
Income tax provision                                                               5,596                  4,314
                                                                              -----------            -----------

Net income                                                                  $      6,840           $      5,491
                                                                              ===========            ===========

Net income per common share-basic                                           $       0.21           $       0.17
                                                                              ===========            ===========

Net income per common share-diluted                                         $       0.20           $       0.17
                                                                              ===========            ===========

Cash dividends per common share                                             $       0.06           $       0.05
                                                                              ===========            ===========
</TABLE>

         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                     Owens & Minor, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                          Consolidated Balance Sheets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands, except per share data)                                  March 31,       December 31,
                                                                         2000             1999
                                                                     -----------       ------------
Assets                                                               (Unaudited)
Current assets
<S>                                                                  <C>               <C>
  Cash and cash equivalents                                          $      552        $       669
  Accounts and notes receivable, net
     of allowance of $6,496 and $6,479                                  207,813            226,927
  Merchandise inventories                                               338,711            342,478
  Other current assets                                                   11,287             19,172
                                                                     ----------        -----------
   Total current assets                                                 558,363            589,246
Property and equipment, net of accumulated
  depreciation of $54,756 and $52,516                                    24,804             25,877
Goodwill, net of accumulated
  amortization of $29,486 and $27,989                                   209,340            210,837
Other assets, net                                                        41,538             39,040
                                                                     ----------        -----------
      Total assets                                                   $  834,045        $   865,000
                                                                     ==========        ===========

Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities
  Accounts payable                                                   $  288,875        $   303,490
  Accrued payroll and related liabilities                                 4,112              6,883
  Other accrued liabilities                                              61,497             59,425
                                                                     ----------        -----------
  Total current liabilities                                             354,484            369,798
Long-term debt                                                          151,333            174,553
Other liabilities                                                         7,525              6,268
                                                                     ----------        -----------
  Total liabilities                                                     513,342            550,619
                                                                     ----------        -----------
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
      securities of subsidiary trust, holding
      solely convertible debentures of Owens & Minor, Inc.              132,000            132,000
                                                                     ----------        -----------
Shareholders' equity
  Preferred stock, par value $100 per share;
      authorized - 10,000 shares
      Series A; Participating Cumulative
           Preferred Stock; none issued                                       -                  -
  Common stock, par value $2 per share;
      authorized - 200,000 shares; issued and
      outstanding - 32,824 shares and 32,711 shares                      65,648             65,422
  Paid-in capital                                                        12,850             12,890
  Retained earnings                                                     108,939            104,069
  Accumulated other comprehensive income                                  1,266                  -
                                                                     ----------        -----------
  Total shareholders' equity                                            188,703            182,381
                                                                     ----------        -----------
  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                         $  834,045        $   865,000
                                                                     ==========        ===========
</TABLE>
         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       4
<PAGE>

                     Owens & Minor, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands)                                                                       Three Months Ended
(Unaudited)                                                                                March 31,
                                                                               ------------------------------
                                                                                   2000              1999
                                                                               -----------        -----------
<S>                                                                            <C>                <C>
Operating activities
Net income                                                                     $    6,840         $    5,491
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
    provided by operating activities:
       Depreciation and amortization                                                5,161              4,461
       Provision for LIFO reserve                                                   1,200                610
       Provision for losses on accounts and notes receivable                           94                240
       Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
          Accounts and notes receivable                                            19,020            (18,217)
          Merchandise inventories                                                   2,567            (26,773)
          Accounts payable                                                         (1,793)            68,307
          Net change in other current assets
              and current liabilities                                               6,566              3,393
       Other, net                                                                   1,740                428
                                                                               ----------         ----------
Cash provided by operating activities                                              41,395             37,940
                                                                               ----------         ----------

Investing activities
Additions to property and equipment                                                (1,268)            (2,124)
Additions to computer software                                                     (2,872)              (134)
Other, net                                                                             20             (1,179)
                                                                               ----------         ----------
Cash used for investing activities                                                 (4,120)            (3,437)
                                                                               ----------         ----------

Financing activities
Reduction of debt                                                                 (22,600)                 -
Other financing, net                                                              (12,822)           (32,765)
Cash dividends paid                                                                (1,970)            (1,634)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options                                                 -                 80
                                                                               ----------         ----------
Cash used for financing activities                                                (37,392)           (34,319)
                                                                               ----------         ----------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                 (117)               184

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                      669                546
                                                                               ----------         ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                     $      552         $      730
                                                                               ==========         ==========
</TABLE>

         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                     Owens & Minor, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                                  (Unaudited)

1.   Accounting Policies

     In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated
     financial statements contain all adjustments (which are comprised only of
     normal recurring accruals and the use of estimates) necessary to present
     fairly the consolidated financial position of Owens & Minor, Inc. and its
     wholly-owned subsidiaries (O&M or the company) as of March 31, 2000 and the
     consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the three month
     periods ended March 31, 2000 and 1999.

2.   Interim Results of Operations

     The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily
     indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

3.   Interim Gross Margin Reporting

     The company uses estimated gross margin rates to determine the cost of
     goods sold during interim periods. To improve the accuracy of its estimated
     gross margins for interim reporting purposes, the company takes physical
     inventory counts at selected distribution centers. Reported results of
     operations for the three month periods ended March 31, 2000 and 1999
     reflect the results of such counts, to the extent that they are materially
     different from estimated amounts. Management will continue a program of
     interim physical inventories at selected distribution centers to the extent
     it deems appropriate to ensure the accuracy of interim reporting and to
     minimize year-end adjustments.

4.   Investment

     In October 1999, in a private offering, the company purchased an equity
     investment in Neoforma.com, Inc. (Neoforma), a provider of business-to-
     business e-commerce services in the healthcare industry. In January 2000,
     Neoforma made an initial public offering, at which time the shares held by
     O&M were converted to common stock. The investment is classified as
     available-for-sale, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
     Standards No.115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity
     Securities, and is included in other assets, net in the consolidated
     balance sheets at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax,
     reported as accumulated other comprehensive income. At March 31, 2000, the
     estimated fair value (based on the quoted market price), gross unrealized
     gain and cost basis of this investment were $3.5 million, $2.3 million and
     $1.2 million. At December 31, 1999, the investment was stated at its cost
     basis of $1.2 million, as there was no market for the securities at that
     time.

5.   Acquisition

     On July 30, 1999, the company acquired certain net assets of Medix, Inc.
     (Medix), a distributor of medical and surgical supplies. The acquisition
     has been accounted for by the purchase method and, accordingly, the
     operating results of Medix have been included in the company's consolidated
     financial statements since the date of acquisition. Assuming the
     acquisition had been made at January 1, 1999, consolidated net sales, on a
     pro forma basis, would have been approximately $791 million for the three
     months ended March 31, 1999. Consolidated net income and net income per
     share on a pro forma basis would not have been materially different from
     the results reported.

     In connection with the acquisition, management adopted a plan for
     integration of the businesses which includes closure of some Medix
     facilities and consolidation of certain administrative

                                       6
<PAGE>

     functions. An accrual was established to provide for certain costs of this
     plan. The following table sets forth the activity in the accrual during the
     three months ended March 31, 2000:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                (In thousands)                             Balance at                        Balance at
                                                       December 31, 1999     Charges       March 31, 2000
                ------------------------------------- --------------------- ------------- -----------------
                <S>                                       <C>                <C>            <C>
                Losses under lease commitments            $   1,609          $    107       $   1,502
                Employee separations                            339                38             301
                Other                                           685                32             653
                ------------------------------------- --------------------- ------------- -----------------
                Total                                     $   2,633          $    177       $   2,456
                ------------------------------------- --------------------- ------------- -----------------
</TABLE>

     As of March 31, 2000, 16 employees had been terminated. The integration of
     the Medix business is expected to be substantially complete by mid-2000.

6.   Restructuring Reserve

     As a result of the Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation contract
     cancellation in the second quarter of 1998, the company recorded a
     nonrecurring restructuring charge to downsize operations. The following
     table sets forth the activity in the restructuring reserve during the three
     months ended March 31, 2000:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                (In thousands)                             Balance at                        Balance at
                                                       December 31, 1999     Charges       March 31, 2000
                ------------------------------------- --------------------- ------------- -----------------
                <S>                                       <C>                <C>            <C>
                Losses under lease commitments            $   2,304          $    327       $   1,977
                Asset write-offs                              3,316               175           3,141
                Employee separations                             13                 7               6
                Other                                           477                 1             476
                ------------------------------------- --------------------- ------------- -----------------
                Total                                     $   6,110          $    510       $   5,600
                ------------------------------------- --------------------- ------------- -----------------
</TABLE>

7.   Net Income per Common Share

     The following sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income
per common share:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     (In thousands, except per share data)                                                          Three Months Ended
                                                                                                        March 31,
                                                                                       ----------------------------------------
                                                                                            2000                    1999
                                                                                       -----------------       ----------------
     <S>                                                                                <C>                    <C>
     Numerator:
     Numerator for basic net income per common share - net income                       $     6,840            $      5,491
        Distributions on convertible mandatorily redeemable preferred securities,
            net of income taxes                                                                 976                     993
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Numerator for diluted net income per common share - net income attributable
         to common stock after assumed conversions                                      $     7,816            $      6,484
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Denominator:
     Denominator for basic net income per common share - weighted
         average shares                                                                      32,585                  32,556
       Effect of dilutive securities:
             Conversion of mandatorily redeemable preferred securities                        6,400                   6,400
             Stock options and restricted stock                                                 234                     129
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Denominator for diluted net income per common share - adjusted weighted
         average shares and assumed conversions                                              39,219                  39,085
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net income per common share - basic                                                $      0.21             $      0.17
     Net income per common share - diluted                                              $      0.20             $      0.17
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       7
<PAGE>

8.   Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

     The following tables present condensed consolidating financial information
     for: Owens & Minor, Inc.; on a combined basis, the guarantors of Owens &
     Minor, Inc.'s 10 7/8% Senior Subordinated 10-year Notes (Notes); and the
     non-guarantor subsidiaries of the Notes. Separate financial statements of
     the guarantor subsidiaries are not presented because the guarantors are
     jointly, severally and unconditionally liable under the guarantees and the
     company believes the condensed consolidating financial information is more
     meaningful in understanding the financial position, results of operations
     and cash flows of the guarantor subsidiaries.

                                       8
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

(In thousands)

For the three months ended                                   Owens &      Guarantor     Non-guarantor
March 31, 2000                                             Minor, Inc.   Subsidiaries    Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Operations
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>           <C>
Net sales                                                $          -   $    854,549   $          -     $         -   $     854,549
Cost of goods sold                                                  -        764,781              -               -         764,781
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross margin                                                        -         89,768              -               -          89,768
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selling, general and administrative expenses                        -         64,948            285               -          65,233
Depreciation and amortization                                       -          5,161              -               -           5,161
Interest expense, net                                           4,576         (1,271)             -               -           3,305
Intercompany interest expense, net                             (2,164)         7,199         (5,035)              -               -
Discount on accounts receivable securitization                      -              7          1,852               -           1,859
Distributions on mandatorily redeemable preferred                   -              -          1,774               -           1,774
securities
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses                                                  2,412         76,044         (1,124)              -          77,332
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before income taxes                              (2,412)        13,724          1,124               -          12,436
Income tax provision (benefit)                                 (1,061)         5,995            662               -           5,596
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                                        $     (1,351)  $      7,729   $        462     $         -   $       6,840
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the three months ended                                   Owens &      Guarantor     Non-guarantor
March 31, 1999                                             Minor, Inc.   Subsidiaries    Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Operations
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>
Net sales                                                $          -   $    741,084   $          -    $          -   $     741,084
Cost of goods sold                                                  -        662,355                              -         662,355
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross margin                                                        -         78,729               -              -          78,729
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selling, general and administrative expenses                        5         58,501              92              -          58,598
Depreciation and amortization                                       -          4,461               -              -           4,461
Interest expense, net                                           4,149         (1,053)              -              -           3,096
Intercompany interest expense, net                             (1,696)         5,657          (3,961)             -               -
Discount on accounts receivable securitization                      -              6             989              -             995
Distributions on mandatorily redeemable preferred                   -              -           1,774              -           1,774
securities
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses                                                  2,458         67,572          (1,106)             -          68,924
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before income taxes                              (2,458)        11,157           1,106              -           9,805
Income tax provision (benefit)                                 (1,082)         4,897             499              -           4,314
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                                        $     (1,376)  $      6,260   $         607   $          -   $       5,491
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       9
<PAGE>

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
(In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Owens &          Guarantor     Non-guarantor
March 31, 2000                                          Minor, Inc.      Subsidiaries   Subsidiaries   Eliminations    Consolidated
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>
Balance Sheets
Assets
Current assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                             $       507       $        44     $         1  $          -     $       552
  Accounts and notes receivable, net                              -            81,436         126,377             -         207,813
  Merchandise inventories                                         -           338,661              50             -         338,711
  Intercompany advances, net                                134,982                 -               -      (134,982)              -
  Other current assets                                            -            11,287               -             -          11,287
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total current assets                                      135,489           431,428         126,428      (134,982)        558,363
Property and equipment, net                                       -            24,800               4             -          24,804
Goodwill, net                                                     -           209,340               -             -         209,340
Intercompany investments                                    305,441            15,001         136,083      (456,525)              -
Other assets, net                                            11,905            28,798             835             -          41,538
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total assets                                          $   452,835       $   709,367     $   263,350  $   (591,507)    $   834,045
===================================================================================================================================
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities
  Accounts payable                                      $         -       $   288,845     $        30  $          -     $   288,875
  Accrued payroll and related liabilities                         -             4,112               -             -           4,112
  Intercompany advances, net                                      -            35,674          99,308      (134,982)              -
  Other accrued liabilities                                   5,105            54,787           1,605             -          61,497
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total current liabilities                                   5,105           383,418         100,943      (134,982)        354,484
Long-term debt                                              150,000             1,333               -             -         151,333
Intercompany long-term debt                                 136,083                 -               -      (136,083)              -
Other liabilities                                                 -             7,525               -             -           7,525
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total liabilities                                         291,188           392,276         100,943      (271,065)        513,342
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable
  preferred securities of subsidiary trust, holding
  solely convertible debentures of Owens & Minor, Inc.            -                 -         132,000             -         132,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity
  Common stock                                               65,648            40,879           5,583       (46,462)         65,648
  Paid-in capital                                            12,850           258,979          15,001      (273,980)         12,850
  Retained earnings                                          81,883            17,233           9,823             -         108,939
  Accumulated other comprehensive income                      1,266                 -               -             -           1,266
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total shareholders' equity                                161,647           317,091          30,407      (320,442)        188,703
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity            $   452,835       $   709,367     $   263,350  $   (591,507)    $   834,045
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                       10
<PAGE>

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
(In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==================================================================================================================================
                                                           Owens &       Guarantor    Non-guarantor
December 31, 1999                                         Minor, Inc    Subsidiaries  Subsidiaries     Eliminations   Consolidated
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>            <C>
Balance Sheets
Assets
Current assets
   Cash and cash equivalents                             $       507     $       158    $         4    $         -     $       669
   Accounts and notes receivable, net                              -         112,088        114,839              -         226,927
   Merchandise inventories                                         -         342,478              -              -         342,478
   Intercompany advances, net                                157,711               -              -       (157,711)              -
   Other current assets                                            -          19,172              -              -          19,172
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total current assets                                      158,218         473,896        114,843       (157,711)        589,246
Property and equipment, net                                        -          25,877              -              -          25,877
Goodwill, net                                                      -         210,837              -              -         210,837
Intercompany investments                                     305,441          15,001        136,083       (456,525)              -
Other assets, net                                              9,894          27,933          1,213              -          39,040
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total assets                                          $   473,553     $   753,544    $   252,139    $  (614,236)    $   865,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities
   Accounts payable                                      $         -     $   303,490    $         -    $         -     $   303,490
   Accrued payroll and related liabilities                         -           6,883              -              -           6,883
   Intercompany advances, net                                      -          69,220         88,491       (157,711)              -
   Other accrued liabilities                                   1,354          56,368          1,703              -          59,425
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total current liabilities                                   1,354         435,961         90,194       (157,711)        369,798
Long-term debt                                               172,600           1,953              -              -         174,553
Intercompany long-term debt                                  136,083               -              -       (136,083)              -
Other liabilities                                                  -           6,268              -              -           6,278
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total liabilities                                         310,037         444,182         90,194       (293,794)        550,619
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable
     preferred securities of subsidiary trust, holding
     solely convertible debentures of Owens & Minor,
     Inc.                                                          -               -        132,000              -         132,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity
   Common stock                                               65,422          40,879          5,583        (46,462)         65,422
   Paid-in capital                                            12,890         258,979         15,001       (273,980)         12,890
   Retained earnings                                          85,204           9,504          9,361              -         104,069
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total shareholders' equity                                163,516         309,362         29,945       (320,442)        182,381
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total liabilities and shareholders' equity            $   473,553     $   753,544    $   252,139    $  (614,236)    $   865,000
==================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                       11
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

(In thousands)
===================================================================================================================================
 For the three months ended                               Owens &       Guarantor     Non-guarantor
 March 31, 2000                                          Minor, Inc.   Subsidiaries    Subsidiaries  Eliminations   Consolidated
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Statements of Cash Flows
Operating activities
Net income (loss)                                      $   (1,351)      $    7,729     $       462    $        -     $    6,840
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash
  provided by operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization                                 -            5,161               -             -          5,161
  Provision for LIFO reserve                                    -            1,200               -             -          1,200
  Provision for losses on accounts and notes receivable         -              210            (116)            -             94
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
     Accounts and notes receivable                              -           30,442         (11,422)            -         19,020
     Merchandise inventories                                    -            2,617             (50)            -          2,567
     Accounts payable                                           -           (1,823)             30             -         (1,793)
     Net change in other current assets
         and current liabilities                            3,750            2,536             280             -          6,566
  Other, net                                                  477            1,263               -             -          1,740
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities            2,876           49,335         (10,816)            -         41,395
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities
Additions to property and equipment                             -           (1,264)             (4)            -         (1,268)
Additions to computer software                                  -           (2,872)              -             -         (2,872)
Other, net                                                      -               20               -             -             20
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash used for investing activities                              -           (4,116)             (4)            -         (4,120)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities
Reduction of debt                                         (22,600)               -               -             -        (22,600)
Change in intercompany advances                            21,694          (32,511)         10,817             -              -
Other financing, net                                            -          (12,822)              -             -        (12,822)
Cash dividends paid                                        (1,970)               -               -             -         (1,970)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities           (2,876)         (45,333)         10,817             -        (37,392)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                       -             (114)             (3)            -           (117)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period              507              158               4             -            669
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period             $      507       $       44     $         1    $        -     $      552
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                       12
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

(In thousands)
===================================================================================================================================
 For the three months ended                               Owens &       Guarantor     Non-guarantor
 March 31, 1999                                          Minor, Inc.   Subsidiaries    Subsidiaries  Eliminations   Consolidated
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Statements of Cash Flows
Operating activities
Net income (loss)                                      $   (1,376)      $    6,260     $       607   $         -     $     5,491
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash
  provided by (used for) operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization                                 -            4,461               -             -           4,461
  Provision for LIFO reserve                                    -              610               -             -             610
  Provision for losses on accounts and notes receivable         -              184              56             -             240
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
     Accounts and notes receivable                              -           12,906         (31,123)            -         (18,217)
     Merchandise inventories                                    -          (26,773)              -             -         (26,773)
     Accounts payable                                           -           68,307               -             -          68,307
     Net change in other current assets
         and current liabilities                            3,566             (172)             (1)            -           3,393
  Other, net                                                  412               17              (1)            -             428
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities            2,602           65,800         (30,462)            -          37,940
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities
Additions to property and equipment                             -           (2,124)              -             -          (2,124)
Additions to computer software                                  -             (134)              -             -            (134)
Other, net                                                      -               21          (1,200)            -          (1,179)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash used for investing activities                              -           (2,237)         (1,200)            -          (3,437)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities
Change in intercompany advances                            (1,048)         (30,614)         31,662             -               -
Other financing, net                                            -          (32,765)              -             -         (32,765)
Cash dividends paid                                        (1,634)               -               -             -          (1,634)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options                        80                -               -             -              80
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities           (2,602)         (63,379)         31,662             -         (34,319)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                       -              184               -             -             184
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period              505               40               1             -             546
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period             $      505       $      224     $         1   $         -     $       730
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                       13
<PAGE>

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations

The following management discussion and analysis describes material changes in
the financial condition of Owens & Minor, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries
(O&M or the company) since December 31, 1999. Trends of a material nature are
discussed to the extent known and considered relevant. This discussion should be
read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, related notes
thereto and management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and
results of operations included in the company's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1999.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity. The company's liquidity improved during the first quarter of 2000.
Combined outstanding debt and off balance sheet accounts receivable
securitization borrowings were reduced by $20.5 million to $260.3 million at
March 31, 2000, from $280.8 million at December 31, 1999. The reduction was due
to the positive impact of cash flow from operations.

The company expects that its available financing will be sufficient to fund its
working capital needs and long-term strategic growth, although this cannot be
assured. At March 31, 2000, the company had $225.0 million of unused credit
under its revolving credit facility and approximately $42.3 million under its
receivables financing facility.

Effective April 24, 2000, the company replaced its revolving credit facility
with a new agreement expiring in April 2003. The credit limit of the new
facility is $225.0 million, unchanged from the previous facility, and the
interest is based on LIBOR or the Prime Rate, at the company's discretion. Under
the new facility, the company is charged a commitment fee of between 0.20% and
0.275% on the unused portion of the facility, and a utilization fee of 0.25%
will be charged if borrowings exceed $112.5 million. The terms of the new
agreement limit the amount of indebtedness that the company may incur, require
the company to maintain certain levels of net worth, current ratio, leverage
ratio and fixed charge coverage, and restrict the ability of the company to
materially alter the character of the business through consolidation, merger or
purchase or sale of assets.

Working Capital Management. The company's working capital decreased by $15.6
million from December 31, 1999 to $203.9 million at March 31, 2000, primarily
due to collections of accounts receivable. Accounts receivable, excluding the
impact of the company's accounts receivable securitization facility, decreased
by $17.0 million to $315.5 million at March 31, 2000.

Capital Expenditures. Capital expenditures were approximately $4.1 million in
the first three months of 2000, of which approximately $3.6 million was for
computer hardware and software. The company expects to continue supporting
strategic initiatives and improving operational efficiency through investments
in technology including system upgrades. These capital expenditures are expected
to be funded through cash flow from operations.

Results of Operations
First quarter of 2000 compared with first quarter of 1999

Net sales. Net sales increased 15.3% to $854.5 million in the first quarter of
2000 from $741.1 million in the first quarter of 1999. Excluding the sales
generated by Medix, net sales increased 9.0%. Most of this increase resulted
from increased penetration of existing accounts, most significantly Tenet
BuyPower, whose distribution contract began in February 1999 and therefore
contributed to only two months' sales in the first quarter of 1999.

                                       14
<PAGE>

Gross margin. Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased slightly to
10.5% in the first quarter of 2000 compared with 10.6% for the first quarter of
1999. The decrease was a result of a lower sales base in the first quarter of
1999.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and
administrative (SG&A) expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 7.6% of
net sales for the first quarter of 2000, compared to 7.9% for the first quarter
of 1999. The decrease as a percentage of sales was the result of the higher
sales base in the first quarter of 2000 and the elimination of the need for Year
2000 remediation efforts. Expenses in the first quarter of 1999 included
spending of $1.0 million on Year 2000 initiatives.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense for the
quarter increased by approximately 15.7% from 1999, due, in part, to goodwill
amortization of approximately $0.4 million resulting from the Medix acquisition.
In addition, depreciation expense increased as a result of higher capital
spending associated with information technology initiatives. O&M anticipates
similar increases in depreciation throughout the rest of 2000.

Interest expense, net, and discount on accounts receivable securitization
(financing costs). Financing costs totaled $5.2 million in the first quarter of
2000, compared with $4.1 million in the first quarter of 1999. The increase in
financing costs is due to an increase in debt (including amounts financed under
the company's off balance sheet accounts receivable securitization facility) of
approximately $45.3 million since the first quarter of 1999. The increase in
debt resulted from the Medix acquisition, partially offset by positive cash
flows from operations.

The company expects to continue to manage its financing costs by continuing its
working capital reduction initiatives and management of interest rate risks,
although the future results of these initiatives cannot be assured.

Income taxes. The income tax provision was $5.6 million in the first quarter of
2000 compared with $4.3 million in the same period in 1999. The effective tax
rate was 45.0%, compared to 44.0% for the same period in 1999. This rate
increase results primarily from increases in certain nondeductible expenses.

Net income. Net income increased to $6.8 million in the first quarter of 2000
from $5.5 million in the first quarter of 1999. The increase is primarily due to
the increase in sales and success in controlling operating expenses.

New Health Exchange

In April 2000, the company announced an agreement in principle with four other
leading healthcare distributors to form an Internet-based company that would be
an independent, commercially neutral healthcare product information exchange
focused on streamlining the healthcare supply chain. The companies involved
expect to complete a definitive joint-venture agreement by the end of July and
begin implementation of the exchange by the end of the year. The founding
members expect the new exchange to require investments totaling more than $100
million. The amount to be invested by O&M has not been determined at this time.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements.

In September 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities. In May 1999, the FASB delayed the effective
date of this standard by one year. The company will be required to adopt the
provisions of this standard beginning on January 1, 2001. Management believes
the effect of the adoption of this standard will be

                                       15
<PAGE>

limited to financial statement presentation and disclosure and will not have a
material effect on the company's financial condition or results of operations.

Risks

The company is subject to risks associated with changes in the medical industry,
including continued efforts to control costs, which place pressure on operating
margin, and changes in the way medical and surgical services are delivered to
patients. The loss of one of the company's larger customers could have a
significant effect on its business. However, management believes that the
company's competitive position in the marketplace and its ability to control
costs would enable it to continue profitable operations and attract new
customers in the event of such a loss.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this discussion constitute "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, including, but not
limited to, general economic and business conditions, competition, changing
trends in customer profiles, outcome of outstanding litigation and changes in
government regulations. Although O&M believes its expectations with respect to
the forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions within the
bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no
assurance that actual results, performance or achievements of the company will
not differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The company believes there has been no material change in its exposure to market
risk from that discussed in Item 7A in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1999.

                                       16
<PAGE>

Part II.  Other Information

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

Certain legal proceedings pending against the company are described in the
company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.
Through March 31, 2000, there have been no material developments in any legal
proceedings reported in such Annual Report.

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a)      Exhibits

          4       Credit Agreement dated as of April 24, 2000 by and among Owens
                  & Minor, Inc., as Borrower, Certain of its Subsidiaries, as
                  Guarantors, the banks identified herein, First Union National
                  Bank and SunTrust Bank, as Syndication Agents, Bank One, N.A.,
                  as Managing Agent, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Co-Agent, and
                  Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

         27       Financial Data Schedule

 (b)     Reports on Form 8-K
         No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the company during the quarter for
         which this Quarterly Report is filed.

                                       17
<PAGE>

                                  SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements 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.

                                   Owens & Minor, Inc.
                                   -------------------------------------
                                   (Registrant)



Date          May 11, 2000         /s/ Richard F. Bozard
        ----------------------     -------------------------------------
                                   Richard F. Bozard
                                   Vice President & Treasurer
                                   Acting Chief Financial Officer



Date          May 11, 2000         /s/ Olwen B. Cape
        ----------------------     -------------------------------------
                                   Olwen B. Cape
                                   Vice President & Controller
                                   Chief Accounting Officer

<PAGE>

                            Exhibits Filed with SEC
                            -----------------------
Exhibit #
- ---------

        4       Credit Agreement dated as of April 24, 2000 by and among Owens &
                Minor, Inc., as Borrower, Certain of its Subsidiaries, as
                Guarantors, the banks identified herein, First Union National
                Bank and SunTrust Bank, as Syndication Agents, Bank One, N.A.,
                as Managing Agent, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Co-Agent, and
                Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.


<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT 4

                               CREDIT AGREEMENT

                          Dated as of April 24, 2000

                                     among

                             OWENS & MINOR, INC.,
                                 as Borrower,

                CERTAIN OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES IDENTIFIED HEREIN,
                                as Guarantors,

                         THE BANKS IDENTIFIED HEREIN,

                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
                                      and
                                SUNTRUST BANK,
                            as Syndication Agents,

                                 BANK ONE, NA,
                              as Managing Agent,

                           THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,
                                  as Co-Agent

                                      AND

                            BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
                            as Administrative Agent

                                 ARRANGED BY:

                        BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC,
                  as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                         <C>
SECTION 1  DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS...............................  5
           --------------------------------
    1.1           Definitions.............................................  5
                  -----------
    1.2           Computation of Time Periods............................. 32
                  ---------------------------
    1.3           Accounting Terms........................................ 32
                  ----------------

SECTION 2  CREDIT FACILITIES.............................................. 32
           -----------------
    2.1           Commitments............................................. 33
                  -----------
    2.2           Method of Borrowing..................................... 34
                  -------------------
    2.3           Interest................................................ 35
                  --------
    2.4           Repayment............................................... 36
                  ---------
    2.5           Notes................................................... 36
                  -----
    2.6           Additional Provisions relating to Letters of Credit..... 36
                  ---------------------------------------------------
    2.7           Additional Provisions relating to Swingline Loans....... 41
                  -------------------------------------------------

SECTION 3  OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO CREDIT FACILITY................... 42
           --------------------------------------------
    3.1           Default Rate............................................ 42
                  ------------
    3.2           Conversion.............................................. 42
                  ----------
    3.3           Termination of Commitments.............................. 43
                  --------------------------
    3.4           Prepayments............................................. 43
                  -----------
    3.5           Fees.................................................... 43
                  ----
    3.6           Capital Adequacy........................................ 45
                  ----------------
    3.7           Limitation on Eurodollar Loans.......................... 45
                  ------------------------------
    3.8           Illegality.............................................. 45
                  ----------
    3.9           Requirements of Law..................................... 46
                  -------------------
    3.10          Treatment of Affected Loans............................. 47
                  ---------------------------
    3.11          Taxes................................................... 47
                  -----
    3.12          Compensation............................................ 50
                  ------------
    3.13          Pro Rata Treatment...................................... 50
                  ------------------
    3.14          Sharing of Payments..................................... 51
                  -------------------
    3.15          Payments, Computations, Etc............................. 52
                  ---------------------------
    3.16          Evidence of Debt........................................ 54
                  ----------------
    3.17          Certain Limitations..................................... 54
                  -------------------

SECTION 4  GUARANTY....................................................... 55
           --------
    4.1           The Guaranty............................................ 55
                  ------------
    4.2           Obligations Unconditional............................... 56
                  -------------------------
    4.3           Reinstatement........................................... 57
                  -------------
    4.4           Certain Additional Waivers.............................. 57
                  --------------------------
    4.5           Remedies................................................ 57
                  --------
    4.6           Rights of Contribution.................................. 58
                  ----------------------
    4.7           Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee.............. 59
                  ------------------------------------------

SECTION 5  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT........................................... 59
           --------------------
    5.1           Conditions to Closing................................... 59
                  ---------------------
</TABLE>

                                       i
<PAGE>

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                        <C>
    5.2           Conditions to all Extensions of Credit.................. 60
                  --------------------------------------
SECTION 6  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES................................. 61
           ------------------------------
    6.1           Organization and Good Standing.......................... 61
                  ------------------------------
    6.2           Due Authorization....................................... 61
                  -----------------
    6.3           No Conflicts............................................ 62
                  ------------
    6.4           Consents................................................ 62
                  --------
    6.5           Enforceable Obligations................................. 62
                  -----------------------
    6.6           No Legal Bar............................................ 62
                  ------------
    6.7           Financial Condition..................................... 63
                  -------------------
    6.8           No Changes or Restricted Payments....................... 63
                  ---------------------------------
    6.9           No Default.............................................. 63
                  ----------
    6.10          Liens................................................... 63
                  -----
    6.11          Indebtedness............................................ 64
                  ------------
    6.12          Litigation.............................................. 64
                  ----------
    6.13          Material Agreements..................................... 64
                  -------------------
    6.14          Taxes................................................... 64
                  -----
    6.15          Compliance with Law..................................... 64
                  -------------------
    6.16          ERISA................................................... 64
                  -----
    6.17          Subsidiaries............................................ 66
                  ------------
    6.18          Use of Proceeds; Margin Stock........................... 66
                  -----------------------------
    6.19          Government Regulation................................... 66
                  ---------------------
    6.20          Environmental Matters................................... 67
                  ---------------------
    6.21          Intellectual Property, Franchises, etc.................. 68
                  --------------------------------------
    6.22          Investments............................................. 68
                  -----------
    6.23          No Material Misstatements............................... 68
                  -------------------------
    6.24          Labor Matters........................................... 68
                  -------------

SECTION 7 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS........................................... 69
          ---------------------
    7.1           Information Covenants................................... 69
                  ---------------------
    7.2           Preservation of Existence and Franchises................ 73
                  ----------------------------------------
    7.3           Books, Records and Inspections.......................... 73
                  ------------------------------
    7.4           Compliance with Law..................................... 73
                  -------------------
    7.5           Payment of Taxes and Other Indebtedness................. 73
                  ---------------------------------------
    7.6           Insurance............................................... 74
                  ---------
    7.7           Maintenance of Property................................. 74
                  -----------------------
    7.8           Performance of Obligations.............................. 74
                  --------------------------
    7.9           Use of Proceeds......................................... 74
                  ---------------
    7.10          Financial Covenants..................................... 74
                  -------------------
    7.11          Additional Credit Parties............................... 76
                  -------------------------

SECTION 8  NEGATIVE COVENANTS............................................. 76
           ------------------
    8.1           Indebtedness............................................ 76
                  ------------
    8.2           Liens................................................... 78
                  -----
    8.3           Nature of Business...................................... 78
                  ------------------
    8.4           Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Purchase of Assets, etc.. 78
                  ------------------------------------------------------
    8.5           Asset Dispositions...................................... 79
                  ------------------
</TABLE>

                                      ii
<PAGE>

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                        <C>
    8.6           Advances, investments and Loans......................... 80
                  -------------------------------
    8.7           Prepayments and Amendments Relating to Other Debt....... 80
                  -------------------------------------------------
    8.8           Transactions with Affiliates............................ 81
                  ----------------------------
    8.9           Ownership of Subsidiaries............................... 81
                  -------------------------
    8.10          Fiscal Year............................................. 82
                  -----------
    8.11          Subsidiary Dividends.................................... 82
                  --------------------
    8.12          Restricted Payments..................................... 82
                  -------------------

SECTION 9   EVENTS OF DEFAULT............................................. 82
            -----------------
    9.1           Events of Default....................................... 82
                  -----------------
    9.2           Acceleration; Remedies.................................. 85
                  ----------------------
SECTION 10  AGENCY PROVISIONS............................................. 86
            -----------------
    10.1          Appointment, Powers and Immunities...................... 86
                  ----------------------------------
    10.2          Reliance by Administrative Agent........................ 86
                  --------------------------------
    10.3          Defaults................................................ 87
                  --------
    10.4          Rights as a Bank........................................ 87
                  ----------------
    10.5          Indemnification......................................... 88
                  ---------------
    10.6          Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Banks.... 88
                  ----------------------------------------------------
    10.7          Successor Administrative Agent.......................... 88
                  ------------------------------
SECTION 11  MISCELLANEOUS................................................. 89
            -------------
    11.1          Notices................................................. 89
                  -------
    11.2          Right of Set-Off; Adjustments........................... 91
                  -----------------------------
    11.3          Benefit of Agreement.................................... 91
                  --------------------
    11.4          No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.......................... 93
                  ------------------------------
    11.5          Expenses; Indemnification............................... 93
                  -------------------------
    11.6          Amendments, Waivers and Consents........................ 94
                  --------------------------------
    11.7          Counterparts............................................ 96
                  ------------
    11.8          Headings................................................ 96
                  --------
    11.9          Survival................................................ 96
                  --------
    11.10         Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue........ 96
                  ------------------------------------------------
    11.11         Severability............................................ 97
                  ------------
    11.12         Entirety................................................ 97
                  --------
    11.13         Binding Effect; Termination............................. 97
                  ---------------------------
    11.14         Confidentiality......................................... 98
                  ---------------
    11.15         Source of Funds......................................... 98
                  ---------------
    11.16         Conflict................................................ 99
                  --------
</TABLE>

                                      iii
<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULES

Schedule 2.1                 Banks and Commitments
Schedule 2.2(a)(i)           Form of Notice of Borrowing
Schedule 2.2(a)(iii)         Form of Notice of Request of Letter of Credit
Schedule 3.2                 Form of Notice of Conversion
Schedule 2.5                 Form of Revolving Note
Schedule 5.1(b)              Form of Legal Opinions
Schedule 5.1(e)              Form of Officer's Certificate
Schedule 6.17                Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.24                Labor Matters
Schedule 7.1(c)              Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
Schedule 7.1(d)              Form of Officer's Compliance Certificate
Schedule 7.11                Form of Joinder Agreement
Schedule 8.1(b)              Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 8.2                 Existing Liens
Schedule 11.3(b)             Form of Assignment and Acceptance Agreement

                                      iv
<PAGE>

                               CREDIT AGREEMENT

     THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of April 24, 2000 (the "Credit Agreement"),
                                                            ----------------
is by and among OWENS & MINOR, INC., a Virginia corporation (the "Borrower"),
                                                                  --------
certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower identified as "Guarantors" herein (each a
"Guarantor" and collectively the "Guarantors"), the various banks and lending
 ---------                        ----------
institutions party hereto (each a "Bank" and collectively the "Banks"), FIRST
                                   ----                        -----
UNION NATIONAL BANK and SUNTRUST BANK, as Syndication Agents, BANK ONE, NA, as
Managing Agent, THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as Co-Agent, and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as administrative agent for the Banks (in such capacity, the "Administrative
                                                              --------------
Agent").
- -----

                              W I T N E S S E T H

     WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Banks provide a $225,000,000
senior revolving credit facility for the purposes hereinafter provided;

     WHEREAS, the Banks have agreed to provide the requested credit facility on
the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

     NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   SECTION 1

                       DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
                       --------------------------------

1.1  Definitions.
     -----------

     As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings herein
specified unless the context otherwise requires. Defined terms herein shall
include in the singular number the plural and in the plural the singular:

          "Acquisition", by any Person, means the purchase or acquisition by
           -----------
     such Person of any Capital Stock of another Person (other than a member of
     the Consolidated Group) or all or any substantial portion of the Property
     (other than Capital Stock) of another Person (other than a member of the
     Consolidated Group), whether or not involving a merger or consolidation
     with such other Person.

          "Additional Credit Party" means each Person that becomes a Guarantor
           -----------------------
     after the Closing Date by execution of a Joinder Agreement.

                                       5
<PAGE>

     "Administrative Agent" means the administrative agent for the Banks
      --------------------
under this Credit Agreement as identified in the recital of parties
hereinabove, and any successors and assigns in such capacity.

     "Administrative Agent's Fee Letter" means the letter agreement dated
      ---------------------------------
as of March 10, 2000 between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, as
amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

     "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person
      ---------
directly or indirectly controlling (including but not limited to all
directors and officers of such Person), controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with such Person. A Person shall be deemed to
control a corporation if such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the
power (i) to vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting
power for the election of directors of such corporation or (ii) to direct
or cause direction of the management and policies of such corporation,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise.

     "Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount" shall have the meaning assigned
      ------------------------------------
to such term in Section 2.1(a).

     "Applicable Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, a per annum rate
      -----------------------------
equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) one-eighth of one
                                               ----
percent (0.125%). Any change in the Applicable Federal Funds Rate due to a
change in the Federal Funds Rate shall be effective on the effective date
of such change in the Federal Funds Rate.

     "Applicable Lending Office" means, for each Bank, the office of such
      -------------------------
Bank (or of an affiliate of such Bank) as such Bank may from time to time
specify to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by written notice as
the office by which its Eurodollar Loans are made and maintained.

     "Applicable Percentage" means for any day, the rate per annum set
      ---------------------
forth below opposite the applicable Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio then
in effect, it being understood that the Applicable Percentage for (i) Base
Rate Loans shall be the percentage set forth under the column "Base Rate
Margin", (ii) Eurodollar Loans shall be the percentage set forth under the
column "Eurodollar Rate Margin", (iii) Fed Funds Swingline Loans shall be
the percentage set forth under "Eurodollar Rate Margin", (iv) Standby
Letter of Credit Fee shall be the percentage set forth under the Column
"Eurodollar Rate Margin" and (v) the Commitment Fee shall be the percentage
set forth under the column "Commitment Fee":

<TABLE>
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Consolidated       Eurodollar         Base
        Pricing        Total Leverage         Rate            Rate          Commitment      Utilization
         Level             Ratio             Margin          Margin            Fee              Fee
         -----             -----             ------          ------            ---              ---
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>                 <C>               <C>            <C>             <C>
          I                *3.25              1.50%             0.00%          0.275%          0.250%
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         II            *2.50 but + 3.25       1.25%             0.00%          0.250%          0.250%

     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

* equals greater than
+ equals less than and equal to

                                       6
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
     -------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------- ----------------- ----------------
<S>                    <C>                 <C>               <C>            <C>             <C>
         III           *1.75 but + 2.50       1.00%             0.00%          0.225%          0.250%

     -------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------- ----------------- ----------------
         IV                 + 1.75            0.75%             0.00%          0.200%          0.250%

     -------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------- ----------------- ----------------
</TABLE>

* equals greater than
+ equals less than and equal to

The Applicable Percentage shall, in each case, be determined and
adjusted quarterly on the date (each an "Interest Determination Date")
                                         ---------------------------
five (5) Business Days after the date by which the Borrower is required
to provide the quarterly or annual compliance certificate and related
financial statements in accordance with the provisions of Sections
7.1(a), (b) and (c), as appropriate; provided that:
                                     --------

          (i) the initial Applicable Percentages shall be based on the financial
     statements and related financial information for fiscal quarter of the
     Borrower ended December 31, 1999 and shall remain in effect until the first
     Interest Determination Date to occur after the Closing Date, and

          (ii) notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event an annual or
     quarterly compliance certificate and related financial statements are not
     delivered timely to the Administrative Agent by the date required by
     Sections 7.1(a), (b) and (c), as appropriate, the Applicable Percentage, in
     each case, shall be based on Pricing Level I until the date five (5)
     Business Days after such compliance certificate and related financial
     statements are delivered to the Administrative Agent.

Subject to the qualifications set forth above, the Applicable Percentage, in
each case, shall be effective from an Interest Determination Date until the next
Interest Determination Date. The Administrative Agent shall determine the
appropriate Applicable Percentages promptly upon receipt of, and based on the
information contained in, the quarterly or annual compliance certificates and
related financial statements. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the
Borrower and the Banks of any change in the Applicable Percentage. Such
determinations by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest
error. Adjustments in the Applicable Percentage shall be effective as to
existing Extensions of Credit as well as new Extensions of Credit made
thereafter.

     "Asset Disposition" shall mean and include the sale, lease or
      -----------------
other disposition (or the entering into a contract or other agreement that, upon
consummation, will result in the sale, lease or other disposition) of any
Property by any member of the Consolidated Group (including the Capital Stock of
a Subsidiary) other than (A) the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of
business, (B) the sale, lease or other disposition of machinery and equipment no
longer used or useful in the conduct of such member's business, (C) the sale of
Receivables and Receivables Related Assets pursuant to the terms of a Qualified
Receivables Transaction permitted hereunder and (D) the sale of Receivables and
related documentation (including sales invoices and revolving charge agreements)
to Norwest Financial Leasing, Inc. (and its successor and assigns) in connection
with the Borrower's private-label commercial revolving credit program for
customers.

     "Bank of America" means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.
      ---------------

                                       7
<PAGE>

     "Bankruptcy Code" means the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of the
      ---------------
United States Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from
time to time.

     "Banks" means each Person identified as a "Bank" on the
      -----
signature pages hereto and its successors and assigns.

     "Base Rate" means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the
      ---------
greater of (a) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1% or
(b) the Prime Rate in effect on such day. If for any reason the Administrative
Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive absent
manifest error) that it is unable to ascertain the Federal Funds Rate for any
reason, including the inability of the Administrative Agent to obtain sufficient
quotations in accordance with the terms hereof, the Base Rate shall be
determined without regard to clause (a) of the first sentence of this definition
until the circumstances giving rise to such inability no longer exist. Any
change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds
Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate
or the Federal Funds Rate, respectively.

     "Base Rate Loan" means a Loan which bears interest based on the Base Rate.
      --------------

     "Borrower" means Owens & Minor, Inc., a Virginia corporation, and its
      --------
successors and permitted assigns.

     "Borrowing Base" means, at any time, the sum of 85% of Eligible
      --------------
Receivables plus 50% of Eligible Inventory in each case as set forth in the most
recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent and the
Banks in accordance with the terms of Section 7.1(c).

     "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or any other
      ------------
day on which banking institutions are required or authorized by law to close in
Richmond, Virginia, Charlotte, North Carolina or New York, New York; except that
in the case of Eurodollar Loans, such day is also a day on which dealings
between banks are carried on in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

     "Capital Lease" means any lease the payments and obligations with respect
      -------------
to which would be required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP.

     "Capital Stock" means (i) in the case of a corporation, capital stock, (ii)
      -------------
in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests,
participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of capital
stock, (iii) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests (whether
general or limited), (iv) in the case of a limited liability company, membership
interests and (v) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person
the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of
assets of, the issuing Person.

                                       8
<PAGE>

     "Cash Equivalents" means (i) securities issued or directly and fully
      ----------------
guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency or
instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United
States of America is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more
than twelve months from the date of acquisition, (ii) U.S. dollar denominated
(or foreign currency fully hedged) time deposits, certificates of deposit,
Eurodollar time deposits and Eurodollar certificates of deposit of (y) any
domestic commercial bank of recognized standing having capital and surplus in
excess of $500,000,000 or (z) any bank whose short-term commercial paper rating
from S&P is at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof or from Moody's is at least
P-1 or the equivalent thereof (any such bank being an "Approved Bank"), in each
                                                       -------------
case with maturities of not more than 270 days from the date of acquisition,
(iii) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by any Approved
Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable rate notes issued by, or
guaranteed by, any domestic corporation rated A-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or
better by S&P or P-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody's and
maturing within six months of the date of acquisition and (iv) repurchase
agreements with a bank or trust company (including a Bank) or a recognized
securities dealer having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 for
direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed by the United States of America
in which the Borrower shall have a perfected first priority security interest
(subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair
market value of at least 100% of the amount of the repurchase obligations.

     "Change of Control" means (i) any Person or two or more Persons acting in
      -----------------
concert shall have acquired beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of
Voting Stock of the Borrower (or other securities convertible into such Voting
Stock) representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of all Voting Stock
of the Borrower, (ii) during any period of up to 24 consecutive months,
commencing after the Closing Date, individuals who at the beginning of such 24
month period were directors of the Borrower cease to constitute a majority of
the board of directors of the Borrower and such event is a result (directly or
indirectly) of the acquisition of 5% or more of the combined voting power of the
Voting Stock by a Person or Persons who did not own at least 5% or more of the
combined voting power of the Voting Stock as of the Closing Date, or (iii) any
Person or two or more Persons acting in concert shall have acquired by contract
or otherwise, or shall have entered into a contract or arrangement that, upon
consummation, will result in its or their acquisition of, control over Voting
Stock of the Borrower (or other securities convertible into such securities)
representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of all Voting Stock of the
Borrower. As used herein, "beneficial ownership" shall have the meaning provided
                           --------------------
in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934.

     "Closing Date" means the date hereof.
      ------------

     "Commitments" means the Revolving Commitments, the Swingline Commitment and
      -----------
the LOC Commitment.

                                       9
<PAGE>

     "Commitment Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
      --------------
3.5(a).

     "Commitment Period" means the period from and including the Closing Date to
      -----------------
but not including the earlier of (i) the Termination Date, or (ii) the date on
which the Commitments shall terminate in accordance with the provisions of this
Credit Agreement.

     "Consolidated Capital Expenditures" means, for any period, without
      ---------------------------------
duplication, all expenditures (whether paid in cash or other consideration) of
the members of the Consolidated Group during such period that, in accordance
with GAAP, are or should be included in additions to property, plant and
equipment or similar items reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows
for such period; provided, that Consolidated Capital Expenditures shall not
include, for purposes hereof, expenditures of proceeds of insurance settlements,
condemnation awards and other settlements in respect of lost, destroyed, damaged
or condemned assets, equipment or other property to the extent such expenditures
are made to replace or repair such lost, destroyed, damaged or condemned assets,
equipment or other property or otherwise to acquire assets or properties useful
in the business of the members of the Consolidated Group.

     "Consolidated Current Assets" means, as of any date, the sum of (a) the
      ---------------------------
total amount of current assets of the members of the Consolidated Group on a
consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP and (b) to the extent not
included in the foregoing clause (a), the aggregate net book value of all
Receivables transferred to a Securitization Subsidiary or other Person in
connection with a Qualified Securitization Transaction.

     "Consolidated Current Liabilities" means, as of any date, the total amount
      --------------------------------
of current liabilities of the members of the Consolidated Group on a
consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP.

     "Consolidated Current Ratio" means, as of any date, the ratio of
      --------------------------
Consolidated Current Assets on such date to Consolidated Current Liabilities on
such date.

     "Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period, the sum of (a) Consolidated
      -------------------
Net Income for such period plus (b) to the extent deducted in determining net
income for such period, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) taxes, and (iii)
depreciation and amortization, in each case for the members of the Consolidated
Group on a consolidated basis as determined in accordance with GAAP.

     "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, as of the end of any
      ----------------------------------------
fiscal quarter of the Borrower, the ratio of Consolidated Net Income Available
for Fixed Charges for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on
such date to Consolidated Fixed Charges for the period of four consecutive
fiscal quarters ending on such date.

                                       10
<PAGE>

     "Consolidated Fixed Charges" means, for any period, without duplication,
      --------------------------
the sum of (i) all Consolidated Interest Expense during such period, (ii) all
Consolidated Rent Expense payable during such period, (iii) current maturities
of Funded Debt during such period, and (iv) all dividends and other payments or
distributions on the Capital Stock of a member of the Consolidated Group (other
than (A) dividends or distributions payable in the same class of Capital Stock
of such member of the Consolidated Group and (B) payments described in clauses
(ii) and (iii) of the definition of "Restricted Payments") made during such
period, in each case for the members of the Consolidated Group on a consolidated
basis determined in accordance with GAAP.

     "Consolidated Group" means the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
      ------------------

     "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, all interest
      -----------------------------
expense, including the amortization of debt discount and premium, the interest
component under Capital Leases and the implied interest component under
Securitization Transactions (including, without limitation, the discount in
connection with the sale of Receivables and Receivables Related Assets in
connection with a Qualified Securitization Transaction), in each case for the
members of the Consolidated Group on a consolidated basis determined in
accordance with GAAP. For purposes hereof, Consolidated Interest Expense shall
include distributions paid on the Preferred Securities (but without duplication
for interest payable under the Junior Subordinated Debentures).

     "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the net income (or loss)
      -----------------------
of the members of the Consolidated Group on a consolidated basis determined in
accordance with GAAP, but excluding for purposes of determining compliance with
the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, the Consolidated Senior Leverage
Ratio and the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio:

          (a)  any extraordinary gains or losses on the sale or other
     disposition of assets, and any taxes on such excluded gains and any tax
     deductions or credits on account of any such excluded losses;

          (b)  the proceeds of any life insurance policy;

          (c)  net earnings of any business entity (other than a Subsidiary) in
     which any member of the Consolidated Group has an ownership interest unless
     such net earnings shall have actually been received by such member of the
     Consolidated Group in the form of cash distributions; and

          (d)  any portion of the net earnings of any Subsidiary which for any
     reason is unavailable for payment of dividends to the members of the
     Consolidated Group.

                                       11
<PAGE>

     "Consolidated Net Income Available for Fixed Charges" means, for any
      ---------------------------------------------------
period, the sum of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such period plus (b) Consolidated
Rent Expense for such period minus (v) Consolidated Capital Expenditures for
                             -----
such period.

     "Consolidated Net Worth" means total stockholders' equity for the members
      ----------------------
of the Consolidated Group on a consolidated basis as determined in accordance
with GAAP (but including, for purposes hereof, without duplication, the
Preferred Securities and the Indebtedness evidenced by the Junior Subordinated
Debentures and excluding, for purposes hereof, "accumulated other comprehensive
income" as such term is defined in Financial Accounting Standards Board
Statement 130).

     "Consolidated Rent Expense" means, for any period, all fixed payments
      -------------------------
(including as such all payments which the lessee is obligated to make to the
lessor on termination of the lease or surrender of the leased property) payable
by any member of the Consolidated Group, as lessee or sublessee under a lease of
real or personal property, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with
GAAP, but shall be exclusive of (a) any amounts required to be paid by such
Person (whether designated as rents or additional rents) on account of
maintenance, repairs, insurance, taxes and similar charges, determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, (b) any amounts payable by a member
of the Consolidated Group to another member of the Consolidated Group and (c)
any charge relating to that special non-recurring charge to earnings of $11.2
million taken in the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 1998 relating to the loss of
the medical/surgical distribution contract with Columbia/HCA Healthcare
Corporation. Fixed rents under any so-called "percentage leases" shall be
computed solely on the basis of the minimum rents, if any, required to be paid
by the lessee regardless of sales volume or gross revenues.

     "Consolidated Senior Debt" means, as of any date, Consolidated Total Debt
      ------------------------
less Subordinated Debt of the members of the Consolidated Group on a
consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP.

     "Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio" means, as of the end of any fiscal
      ----------------------------------
quarter of the Borrower, the ratio of Consolidated Senior Debt on such date to
Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on
such date.

     "Consolidated Total Assets" means, as of any date, the sum of (a) all items
      -------------------------
which would be classified as assets of the members of the Consolidated Group on
a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP and (b) to the extent
not included in the foregoing clause (a), the aggregate net book value of all
Receivables transferred to a Securitization Subsidiary or other Person in
connection with a Qualified Securitization Transaction.

     "Consolidated Total Debt" means, as of any date, all Funded Debt of the
      -----------------------
members of the Consolidated Group on a consolidated basis determined in
accordance with GAAP.

                                       12
<PAGE>

     "Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio" means, as of the end of any fiscal
      ---------------------------------
quarter of the Borrower, the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt on such date to
Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on
such date.

     "Contractual Obligation" means, as to any Person, any provision of any
      ----------------------
security issued by such Person or of any material agreement, instrument or
undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its
property is bound.

     "Credit Documents" means this Credit Agreement, the Notes, any Joinder
      ----------------
Agreement, the Administrative Agent's Fee Letter and all other related
agreements and documents issued or delivered hereunder or thereunder or pursuant
hereto or thereto (in each case as the same may be amended, modified, restated,
supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time).

     "Credit Party" means any of the Borrower and the Guarantors.
      ------------

     "Default" means any event, act or condition which with notice or lapse of
      -------
time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

     "Defaulting Bank" means, at any time, any Bank that, at such time, (i) has
      ---------------
failed to make a Loan or purchase a Participation Interest required pursuant to
the terms of this Credit Agreement, (ii) has failed to pay by the date when due
to the Administrative Agent or any Bank an amount owed by such Bank pursuant to
the terms of the Credit Agreement or any other of the Credit Documents, or (iii)
has been deemed insolvent or has become subject to a bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding or with respect to which (or with respect to any of the Property of
which) a receiver, trustee or similar official has been appointed.

     "Dollars" and "$" means dollars in lawful currency of the United States of
      -------       -
America.

     "Domestic Credit Party" means any Credit Party that is incorporated or
      ---------------------
organized under the laws of any State of the United States or the District of
Columbia.

     "Domestic Person" means any Person that is incorporated or organized under
      ---------------
the laws of any State of the United States or the District of Columbia.

     "Domestic Property" means any Property that is located within the United
      -----------------
States of America.

     "Domestic Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that is incorporated or
      -------------------
organized under the laws of any State of the United States or the District of
Columbia.

     "Eligible Assignee" means (i) a Bank, (ii) an Affiliate of a Bank (other
      -----------------
than an Affiliate which is a Non-U.S.Person), and (iii) any other Person
approved by the

                                       13
<PAGE>

Administrative Agent and, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing at the time of the assignment, the Borrower (such approval by the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed
and such approval to be deemed given by the Borrower if no objection is received
by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower within two Business Days after
notice of the proposed assignment has been provided by the Administrative Agent
to the Borrower), provided, however, that neither the Borrower nor any Affiliate
                  --------  -------
of the Borrower shall qualify as an Eligible Assignee. The parties hereto agree
that it is reasonable for the Borrower to withhold its approval of an assignment
to a Non-U.S. Person if such Non-U.S. Person does not provide to the Borrower
certification as to exemption from deduction or withholding of Taxes in
accordance with Section 3.11 (and the approval of the Borrower shall not be
deemed given by the Borrower to an assignment to a Non-U.S. Person if such Non-
U.S. Person does not provide to the Borrower certification as to exemption from
deduction or withholding of Taxes in accordance with Section 3.11).

     "Eligible Inventory" means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate
      ------------------
book value (based on a FIFO valuation) of all inventory of the Borrower and its
Domestic Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after deducting allowances or
reserves relating thereto, as shown on the books and records of the Borrower and
its Domestic Subsidiaries.

     "Eligible Receivables" means, as of any date of determination, the
      --------------------
aggregate net book value of all accounts, accounts receivable, receivables, and
obligations for payment created or arising from the sale of inventory or the
rendering of services in the ordinary course of business, owned by or owing to
the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after
deducting allowances or reserves relating thereto, as shown on the books and
records of Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries (but excluding, in any event,
without duplication, the aggregate net book value of all Receivables transferred
to a Securitization Subsidiary or other Person in connection with a Qualified
Securitization Transaction).

     "Equity Transaction" means, with respect to any member of the Consolidated
      ------------------
Group, any issuance or sale of shares of its Capital Stock, other than (i) an
issuance in connection with a conversion of debt securities to equity, (ii) an
issuance in connection with exercise by a present or former employee, officer or
director under a stock incentive plan, stock option plan or other equity-based
compensation plan or arrangement, (iii) the conversion of Preferred Securities
into common stock of the Borrower, and (iv) an issuance of the Capital Stock of
the Borrower in connection with an Acquisition permitted hereunder.

     "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
      -----
amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and
regulations thereunder, all as the same may be in effect from time to time.
References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any
successor sections.

                                       14
<PAGE>

     "ERISA Affiliate" means an entity which is under common control with the
      ---------------
Borrower within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA, or is a member of a
group which includes the Borrower and which is treated as a single employer
under Sections 414(b) or (c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

     "ERISA Event" means (i) with respect to any Plan, the occurrence of a
      -----------
Reportable Event or the substantial cessation of operations (within the meaning
of Section 4062(e) of ERISA); (ii) the withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate from a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year in which it was a
substantial employer (as such term is defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA),
or the termination of a Multiple Employer Plan; (iii) the distribution of a
notice of intent to terminate or the actual termination of a Plan pursuant to
Section 4041(a)(2) or 4041A of ERISA; (iv) the institution of proceedings to
terminate or the actual termination of a Plan by the PBGC under Section 4042 of
ERISA; (v) any event or condition which could reasonably be expected to
constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the
appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan; (vi) the complete or partial
withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan;
(vii) the conditions for imposition of a lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA
against the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate exist with respect to any Plan; or
(viii) the adoption of an amendment to any Plan requiring the provision of
security to such Plan pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA.

     "Eurodollar Loan" means a Loan which bears interest based on the Eurodollar
      ---------------
Rate.

     "Eurodollar Rate" means, for any Eurodollar Loan for any Interest Period
therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest
1/100 of 1%) determined by the Administrative Agent to be equal to the quotient
obtained by dividing (a) the Interbank Offered Rate for such Eurodollar Loan for
such Interest Period by (b) 1 minus the Eurodollar Reserve Requirement for such
Eurodollar Loan for such Interest Period.

     "Eurodollar Reserve Requirement" means, at any time, the maximum rate at
      ------------------------------
which reserves (including, without limitation, any marginal, special,
supplemental, or emergency reserves) are required to be maintained under
regulations issued from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System (or any successor) by member banks of the Federal Reserve System
against "Eurocurrency liabilities" (as such term is used in Regulation D).
Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, the Eurodollar Reserve Requirement
shall reflect any other reserves required to be maintained by such member banks
with respect to (i) any category of liabilities which includes deposits by
reference to which the Eurodollar Rate is to be determined, or (ii) any category
of extensions of credit or other assets which include Eurodollar Loans. The
Eurodollar Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date
of any change in the Eurodollar Reserve Requirement.

     "Event of Default" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
      ----------------
9.

                                       15
<PAGE>

     "Extension of Credit" means, as to any Bank, the making of, or
      -------------------
participation in, a Loan by such Bank (including continuations and conversions
thereof) or the issuance or extension of, or participation in, a Letter of
Credit by such Bank.

     "Fed Funds Swingline Loan" means a Loan which bears interest based on the
      ------------------------
Applicable Federal Funds Rate.

     "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded
      ------------------
upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted average
of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by
the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such
day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate
for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding
Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no
such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal
Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate charged to the Administrative
Agent (in its individual capacity) on such day on such transactions as
determined by the Administrative Agent.

     "Fees" means all fees payable pursuant to Section 3.5.
      ----

     "Foreign Person" means any Person that is not a Domestic Person.
      --------------

     "Foreign Property" means any Property that is not a Domestic Property.
      ----------------

     "Funded Debt" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, (i)
the principal amount of all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (ii)
the principal amount of all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or similar instruments, or upon which interest payments are
customarily made, (iii) the principal amount of all Support Obligations of such
Person with respect to Funded Debt of another Person, (iv) the maximum stated
amount of all standby letters of credit issued or bankers' acceptances
facilities created for the account of such Person and, without duplication, all
drafts drawn thereunder to the extent unreimbursed (other than letters of credit
(A) supporting other Indebtedness of such Person or (B) offset by a like amount
of cash or government securities pledged or held in escrow to secure such letter
of credit and draws thereunder), (v) the principal amount of all purchase money
Indebtedness (including for purposes hereof, indebtedness and obligations in
respect of conditional sale or title retention arrangements described in clause
(j) of the definition of "Indebtedness" and obligations in respect of the
deferred purchase price of property or services described in clause (c) of the
definition of "Indebtedness") of such Person, including without limitation the
principal portion of all obligations of such Person under Capital Leases, (vi)
the principal amount of all Funded Debt of another Person secured by a Lien on
any Property of such Person, whether or not such Funded Debt has been assumed,
provided that for purposes hereof the amount of such Funded Debt shall be
- --------
limited to the amount of such Funded Debt as to which there is recourse to such
Person or the fair market value of the property which is

                                       16
<PAGE>

subject to the Lien, if less, (vii) the aggregate net amount of Indebtedness or
obligations relating to the sale, contribution or other conveyance of accounts
receivable (or similar transaction) (exclusive of intercompany obligations owing
between the Securitization Subsidiary and a Credit Party pursuant to a Qualified
Securitization Transaction permitted hereunder) regardless of whether such
transaction is effected without recourse or in a manner which would not be
reflected on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, (viii) the principal
balance outstanding under any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease,
off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing product where such
transaction is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is
classified as an operating lease under GAAP, and (ix) the maximum amount of all
contingent obligations (including, without limitation, obligations to make earn-
out payments) of such Person incurred in connection with Acquisitions permitted
under Section 8.4 and Acquisitions consummated prior to the Closing Date. The
Funded Debt of any Person shall include the Funded Debt of any partnership or
joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or joint venturer, but
only to the extent to which there is recourse to such Person for the payment of
such Funded Debt. For purposes hereof, Funded Debt shall also include payments
in respect of Funded Debt which constitute current liabilities of the obligor
under GAAP but shall exclude the Preferred Securities and the Indebtedness
evidenced by the Junior Subordinated Debentures.

     "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
      ----
applied on a consistent basis and subject to the terms o f Section 1.3.

     "Governmental Authority" means any federal, state, local or foreign court
      ----------------------
or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory body.

     "Guarantor" means each Person identified as a "Guarantor" on the signature
      ---------
pages hereto and each Additional Credit Party, together with their successors
and permitted assigns.

     "Hedging Agreements" means any interest rate protection agreement or
      ------------------
foreign currency exchange agreement.

     "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, (a)
      ------------
all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, or upon
which interest payments are customarily made, (c) all obligations of such Person
issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of Property or services
purchased by such Person which would appear as liabilities on a balance sheet of
such Person in accordance with GAAP, (d) all Support Obligations of such Person
with respect to Indebtedness of another Person, (e) the maximum stated amount of
all standby letters of credit issued or bankers' acceptances facilities created
for the account of such Person and, without duplication, all drafts drawn
thereunder to the extent unreimbursed (other than letters of credit (i)
supporting other Indebtedness of such Person or (ii) offset by a like amount of
cash or government securities pledged or held in escrow to secure such letter of
credit and draws thereunder) ,

                                       17
<PAGE>

(f) the principal portion of all obligations of such Person under Capital
Leases, (g) all Indebtedness of another Person secured by (or for which the
holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to
be secured by) any Lien on, or payable out of the proceeds of production from,
Property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the obligations
secured thereby have been assumed, provided that for purposes hereof the amount
                                   --------
of such Indebtedness shall be limited to the amount of such Indebtedness as to
which there is recourse to such Person or the fair market value of the Property
which is subject to the Lien, if less, (h) all obligations of such Person under
take-or-pay or similar arrangements or under commodities agreements, (i) all
obligations of such Person under interest rate protection agreements and foreign
currency exchange agreements (including, without limitation, Hedging
Agreements), (j) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other
title retention agreements relating to Property purchased by such Person (other
than customary reservations or retentions of title under agreements with
suppliers entered into in the ordinary course of business), (k) all preferred
stock issued by such Person and which by the terms thereof could be (at the
request of the holders thereof or otherwise) subject to mandatory sinking fund
payments, redemption or other acceleration at any time prior to the Termination
Date, (l) the aggregate net amount of Indebtedness or obligations relating to
the sale, contribution or other conveyance of accounts receivable (or similar
transaction) (exclusive of intercompany obligations owing between the
Securitization Subsidiary and a Credit Party pursuant to a Qualified
Securitization Transaction permitted hereunder) regardless of whether such
transaction is effected without recourse or in a manner which would not be
reflected on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, (m) the principal portion
of all obligations of such Person under any synthetic lease, tax retention
operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing
product where such transaction is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax
purposes but is classified as an operating lease under GAAP, (n) the
Indebtedness of any partnership or unincorporated joint venture in which such
Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, but only to the extent to which
there is recourse to such Person for the payment of such Indebtedness, and (o)
the maximum amount of all contingent obligations (including, without limitation,
obligations to make earn-out payments) of such Person incurred in connection
with Acquisitions permitted under Section 8.4 and Acquisitions consummated prior
to the Closing Date. For purposes hereof, Indebtedness shall also include
payments in respect of Indebtedness which constitute current liabilities of the
obligor under GAAP. The Indebtedness of any Person shall not include (a) trade
debt incurred in the ordinary course of business and due within twelve months of
the incurrence thereof, (b) accrued expenses and (c) accrued pension and
retirement plan liabilities to the extent such liabilities would not appear as
debt on a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP.

     "Interbank Offered Rate" means, for any Eurodollar Loan for any Interest
      ----------------------
Period therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the
nearest 1/100 of 1%) appearing on Dow Jones Telerate Page 3750 (or any successor
page) as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at
approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first day
of such Interest Period for a term comparable to such Interest Period. If for
any reason such rate is not available, the term "Interbank

                                       18
<PAGE>

Offered Rate" shall mean, for any Eurodollar Loan for any Interest Period
therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest
1/100 of 1%) appearing on Reuters Screen LIBO Page as the London interbank
offered rate for deposits in Dollars at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time)
two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term
comparable to such Interest Period; provided, however, if more than one rate is
                                    --------  -------
specified on Reuters Screen LIBO Page, the applicable rate shall be the
arithmetic mean of all such rates (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest
1/100 of 1%).

     "Interest Determination Date" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
      ---------------------------
in the definition of "Applicable Percentage".

     "Interest Payment Date" means (i) as to Base Rate Loans and Fed Funds
      ---------------------
Swingline Loans, the last day of each March, June, September and December and
the Termination Date, and (ii) as to Eurodollar Loans, on the last day of each
Interest Period for such Loan, the date of repayment and on the Termination
Date, and in addition where the applicable Interest Period is more than 3
months, then also on the date 3 months from the beginning of the Interest
Period, and each 3 months thereafter. If an Interest Payment Date falls on a
date which is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall be deemed to
be the next succeeding Business Day, except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans
where the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar
month, then on the next preceding Business Day.

     "Interest Period" means, as to Eurodollar Loans, a period of one, two,
      ---------------
three or six months' duration, and also as to Eurodollar Loans of up to
$30,000,000, a period of 7-days' duration (provided that no more than one such
                                           --------
Revolving Loan with a 7-day Interest Period may be outstanding at any time), as
the Borrower may elect, commencing in each case on the date of the borrowing
(including conversions, extensions and renewals); provided, however, (A) if any
                                                  --------  -------
Interest Period would end on a day which is not a Business Day, such Interest
Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day (except that where
the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month,
then on the next preceding Business Day), (B) no Interest Period shall extend
beyond the Termination Date and (C) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, where an
Interest Period begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding
day in the calendar month in which the Interest Period is to end, such Interest
Period shall end on the last day of such calendar month.

     "Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
      ---------------------
amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and
regulations issued thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time.
References to sections of the Internal Revenue Code shall be construed also to
refer to any successor sections.

     "Investment" in any Person means (a) the acquisition (whether for cash,
      ----------
property, services, assumption of Indebtedness, securities or otherwise) of
Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures, partnership, joint ventures or other
ownership interests or other securities

                                       19
<PAGE>

of such other Person, (b) any deposit with, or advance, loan or other extension
of credit to, such Person (other than deposits made in connection with the
purchase of equipment or other assets in the ordinary course of business) or (c)
any other capital contribution to or investment in such Person, including,
without limitation, any Support Obligations (including any support for a letter
of credit issued on behalf of such Person) incurred for the benefit of such
Person, but excluding any Restricted Payment to such Person.

     "Issuing Bank" means Bank of America.
      ------------

     "Joinder Agreement" means a Joinder Agreement substantially in the form of
      -----------------
Schedule 7.11 executed and delivered by an Additional Credit Party in accordance
with the provisions of Section 7.11.

     "Junior Subordinated Debentures" means the junior subordinated convertible
      ------------------------------
deferrable interest debentures issued by the Borrower pursuant to that Junior
Subordinated Indenture dated May 13, 1998, the interest payments on which are
used to make cash distributions on Preferred Securities.

     "Letter of Credit" means any standby letter of credit issued by the Issuing
      ----------------
Bank for the account of the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section
2.1(c) .

     "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit
      ----
arrangement, security interest, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise),
preference or priority or charge of any kind (including any agreement to give
any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement,
any financing or similar statement or notice filed under the Uniform Commercial
Code as adopted and in effect in the relevant jurisdiction or other similar
recording or notice statute, and any lease in the nature thereof) securing or
purporting to secure any Indebtedness.

     "Loans" means the Revolving Loans and the Swingline Loans, and the Base
      -----
Rate, Eurodollar Loans and Fed Funds Swingline Loans comprising such Loans.


     "LOC Commitment" means, with respect to the Issuing Bank, the commitment of
      --------------
the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit in an aggregate face amount at any
time outstanding (together with the amounts of any unreimbursed drawings
thereon) of up to the LOC Committed Amount and, with respect to the Banks, the
commitment of each Bank to purchase participation interests in the LOC
Obligations up to its Revolving Commitment Percentage as provided in Section
2.6(b).

     "LOC Committed Amount" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
      --------------------
Section 2.1(c).

     "LOC Documents" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, such Letter of
      -------------
Credit, any amendments thereto, any documents delivered in connection therewith,
any application therefor, and any agreements, instruments, guarantees or other
documents

                                       20
<PAGE>

(whether general in application or applicable only to such Letter of Credit)
governing or providing for (i) the rights and obligations of the parties
concerned or at risk or (ii) any collateral security for such obligations.

     "LOC Obligations" means, at any time, the sum of (i) the maximum amount
      ---------------
which is, or at any time thereafter may become, available to be drawn under
Letters of Credit then outstanding, assuming compliance with all requirements
for drawings referred to in such Letters of Credit plus (ii) the aggregate
                                                   ----
amount of all drawings under Letters of Credit honored by the Issuing Bank but
not theretofore reimbursed by the Borrower.

     "Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on (i) the
      -----------------------
operations or financial condition of the members of the Consolidated Group,
taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of any Credit Party to perform its
obligations under the Credit Documents, (iii) the validity or enforceability of
any Credit Document or (iv) the rights and remedies of the Banks under the
Credit Documents.

     "Material Guarantor" means any Guarantor that, individually, (i) accounts
      ------------------
for more than five percent (5%) of the gross revenues of the members of the
Consolidated Group on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP,
(ii) accounts for more than five percent (5%) of net income of the members of
the Consolidated Group on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with
GAAP, or (iii) constitutes more than five percent (5%) of Consolidated Total
Assets.

     "Materials of Environmental Concern" means any gasoline or petroleum
      ----------------------------------
(including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or any
hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, defined or regulated as such
in or under any Environmental Laws, including, without limitation, asbestos,
polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.

     "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or any successor or
      -------
assignee of the business of such company in the business of rating securities.

     "Multiemployer Plan" means a Plan which is a "multiemployer plan" as
      ------------------
defined in Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

     "Multiple Employer Plan" means a Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan)
      ----------------------
which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate and at least one employer other than
the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate are contributing sponsors.

     "Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries" means Subsidiaries which are not Guarantors
      --------------------------
(other than any Securitization Subsidiary and any PS Affiliate).

     "Non-U.S. Person" means any Person that is not a United States person
      ---------------
within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code.

                                       21
<PAGE>

     "Note" or "Notes" means the Revolving Notes, individually or collectively,
      ----      -----
as appropriate.

     "Notice of Borrowing" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
      -------------------
Section 2.2(a)(i).

     "Notice of Conversion" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
      --------------------
Section 3.2.

     "Notice of Request of Letter of Credit" shall have the meaning assigned to
      -------------------------------------
such term in Section 2.2(a)(iii).

     "Obligations" means, without duplication, (i) all of the obligations of the
Borrower to the Banks (including the Issuing Bank) and the Administrative Agent,
whenever arising, under this Credit Agreement, the Notes or any of the other
Credit Documents (including, but not limited to, any interest accruing after the
occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event with respect to any Credit Party, regardless of
whether such interest is an allowed claim under the Bankruptcy Code) and (ii)
all liabilities and obligations, whenever arising, owing from the Borrower to
any Bank, or any affiliate of a Bank, arising under any Hedging Agreement.

     "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant
      ----
to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA and any successor thereof.

     "Participation Interest" means the purchase by a Bank of a participation in
      ----------------------
LOC Obligations as provided in Section 2.6(b), in Swingline Loans as provided in
Section 2.7 and in Loans as provided in Section 3.14 .

     "Permitted Investments" means Investments which are (i) cash and Cash
      ---------------------
Equivalents; (ii) receivables owing to any member of the Consolidated Group
created, acquired or made in the ordinary course of business and payable or
dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; (iii) Investments by
members of the Consolidated Group in and to Domestic Credit Parties; (iv)
Acquisitions permitted under Section 8.4(b)(ii); (v) loans and advances in the
ordinary course of business to officers, directors and employees for expenses
(including moving expenses related to a transfer) incidental to carrying on the
business of the members of the Consolidated Group in an aggregate amount not to
exceed $3,000,000 at any time outstanding; (vi) Investments (including debt
obligations) received in settlement of accounts receivable (created in the
ordinary course of business) from bankrupt obligors and in settlement of
delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers and suppliers
arising in the ordinary course of business; (vii) investments in a
Securitization Subsidiary or Special Purpose Vehicle relating to a Qualified
Securitization Transaction, (viii) investments in a PS Affiliate of up to
$5,000,000 in the aggregate; and (ix) Investments of a nature not contemplated
in the foregoing subsections in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 in the
aggregate at any time outstanding.

                                       22
<PAGE>

     "Permitted Liens" means:
      ---------------

     (i)    Liens created by or arising under the Credit Documents in favor of
the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Banks;

     (ii)   Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) for taxes,
assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or Liens for taxes
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate
reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have been established (and as to
which the Property subject to any such Lien is not yet subject to foreclosure,
sale or loss on account thereof);

     (iii)  statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen,
mechanics, materialmen and suppliers and other Liens imposed by law or pursuant
to customary reservations or retentions of title arising in the ordinary course
of business, provided that such Liens secure only amounts not yet due and
             --------
payable or, if due and payable, are unfiled and no other action has been taken
to enforce the same or are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings for which adequate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have
been established (and as to which the Property subject to any such Lien is not
yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof);

     (iv)   Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) incurred or
deposits made by any member of the Consolidated Group in the ordinary course of
business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and
other types of social security, or to secure the performance of tenders,
statutory obligations, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and
return of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations
for the payment of borrowed money);

     (v)    Liens in connection with attachments or judgments (including
judgment or appeal bonds) provided that the judgments secured shall, within 30
                          --------
days after the entry thereof, have been discharged or execution thereof stayed
pending appeal, or shall have been discharged within 30 days after the
expiration of any such stay;

     (vi)   easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning
restrictions), minor defects or irregularities in title and other similar
charges or encumbrances not, in any material respect, impairing the use of the
encumbered Property for its intended purposes;

     (vii)  Liens on Property of any Person securing Indebtedness (including
Capital Leases and Synthetic Leases) of a Credit Party to the extent permitted
under Section 8.1(c);

     (viii) leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in any
material respect with the business of any member of the Consolidated Group;

                                       23
<PAGE>

     (ix)   any interest or title of a lessor under, and Liens arising from UCC
financing statements (or equivalent filings, registrations or agreements in
foreign jurisdictions) relating to, leases permitted by this Credit Agreement;

     (x)    Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a
matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the
importation of goods;

     (xi)   Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase
agreements which constitute Permitted Investments ;

     (xii)  normal and customary rights of setoff upon deposits of cash in favor
of banks or other depository institutions;

     (xiii) Liens of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the
Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection; and

     (xiv)  Liens existing as of the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 8.2;
                                                                   ------------
provided that no such Lien shall at any time (A) be extended to or cover any
- --------
Property other than the Property subject thereto on the Closing Date and (B)
secure any Indebtedness other than the Indebtedness secured thereby on the
Closing Date.

     "Person" means any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm,
      ------
corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other enterprise
(whether or not incorporated) or any Governmental Authority.

     "Plan" means any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of
      ----
ERISA) which is subject to Title IV of ERISA and with respect to which the
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated at such
time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" within
the meaning of Section 3(5) of ERISA.

     "Preferred Securities" means pass-through securities, capital securities or
      --------------------
other preferred securities issued by a statutory business trust or other similar
special purpose entity owned or controlled by any member of the Consolidated
Group the proceeds of which are invested in or exchanged for Junior Subordinated
Debentures.

     "Prime Rate" means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from
      ----------
time to time by Bank of America as its prime rate in effect at its principal
office in Charlotte, North Carolina, with each change in the Prime Rate shall be
effective on the date such change is publicly announced as effective (it being
understood and agreed that the Prime Rate is a reference rate used by Bank of
America in determining interest rates on certain loans and its not intended to
be the lowest rate of interest charged on any extension of credit by Bank of
America to any debtor).

                                       24
<PAGE>

                  "Pro Forma Basis" means, for purposes of calculating
                   ---------------
         (utilizing the principles set forth in the second paragraph of Section
         1.3) the applicable Pricing Level under the definition of "Applicable
         Percentage" and determining compliance with each of the financial
         covenants set forth in Section 7.10, that any transaction shall be
         deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the four fiscal-quarter
         period ending as of the most recent fiscal quarter end preceding the
         date of such transaction with respect to which the Administrative Agent
         has received the annual or quarterly compliance certificate and related
         financial statements required by Section 7.1(a), (b) or (c), as
         appropriate. As used herein, "transaction" shall mean (i) any merger or
                                       -----------
         consolidation as referred to in Section 8.4, (ii) any Asset Disposition
         as referred to in Section 8.5, or (iii) any Acquisition as referred to
         in Section 8.4. In connection with any calculation of the financial
         covenants set forth in Section 7.10 upon giving effect to a transaction
         on a Pro Forma Basis:

                           (A) for purposes of any such calculation in respect
                  of any Asset Disposition referred to in Section 8.5, (1)
                  income statement items (whether positive or negative)
                  attributable to the Property disposed of in such Asset
                  Disposition shall be excluded and (2) any Indebtedness which
                  is retired in connection with such Asset Disposition shall be
                  excluded and deemed to have been retired as of the first day
                  of the applicable period; and

                           (B) for purposes of any such calculation in respect
                  of any merger or consolidation referred to in Section 8.4(a)
                  or any Acquisition referred to in Section 8.4(b), (1) any
                  Indebtedness incurred by any member of the Consolidated Group
                  in connection with such transaction (x) shall be deemed to
                  have been incurred as of the first day of the applicable
                  period and (y) if such Indebtedness has a floating or formula
                  rate, shall have an implied rate of interest for the
                  applicable period for purposes of this definition determined
                  by utilizing the rate which is or would be in effect with
                  respect to such Indebtedness as at the relevant date of
                  determination, and (2) income statement items (whether
                  positive or negative) attributable to the Property acquired in
                  such transaction or to the Acquisition comprising such
                  transaction, as applicable, shall be included beginning as of
                  the first day of the applicable period.

                  "Pro Forma Compliance Certificate" means a certificate of the
                   --------------------------------
         chief financial officer (or its equivalent) of the Borrower delivered
         to the Administrative Agent in connection with (i) any merger or
         consolidation referred to in Section 8.4(a), (ii) any Asset Disposition
         referred to in Section 8.5, or (iii) any Acquisition referred to in
         Section 8.4(b), as applicable, and containing reasonably detailed
         calculations, upon giving effect to the applicable transaction on a Pro
         Forma Basis, of the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and the
         Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio as of the most recent fiscal quarter
         end preceding the date of the applicable transaction with respect to
         which the Administrative Agent shall have received the annual or
         quarterly compliance certificate and related financial statements
         required by Section 7.1(a), (b) or (c), as appropriate.

                                       25
<PAGE>

                  "Property" means any interest in any kind of property or
                   --------
         assets, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

                  "PS Affiliate" means any trust or other special purpose entity
                   ------------
         which is the issuer of Preferred Securities.

                  "Qualified Securitization Transaction" means any
                   ------------------------------------
         Securitization Transaction provided that (A) no portion of the
         Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) under
         such Securitization Transaction shall be (i) recourse to any member of
         the Consolidated Group other than pursuant to Standard Securitization
         Obligations, (ii) supported by Support Obligations of any member of the
         Consolidated Group other than pursuant to Standard Securitization
         Obligations, or (iii) secured (directly or indirectly, contingently or
         otherwise) by any Lien on any Property of any member of the
         Consolidated Group other than pursuant to Standard Securitization
         Obligations, (B) the Administrative Agent and the Required Banks shall
         be reasonably satisfied with the structure thereof and documentation
         therefor, including the discount at which such accounts receivable are
         sold or the advance rate against which borrowings are advanced and the
         applicable termination events which shall, in any event, be consistent
         with those prevailing in the market for similar transactions, and (C)
         the accounts receivable purchase agreement or other similar agreements
         relating thereto shall not be amended or modified in a manner
         materially adverse to the interests of the Banks (as determined by the
         Administrative Agent and the Required Banks in their reasonable
         discretion (including, without limitation, any change in (i) the amount
         of Securitization Receivables and Receivables Related Assets covered
         thereby, (ii) the discount rate at which the Securitization Receivables
         and Receivables Related Assets are sold, (iii) the advance rate against
         which amounts are advanced, and (iv) the applicable termination
         events)) except with the prior written consent of the Administrative
         Agent and the Required Banks. The series of transactions contemplated
         in the Securitization Agreements, and any refinancing or replacement
         thereof on terms and conditions no less favorable to the members of the
         Consolidated Group than the terms of the Securitization Agreements, are
         Qualified Securitization Transactions.

                  "Receivables" means any right of payment whether constituting
                   -----------
         an account, chattel paper, instrument, general intangible or otherwise,
         arising from the sale, lease or financing by the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower of merchandise or rendering of services, and
         monies due thereunder.

                  "Receivables Related Assets" means (i) any rights arising
                   --------------------------
         under the documentation governing or relating to any Securitization
         Receivables (including rights in respect of Liens securing such
         Securitization Receivables and other credit support in respect of such
         Securitization Receivables), (ii) any proceeds of such Securitization
         Receivables and any lockboxes or accounts in which such proceeds are
         deposited, (iii) spread accounts and other similar accounts (and any
         amounts on deposit therein) established in connection with a Qualified
         Securitization Transaction, (iv) any warranty, indemnity, dilution and
         other intercompany claim arising out of the documentation

                                       26
<PAGE>

         evidencing any Qualified Securitization Transaction, and (v) other
         assets that are customarily transferred or in respect of which security
         interests are customarily granted in connection with asset
         securitization transactions involving accounts receivable.

                  "Register" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
                   --------
         Section 11.3(c).

                  "Regulation D, O, T, U, or X" means Regulation D, O, T, U, or
                   ---------------------------
         X, respectively, of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
         System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a
         portion thereof.

                  "Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in
                   ----------------
         Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than those events as to which the
         notice requirement has been waived by regulation.

                  "Required Banks" means, at any time, Banks having more than
                   --------------
         fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Commitments, or if the Commitments
         have been terminated, Banks having more than fifty percent (50%) of the
         aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Obligations outstanding
         (taking into account in each case Participation Interests or obligation
         to participate therein); provided that the Commitments of, and
         outstanding principal amount of Revolving Obligations (taking into
         account Participation Interests therein) owing to, a Defaulting Bank
         shall be excluded for purposes hereof in making a determination of
         Required Banks.

                  "Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, the certificate
                   ------------------
         of incorporation and by-laws or other organizational or governing
         documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule, regulation or
         ordinance (including, without limitation, Environmental Laws) or
         determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental
         Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or to
         which any of its material Property is subject.

                  "Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the subject
                   -------------------
         matter of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement, obligation
         or certificate of any Credit Party contained in or delivered pursuant
         to any of the Credit Documents, the Chief Executive Officer, the
         President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice
         President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Controller, or any other
         officer of the Consolidated Group who in the normal performance of his
         or her operational responsibilities would have knowledge of such matter
         and the requirements with respect thereto.

                  "Restricted Payment" by any Person means (i) any dividend or
                   ------------------
         other payment or distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any
         shares of any class of Capital Stock of such Person, now or hereafter
         outstanding (including without limitation any payment in connection
         with any dissolution, merger, consolidation or disposition involving
         such Person), or to the holders, in their capacity as such, of any
         shares of any class of Capital Stock of such Person, now or hereafter
         outstanding (other than dividends or distributions payable in the same
         class of Capital Stock of such Person or dividends or distributions

                                       27
<PAGE>

         payable to any Credit Party (directly or indirectly through
         Subsidiaries)), (ii) any redemption, retirement, sinking fund or
         similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or
         indirect, of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of such Person,
         now or hereafter outstanding, and (iii) any payment made to retire, or
         to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other
         rights to acquire shares of any class of Capital Stock of such Person,
         now or hereafter outstanding.

                  "Revolving Commitment" means, with respect to each Bank, the
                   --------------------
         commitment of such Bank to make Revolving Loans in an aggregate
         principal amount outstanding at any time up to such Bank's Revolving
         Commitment Percentage of the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount.

                  "Revolving Commitment Percentage" means, with respect to each
                   -------------------------------
         Bank, a fraction (expressed as a percentage) the numerator of which is
         the Revolving Committed Amount of such Bank at such time and the
         denominator of which is the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount at
         such time. The initial Revolving Commitment Percentage of each Bank is
         set forth on Schedule 2.1.
                      ------------

                  "Revolving Committed Amount" means, with respect to each Bank,
                   --------------------------
         the amount of such Bank's Revolving Commitment, as such amount may from
         time to time be reduced in accordance with the provisions hereof. The
         initial Revolving Committed Amount of each Bank is set forth on
         Schedule 2.1.
         ------------

                  "Revolving Loans" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
                   ---------------
         in Section 2.1.

                  "Revolving Note" means the promissory notes of the Borrower in
                   --------------
         favor of each of the Banks evidencing the Revolving Loans and Swingline
         Loans in substantially the form attached as Schedule 2.5, individually
                                                     ------------
         or collectively, as appropriate, as such promissory notes may be
         amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from
         time to time.

                  "Revolving Obligations" the Revolving Loans, the Swingline
                   ---------------------
         Loans and the LOC Obligations.

                  "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of The
                   ---
         McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereof.

                  "Securitization Agreements" means (i) the Amended and Restated
                   -------------------------
         Purchase and Sale Agreement among Owens & Minor Medical, Inc., Stuart
         Medical, Inc., the Borrower and O&M Funding Corp., dated May 28, 1996,
         and (ii) the Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement among
         O&M Funding Corp., Owens & Minor Medical, Inc., Owens & Minor, Inc.
         Receivables Capital Corporation and Bank of America National Trust and
         Savings Association, dated as of May 28, 1996, (iii) the Amended and
         Restated Parallel Asset Purchase Agreement among O&M Funding Corp.,
         Owens & Minor Medical, Inc., the Borrower, the Parallel Purchasers from
         time to time parties

                                       28
<PAGE>

         thereto and Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association,
         dated as of May 28, 1996 and (iv) such other agreements and documents
         executed or delivered under or in connection with the aforementioned
         agreements, as any such agreement referred to in clauses (i) through
         (iv) has been amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the
         Closing Date and as any such agreement may be amended, supplemented or
         otherwise modified from time to time after the Closing Date.

                  "Securitization Receivables" shall have the meaning given to
                   --------------------------
         such term in the definition of "Securitization Transaction".

                  "Securitization Subsidiary" means (a) O&M Funding Corp. and
                   -------------------------
         (b) any other wholly owned Subsidiary which engages in no activities
         other than those reasonably related to or in connection with the
         entering into of Securitization Transactions and which is designated by
         the Board of Directors of the Borrower (as provided below) as a
         Securitization Subsidiary; provided that no member of the Consolidated
                                    --------
         Group (i) shall provide credit support to such Securitization
         Subsidiary, (ii) shall have any contract, agreement, arrangement or
         understanding with such Securitization Subsidiary other than on terms
         that are fair and reasonable and that are no less favorable to such
         member of the Consolidated Group than could be obtained from an
         unrelated Person (other than representations, warranties and covenants
         (including those relating to servicing) entered into in the ordinary
         course of business in connection with a Qualified Securitization
         Transaction and intercompany notes relating to the sale of
         Securitization Receivables to such Securitization Subsidiary) and (iii)
         no member of the Consolidated Group shall have any obligation to
         maintain or preserve such Securitization Subsidiary's financial
         condition or to cause such Securitization Subsidiary to achieve certain
         levels of operating results. Any such designation by the Board of
         Directors of the Borrower (other than with respect to O&M Funding
         Corp.) shall be evidenced to the Administrative Agent and each Bank by
         filing with the Administrative Agent and each Bank a certified copy of
         the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Borrower giving effect
         to such designation.

                  "Securitization Transaction" means any financing transaction
                   --------------------------
         or series of financing transactions that have been or may be entered
         into by a member of the Consolidated Group pursuant to which such
         member of the Consolidated Group may sell, convey or otherwise transfer
         to (i) a Securitization Subsidiary or (ii) any other Person, or may
         grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable, notes
         receivable, rights to future lease payments or residuals or other
         similar rights to payment (the "Securitization Receivables") (whether
                                         --------------------------
         such Securitization Receivables are then existing or arising in the
         future) of such member of the Consolidated Group, and any assets
         related thereto, including without limitation, all security interests
         in merchandise or services financed thereby, the proceeds of such
         Securitization Receivables, and other assets which are customarily sold
         or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in
         connection with securitization transactions involving such assets.

                  "Senior Subordinated Notes" means those $150,000,000 10.875%
                   -------------------------
         Senior Subordinated Notes of the Borrower due 2006.

                                       29
<PAGE>

                  "Single Employer Plan" means any Plan which is covered by
                   --------------------
         Title IV of ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan or a Multiple
         Employer Plan.

                  "Special Purpose Vehicle" means a trust, partnership or other
                   -----------------------
         entity established by any member of the Consolidated Group to implement
         a Qualified Securitization Transaction.

                  "Standard Securitization Obligations" means representations,
                   -----------------------------------
         warranties, covenants, indemnities and other obligations entered into
         by any member of the Consolidated Group which are reasonably customary
         in asset securitization transactions involving accounts receivable.

                  "Standby Letter of Credit Fee" shall have the meaning assigned
                   ----------------------------
         to such term in Section 3.5(c)(i).

                  "Subordinated Debt" means (i) the Indebtedness evidenced by
                   -----------------
         the Senior Subordinated Notes, (ii) the Indebtedness evidenced by the
         Junior Subordinated Debentures and (iii) any other Indebtedness which
         by its terms is specifically subordinated in right of payment to the
         prior payment of the Obligations on terms and conditions which are, and
         evidenced by documentation which is, satisfactory to the Required
         Banks.

                  "Subsidiary" means, as to any Person, (i) any corporation more
                   ----------
         than 50% of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms
         thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of
         such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time, any class
         or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by
         reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by
         such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries, and (ii) any
         partnership, association, joint venture or other entity in which such
         person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries has more than 50%
         equity interest at any time. Except as otherwise expressly provided,
         all references herein to "Subsidiary" shall mean a Subsidiary of the
         Borrower; provided, however, that any Special Purpose Vehicle shall not
                   --------  -------
         be considered to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower for purposes of this
         Credit Agreement.

                  "Support Obligations" means, with respect to any Person,
                   -------------------
         without duplication, any obligations of such Person (other than (i)
         endorsements in the ordinary course of business of negotiable
         instruments for deposit or collection and (ii) Standard Securitization
         Obligations relating to Qualified Securitization Transactions)
         guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness of any other
         Person in any manner, whether direct or indirect, and including without
         limitation any obligation, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase
         any such Indebtedness or any Property constituting security therefor,
         (ii) to advance or provide funds or other support for the payment or
         purchase of any such Indebtedness or to maintain working capital,
         solvency or other balance sheet condition of such other Person
         (including without limitation keep well agreements, maintenance
         agreements, comfort letters or similar

                                       30
<PAGE>

         agreements or arrangements) for the benefit of any holder of
         Indebtedness of such other Person, (iii) to lease or purchase Property,
         securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the holder
         of such Indebtedness against loss in respect thereof, or (iv) to
         otherwise assure or hold harmless the holder of such Indebtedness
         against loss in respect thereof. The amount of any Support Obligation
         hereunder shall (subject to any limitations set forth therein) be
         deemed to be an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount (or
         maximum principal amount, if larger) of the Indebtedness in respect of
         which such Support Obligation is made.

                  "Swingline Commitment" means, with respect to the Swingline
                   --------------------
         Bank, the commitment of the Swingline Bank to make Swingline Loans in
         an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding up to the
         Swingline Committed Amount and, with respect to the Banks, the
         commitment of each Bank to purchase participation interests in the
         Swingline Loans up to its Revolving Commitment Percentage as provided
         in Section 2.1(b).

                  "Swingline Committed Amount" shall have the meaning assigned
                   --------------------------
         to such term in Section 2.1(b).

                  "Swingline Bank" means Bank of America.
                   --------------

                  "Swingline Loan" shall have the meaning given to such term in
                   --------------
         Section 2.1(b).

                  "Termination Date" means the earlier of (i) April 24, 2003 or
                   ----------------
         such later date as to which all of the Banks may in their sole
         discretion by written consent agree or (ii) the date on which the
         Commitments terminate in accordance with the provisions of this Credit
         Agreement.

                  "Threshold Requirement" shall have the meaning assigned to
                   ---------------------
         such term in Section 7.11.

                  "Total Consideration" means cash and non-cash consideration,
                   -------------------
         any assumption of Indebtedness, the maximum amount of any contingent
         payment (including, without limitation, earn-out payments) and the fair
         value of any Capital Stock of the Borrower issued to the seller of the
         Capital Stock or Property acquired in an Acquisition.

                  "Utilization Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
                   ---------------
         in Section 3.5(b).

                  "Voting Stock" means, with respect to any Person, the voting
                   ------------
         stock or other securities of any class or classes, the holders of which
         are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for
         the election of directors (or Persons performing similar functions) of
         such Person, even though the right so to vote has been suspended by the
         happening of such a contingency.

                                       31
<PAGE>

1.2      Computation of Time Periods.
         ---------------------------

         For purposes of computation of periods of time hereunder, the word
"from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each mean "to
but excluding."

1.3      Accounting Terms.
         ----------------

         Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms
used herein shall be interpreted, and all financial statements and certificates
and reports as to financial matters required to be delivered to the Banks
hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent
basis. All calculations made for the purposes of determining compliance with
this Credit Agreement shall (except as otherwise expressly provided herein) be
made by application of GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the most recent
annual or quarterly financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 (or,
prior to the delivery of the first financial statements pursuant to Section 7.1,
consistent with the annual audited financial statements referenced in Section
6.7(i)); provided, however, if (a) the Borrower shall object to determining such
         --------  -------
compliance on such basis at the time of delivery of such financial statements
due to any change in GAAP or the rules promulgated with respect thereto or (b)
the Administrative Agent or the Required Banks shall so object in writing within
60 days after delivery of such financial statements, then such calculations
shall be made on a basis consistent with the most recent financial statements
delivered by the Credit Parties to the Banks as to which no such objection shall
have been made.

         Notwithstanding the above, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree
that, for purposes of all calculations made under the financial covenants set
forth in Section 7.10 (including without limitation for purposes of the
definitions of "Applicable Percentage" and "Pro Forma Basis"), (i) in connection
with any Asset Disposition referred to in Section 8.5, (A) income statement
items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the Property disposed of
shall be excluded to the extent relating to any period occurring prior to the
date of such transaction and (B) Indebtedness which is retired shall be excluded
and deemed to have been retired as of the first day of the applicable period and
(ii) in connection with any merger or consolidation referred to in Section
8.4(a) or any Acquisition referred to Section 8.4(b), (A) income statement items
attributable to the Person or Property acquired shall, to the extent not
otherwise included in such income statement items for the members of the
Consolidated Group in accordance with GAAP or in accordance with any defined
terms set forth in Section 1.1, be included to the extent relating to any period
applicable in such calculations, (B) Indebtedness of the Person or Property
acquired shall be deemed to have been incurred as of the first day of the
applicable period and (C) pro forma adjustments may be included to the extent
that such adjustments would be permitted under GAAP and give effect to items
that are (x) directly attributable to such transaction, (y) expected to have a
continuing impact on the Consolidated Group and (z) factually supportable.

                                       32
<PAGE>

                                   SECTION 2

                               CREDIT FACILITIES

2.1      Commitments.
         -----------

         (a) Revolving Commitments. During the Commitment Period, subject to the
             ---------------------
terms and conditions hereof, each Bank severally agrees to make revolving credit
loans (the "Revolving Loans") in Dollars to the Borrower for the purposes
            ---------------
hereinafter set forth; provided, however, that (i) with regard to the Banks
                       --------  -------
collectively, the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Obligations
outstanding shall not at any time exceed the lesser of (A) TWO HUNDRED
TWENTY-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($225,000,000) (as such aggregate maximum amount may
be reduced from time to time as hereinafter provided, the "Aggregate Revolving
                                                           -------------------
Committed Amount") or (B) the Borrowing Base, and (ii) with regard to each Bank
- ----------------
individually, each Bank's Revolving Commitment Percentage of Revolving
Obligations outstanding shall not at any time exceed the lesser of (A) such
Bank's Revolving Committed Amount or (B) such Bank's Revolving Commitment
Percentage of the Borrowing Base. Revolving Loans may consist of Base Rate Loans
or Eurodollar Loans (or a combination thereof), as the Borrower may request, and
may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof.

         (b) Swingline Commitment. During the Commitment Period, subject to the
             --------------------
terms and conditions hereof, the Swingline Bank, in its individual capacity,
agrees to make certain revolving credit loans (the "Swingline Loans") in Dollars
                                                    ---------------
to the Borrower for the purposes hereinafter set forth; provided, however, (i)
                                                        --------  -------
the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans outstanding shall not at any
time exceed FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($50,000,000) (the "Swingline Committed
                                                      -------------------
Amount"), (ii) with regard to the Banks collectively, the aggregate principal
- ------
amount of Revolving Obligations outstanding shall not at any time exceed the
lesser of (A) the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount or (B) the Borrowing
Base, and (iii) with regard to each Bank individually, each Bank's Revolving
Commitment Percentage of Revolving Obligations outstanding shall not at any time
exceed the lesser of (A) such Bank's Revolving Committed Amount or (B) such
Bank's Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Borrowing Base. Swingline Loans
hereunder may consist of Base Rate Loans or Fed Funds Swingline Loans (or a
combination thereof), as the Borrower may request, and may be repaid and
reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof.

         (c) Letter of Credit Commitment. During the Commitment Period, subject
             ---------------------------
to the terms and conditions hereof and of the LOC Documents, if any, and such
other terms and conditions which the Issuing Bank may reasonably require, the
Issuing Bank shall issue, and the Banks shall participate severally in, such
Letters of Credit in Dollars on a sight basis as the Borrower may request, in
form acceptable to the Issuing Bank, for the purposes hereinafter set forth;
provided that (i) the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations shall not at any time
- --------
exceed FIFTEEN MILLION DOLLARS ($15,000,000) (the "LOC Committed Amount"), (ii)
                                                   --------------------
with regard to the Banks collectively, the aggregate principal amount of
Revolving Obligations outstanding shall not at any time exceed the lesser of (A)
the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount or (B) the Borrowing Base, and (iii)
with regard to each Bank individually, each Bank's Revolving Commitment
Percentage of Revolving Obligations outstanding shall not at any time exceed the
lesser of (A) such Bank's Revolving Committed Amount or (B) such Bank's
Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Borrowing Base. Letters of Credit issued
hereunder

                                       33
<PAGE>

shall have an expiry date not more than one year from the date of issuance or
extension, and may not extend beyond the date five (5) Business Days prior to
the Termination Date.

2.2      Method of Borrowing.
         -------------------

         (a)      Notice of Request for Extensions of Credit. The Borrower shall
                  ------------------------------------------
request an Extension of Credit as follows:

                  (i)    Revolving Loans. In the case of Revolving Loans, the
                         ---------------
         Borrower shall give telephone notice promptly confirmed in writing to
         the Administrative Agent (a "Notice of Borrowing") not later than 12:00
                                      -------------------
         Noon (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on the Business Day of the
         requested advance in the case of Base Rate Loans and on the third
         Business Day prior to the date of the requested advance in the case of
         Eurodollar Loans. Each Notice of Borrowing shall be irrevocable and
         shall specify (i) that a Revolving Loan is requested, (ii) the date of
         the requested advance (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the
         aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans requested, and (iv)
         whether the Revolving Loans requested shall consist of Base Rate Loans,
         Eurodollar Loans or a combination thereof, and if Eurodollar Loans are
         requested, the Interest Periods with respect thereto. A form of Notice
         of Borrowing is attached hereto as Schedule 2.2(a)(i). The
                                            ------------------
         Administrative Agent shall as promptly as practicable give each Bank
         notice of each requested Revolving Loan advance, of such Bank's pro
         rata share thereof and of the other matters covered in the Notice of
         Borrowing. If each Bank makes its pro rata share of the requested
         Revolving Loan advance to the Administrative Agent by 2:00 p.m.
         (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on the date of the requested Revolving
         Loan advance, the Administrative Agent shall initiate the transfer of
         funds representing the Revolving Loan advance to the Borrower by 2:30
         p.m. (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on such date.

                  (ii)   Swingline Loans. In the case of Swingline Loans, the
                         ---------------
         Borrower shall give telephone notice promptly confirmed in writing to
         the Swingline Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) not later
         than 12:00 Noon (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on the Business Day of
         the requested Swingline Loan advance. Each such notice shall be
         irrevocable and shall specify (A) that a Swingline Loan advance is
         requested, (B) the date of the requested Swingline Loan advance (which
         shall be a Business Day), (C) the aggregate principal amount of the
         Swingline Loan advance requested and (D) whether the Swingline Loan
         shall consist of Base Rate Loans, Fed Funds Swingline Loans or a
         combination thereof. A form of Notice of Borrowing is attached hereto
         as Schedule 2.2(a)(i). The Swingline Bank shall initiate the transfer
            ------------------
         of funds representing the Swingline Loan advance to the Borrower by
         1:30 p.m. (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on the Business Day
         specified by the Borrower in the applicable Notice of Borrowing.

                  (iii)  Letters of Credit. In the case of the issuance or
                         -----------------
         extension of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall give telephone
         notice promptly confirmed in writing to the Issuing Bank with a copy to
         the Administrative Agent (a "Notice of Request of Letter
                                      ---------------------------

                                       34
<PAGE>

     of Credit") not later than 11:00 A.M. (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on
     ---------
     the third Business Day prior to the date of the requested issuance or
     extension (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Issuing Bank).
     Each Notice of Request of Letter of Credit shall be irrevocable and shall
     specify, among other things, (A) that a Letter of Credit is requested, (B)
     the date of the requested issuance or extension, (C) the type, amount,
     expiry date and terms on which the Letter of Credit is to be issued or
     extended, and (D) the beneficiary. A form of Notice of Request for Letter
     of Credit is attached as Schedule 2.2(a)(iii).
                              --------------------

     (b)   Minimum Amounts. Each Eurodollar Loan shall be in a minimum aggregate
           ---------------
principal amount of $5,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof. Each Base Rate Loan (other than a Base Rate Loan comprising a Swingline
Loan) shall be in a minimum aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 (or, if
less, the remaining amount of the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount) and in
integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Each Swingline Loan advance
shall be in a minimum principal amount of $250,000 (or, if less, the remaining
amount of the Swingline Committed Amount) and in integral multiples of $100,000
in excess thereof.

     (c)   Information Not Provided. If in connection with any request for a
           ------------------------
Revolving Loan, the Borrower shall fail to specify (i) an applicable Interest
Period in the case of a Eurodollar Loan, the Borrower shall be deemed to have
requested an Interest Period of one month, or (ii) the type of loan requested,
the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Base Rate Loan. If in
connection with any request for a Swingline Loan, the Borrower shall fail to
specify the type of Swingline Loan requested, then such notice shall be deemed
to be a request for a Base Rate Loan.

     (d)   Maximum Number of Eurodollar Loans. The Revolving Loans may be
           ----------------------------------
comprised of no more than ten (10) Eurodollar Loans outstanding at any time. For
purposes hereof, Eurodollar Loans with separate or different Interest Periods
will be considered as separate Eurodollar Loans even if their Interest Periods
expire on the same date.

2.3  Interest.
     --------

     Subject to Section 3.1, the Loans shall bear interest at a per annum rate,
payable in arrears on each applicable Interest Payment Date (or at such other
times as may be specified herein), as follows:

     (a)   Revolving Loans.
           ---------------

           (i)   Base Rate Loans. During such periods as Revolving Loans shall
                 ---------------
     consist of Base Rate Loans, the sum of the Base Rate plus the Applicable
                                                          ----
     Percentage; and

           (ii)  Eurodollar Loans. During such periods as Revolving Loans shall
                 ----------------
     consist of Eurodollar Loans, the sum of the Eurodollar Rate plus the
                                                                 ----
     Applicable Percentage.

                                       35
<PAGE>

     (b)   Swingline Loans.
           ---------------

           (i)   Base Rate Loans. During such periods as Swingline Loans shall
                 ---------------
     consist of Base Rate Loans, the sum of the Base Rate plus the Applicable
                                                          ----
     Percentage; and

           (ii)  Fed Funds Swingline Loans. During such period as Swingline
                 -------------------------
     Loans shall consist of Fed Funds Swingline Loans, the sum of the
     Applicable Federal Funds Rate plus the Applicable Percentage.
                                   ----

2.4  Repayment.
     ---------

     (a)   Revolving Loans.  The principal amount of all Revolving Loans shall
           ---------------
be due and payable in full on the Termination Date.

     (b)   Swingline Loans. The principal amount of each Swingline Loan shall be
           ---------------
due and payable on the earliest of (A) the date thirty (30) days from the date
of advance thereof, (B) the date of the next Revolving Loan advance, or (C) the
Termination Date. If, and to the extent, any Swingline Loan advances shall be
outstanding on the date of any Revolving Loan advance, such Swingline Loans
shall first be repaid from the proceeds of such Revolving Loan advance prior to
distribution of such Revolving Loan advance to the Borrower. If, and to the
extent, Revolving Loans are not requested prior to the Termination Date or the
end of any such 30 day period from the date of any such Swingline Loan advance,
the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Loan comprised solely
of Base Rate Loans in the amount of such Swingline Loan advance then
outstanding, the proceeds of which shall be used to repay the Swingline Bank for
such Swingline Loan.

2.5  Notes.
     -----

     The Revolving Loans and the Swingline Loans shall be evidenced by the
Revolving Notes.

2.6  Additional Provisions relating to Letters of Credit.
     ---------------------------------------------------

     (a)   Reports. The Issuing Bank will provide to the Administrative Agent at
           -------
least monthly, and more frequently upon request, a detailed summary report on
all Letters of Credit and the activity thereon, in form and substance acceptable
to the Administrative Agent. In addition, the Issuing Bank will provide to the
Administrative Agent for dissemination to the Banks (i) upon the issuance or
amendment of a Letter of Credit, a detailed summary report on such Letter of
Credit, including, among other things, the Credit Party for whose account the
Letter of Credit is issued, the beneficiary, the face amount, and the expiry
date, and (ii) at least quarterly, and more frequently upon request, a detailed
summary report on all Letters of Credit and the activity thereon, including,
among other things, the Credit Party for whose account the Letter of Credit is
issued, the beneficiary, the

                                       36
<PAGE>

face amount, and the expiry date. The Issuing Bank will provide copies of the
Letters of Credit to the Administrative Agent and the Banks promptly upon
request.

     (b)   Participation. Upon issuance of a Letter of Credit, each Bank shall
           -------------
be deemed to have purchased without recourse a risk participation from the
Issuing Bank in such Letter of Credit and the obligations arising thereunder, in
each case in an amount equal to its pro rata share of the obligations under such
Letter of Credit (based on its Revolving Commitment Percentage) and shall
absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably assume, as primary obligor and not
as surety, and be obligated to pay to the Issuing Bank therefor and discharge
when due, its pro rata share of the obligations arising under such Letter of
Credit. Without limiting the scope and nature of each Bank's participation in
any Letter of Credit, to the extent that the Issuing Bank has not been
reimbursed as required hereunder or under any such Letter of Credit, each Bank
shall pay to the Issuing Bank its pro rata share of such unreimbursed drawing in
same day funds on the day of notification by the Issuing Bank of an unreimbursed
drawing pursuant to the provisions of subsection (d) hereof. The obligation of
each Bank to so reimburse the Issuing Bank shall be absolute and unconditional
and shall not be affected by the occurrence of a Default, an Event of Default or
any other occurrence or event. Any such reimbursement shall not relieve or
otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Bank
under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as hereinafter provided.

     (c)   Reimbursement. In the event of any drawing under any Letter of
           -------------
Credit, the Issuing Bank will promptly notify the Borrower. Unless the Borrower
shall immediately notify the Issuing Bank that the Borrower intends to otherwise
reimburse the Issuing Bank for such drawing, the Borrower shall be deemed to
have requested that the Banks make a Revolving Loan in the amount of the drawing
as provided in subsection (d) hereof on the related Letter of Credit, the
proceeds of which will be used to satisfy the related reimbursement obligations.
The Borrower promises to reimburse the Issuing Bank on the day of drawing under
any Letter of Credit (either with the proceeds of a Revolving Loan obtained
hereunder or otherwise) in same day funds. If the Borrower shall fail to
reimburse the Issuing Bank as provided hereinabove, the unreimbursed amount of
such drawing shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the Adjusted Base
Rate plus two percent (2%). The Borrower's reimbursement obligations hereunder
shall be absolute and unconditional under all circumstances irrespective of any
rights of setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment the Borrower may claim or
have against the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent, the Banks, the
beneficiary of the Letter of Credit drawn upon or any other Person, including
without limitation any defense based on any failure of the Borrower or any other
Credit Party to receive consideration or the legality, validity, regularity or
unenforceability of the Letter of Credit. The Issuing Bank will promptly notify
the other Banks of the amount of any unreimbursed drawing and each Bank shall
promptly pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank in
Dollars and in immediately available funds, the amount of such Bank's Revolving
Commitment Percentage of such unreimbursed drawing. Such payment shall be made
on the day such notice is received by such Bank from the Issuing Bank if such
notice is received at or before 2:00 P.M. (Charlotte, North Carolina time)
otherwise such payment shall be made at or before 12:00 Noon (Charlotte, North
Carolina time) on the Business Day next succeeding the day such notice is
received. If such Bank does not pay such amount to the Issuing Bank in full upon
such request, such Bank shall, on demand, pay to the Administrative Agent for
the account of the Issuing Bank interest on the unpaid

                                       37
<PAGE>

amount during the period from the date of such drawing until such Bank pays such
amount to the Issuing Bank in full at a rate per annum equal to, if paid within
two (2) Business Days of the date that such Bank is required to make payments of
such amount pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Federal Funds Rate and
thereafter at a rate equal to the Base Rate. Each Bank's obligation to make such
payment to the Issuing Bank, and the right of the Issuing Bank to receive the
same, shall be absolute and unconditional, shall not be affected by any
circumstance whatsoever and without regard to the termination of this Credit
Agreement or the Commitments hereunder, the existence of a Default or Event of
Default or the acceleration of the obligations of the Borrower hereunder and
shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction
whatsoever. Simultaneously with the making of each such payment by a Bank to the
Issuing Bank, such Bank shall, automatically and without any further action on
the part of the Issuing Bank or such Bank, acquire a participation in an amount
equal to such payment (excluding the portion of such payment constituting
interest owing to the Issuing Bank) in the related unreimbursed drawing portion
of the LOC Obligation and in the interest thereon and in the related LOC
Documents, and shall have a claim against the Borrower with respect thereto.

     (d)   Repayment with Revolving Loans. On any day on which the Borrower
           ------------------------------
shall have requested, or been deemed to have requested, a Revolving Loan advance
to reimburse a drawing under a Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent shall
give notice to the Banks that a Revolving Loan has been requested or deemed
requested by the Borrower to be made in connection with a drawing under a Letter
of Credit, in which case a Revolving Loan advance comprised of Base Rate Loans
(or Eurodollar Loans to the extent the Borrower has complied with the procedures
of Section 2.2 with respect thereto) shall be immediately made to the Borrower
by all Banks (notwithstanding any termination of the Commitments pursuant to
Section 9.2) pro rata based on the respective Revolving Commitment Percentages
             --- ----
of the Banks (determined before giving effect to any termination of the
Commitments pursuant to Section 9.2) and the proceeds thereof shall be paid
directly to the Issuing Bank for application to the respective LOC Obligations.
Each such Bank hereby irrevocably agrees to make its pro rata share of each such
Revolving Loan immediately upon any such request or deemed request in the
amount, in the manner and on the date specified in the preceding sentence
notwithstanding (i) the amount of such borrowing may not comply with the minimum
- ---------------
amount for advances of Revolving Loans otherwise required hereunder, (ii)
whether any conditions specified in Section 5.2 are then satisfied, (iii)
whether a Default or an Event of Default then exists, (iv) failure of any such
request or deemed request for Revolving Loans to be made by the time otherwise
required hereunder, (v) whether the date of such borrowing is a date on which
Revolving Loans are otherwise permitted to be made hereunder or (vi) any
termination of the Commitments relating thereto immediately prior to or
contemporaneously with such borrowing. In the event that any Revolving Loan
cannot for any reason be made on the date otherwise required above (including,
without limitation, as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under the
Bankruptcy Code with respect to the Borrower or any Credit Party), then each
such Bank hereby agrees that it shall forthwith purchase (as of the date such
borrowing would otherwise have occurred, but adjusted for any payments received
from the Borrower on or after such date and prior to such purchase) from the
Issuing Bank such participation in the outstanding LOC Obligations as shall be
necessary to cause each such Bank to share in such LOC Obligations ratably
(based upon the respective Commitment Percentages of the Banks (determined
before giving effect to any termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section
9.2)), provided that in the event such payment
       --------

                                       38
<PAGE>

is not made on the date due, such Bank shall pay in addition to the Issuing Bank
interest on the amount of its unfunded Participation Interest at a rate equal
to, if paid within two (2) Business Days of the date due, the Federal Funds
Rate, and thereafter at the Base Rate.

     (e)   Designation of other Credit Parties as Account Parties.
           ------------------------------------------------------
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Credit Agreement, a
Letter of Credit issued hereunder may contain a statement to the effect that
such Letter of Credit is issued for the account of a Credit Party other than the
Borrower, provided that notwithstanding such statement, the Borrower shall be
the actual account party for all purposes of this Credit Agreement for such
Letter of Credit and such statement shall not affect the Borrower's
reimbursement obligations hereunder with respect to such Letter of Credit.

     (f)   Renewal, Extension. The renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit
           ------------------
shall, for purposes hereof, be treated in all respects the same as the issuance
of a new Letter of Credit hereunder.

     (g)   Uniform Customs and Practices. The Issuing Bank may have the Letters
           -----------------------------
of Credit be subject to The Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits
(the "UCP") or the International Standby Practices 1998 (the "ISP98"), in either
case as published as of the date of issue by the International Chamber of
Commerce, in which case the UCP or the ISP98, as applicable, may be incorporated
therein and deemed in all respects to be a part thereof.

     (h)   Indemnification; Nature of Issuing Bank's Duties.
           ------------------------------------------------

           (i)   In addition to its other obligations under this Section 2.6,
     the Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save the Issuing
     Bank harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities,
     damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable
     attorneys' fees) that the Issuing Bank may incur or be subject to as a
     consequence, direct or indirect, of (A) the issuance of any Letter of
     Credit or (B) the failure of the Issuing Bank to honor a drawing under a
     Letter of Credit as a result of any act or omission, whether rightful or
     wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto government or
     Governmental Authority (all such acts or omissions, herein called
     "Government Acts").
      ----------------

           (ii) As between the Borrower and the Issuing Bank, the Borrower shall
     assume all risks of the acts, omissions or misuse of any Letter of Credit
     by the beneficiary thereof. The Issuing Bank shall not be responsible: (A)
     for the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect
     of any document submitted by any party in connection with the application
     for and issuance of any Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove
     to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent
     or forged; (B) for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument
     transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any Letter of
     Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole
     or in part, that may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (C)
     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 in cipher; (D) for any loss or delay in

                                       39
<PAGE>

     the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a
     drawing under a Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; and (E) for
     any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing
     Bank, including, without limitation, any Government Acts. None of the above
     shall affect, impair, or prevent the vesting of the Issuing Bank's rights
     or powers hereunder.

           (iii) In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the
     specific provisions hereinabove set forth, any action taken or omitted by
     the Issuing Bank, under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or the
     related certificates, if taken or omitted in good faith, shall not put such
     Issuing Bank under any resulting liability to the Borrower or any other
     Credit Party. It is the intention of the parties that this Credit Agreement
     shall be construed and applied to protect and indemnify the Issuing Bank
     against any and all risks involved in the issuance of the Letters of
     Credit, all of which risks are hereby assumed by the Borrower (on behalf of
     itself and each of the other Credit Parties), including, without
     limitation, any and all Government Acts. The Issuing Bank shall not, in any
     way, be liable for any failure by the Issuing Bank or anyone else to pay
     any drawing under any Letter of Credit as a result of any Government Acts
     or any other cause beyond the control of the Issuing Bank.

           (iv)  Nothing in this subsection (h) is intended to limit the
     reimbursement obligations of the Borrower contained in subsection (d)
     above. The obligations of the Borrower under this subsection (h) shall
     survive the termination of this Credit Agreement. No act or omissions of
     any current or prior beneficiary of a Letter of Credit shall in any way
     affect or impair the rights of the Issuing Bank to enforce any right, power
     or benefit under this Credit Agreement.

           (v)   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
     subsection (h), the Borrower shall have no obligation to indemnify the
     Issuing Bank in respect of any liability incurred by the Issuing Bank (A)
     arising solely out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the
     Issuing Bank, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, or (B)
     caused by the Issuing Bank's failure to pay under any Letter of Credit
     after presentation to it of a request strictly complying with the terms and
     conditions of such Letter of Credit, as determined by a court of competent
     jurisdiction, unless such payment is prohibited by any law, regulation,
     court order or decree.

     (i)   Responsibility of Issuing Bank. It is expressly understood and
           ------------------------------
agreed that the obligations of the Issuing Bank hereunder to the Banks are only
those expressly set forth in this Credit Agreement and that the Issuing Bank
shall be entitled to assume that the conditions precedent set forth in Section
5.2 have been satisfied unless it shall have acquired actual knowledge that any
such condition precedent has not been satisfied; provided, however, that nothing
                                                 --------  -------
set forth in this Section 2.6 shall be deemed to prejudice the right of any Bank
to recover from the Issuing Bank any amounts made available by such Bank to the
Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 2.6 in the event that it is determined by
a court of competent jurisdiction that the payment with respect to a Letter of
Credit constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the
Issuing Bank.

                                       40
<PAGE>

     (j)   Conflict with LOC Documents. In the event of any conflict between
           ---------------------------
this Credit Agreement and any LOC Document (including any letter of credit
application), this Credit Agreement shall control.

2.7  Additional Provisions relating to Swingline Loans.
     -------------------------------------------------

     The Swingline Bank may, at any time, in its sole discretion, by written
notice to the Borrower and the Banks, demand repayment of its Swingline Loans by
way of a Revolving Loan advance, in which case the Borrower shall be deemed to
have requested a Revolving Loan advance comprised solely of Base Rate Loans in
the amount of such Swingline Loans; provided, however, that any such demand
                                    --------  -------
shall be deemed to have been given one Business Day prior to the Termination
Date and on the date of the occurrence of any Event of Default described in
Section 9.1 and upon acceleration of the indebtedness hereunder and the exercise
of remedies in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.2. Each Bank hereby
irrevocably agrees to make its Revolving Commitment Percentage of each such
Revolving Loan in the amount, in the manner and on the date specified in the
preceding sentence notwithstanding (I) the amount of such borrowing may not
                   ---------------
comply with the minimum amount for advances of Revolving Loans otherwise
required hereunder, (II) whether any conditions specified in Section 5.2 are
then satisfied, (III) whether a Default or an Event of Default then exists, (IV)
failure of any such request or deemed request for Revolving Loan to be made by
the time otherwise required hereunder, (V) whether the date of such borrowing is
a date on which Revolving Loans are otherwise permitted to be made hereunder or
(VI) any termination of the Commitments relating thereto immediately prior to or
contemporaneously with such borrowing. In the event that any Revolving Loan
cannot for any reason be made on the date otherwise required above (including,
without limitation, as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under the
Bankruptcy Code with respect to the Borrower or any other Credit Party), then
each Bank hereby agrees that it shall forthwith purchase (as of the date such
borrowing would otherwise have occurred, but adjusted for any payments received
from the Borrower on or after such date and prior to such purchase) from the
Swingline Bank such Participation Interests in the outstanding Swingline Loans
as shall be necessary to cause each such Bank to share in such Swingline Loans
ratably based upon its Revolving Commitment Percentage (determined before giving
effect to any termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 9.2), provided
                                                                       --------
that (A) all interest payable on the Swingline Loans shall be for the account of
the Swingline Bank until the date as of which the respective Participation
Interest is funded and (B) at the time any purchase of Participation Interests
pursuant to this sentence is actually made, the purchasing Bank shall be
required to pay to the Swingline Bank, to the extent not paid to the Swingline
Bank by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.3(b), interest on
the principal amount of Participation Interests purchased for each day from and
including the day upon which such borrowing would otherwise have occurred to but
excluding the date of payment for such Participation Interests, at the rate
equal to the Federal Funds Rate.

                                       41
<PAGE>

                                   SECTION 3

                 OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO CREDIT FACILITY
                 --------------------------------------------

3.1  Default Rate.
     ------------

     Upon the occurrence, and during the continuance, of an Event of Default
described in Section 9.1(a), (i) the principal of and, to the extent permitted
by law, interest on the Loans and any other amounts owing hereunder or under the
other Credit Documents shall bear interest, payable on demand, at a per annum
rate 2% greater than the rate which would otherwise be applicable (or if no rate
is applicable, whether in respect of interest, fees or other amounts, then the
Base Rate plus the Applicable Percentage plus 2%) and (ii) the Standby Letter of
          ----                           ----
Credit Fee shall accrue at a per annum rate 2% greater than the rate which would
otherwise be applicable.

3.2  Conversion.
     ----------

     The Borrower shall have the option, on any Business Day, to extend existing
Eurodollar Loans into a subsequent Interest Period or to convert Revolving Loans
of one type into Revolving Loans of another type; provided, however, that (i)
                                                  --------  -------
except as provided in Section 3.7, Eurodollar Loans may be converted into Base
Rate Loans only on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii)
Eurodollar Loans may be extended, and Base Rate Loans may be converted into
Eurodollar Loans, only if no Default or Event of Default is in existence on the
date of extension or conversion, (iii) Revolving Loans extended as, or converted
into, Eurodollar Loans shall be in such minimum amounts as provided in Section
2.2(b), and (iv) any request for extension of or conversion to a Eurodollar Loan
which shall fail to specify an Interest Period shall be deemed to be a request
for an Interest Period of one month. Each such extension or conversion shall be
effected by the Borrower by giving written notice (or telephone notice promptly
confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent (a "Notice of
                                                      ---------
Extension/Conversion") prior to 10:00 A.M. (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on
- --------------------
the Business Day of, in the case of Base Rate Loans, and on the third Business
Day prior to, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the date of the proposed
extension or conversion, specifying the date of the proposed extension or
conversion, the Revolving Loans to be so extended or converted, the types of
Revolving Loans into which such Revolving Loans are to be converted and, if
appropriate, the applicable Interest Periods with respect thereto. Each request
for extension or conversion shall be deemed to be a reaffirmation by the
Borrower that no Default or Event of Default then exists and is continuing and
that the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5 are true and
correct in all material respects (except to the extent they relate to an earlier
period). In the event the Borrower fails to request extension of or conversion
to any Eurodollar Loan in accordance with this Section, or any such conversion
or extension is not permitted or required by this Section, then such Revolving
Loans shall be automatically converted into Base Rate Loans at the end of their
Interest Period or remain as Base Rate Loans, as the case may be. The
Administrative Agent shall give each Bank notice as promptly as practicable of
any such proposed conversion affecting any Revolving Loans.

                                       42
<PAGE>

3.3  Termination of Commitments.
     --------------------------

     The Borrower may from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate
Revolving Committed Amount in whole or in part (in minimum principal amounts of
$10,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof) upon
three (3) Business Days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent
provided that after giving effect to any voluntary reduction the aggregate
- --------
amount of Revolving Obligations shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving
Committed Amount, as reduced.

3.4  Prepayments.
     -----------

     (a)   Voluntary Prepayments. The Borrower shall have the right to prepay
           ---------------------
Loans in whole or in part from time to time without premium or penalty;
provided, however, that (A) Eurodollar Loans may only be prepaid (y) on the last
day of the Interest Period applicable thereto or (z) on a day that is not the
last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto if the Borrower pays to the
applicable Banks any amounts due under Section 3.12, and (B) each such partial
prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000 and in integral
multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or the amount then outstanding, if
less). Amounts prepaid on the Loans may be reborrowed in accordance with the
provisions hereof.

     (b)   Mandatory Prepayments. If at any time (i) the aggregate principal
           ---------------------
amount of Revolving Obligations shall exceed the lesser of (A) the Aggregate
Revolving Committed Amount or (B) the Borrowing Base, (ii) the aggregate
principal amount of Swingline Loans shall exceed the Swingline Committed Amount,
or (iii) the aggregate principal amount of LOC Obligations shall exceed the LOC
Committed Amount, then in any such instance the Borrower shall immediately make
payment on the Loans and/or to a cash collateral account in respect of LOC
Obligations in an amount sufficient to eliminate the difference.

     (c)   Application. Unless otherwise specified by the Borrower, prepayments
           -----------
on the Revolving Obligations shall be applied first to Fed Funds Rate Swingline
Loans, then to Base Rate Loans and then to Eurodollar Loans in direct order of
Interest Period.

     (d)   Notice. The Borrower will provide notice to the Administrative Agent
           ------
of any prepayment by 10:00 a.m. (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on the date of
prepayment.

3.5  Fees.
     ----

     (a)   Commitment Fee. In consideration of the Commitments, the Borrower
           --------------
agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Banks a
commitment fee (the "Commitment Fee") for the period from the Closing Date to
                     --------------
the Termination Date equal to the Applicable Percentage per annum on the average
daily unused amount of the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount for the
applicable period. The Commitment Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on
the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December for the
immediately preceding quarter (or a portion thereof) beginning with the first
such date to occur after the Closing Date and on the Termination Date. For
purposes of computation of the

                                       43
<PAGE>

Commitment Fee, (a) LOC Obligations shall be counted toward and considered usage
of the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount and (b) Swingline Loans shall not be
counted toward nor considered usage of the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount.

     (b)   Utilization Fee. In consideration of the Commitments, during any
           ---------------
period that the unused amount of the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount is
less than fifty percent (50%) of the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount, the
Borrower agrees to pay (in addition to the Commitment Fee) to the Administrative
Agent for the ratable benefit of the Banks a utilization fee (the "Utilization
                                                                   -----------
Fee") equal to the Applicable Percentage per annum on the average daily
- ---
outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Obligations for such period. The
Utilization Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day
of each March, June, September and December for the immediately preceding
quarter (or a portion thereof) beginning with the first such date to occur after
the Closing Date and on the Termination Date. For purposes of computation of the
Utilization Fee, LOC Obligations and Swingline Loans shall be counted toward and
considered usage of the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount.

     (c)   Letter of Credit Fees.
           ---------------------

           (i)   Standby Letter of Credit Issuance Fee. In consideration of
                 -------------------------------------
     the issuance of standby Letters of Credit hereunder, the Borrower promises
     to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Bank a fee (the
     "Standby Letter of Credit Fee") on such Bank's Revolving Commitment
      ----------------------------
     Percentage of the average daily maximum amount available to be drawn under
     each such standby Letter of Credit computed at a per annum rate for each
     day from the date of issuance to and including the date of expiration equal
     to the Applicable Percentage. The Standby Letter of Credit Fee shall be
     payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June,
     September and December for the immediately preceding quarter (or a portion
     thereof) beginning with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date
     and on the Termination Date.

           (ii) Issuing Bank Fees. In addition to the Standby Letter of
                -----------------
     Credit Fee, the Borrower promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for
     the account of the Issuing Bank without sharing by the other Banks (i) a
     letter of credit fronting fee of one-eighth of one percent (0.125%) on the
     average daily maximum amount available to be drawn under each Letter of
     Credit computed at a per annum rate for each day from the date of issuance
     to the date of expiration and (ii) the customary charges from time to time
     of the Issuing Bank with respect to the issuance, amendment, transfer,
     administration, cancellation and conversion of, and drawings under, such
     Letters of Credit. The fronting fee shall be payable upon the issuance of
     each Letter of Credit and the customary charges shall be payable upon
     demand by the Issuing Bank.

     (d)   Administrative Agent's Fee. The Borrower agrees to pay to the
           --------------------------
Administrative Agent, for its own account, the administrative and other fees
referred to in the Administrative Agent's Fee Letter.

                                       44
<PAGE>

3.6      Capital Adequacy.
         ----------------

         If any Bank has determined, after the date hereof, that the adoption or
the becoming effective of, or any change in, or any change by any Governmental
Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or
administration thereof in the interpretation or administration of, any
applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or compliance by
such Bank with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or
not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable
agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such
Bank's (including, for purposes hereof, the parent company of such Bank) capital
or assets as a consequence of its commitments or obligations hereunder to a
level below that which such Bank could have achieved but for such adoption,
effectiveness, change or compliance (taking into consideration such Bank's
policies with respect to capital adequacy), then, upon notice from such Bank to
the Borrower, the Borrower shall be obligated to pay to such Bank such
additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Bank for such reduction.
Such notice shall be accompanied by a statement as to the amount of such
compensation and include a reasonably detailed summary of the basis for such
demand with reasonably detailed calculations. Each determination by any such
Bank of amounts owing under this Section shall be reasonable and shall, absent
manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the parties hereto.

3.7      Limitation on Eurodollar Loans.
         ------------------------------

         If on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period for any
Eurodollar Loan:

                  (a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination
         shall be conclusive) that by reason of circumstances affecting the
         relevant market arising after the Closing Date, adequate and reasonable
         means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such
         Interest Period; or

                  (b) the Required Banks determine (which determination shall be
         conclusive) and notify the Administrative Agent that the Eurodollar
         Rate will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Banks of
         funding Eurodollar Loans for such Interest Period (other than any such
         determination based on Taxes);

then the Administrative Agent shall give the Borrower prompt notice thereof, and
so long as such condition remains in effect, the Banks shall be under no
obligation to make additional Eurodollar Loans, continue Eurodollar Loans, or to
convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans.

3.8      Illegality.
         ----------

         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Credit Agreement, in the
event that it becomes unlawful for any Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office)
to make, maintain, or fund Eurodollar Loans hereunder, then such Bank shall
promptly notify the Borrower thereof and such Bank's obligation to make or
continue Eurodollar Loans and to convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar

                                       45
<PAGE>

Loans shall be suspended until such time as such Bank may again make, maintain,
and fund Eurodollar Loans (in which case the provisions of Section 3.10 shall be
applicable).

3.9      Requirements of Law.
         -------------------

         If, after the date hereof, the adoption of any applicable law, rule, or
regulation, or any change in any applicable law, rule, or regulation, or any
change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental
Authority, central bank, or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or
administration thereof, or compliance by any Bank (or its Applicable Lending
Office) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law)
of any such Governmental Authority, central bank, or comparable agency:

                  (i) shall impose, modify, or deem applicable any reserve,
         special deposit, assessment, or similar requirement (other than (A) the
         Eurodollar Reserve Requirement utilized in the determination of the
         Adjusted Eurodollar Rate and (B) Taxes) relating to any extensions of
         credit or other assets of, or any deposits with or other liabilities or
         commitments of, such Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office), including
         the Commitment of such Bank hereunder; or

                  (ii) shall impose on such Bank (or its Applicable Lending
         Office) or the London interbank market any other condition (other than
         taxes) affecting this Credit Agreement or its Notes or any of such
         extensions of credit or liabilities or commitments;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Bank (or
its Applicable Lending Office) of making, converting into, continuing, or
maintaining any Eurodollar Loans or to reduce any sum received or receivable by
such Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) under this Credit Agreement or its
Notes with respect to any Eurodollar Loans, then the Borrower shall pay to such
Bank within thirty days of demand therefor such amount or amounts as will
compensate such Bank for such increased cost or reduction. If any Bank requests
compensation by the Borrower under this Section 3.9, the Borrower may, by notice
to such Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), suspend the obligation
of such Bank to make or continue Eurodollar Loans, or to convert Base Rate Loans
into Eurodollar Loans, until the event or condition giving rise to such request
ceases to be in effect (in which case the provisions of Section 3.10 shall be
applicable); provided that such suspension shall not affect the right of such
             --------
Bank to receive the compensation so requested. Each Bank shall promptly notify
the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of any event of which it has
knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle such Bank to
compensation pursuant to this Section 3.9 and will designate a different
Applicable Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce
the amount of, such compensation and will not, in the judgment of such Bank, be
otherwise disadvantageous to it. Any Bank claiming compensation under this
Section 3.9 shall furnish to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a
statement setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it
hereunder (including a reasonably detailed summary of the basis for such amounts
with reasonably detailed calculations) which shall be conclusive in the absence
of manifest error. In determining such amount, such Bank may use any reasonable
averaging and attribution methods.

                                       46
<PAGE>

3.10     Treatment of Affected Loans.
         ---------------------------

         If the obligation of any Bank to make any Eurodollar Loan or to
continue, or to convert Base Rate Loans into, Eurodollar Loans shall be
suspended pursuant to Section 3.8 or 3.9 hereof, such Bank's Eurodollar Loans
shall be automatically converted into Base Rate Loans on the last day(s) of the
then current Interest Period(s) for such Eurodollar Loans (or, in the case of a
Conversion required by Section 3.8 hereof, on such earlier date as such Bank may
specify to the Borrower with a copy to the Administrative Agent) and, unless and
until such Bank gives notice as provided below that the circumstances specified
in Section 3.8 or 3.9 hereof that gave rise to such Conversion no longer exist:

                  (a) to the extent that such Bank's Eurodollar Loans have been
         so converted, all payments and prepayments of principal that would
         otherwise be applied to such Bank's Eurodollar Loans shall be applied
         instead to its Base Rate Loans; and

                  (b) all Loans that would otherwise be made or continued by
         such Bank as Eurodollar Loans shall be made or continued instead as
         Base Rate Loans, and all Base Rate Loans of such Bank that would
         otherwise be converted into Eurodollar Loans shall remain as Base Rate
         Loans.

If such Bank gives notice to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent) that the circumstances specified in Section 3.8 or 3.9 hereof that gave
rise to the Conversion of such Bank's Eurodollar Loans pursuant to this Section
3.10 no longer exist (which such Bank agrees to do promptly upon such
circumstances ceasing to exist) at a time when Eurodollar Loans made by other
Banks are outstanding, such Bank's Base Rate Loans shall be automatically
converted, on the first day(s) of the next succeeding Interest Period(s) for
such outstanding Eurodollar Loans, to the extent necessary so that, after giving
effect thereto, all Loans held by the Banks holding Eurodollar Loans and by such
Bank are held pro rata (as to principal amounts, interest rate basis, and
Interest Periods) in accordance with their respective Commitments.

3.11     Taxes.
         -----

         (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any and all payments
by any Credit Party to or for the account of any Bank (whether or not a
signatory hereof) or the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other
Credit Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any
and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or
withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding, in the case
                                                        ---------
of each Bank and the Administrative Agent, taxes imposed on, or measured by, its
income or gross receipts, and franchise taxes imposed on it, by the jurisdiction
under the laws of which such Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) or the
Administrative Agent (as the case may be) is organized or conducts business, or
any political subdivision thereof (all such non-excluded taxes, duties, levies,
imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings, and liabilities being hereinafter
referred to as "Taxes"). If any Credit Party shall be required by law to deduct
                -----
or withhold any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable under this Credit
Agreement or any other Credit Document to any Bank or the Administrative Agent,
(i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all

                                       47
<PAGE>

required deductions and withholdings (including deductions and withholdings
applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.11) such Bank or the
Administrative Agent receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received
had no such deductions been made, (ii) such Credit Party shall make such
deductions and withholdings, and (iii) such Credit Party shall pay the full
amount deducted or withheld to the relevant taxation authority or other
authority in accordance with applicable law.

         (b) In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay any and all present or
future stamp or documentary taxes and any other excise or property taxes or
charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made under this Credit
Agreement or any other Credit Document or from the execution or delivery of, or
otherwise similarly with respect to, this Credit Agreement or any other Credit
Document (hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").
                                      -----------

         (c) The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Bank and the Administrative
Agent for the full amount of Taxes and Other Taxes (including, without
limitation, any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted by any jurisdiction on
amounts payable under this Section 3.11) paid by such Bank or the Administrative
Agent (as the case may be) and any liability (including, penalties, interest,
and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, except with respect to
any Bank or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, for such liability
arising from such Bank's or the Administrative Agent's, as the case may be,
gross negligence or willful misconduct.

         (d) Each Bank that is a Non-U.S. Person shall provide, on or prior to
the date of its execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement in the case of
each Bank listed on the signature pages hereof and on or prior to the date on
which it becomes a Bank in the case of each other Bank, and from time to time
thereafter if requested in writing by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent
(but only so long as such Bank remains lawfully able to do so), the Borrower and
the Administrative Agent with (i) Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or 4224, as
appropriate, or any successor form prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service,
certifying that such Bank is entitled to benefits under an income tax treaty to
which the United States is a party which reduces to zero the rate of withholding
tax on payments of interest or certifying that the income receivable pursuant to
this Credit Agreement is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business in the United States, (ii) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9, as
appropriate, or any successor form prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service,
(iii) any other form or certificate required by any taxing authority (including
any certificate required by Sections 871(h) and 881(c) of the Internal Revenue
Code), certifying that such Bank is entitled to an exemption from tax on
payments pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents
and/or (iv) any other forms or documents relating to the status of such Bank
reasonably requested by the Borrower.

         (e) For any period with respect to which a Bank has failed to provide
the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the appropriate form pursuant to
Section 3.11(d) (unless such failure is due to a change in treaty, law, or
regulation occurring subsequent to the date on which a form originally was
required to be provided), then, notwithstanding any other provision of this
Section 3.11, such Bank shall not be entitled to additional payment or
indemnification under Section 3.11(a), 3.11(b) or 3.11(c) with respect to Taxes
imposed by the United States; provided,
                              --------

                                       48
<PAGE>

however, that should a Bank, which is otherwise exempt from or subject to a
- -------
reduced rate of withholding tax, become subject to Taxes because of its failure
to deliver a form required hereunder, the Borrower shall take such steps as such
Bank shall reasonably request to assist such Bank to recover such Taxes.

         (f) If any Credit Party is required to pay additional amounts to or for
the account of any Bank pursuant to this Section 3.11, then such Bank will agree
to file any certificates or documents reasonably requested in writing by a
Credit Party or to use reasonable efforts to change the jurisdiction of its
Applicable Lending Office so as to eliminate or reduce to the greatest extent
possible any such additional payment which may thereafter accrue if such change,
in the good faith judgment of such Bank, is not otherwise disadvantageous to
such Bank.

         (g) Within thirty (30) days after the date of any payment of Taxes by
any Credit Party, the applicable Credit Party shall furnish to the
Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing
such payment.

         (h) If the Administrative Agent or any Bank requests indemnification or
compensation for Taxes or Other Taxes pursuant to this Section 3.11 more than 90
days after the earlier of (i) the date on which the Administrative Agent or such
Bank, as the case may be, makes payment of such Taxes or Other Taxes, and (ii)
the date on which the appropriate Governmental Authority makes written demand on
the Administrative Agent or such Bank, as the case may be, for payment of such
Taxes or Other Taxes, then the Borrower shall not be obligated to indemnify or
reimburse the Bank for such Taxes or Other Taxes.

         (i) If the Administrative Agent or any Bank determines that it has
received a refund, credit or reduction in respect of any Taxes or Other Taxes
for which the Administrative Agent or such Bank, as the case may be, has
received payment from the Borrower or for which any Credit Party has made
payments pursuant to this Section 3.11, then the Administrative Agent or such
Bank, as the case may be, shall, within 45 days after receipt of such refund,
credit or reduction, pay to the Borrower the amount of such refund, credit or
reduction (net of any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative
Agent or such Bank, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any
interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such
refund, credit or reduction)), provided, however, that (i) the Administrative
                               --------  -------
Agent or such Bank, as the case may be, acting in good faith will be the sole
judge of the amount of any such refund, credit or reduction and of the date on
which such refund, credit or reduction is received, (ii) the Administrative
Agent or such Bank, as the case may be, acting in good faith shall have the
absolute discretion as to the order and manner in which it employs or claims tax
refund, credits, reductions and allowances available to it, (iii) the Borrower
agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent or such Bank, as the case may be,
upon written request from the Administrative Agent or such Bank, the amount of
such refund, credit or reduction received by the Borrower, in the event, and to
the extent, the Administrative Agent or such Bank is required to repay such
refund, credit or reduction to any relevant Governmental Authority, and (iv)
neither the Administrative Agent nor any Bank shall be required to make
available to any Credit Party (or any representative of any Credit Party) its
tax returns or any other information relating to its taxes and the computation
thereof.

                                       49
<PAGE>

         (j) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the
Credit Parties hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Credit Parties
contained in this Section 3.11 shall survive the repayment of the Loans, LOC
Obligations and other obligations under the Credit Documents and the termination
of the Commitments and this Agreement.

3.12     Compensation.
         ------------

         Upon the request of any Bank, the Borrower shall pay to such Bank such
amount or amounts as shall be sufficient (in the reasonable opinion of such
Bank) to compensate it for any loss, cost, or expense (excluding loss of
anticipated profits) incurred by it as a result of:

                  (a) any payment, prepayment, or conversion of a Eurodollar
         Loan for any reason (including, without limitation, (i) in connection
         with any assignment by Bank of America pursuant to Section 11.3(b) as
         part of the primary syndication of the Loans during the 90-day period
         immediately following the Closing Date and (ii) the acceleration of the
         Loans pursuant to Section 9.2) on a date other than the last day of the
         Interest Period for such Loan; or

                  (b) any failure by the Borrower for any reason (including,
         without limitation, the failure of any condition precedent specified in
         Section 5 to be satisfied) to borrow, convert, continue, or prepay a
         Eurodollar Loan on the date for such borrowing, conversion,
         continuation, or prepayment specified in the relevant notice of
         borrowing, prepayment, continuation, or conversion under this Credit
         Agreement.

With respect to Eurodollar Loans, such indemnification may include an amount
equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the amount of interest which would have
accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued,
for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow,
convert or continue to the last day of the applicable Interest Period (or, in
the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that
would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable
rate of interest for such Eurodollar Loans provided for herein (excluding,
however, the Applicable Percentage included therein, if any) over (b) the amount
of interest (as reasonably determined by such Bank) which would have accrued to
such Bank on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable
period with leading banks in the interbank Eurodollar market. The covenants of
the Borrower set forth in this Section 3.12 shall survive the repayment of the
Loans, LOC Obligations and other obligations under the Credit Documents and the
termination of the Commitments hereunder.

3.13     Pro Rata Treatment.
         ------------------

         Except to the extent otherwise provided herein:

                  (a) Loans and Letters of Credit. Each Revolving Loan advance,
                      ---------------------------
         each payment or prepayment of principal of any Revolving Loan (other
         than Swingline Loans) or reimbursement obligations arising from
         drawings under Letters of Credit, each payment of

                                       50
<PAGE>

         interest on the Revolving Loans or reimbursement obligations arising
         from drawings under Letters of Credit, each payment of Commitment Fees,
         each payment of Utilization Fees, each payment of the Standby Letter of
         Credit Fee, each reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount
         and each conversion or extension of any Revolving Loan (other than
         Swingline Loans), shall be allocated pro rata among the Banks in
         accordance with the respective Revolving Commitment Percentages.

                  (b) Advances. No Bank shall be responsible for the failure or
                      --------
         delay by any other Bank in its obligation to make its ratable share of
         a borrowing hereunder; provided, however, that the failure of any Bank
                                --------  -------
         to fulfill its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Bank
         of its obligations hereunder. Unless the Administrative Agent shall
         have been notified by any Bank prior to the date of any requested
         borrowing that such Bank does not intend to make available to the
         Administrative Agent its ratable share of such borrowing to be made on
         such date, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Bank has made
         such amount available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such
         borrowing, and the Administrative Agent in reliance upon such
         assumption, may (in its sole discretion but without any obligation to
         do so) make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If such
         corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the
         Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall be able to recover
         such corresponding amount from such Bank. If such Bank does not pay
         such corresponding amount forthwith upon the Administrative Agent's
         demand therefor, the Administrative Agent will promptly notify the
         Borrower, and the Borrower shall immediately pay such corresponding
         amount to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall also
         be entitled to recover from the Bank or the Borrower, as the case may
         be, interest on such corresponding amount in respect of each day from
         the date such corresponding amount was made available by the
         Administrative Agent to the Borrower to the date such corresponding
         amount is recovered by the Administrative Agent at a per annum rate
         equal to (i) from the Borrower at the applicable rate for the
         applicable borrowing pursuant to the Notice of Borrowing and (ii) from
         a Bank, if paid within two (2) Business Days of the date such amount
         was made available by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, the
         Federal Funds Rate and thereafter at a rate equal to the Base Rate.

3.14     Sharing of Payments.
         -------------------

         The Banks agree among themselves that, in the event that any Bank shall
obtain payment in respect of any Loan, LOC Obligations or any other obligation
owing to such Bank under this Credit Agreement through the exercise of a right
of setoff, banker's lien or counterclaim, or pursuant to a secured claim under
Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code or other security or interest
arising from, or in lieu of, such secured claim, received by such Bank under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or otherwise, or by any
other means, in excess of its pro rata share of such payment as provided for in
this Credit Agreement, such Bank shall promptly purchase from the other Banks a
Participation Interest in such Loans, LOC Obligations and other obligations in
such amounts, and make such other adjustments from time to time, as shall be
equitable to the end that all Banks share such payment in accordance with their
respective ratable shares as provided for in this Credit Agreement. The Banks
further agree among themselves that if

                                       51
<PAGE>

payment to a Bank obtained by such Bank through the exercise of a right of
setoff, banker's lien, counterclaim or other event as aforesaid shall be
rescinded or must otherwise be restored, each Bank which shall have shared the
benefit of such payment shall, by repurchase of a Participation Interest
theretofore sold, return its share of that benefit (together with its share of
any accrued interest payable with respect thereto) to each Bank whose payment
shall have been rescinded or otherwise restored. The Borrower agrees that any
Bank so purchasing such a Participation Interest may, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, exercise all rights of payment, including setoff, banker's
lien or counterclaim, with respect to such Participation Interest as fully as if
such Bank were a holder of such Loan, LOC Obligations or other obligation in the
amount of such Participation Interest. Except as otherwise expressly provided in
this Credit Agreement, if any Bank or the Administrative Agent shall fail to
remit to the Administrative Agent or any other Bank an amount payable by such
Bank or the Administrative Agent to the Administrative Agent or such other Bank
pursuant to this Credit Agreement on the date when such amount is due, such
payments shall be made together with interest thereon for each date from the
date such amount is due until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative
Agent or such other Bank at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. If
under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, any Bank
receives a secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section 3.14 applies,
such Bank shall, to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of
such secured claim in a manner consistent with the rights of the Banks under
this Section 3.14 to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured
claim.

3.15     Payments, Computations, Etc.
         ---------------------------

         (a) Generally. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all
             ---------
payments made by a Credit Party hereunder shall be made to the Administrative
Agent in Dollars in immediately available funds, without setoff, deduction,
counterclaim or withholding of any kind, at the Administrative Agent's office
specified in Section 11.1 not later than 2:00 P.M. (Charlotte, North Carolina
time) on the date when due. Payments received after such time shall be deemed to
have been received on the next succeeding Business Day. The Administrative Agent
may (but shall not be obligated to) debit the amount of any such payment which
is not made by such time to any ordinary deposit account of the Borrower or any
other Credit Party maintained with the Administrative Agent (with notice to the
Borrower or such other Credit Party). The Borrower shall, at the time it makes
any payment under this Credit Agreement, specify to the Administrative Agent the
Loans, LOC Obligations, Fees, interest or other amounts payable by the Borrower
hereunder to which such payment is to be applied (and in the event that it fails
so to specify, or if such application would be inconsistent with the terms
hereof, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Banks in
such manner as the Administrative Agent may determine to be appropriate in
respect of obligations owing by the Borrower hereunder, subject to the terms of
Section 3.13(a)). The Administrative Agent will distribute such payments to such
Banks, if any such payment is received prior to 2:00 P.M. (Charlotte, North
Carolina time) on a Business Day in like funds as received prior to the end of
such Business Day and otherwise the Administrative Agent will distribute such
payment to such Banks on the next succeeding Business Day. Whenever any payment
hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the
due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day (subject
to accrual of interest and Fees for the period of such extension), except that
in the case of Eurodollar Loans, if the extension

                                       52
<PAGE>

would cause the payment to be made in the next following calendar month, then
such payment shall instead be made on the next preceding Business Day. Except as
expressly provided otherwise herein, all computations of interest and fees shall
be made on the basis of actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days.
Interest shall accrue from and include the date of borrowing, but exclude the
date of payment.

         (b) Allocation of Payments After Event of Default. Notwithstanding any
             ---------------------------------------------
other provisions of this Credit Agreement to the contrary, after the occurrence
and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all amounts collected or
received on or in respect of the Obligations (or other amounts owing under the
Credit Documents in connection therewith) shall be paid over or delivered as
follows:

                  FIRST, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs
                  and expenses (including without limitation reasonable
                  attorneys' fees) of the Administrative Agent in connection
                  with enforcing the rights and remedies of the Banks under the
                  Credit Documents made with respect thereto;

                  SECOND, to payment of any fees owed to the Administrative
                  Agent;

                  THIRD, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs
                  and expenses (including without limitation, reasonable
                  attorneys' fees) of each of the Banks hereunder in connection
                  with enforcing its rights under the Credit Documents or
                  otherwise with respect to the Obligations owing to such Bank;

                  FOURTH, to the payment of all accrued interest and fees on or
                  in respect of the Obligations;

                  FIFTH, to the payment of the outstanding principal amount of
                  the Obligations hereunder (including the payment or cash
                  collateralization of the outstanding LOC Obligations);

                  SIXTH, to all other Obligations hereunder and other
                  obligations which shall have become due and payable under the
                  Credit Documents otherwise and not repaid pursuant to clauses
                  "FIRST" through "FIFTH" above; and

                  SEVENTH, to the payment of the surplus, if any, to the
                  Borrower.

         In carrying out the foregoing, (i) amounts received shall be applied in
         the numerical order provided until exhausted prior to application to
         the next succeeding category; and (ii) except as otherwise provided,
         the Banks shall receive amounts ratably in accordance with their
         respective pro rata share (based on the proportion that the then
         outstanding Obligations held by such Banks bears to the aggregate
         amount of the Obligations then outstanding) of amounts available to be
         applied pursuant to clauses "THIRD", "FOURTH", "FIFTH" and "SIXTH"
         above; and (iii) to the extent that any amounts available for
         distribution pursuant to clause "FIFTH" above are attributable to the
         issued but undrawn amount of

                                       53
<PAGE>

         outstanding Letters of Credit, such amounts shall be held by the
         Administrative Agent in a cash collateral account and applied (A)
         first, to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any drawings under such
         Letters of Credit and (B) then, following the expiration of all Letters
         of Credit, to all other obligations of the types described in clauses
         "FOURTH", "FIFTH" and "SIXTH" above in the manner provided in this
         Section 3.15(b).

3.16     Evidence of Debt.
         ----------------

         (a) Each Bank shall maintain an account or accounts evidencing each
Loan made by such Bank to the Borrower from time to time, including the amounts
of principal and interest payable and paid to such Bank from time to time under
this Credit Agreement. Each Bank will make reasonable efforts to maintain the
accuracy of its account or accounts and to promptly update its account or
accounts from time to time, as necessary.

         (b) The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register pursuant to
Section 11.3(c), and a subaccount for each Bank, in which Register and
subaccounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the amount, type and Interest
Period of each such Loan hereunder, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest
due and payable or to become due and payable to each Bank hereunder and (iii)
the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from or for
the account of any Credit Party and each Bank's share thereof. The
Administrative Agent will make reasonable efforts to maintain the accuracy of
the subaccounts referred to in the preceding sentence and to promptly update
such subaccounts from time to time, as necessary.

         (c) The entries made in the accounts, Register and subaccounts
maintained pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 3.16 (and, if consistent
with the entries of the Administrative Agent, subsection (a)) shall be prima
facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Credit
Parties therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of any Bank or the
                          --------  -------
Administrative Agent to maintain any such account, such Register or such
subaccount, as applicable, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect
the obligation of the Credit Parties to repay the Obligations and other amounts
owing to such Bank.

3.17     Certain Limitations.
         -------------------

         The provisions of Sections 3.6, 3.9 and 3.11 shall be subject to the
following:

         (a) If any Bank requests compensation or indemnification from the
Borrower under Section 3.6, 3.9 or 3.11, then such Bank will agree to use
reasonable efforts to change the jurisdiction of its Applicable Lending Office
so as to eliminate or reduce any such additional payment which may thereafter
accrue if such change, in the reasonable judgment of such Bank, is not otherwise
disadvantageous to such Bank.

         (b) If any Bank requests compensation or indemnification from the
Borrower under Section 3.6, 3.9 or 3.12 more than 90 days after the Bank had
knowledge of the occurrence of the event giving rise to the compensation or
indemnification, the Borrower shall not be obligated to

                                       54
<PAGE>

reimburse the Bank for amounts incurred prior to the date on which the Borrower
receives such demand for compensation or indemnification.

         (c) If any Bank requests compensation or indemnification from the
Borrower under Section 3.6, 3.9 or 3.11, or if the obligation of any Bank to
make or maintain Eurodollar Loans has been suspended under Section 3.8, the
Borrower may, at its option, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing, obtain, at the Borrower's expense, a replacement Bank for the
affected Bank. If the Borrower elects to obtain a replacement Bank for the
affected Bank, the Borrower shall within thirty (30) after the date of such
request notify the Administrative Agent and such affected Bank of its intention
to replace the affected Bank. If the Borrower obtains a replacement Bank within
sixty (60) days following notice of its intention to do so, the affected Bank
must sell and assign its Obligations and Commitments to such replacement Bank
pursuant to Section 11.3 (without giving effect to any requirement therein that
the Administrative Agent consent thereto), for an amount equal to the principal
balance of all Loans held by the affected Bank and all accrued interest and Fees
with respect thereto through the date of such sale, provided that the Borrower
shall have paid to such affected Bank the compensation or indemnification that
it is entitled to receive under Section 3.6, 3.9 or 3.11 through the date of
such sale and assignment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Borrower (a)
fails to give notice to the Administrative Agent and the affected Bank of its
intention to replace the affected Bank within thirty (30) days after the Bank
requests compensation or indemnification, or (b) timely gives notice to the
Administrative Agent and the affected Bank of its intention to replace such
affected Bank but does not so replace such affected Bank within sixty (60) days
following such notice, then in each case the Borrower's rights under this
Section 3.17 to replace such Bank for the particular circumstances shall
terminate.

                                    SECTION 4

                                    GUARANTY
                                    --------

4.1      The Guaranty.
         ------------

         Each of the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally guarantees to each
Bank, each affiliate of a Bank that enters into a Hedging Agreement relating to
the Obligations, and the Administrative Agent, as hereinafter provided, as
primary obligor and not as surety, the prompt payment of the Obligations in full
when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by
acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) strictly in
accordance with the terms thereof. The Guarantors hereby further agree that if
any of the Obligations are not paid in full when due (whether at stated
maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash
collateralization or otherwise), the Guarantors will, jointly and severally,
promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the
case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Obligations,
the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at extended maturity,
as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash
collateralization or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such extension
or renewal.

                                       55
<PAGE>

         Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in
any other of the Credit Documents or Hedging Agreements, the obligations of each
Guarantor under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall be
limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render
such obligations subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code
or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law.

4.2      Obligations Unconditional.
         -------------------------

         The obligations of the Guarantors under Section 4.1 are joint and
several, absolute and unconditional, irrespective of the value, genuineness,
validity, regularity or enforceability of any of the Credit Documents or Hedging
Agreements, or any other agreement or instrument referred to therein, or any
substitution, release, impairment or exchange of any other guarantee of or
security for any of the Obligations, and, to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever which might
otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or
guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 4.2 that the obligations of the
Guarantors hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all
circumstances. Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor shall have no right of
subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution against the Borrower or
any other Guarantor for amounts paid under this Section 4 until such time as the
Banks (and any affiliates of Banks entering into Hedging Agreements) have been
paid in full in respect of all Obligations, all Commitments under this Credit
Agreement have been terminated and no Person or Governmental Authority shall
have any right to request any return or reimbursement of funds from the Banks in
connection with monies received under the Credit Documents or Hedging Agreements
between any member of the Consolidated Group and any Bank, or any affiliate of a
Bank. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, the occurrence of any one or more of the
following shall not alter or impair the liability of any Guarantor hereunder
which shall remain absolute and unconditional as described above:

                  (a) at any time or from time to time, without notice to any
         Guarantor, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of
         the Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance
         shall be waived;

                  (b) any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of any
         of the Credit Documents, any Hedging Agreement between any member of
         the Consolidated Group and any Bank, or any affiliate of a Bank, or any
         other agreement or instrument referred to in the Credit Documents or
         such Hedging Agreements shall be done or omitted;

                  (c) the maturity of any of the Obligations shall be
         accelerated, or any of the Obligations shall be modified, supplemented
         or amended in any respect, or any right under any of the Credit
         Documents, any Hedging Agreement between any member of the Consolidated
         Group and any Bank, or any affiliate of a Bank, or any other agreement
         or instrument referred to in the Credit Documents or such Hedging
         Agreements shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of the
         Obligations or any security therefor shall be released, impaired or
         exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with;

                                       56
<PAGE>

                  (d) any of the Obligations shall be determined to be void or
         voidable (including, without limitation, for the benefit of any
         creditor of any Guarantor) or shall be subordinated to the claims of
         any Person (including, without limitation, any creditor of any
         Guarantor).

With respect to its obligations hereunder, each Guarantor hereby expressly
waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices
whatsoever, and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any Bank
exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against any Person under any of
the Credit Documents, any Hedging Agreement between any member of the
Consolidated Group and any Bank, or any affiliate of a Bank, or any other
agreement or instrument referred to in the Credit Documents or such Hedging
Agreements, or against any other Person under any other guarantee of, or
security for, any of the Obligations.

4.3      Reinstatement.
         -------------

         The obligations of the Guarantors under this Section 4 shall be
automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by
or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Obligations is rescinded or must be
otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Obligations, whether as a result
of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise, and each
Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Bank
on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent or such Bank
in connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such costs and
expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such payment
constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under any
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.

4.4      Certain Additional Waivers.
         --------------------------

         Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor shall have no right of
recourse to security for the Obligations, except through the exercise of rights
of subrogation pursuant to Section 4.2 and through the exercise of rights of
contribution pursuant to Section 4.6.

4.5      Remedies.
         --------

         The Guarantors agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, as
between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the
Banks, on the other hand, the Obligations may be declared to be forthwith due
and payable as provided in Section 9.2 (and shall be deemed to have become
automatically due and payable in the circumstances provided in said Section 9.2)
for purposes of Section 4.1 notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other
prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing the Obligations from
becoming automatically due and payable) as against any other Person and that, in
the event of such declaration (or the Obligations being deemed to have become
automatically due and payable), the Obligations (whether or not due and payable
by any other Person) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors
for purposes of Section 4.1.

                                       57
<PAGE>

4.6      Rights of Contribution.
         ----------------------

         The Guarantors hereby agree as among themselves that, if any Guarantor
shall make an Excess Payment (as defined below), such Guarantor shall have a
right of contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other
Guarantor's Contribution Share (as defined below) of such Excess Payment. The
payment obligations of any Guarantor under this Section 4.6 shall be subordinate
and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full to the
Administrative Agent and the Banks of the Obligations, and none of the
Guarantors shall exercise any right or remedy under this Section 4.6 against any
other Guarantor until payment and satisfaction in full of all of Obligations.
For purposes of this Section 4.6, (a) "Guaranteed Obligations" shall mean any
                                       ----------------------
obligations arising under the other provisions of this Section 4; (b) "Excess
                                                                       ------
Payment" shall mean the amount paid by any Guarantor in excess of its Pro Rata
- -------
Share of any Guaranteed Obligations; (c) "Pro Rata Share" shall mean, for any
                                          --------------
Guarantor in respect of any payment of Guaranteed Obligations, the ratio
(expressed as a percentage) as of the date of such payment of Guaranteed
Obligations of (i) the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value
of all of its assets and properties exceeds the amount of all debts and
liabilities of such Guarantor (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured,
and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of such Guarantor
hereunder) to (ii) the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value
of all assets and other properties of all of the Credit Parties exceeds the
amount of all of the debts and liabilities (including contingent, subordinated,
unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of the
Credit Parties hereunder) of the Credit Parties; provided, however, that, for
                                                 --------  -------
purposes of calculating the Pro Rata Shares of the Guarantors in respect of any
payment of Guaranteed Obligations, any Guarantor that became a Guarantor
subsequent to the date of any such payment shall be deemed to have been a
Guarantor on the date of such payment and the financial information for such
Guarantor as of the date such Guarantor became a Guarantor shall be utilized for
such Guarantor in connection with such payment; and (d) "Contribution Share"
                                                         ------------------
shall mean, for any Guarantor in respect of any Excess Payment made by any other
Guarantor, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) as of the date of such Excess
Payment of (i) the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value of
all of its assets and properties exceeds the amount of all debts and liabilities
of such Guarantor (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and
unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of such Guarantor
hereunder) to (ii) the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value
of all assets and other properties of the Credit Parties other than the maker of
such Excess Payment exceeds the amount of all of the debts and liabilities
(including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities,
but excluding the obligations of the Credit Parties) of the Credit Parties other
than the maker of such Excess Payment; provided, however, that, for purposes of
                                       --------  -------
calculating the Contribution Shares of the Guarantors in respect of any Excess
Payment, any Guarantor that became a Guarantor subsequent to the date of any
such Excess Payment shall be deemed to have been a Guarantor on the date of such
Excess Payment and the financial information for such Guarantor as of the date
such Guarantor became a Guarantor shall be utilized for such Guarantor in
connection with such Excess Payment. This Section 4.6 shall not be deemed to
affect any right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution that
any Guarantor may have under applicable law against the Borrower in respect of
any payment of Guaranteed Obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all rights
of contribution against any Guarantor shall terminate from

                                       58
<PAGE>

and after such time, if ever, that such Guarantor shall be relieved of its
obligations pursuant to Section 8.4.

4.7      Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee.
         ------------------------------------------

         The guarantee in this Section 4 is a guaranty of payment and not of
collection, is a continuing guarantee, and shall apply to all Obligations
whenever arising.

                                   SECTION 5

                             CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
                             --------------------

5.1      Conditions to Closing.
         ---------------------

         The obligation of the Banks to enter into this Credit Agreement and to
make the initial Extensions of Credit shall be subject to satisfaction of the
following conditions (in form and substance acceptable to the Banks):

         (a)    Executed Credit Documents. Receipt by the Administrative Agent
                -------------------------
of (i) multiple counterparts of this Credit Agreement and (ii) a Revolving Note
for each Bank, in each case executed by a duly authorized officer of each party
thereto and in each case conforming to the requirements of this Credit
Agreement.

         (b)    Legal Opinions. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of
                --------------
multiple counterparts of opinions of counsel for the Credit Parties relating to
the Credit Documents and the transactions contemplated therein, substantially in
the form of Schedule 5.1(b).
            ---------------

         (c)    Financial Information. Receipt by the Banks of such financial
                ---------------------
information regarding the members of the Consolidated Group as may be requested
by, and in each case in form and substance satisfactory to, the Administrative
Agent and the Banks.

         (d)    Corporate Documents. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of the
                -------------------
following (or their equivalent) for each of the Credit Parties:

                  (i)    Charter Documents. Copies of the articles or
                         -----------------
         certificates of incorporation or other charter documents of such Credit
         Party certified to be true and complete as of a recent date by the
         appropriate Governmental Authority of the state or other jurisdiction
         of its incorporation and certified by a secretary or assistant
         secretary of such Credit Party to be true and correct as of the Closing
         Date.

                  (ii)   Bylaws. A copy of the bylaws, operating agreement or
                         ------
         equivalent of such Credit Party certified by a secretary or assistant
         secretary of such Credit Party to be true and correct and in force and
         effect as of the Closing Date.

                                       59
<PAGE>

                  (iii)  Resolutions. Copies of resolutions of the board of
                         -----------
         directors (or an authorized executive committee, if applicable) of such
         Credit Party approving and adopting the Credit Documents to which it is
         a party, the transactions contemplated therein and authorizing
         execution and delivery thereof, certified by a secretary or assistant
         secretary of such Credit Party to be true and correct and in force and
         effect as of the Closing Date.

                  (iv)   Good Standing. Certificates of good standing, existence
                         -------------
         or its equivalent certified as of a recent date by the appropriate
         governmental authorities of the state of incorporation, the state of
         the location of the principal place of business, and each other state
         in which the failure to so qualify and be in good standing could
         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (v)    Officer's Certificate. An officer's certificate for
                         ---------------------
         each of the Credit Parties dated as of the Closing Date substantially
         in the form of Schedule 5.1(e) with appropriate insertions and
                        ---------------
         attachments.

         (e)    Officer's Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall have
                ----------------------
received a certificate or certificates executed by a Responsible Officer of the
Borrower as of the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent, stating that, immediately after giving effect to the
initial Loans made and Letters of Credit issued on the Closing Date, (i) no
Default or Event of Default exists and (ii) all representations and warranties
contained herein and in the other Credit Documents are true and correct in all
material respects.

         (f)    Section 5.2 Conditions. Each of the conditions set forth in
                ----------------------
Section 5.2 shall have been satisfied.

         (g)    Termination of Existing Credit Facilities. Receipt by the
                -----------------------------------------
Administrative Agent of evidence of repayment of all obligations owing, and
termination of commitments, under the existing revolving credit facility
extended to the Borrower pursuant to that Credit Agreement dated as of September
15, 1997 among the Borrower, certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, the banks
party thereto, Bank of America NT & SA (now known as Bank of America, N.A.) and
Crestar Bank, as Co-Agents, and NationsBank, N.A. (now known as Bank of America,
N.A.), as Administrative Agent.

         (h)    Fees and Expenses. Payment by the Credit Parties of all fees and
                -----------------
expenses due and payable to the Banks and the Administrative Agent, including,
without limitation, payment to the Administrative Agent of the fees set forth in
the Administrative Agent's Fee Letter.

5.2      Conditions to all Extensions of Credit.
         --------------------------------------

         The obligation of each Bank to make any Extension of Credit (including
the initial Extension of Credit) is subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions precedent on the date of making such Extension of Credit:

                                       60
<PAGE>

         (a)    Representations and Warranties. The representations and
                ------------------------------
warranties made by the Credit Parties herein and in the other Credit Documents
and which are contained in any certificate furnished at any time under or in
connection herewith shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as
of the date of such Extension of Credit as if made on and as of such date
(except for those which expressly relate to an earlier 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
Extension of Credit to be made on such date.

         (c)    Section 2 Conditions. Each of the conditions set forth in
                --------------------
Section 2 shall have been satisfied.

         Each request for an Extension of Credit (including extensions,
continuations and conversions) and each acceptance by the Borrower of an
Extension of Credit (including extensions, continuations and conversions) shall
be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower as of the
date of such Extension of Credit that the applicable conditions in paragraphs
(a), (b) and (c) of this Section 5.2 have been satisfied.


                                   SECTION 6

                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                        ------------------------------

         Each Credit Party hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative
Agent and each Bank that:

6.1      Organization and Good Standing.
         ------------------------------

         Each Credit Party is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of its incorporation, is duly
qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation authorized to do
business in every jurisdiction where the failure to so qualify could reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and has the requisite corporate
power and authority to own its Property and to carry on its business as now
conducted and as proposed to be conducted.

6.2      Due Authorization.
         -----------------

         Each Credit Party (i) has the requisite corporate power and authority
to execute, deliver and perform this Credit Agreement and the other Credit
Documents to which it is a party and to incur the obligations herein and therein
provided for, and (ii) is duly authorized to, and has been authorized by all
necessary corporate action, to execute, deliver and perform this Credit
Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which it is a party.

                                       61
<PAGE>

6.3      No Conflicts.
         ------------

         Neither the execution and delivery of the Credit Documents, nor the
consummation of the transactions contemplated therein, nor performance of and
compliance with the terms and provisions thereof by a Credit Party will (i)
violate or conflict with any provision of its articles of incorporation or
bylaws, (ii) violate, contravene or materially conflict with any law, regulation
(including without limitation Regulation U or Regulation X), order, writ,
judgment, injunction, decree or permit applicable to it, (iii) violate,
contravene or materially conflict with contractual provisions of, or cause an
event of default under, any indenture, loan agreement, mortgage, deed of trust,
contract or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it
may be bound, the violation of which could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect, (iv) result in or require the creation of any lien,
security interest or other charge or encumbrance (other than those contemplated
in or created in connection with the Credit Documents) upon or with respect its
properties, the creation of which could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

6.4      Consents.
         --------

         No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing,
registration or qualification with, any Governmental Authority or any other
Person is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of
this Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents by each Credit Party
or, if required, such consent, approval and authorization has been obtained.

6.5      Enforceable Obligations.
         -----------------------

         Each Credit Document has been duly executed and delivered and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Credit Party
enforceable against each Credit Party in accordance with its terms, except as
may be limited by bankruptcy or insolvency laws or similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally or by general equitable principles.

6.6      No Legal Bar.
         ------------

         The execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents, the
borrowings hereunder and the use of the Extensions of Credit will not violate
any Requirement of Law or any Contractual Obligation of any Credit Party (except
those as to which waivers or consents have been obtained and those that could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect), and will not
result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of the
Property or revenues of any Credit Party pursuant to any Requirement of Law or
Contractual Obligation other than the Liens, if any, arising under or
contemplated in connection with the Credit Documents.

                                       62
<PAGE>

6.7      Financial Condition.
         -------------------

         Each of the financial statements described below (copies of which have
heretofore been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Banks) have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods
covered thereby, are complete and correct in all material respects and present
fairly the financial condition (including disclosure of all material
liabilities, contingent or otherwise) and results from operations of the
entities and for the periods specified, subject in the case of interim
company-prepared statements to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of
footnotes:

                  (i)   the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999,
         together with related audited consolidated statements of income and
         cash flows for the fiscal year then ending; and

                  (ii)  after the Closing Date, the annual and quarterly
         financial statements provided in accordance with Sections 7.1(a) and
         (b).

6.8      No Changes or Restricted Payments.
         ---------------------------------

         Since the date of the most-recent audited financial statements
referenced in Section 6.7

                  (i)   for the period to the Closing Date, except as previously
         disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Banks, there
         have been no material sales, transfers or other dispositions of any
         material part of the business or Property of any member of the
         Consolidated Group, nor have there been any material purchases or other
         acquisitions of any business or Property (including the Capital Stock
         of any other Person) by any member of the Consolidated Group, in each
         case which are not reflected in the annual audited financial statements
         referenced in Section 6.7(i); and

                  (ii)  there have been no circumstances, developments or events
         relating to or affecting any member of the Consolidated Group which
         could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.9      No Default.
         ----------

         No Default or Event of Default presently exists.

6.10     Liens.
         -----

         Except for Permitted Liens, each member of the Consolidated Group has
good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all of its
material real property, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all
of its other material Property, free and clear of all Liens.

                                       63
<PAGE>

6.11     Indebtedness.
         ------------

         No member of the Consolidated Group has any Indebtedness except for
Indebtedness permitted by Section 8.1.

6.12     Litigation.
         ----------

         Except as disclosed in the Borrower's Form 10K for the fiscal year of
the Borrower ending December 31, 1999, no claim, litigation, investigation or
proceeding of any kind is pending or, to the knowledge of any Responsible
Officer of any Credit Party, threatened, against any member of the Consolidated
Group or any of its Property or revenues which (a) relate to the Credit
Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or (b) if
adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. For purposes hereof, in the case of proceedings involving only monetary
damages, $5,000,000 or more in any instance shall be considered as having a
Material Adverse Effect.

6.13     Material Agreements.
         -------------------

         No member of the Consolidated Group is in default in any respect (and,
to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of any Credit Party, no such default
is asserted) under any contract, lease, loan agreement, indenture, mortgage,
security agreement or other agreement or obligation to which any member of the
Consolidated Group is a party or by which any of its Property is bound which
default could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.14     Taxes.
         -----

         Each member of the Consolidated Group has filed, or caused to be filed,
all material tax returns (federal, state, local and foreign) required to be
filed and paid (a) all amounts of taxes shown thereon to be due (including
interest and penalties) and (b) all other material taxes, fees, assessments and
other governmental charges (including mortgage recording taxes, documentary
stamp taxes and intangibles taxes) owing (or necessary to preserve any Liens in
favor of the Banks) by it, except for such taxes (i) which are not yet
delinquent or (ii) as are being contested in good faith by proper proceedings
for which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP.

6.15     Compliance with Law.
         -------------------

         Each member of the Consolidated Group is in compliance with all
Requirements of Law except to the extent that the failure to comply therewith
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.16     ERISA.
         -----

         Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect:

                                       64
<PAGE>

          (a)  During the five-year period prior to the date on which this
representation is made or deemed made: (i) no ERISA Event has occurred, and, to
the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of any Credit Party, no event or
condition has occurred or exists as a result of which any ERISA Event could
reasonably be expected to occur, with respect to any Plan; (ii) no "accumulated
funding deficiency," as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section
412 of the Internal Revenue Code, whether or not waived, has occurred with
respect to any Plan; (iii) each Plan has been maintained, operated, and funded
in compliance with its own terms and in material compliance with the provisions
of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and any other applicable federal or state
laws; and (iv) no Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan has arisen or is
reasonably likely to arise on account of any Plan.

          (b)  The actuarial present value of all "benefit liabilities" (as
defined in Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA), whether or not vested, under each
Single Employer Plan, as of the last annual valuation date prior to the date on
which this representation is made or deemed made (determined, in each case, in
accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement 87, utilizing the
actuarial assumptions used in such Plan's most recent actuarial valuation
report), did not exceed as of such valuation date the fair market value of the
assets of such Plan.

          (c)  Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or, to
the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of any Credit Party, could reasonably
be expected to incur, any withdrawal liability under ERISA to any Multiemployer
Plan or Multiple Employer Plan. Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate
would become subject to any withdrawal liability under ERISA if any member of
the Consolidated Group or any ERISA Affiliate were to withdraw completely from
all Multiemployer Plans and Multiple Employer Plans as of the valuation date
most closely preceding the date on which this representation is made or deemed
made. Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has received any notification
that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization (within the meaning of Section
4241 of ERISA), is insolvent (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA), or
has been terminated (within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA), and no
Multiemployer Plan is, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of any Credit
Party, reasonably expected to be in reorganization, insolvent, or terminated.

          (d)  No member of the Consolidated Group nor any ERISA Affiliates has
any material liability with respect to "expected post-retirement benefit
obligations" within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board
Statement 106. Each Plan which is a welfare plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of
ERISA) to which Sections 601-609 of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Internal
Revenue Code apply has been administered in compliance in all material respects
of such sections.

          (e)  Neither the execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement nor
the consummation of the financing transactions contemplated thereunder will
involve any transaction which is subject to the prohibitions of Sections 404,
406 or 407 of ERISA or in connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant
to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code. The representation by the Credit
Parties in the preceding sentence is made in reliance upon and subject to the
accuracy of the Banks' representation in Section 11.15 with respect to their
source of funds and is subject, in the event that the source of the funds used
by the Banks in connection with this transaction is an

                                       65
<PAGE>

insurance company's general asset account, to the application of Prohibited
Transaction Class Exemption 95-60, 60 Fed. Reg. 35,925 (1995), compliance with
the regulations issued under Section 401(c)(1)(A) of ERISA, or the issuance of
any other prohibited transaction exemption or similar relief, to the effect that
assets in an insurance company's general asset account do not constitute assets
of an "employee benefit plan" within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA of a
"plan" within the meaning of Section 4975(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.

To the extent any of the foregoing representations include Multiemployer Plans
or Multiple Employer Plans, each such representation shall be based on the
knowledge of any Responsible Officer of any Credit Party.

6.17      Subsidiaries.
          ------------

          (a)  Set forth on Schedule 6.17 is each Subsidiary of the Borrower,
                            -------------
including the jurisdiction of organization, ownership and ownership percentages
thereof. The outstanding shares of Capital Stock of each Subsidiary have been
validly issued, fully paid and are non-assessable and owned free of Liens other
than Permitted Liens. The outstanding shares of Capital Stock of each Subsidiary
have been validly issued and fully paid and are non-assessable and owned by the
Person(s) identified on Schedule 6.17, directly or indirectly, free of any Liens
                        -------------
other than Permitted Liens.

          (b)  The Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (not including any Securitization
Subsidiary or any PS Affiliate), as a group, do not exceed the Threshold
Requirement.

6.18      Use of Proceeds; Margin Stock.
          -----------------------------

          (a)  The Loans will be used by the Borrower solely to finance working
capital and other general corporate purposes (including, but not limited to,
capital expenditures, repayment of Funded Debt and acquisitions permitted
hereunder).

          (b)  None of the transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement
(including, without limitation, the direct or indirect use of the proceeds of
the Loans) will violate or result in a violation of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or the regulations issued pursuant thereto, or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or regulations issued pursuant thereto, or
Regulation T, U or X. "Margin Stock" within the meanings of Regulation U does
not constitute more than 25% of the value of the consolidated assets of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

6.19      Government Regulation.
          ---------------------

          No Credit Party is subject to regulation under the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act, the Investment Company Act
of 1940 or the Interstate Commerce Act, each as amended. In addition, no Credit
Party is (i) an "investment company" registered or required to be registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or is controlled by such a
company, or (ii) a "holding company," or a "subsidiary company" of a

                                       66
<PAGE>

"holding company," or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a "subsidiary"
or a "holding company," within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company
Act of 1935, as amended.

6.20      Environmental Matters.
          ---------------------

          Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect:

          (a)  Each of the facilities and properties owned, leased or operated
by the members of the Consolidated Group (the "Subject Properties") and all
                                               ------------------
operations at the Subject Properties are in compliance with all applicable
Environmental Laws, and there is no violation of any Environmental Law with
respect to the Subject Properties or the businesses operated by the members of
the Consolidated Group (the "Businesses"), and, to the knowledge of any
                             ----------
Responsible Officer of any Credit Party, there are no conditions relating to the
Businesses or Subject Properties that could give rise to liability under any
applicable Environmental Laws.

          (b)  None of the Subject Properties contains, or, to the knowledge of
any Responsible Officer of any Credit Party, has previously contained, any
Materials of Environmental Concern at, on or under the Subject Properties in
amounts or concentrations that constitute or constituted a violation of, or
could give rise to liability under, Environmental Laws.

          (c)  None of the members of the Consolidated Group has received any
written notice of, or inquiry from any Governmental Authority regarding, any
violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or potential liability
regarding environmental matters or compliance with Environmental Laws with
regard to any of the Subject Properties or the Businesses, nor does any
Responsible Officer of any member of the Consolidated Group have knowledge or
reason to believe that any such notice will be received or is being threatened.

          (d)  Materials of Environmental Concern have not been transported or
disposed of from the Subject Properties, or generated, treated, stored or
disposed of at, on or under any of the Subject Properties or any other location,
in each case by or on behalf any members of the Consolidated Group in violation
of, or in a manner that would be reasonably likely to give rise to liability
under, any applicable Environmental Law.

          (e)  No judicial proceeding or governmental or administrative action
is pending or, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of any Credit Party,
threatened, under any Environmental Law to which any member of the Consolidated
Group is or will be named as a party, nor are there any consent decrees or other
decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other orders, or other
administrative or judicial requirements outstanding under any Environmental Law
with respect to any member of the Consolidated Group, the Subject Properties or
the Businesses.

          (f)  There has been no release or, threat of release of Materials of
Environmental Concern at or from the Subject Properties, or arising from or
related to the operations (including, without limitation, disposal) of any
member of the Consolidated Group in connection with the

                                       67
<PAGE>

Subject Properties or otherwise in connection with the Businesses, in violation
of or in amounts or in a manner that could give rise to liability under
Environmental Laws.

6.21      Intellectual Property, Franchises, etc.
          --------------------------------------

          Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect:

          (a)  Each member of the Consolidated Group owns, or has the legal
right to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents, technology, know-
how and processes, if any, that are necessary for the operation of its business
as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted (the "Intellectual
                                                             ------------
Property"). No claim is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use
- --------
of any Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any
Intellectual Property, and, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of any
Credit Party, no such claim has been asserted. The use of Intellectual Property
by the members of the Consolidated Group does not infringe on the rights of any
Person.

          (b)  Each member of the Consolidated Group has obtained all material
licenses, permits, franchises or other certifications, consents, approvals and
authorizations, governmental or private, necessary to the ownership of its
Property and to the conduct of its business.

6.22      Investments.
          -----------

          No member of the Consolidated Group has any Investments except for
Permitted Investments.

6.23      No Material Misstatements.
          -------------------------

          None of the information, reports, financial statements, exhibits or
schedules, taken as a whole, furnished by or on behalf of any member of the
Consolidated Group to the Administrative Agent or any Bank in connection with
the negotiation of the Credit Documents or included therein or delivered
pursuant thereto contained any material misstatement of fact or omitted to state
any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading, provided
                                                                     --------
that to the extent any such information, report, financial statement, exhibit or
schedule was based upon or constitutes a forecast or projection, each Credit
Party represents only that it acted in good faith and utilized reasonable
assumptions and due care in the preparation of such information, report,
financial statement, exhibit or schedule.

6.24      Labor Matters.
          -------------

          Except as set forth in Schedule 6.24 and as could not reasonably be
                                 -------------
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,

                                       68
<PAGE>

          (i)    There are no strikes or lockouts against any member of the
     Consolidated Group pending or, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer
     of any Credit Party, threatened;

          (ii)   the hours worked by and payments made to employees of each
     member of the Consolidated Group have not been in violation of the Fair
     Labor Standards Act or any other applicable federal, state, local or
     foreign law dealing with such matters;

          (iii)  all payments due from each member of the Consolidated Group, or
     for which any claim may be made against any member of the Consolidated
     Group, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and
     other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of
     the respective member of the Consolidated Group; and

          (iv)   no member of the Consolidated Group is party to a collective
     bargaining agreement.


                                   SECTION 7
                             AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
                             ---------------------

     Each Credit Party hereby covenants and agrees that so long as any Credit
Document is in effect or any amounts payable under any of the Credit Documents
are outstanding or any Letter of Credit is outstanding, and until the
Commitments shall have terminated:

7.1  Information Covenants.
     ---------------------

     The Credit Parties will furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the
Administrative Agent and each Bank:

          (a)   Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any
                ---------------------------
     event within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a
     consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the
     end of such fiscal year, together with related consolidated statements of
     income and of cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in comparative
     form consolidated figures for the preceding fiscal year, all in reasonable
     detail and examined by KPMG Peat Marwick, or other independent certified
     public accountants of recognized national standing reasonably acceptable to
     the Required Banks and whose opinion shall be to the effect that such
     consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
     GAAP applied on a consistent basis (except for changes with which such
     accountants concur).

          (b)   Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any
                ------------------------------
     event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal
     quarters of the Borrower, (i) a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower
     and its Subsidiaries as at the end of

                                       69
<PAGE>

     such fiscal quarter, together with related consolidated statements of
     income and of cash flows, (ii) a condensed consolidating balance sheet of
     the Guarantors as at the end of such fiscal quarter, together with related
     condensed consolidating statements of operations and of cash flows, and
     (iii) a condensed consolidating balance sheet of the Non-Guarantor
     Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter, together with a related
     condensed consolidating statement of operations and of cash flows,

     in each case for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of the fiscal year
     ending with such period (except that the consolidated and condensed
     consolidating statements of cash flows which shall be prepared on a year to
     date basis) and in each case setting forth in comparative form consolidated
     figures for the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year (except
     that the consolidated and condensed consolidating balance sheets shall be
     compared to the prior year end), and all in reasonable form and detail
     acceptable to the Required Banks, and accompanied by a certificate of the
     chief financial officer, treasurer, controller or chief accounting officer
     of the Borrower, to the effect that, to the best of his or her knowledge
     and belief, all such financial statements are true and correct in all
     material respects and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on
     a consistent basis, subject to changes resulting from normal year-end audit
     adjustments.

          (c)   Borrowing Base Certificates. As soon as practicable and in any
                ---------------------------
     event within 15 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower,
     a statement of the Borrowing Base and its components as of the end of the
     immediately preceding fiscal quarter, substantially in the form of Schedule
                                                                        --------
     7.1(c) hereto, certified by the chief financial officer, treasurer,
     ------
     controller or chief accounting officer of the Borrower as being, to the
     best of his or her knowledge and belief, true and correct in all material
     respects as of such date.

          (d)   Officer's Certificate. At the time of delivery of the financial
                ---------------------
     statements provided for in Sections 7.1(a) and (b), a certificate of the
     chief financial officer, treasurer, controller or chief accounting officer
     of the Borrower substantially in the form of Schedule 7.1(d) to the effect
                                                  ---------------
     that no Default or Event of Default exists, or if any Default or Event of
     Default does exist specifying the nature and extent thereof and what action
     the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto. In addition, the
     Officer's Certificate shall demonstrate compliance with the financial
     covenants contained in Section 7.10 by calculation thereof as of the end of
     each such fiscal period.

          (e)   Accountant's Certificate. Within the period for delivery of the
                ------------------------
     annual financial statements provided in Section 7.1(a), a certificate of
     the accountants conducting the annual audit stating that they have reviewed
     this Credit Agreement and stating further whether, in the course of their
     audit, they have become aware of any Default or Event of Default arising as
     a result of a violation of the financial covenants contained in Section
     7.10 and, if any such Default or Event of Default exists, specifying the
     nature and extent thereof.

                                       70
<PAGE>

          (f)   SEC and Other Reports. Promptly upon transmission or receipt
                ---------------------
     thereof, (i) copies of any filings and registrations with, and reports to
     or from, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor agency,
     and copies of all financial statements, proxy statements, notices and
     reports as any member of the Consolidated Group shall send to its
     shareholders or to the holder of any Indebtedness (including specifically
     without limitation, any Subordinated Debt) in its capacity as such a holder
     and (ii) copies of all reports and written information to and from the
     United States Environmental Protection Agency, or any state or local agency
     responsible for environmental matters, the United States Occupational
     Health and Safety Administration, or any state or local agency responsible
     for health and safety matters, or any successor agencies or authorities
     concerning environmental, health or safety matters.

          (g)   Notice of Default or Litigation. Upon any Responsible Officer of
                -------------------------------
     any Credit Party obtaining knowledge thereof, the Credit Parties will give
     written notice to the Administrative Agent (i) immediately, but in any
     event within three (3) Business Days, of the occurrence of an event or
     condition consisting of a Default or Event of Default, specifying the
     nature and existence thereof and what action the Borrower proposes to take
     with respect thereto, and (ii) promptly, but in any event within five (5)
     Business Days, of the occurrence of any of the following with respect to
     any member of the Consolidated Group: (A) the pendency or commencement of
     any litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding against any member
     of the Consolidated Group which if adversely determined could reasonably be
     expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (B) the occurrence of an event
     or condition which shall constitute a default or event of default under any
     Indebtedness of any member of the Consolidated Group which, if accelerated
     as a result of such event of default could reasonably be expected to have a
     Material Adverse Effect, or (C) any development in its business or affairs
     which has resulted in, or which any Credit Party reasonably believes may
     result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

          (h)   ERISA. Upon any Responsible Officer of any Credit Party
                -----
     obtaining knowledge thereof, the Credit Parties will give written notice to
     the Administrative Agent promptly (and in any event within ten (10)
     Business Days) of: (i) any event or condition, including, but not limited
     to, any Reportable Event, that constitutes, or might reasonably lead to, an
     ERISA Event; (ii) with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the receipt of
     notice as prescribed in ERISA or otherwise of any withdrawal liability
     assessed against the Credit Parties or any ERISA Affiliates, or of a
     determination that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvent
     (both within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA) which could result in a
     liability of at least $5,000,000; (iii) the failure to make full payment on
     or before the due date (including extensions) thereof of all amounts which
     any member of the Consolidated Group or any ERISA Affiliate is required to
     contribute to each Plan pursuant to its terms and as required to meet the
     minimum funding standard set forth in ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code
     with respect thereto which could result in a liability of at least
     $5,000,000; or (iv) any change in the funding status of any Plan that could
     reasonably be

                                       71
<PAGE>

     expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, together with a description of
     any such event or condition or a copy of any such notice and a statement by
     an Executive Officer of the Borrower briefly setting forth the details
     regarding such event, condition, or notice, and the action, if any, which
     has been or is being taken or is proposed to be taken by the Credit Parties
     with respect thereto. Promptly upon request, the Credit Parties shall
     furnish the Administrative Agent and the Banks with such additional
     information concerning any Plan as may be reasonably requested, including,
     but not limited to, copies of each annual report/return (Form 5500 series),
     as well as all schedules and attachments thereto required to be filed with
     the Department of Labor and/or the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to
     ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, respectively, for each "plan year"
     (within the meaning of Section 3(39) of ERISA).

          (i)   Environmental.
                -------------

                (i)   Upon the reasonable written request of the Administrative
          Agent following the occurrence of any event or the discovery of any
          condition which the Administrative Agent or the Required Banks
          reasonably believe has caused (or could reasonably be expected to
          cause) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 6.20 to
          be untrue in any material respect, the Credit Parties will furnish or
          cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent, at the Credit
          Parties' expense, a report of an environmental assessment of
          reasonable scope, form and depth (including, where appropriate,
          invasive soil or groundwater sampling) by a consultant reasonably
          acceptable to the Administrative Agent as to the nature and extent of
          the presence of any Materials of Environmental Concern on any Subject
          Properties (as defined in Section 6.20) and as to the compliance by
          any member of the Consolidated Group with Environmental Laws at such
          Subject Properties. If the Credit Parties fail to deliver such an
          environmental report within seventy-five (75) days after receipt of
          such written request then the Administrative Agent may arrange for
          same, and the members of the Consolidated Group hereby grant to the
          Administrative Agent and their representatives access to the Subject
          Properties to reasonably undertake such an assessment (including,
          where appropriate, invasive soil or groundwater sampling). The
          reasonable cost of any assessment arranged for by the Administrative
          Agent pursuant to this provision will be payable by the Credit Parties
          on demand.

                (ii)  The members of the Consolidated Group will conduct and
          complete all investigations, studies, sampling, and testing and all
          remedial, removal, and other actions necessary to address all
          Materials of Environmental Concern on, from or affecting any of the
          Subject Properties to the extent necessary to be in compliance with
          all Environmental Laws and with the validly issued orders and
          directives of all Governmental Authorities with jurisdiction over such
          Subject Properties to the extent any failure could reasonably be
          expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (j)   Other Information. With reasonable promptness upon any such
                -----------------
request, such other information regarding the business, properties or financial

                                       72
<PAGE>

       condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as the Administrative
       Agent or any Bank may reasonably request.

7.2    Preservation of Existence and Franchises.
       ----------------------------------------

       Except as otherwise permitted under Section 8.5 and except as could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Credit Party
will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do all things necessary to
preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights, franchises and
authority for the normal conduct of its business.

7.3    Books, Records and Inspections.
       ------------------------------

       Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep
complete and accurate books and records of its transactions in accordance with
good accounting practices on the basis of GAAP applied on a consistent basis
(including the establishment and maintenance of appropriate reserves). Each
Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit, upon
reasonable notice and during normal business hours, officers or designated
representatives of the Administrative Agent or any Bank (including, without
limitation, independent accountants, agents, attorneys and appraisers) to visit
and inspect its Property, including its books of account and records, its
accounts receivable and inventory, its facilities and other business assets, and
to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of such Person with, and be
advised as to the same by, the officers, directors and independent accountants
of such Person.

7.4    Compliance with Law.
       -------------------

       Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
comply with all Requirements of Law to the extent that noncompliance could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

7.5    Payment of Taxes and Other Indebtedness.
       ---------------------------------------

       Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay
and discharge (i) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges or
levies imposed upon it, or upon its income or profits, or upon any of its
Property, before they shall become delinquent, (ii) all lawful claims (including
claims for labor, materials and supplies) which, if unpaid, might give rise to a
Lien or charge upon any of its properties, and (iii) except as prohibited
hereunder, all of its other Indebtedness as it shall become due; provided,
                                                                 --------
however, that no member of the Consolidated Group shall be required to pay any
- -------
such tax, assessment, charge, levy, claim or Indebtedness which is being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves
therefor have been established in accordance with GAAP, unless the failure to
                                                        ------
make any such payment (a) shall give rise to an immediate right to foreclosure
on a Lien securing such amounts or (b) otherwise could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                       73
<PAGE>

7.6    Insurance.
       ---------

       Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at
all times maintain in full force and effect insurance (including worker's
compensation insurance, liability insurance, casualty insurance and business
interruption insurance) with financially sound and reputable insurance companies
in such amounts, covering such risks and liabilities and with such deductibles
or self-insurance retentions as are in accordance with normal industry practice.
Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, furnish to
the Administrative Agent and the Banks, upon written request, full information
as to insurance carried.

7.7    Maintenance of Property.
       -----------------------

       Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
maintain and preserve its Property used or useful in any material portion of its
business in good repair, working order and condition, normal wear and tear,
obsolescence and replacement excepted, and will make, or cause to be made, from
time to time all repairs, renewals, replacements, extensions, additions,
betterments and improvements to its Property as may be needed or proper, to the
extent and in the manner customary for companies in similar businesses.

7.8    Performance of Obligations.
       --------------------------

       Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
perform all of its obligations (including, except as may be otherwise prohibited
or contemplated hereunder, payment of Indebtedness in accordance with its terms)
under the terms of all agreements, indentures, mortgages, security agreements or
other debt instruments to which it is a party or by which it is bound if the
failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

7.9    Use of Proceeds.
       ---------------

       The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Extensions of Credit solely for
the purposes set forth in Section 6.18(a).

7.10   Financial Covenants.
       -------------------

       (a)     Consolidated Current Ratio. As of the end of each fiscal quarter
               --------------------------
of the Borrower, the Consolidated Current Ratio shall not be less than 1.40 to
1.0.

       (b)     Consolidated Net Worth. The Borrower will maintain at all times
               ----------------------
Consolidated Net Worth of not less than the sum of (i) $267,000,000 plus (ii) as
                                                                    ----
of the end of each fiscal quarter beginning with the fiscal quarter ended March
31, 2000, an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of Consolidated Net Income (to
the extent positive) for such fiscal quarter, such increases to be cumulative,
plus (iii) an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the net proceeds
- ----
from Equity Transactions occurring after the Closing Date.

                                       74
<PAGE>

     (c)  Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio. As of the end of each fiscal
          ---------------------------------
quarter of the Borrower set forth below, the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio
shall not be greater than the ratio set forth below :

              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
                                                       Consolidated Total
                     Fiscal Quarter End                Leverage Ratio
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               March 31, 2000                                3.75
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               June 30, 2000                                 3.75
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               September 30, 2000                            3.75
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               December 31, 2000                             3.50
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               March 31, 2001                                3.25
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               June 30, 2001                                 3.25
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               September 30, 2001                            3.25
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               December 31, 2001                             3.25
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               March 31, 2002                                3.25
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               June 30, 2002                                 3.25
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               September 30, 2002                            3.25
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               December 31, 2002 and thereafter              3.00
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------

     (d)  Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. As of the end of each fiscal
          ----------------------------------------
quarter of the Borrower set forth below, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio shall not be less than the ratio set forth below:

              ----------------------------------    --------------------------
                                                         Consolidated
                                                         Fixed Charge
                     Fiscal Quarter End                 Coverage Ratio
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               March 31, 2000                               1.30
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               June 30, 2000                                1.30
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               September 30, 2000                           1.30
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               December 31, 2000                            1.40
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               March 31, 2001                               1.40
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               June 30, 2001                                1.40
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               September 30, 2001                           1.40
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               December 31, 2001                            1.45
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               March 31, 2002                               1.45
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               June 30, 2002                                1.45
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               September 30, 2002                           1.45
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------
               December 31, 2002 and thereafter             1.50
              ----------------------------------    ---------------------------

                                       75
<PAGE>

7.11 Additional Credit Parties.
     -------------------------

     (a)  Additional Subsidiaries. At any time that the Non-Guarantor
          -----------------------
Subsidiaries shall, as a group, (i) account for more than five percent (5%) of
the gross revenues of the members of the Consolidated Group on a consolidated
basis determined in accordance with GAAP, (ii) account for more than five
percent (5%) of net income of the members of the Consolidated Group on a
consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP, or (iii) constitute more
than five percent (5%) of Consolidated Total Assets (each a "Threshold
                                                             ---------
Requirement"), the Borrower will (A) promptly notify the Administrative Agent
- -----------
and the Banks thereof, (B) within 45 days thereafter, cause one or more of the
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries to become a "Guarantor" hereunder by way of execution
of a Joinder Agreement such that immediately thereafter the remaining
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries shall not, as a group, exceed any Threshold
Requirement and (C) deliver such other documentation as the Administrative Agent
may reasonably request in connection with the foregoing, including, without
limitation, certified resolutions and other organizational and authorizing
documents of such Person, good standing certificates and favorable opinions of
counsel to such Person, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent. The Borrower may at any time, at its option, cause
a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a
Joinder Agreement.

     (b)  Guaranties Relating to Other Debt. If any Non-Guarantor
          ---------------------------------
Subsidiary shall give a guaranty or become obligated under Support Obligations
relating to any Indebtedness (including, without limitation, the Senior
Subordinated Notes), the Borrower will (A) promptly notify the Administrative
Agent and each Bank thereof and (B) within 45 days thereafter, cause one or more
of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries to become a "Guarantor" hereunder by way of
execution of a Joinder Agreement.

                                   SECTION 8

                              NEGATIVE COVENANTS
                              ------------------

     Each Credit Party hereby covenants and agrees that so long as any
Credit Document is in effect or any amounts payable under any of the Credit
Documents are outstanding or any Letter of Credit is outstanding, and until the
Commitments shall have terminated:

8.1  Indebtedness.
     ------------

     The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group
to contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

          (a)  Indebtedness arising under this Credit Agreement and the other
     Credit Documents;

                                       76
<PAGE>

          (b)  Indebtedness existing as of the Closing Date and set forth
     on Schedule 8.1(b) (and renewals, refinancings or extensions thereof on
        ---------------
     terms and conditions no less favorable to the members of the Consolidated
     Group than such existing Indebtedness (taking into account reasonable
     market conditions existing at such time) and in a principal amount not in
     excess of that outstanding as of the date of such renewal, refinancing or
     extension);

          (c)  Indebtedness (including purchase money Indebtedness and
     obligations under Capital Leases) incurred to finance the purchase or lease
     of fixed assets provided that (i) the total of all such Indebtedness shall
     not exceed an aggregate principal amount of $10,000,000 at any one time
     outstanding; (ii) such Indebtedness when incurred shall not exceed the
     purchase price of the asset financed; and (iii) no such Indebtedness shall
     be refinanced for a principal amount in excess of the principal balance
     outstanding thereon at the time of such refinancing; and

          (d)  (i) Indebtedness evidenced by the Senior Subordinated
     Notes (and renewals, refinancings or extensions thereof on terms and
     conditions no less favorable to the members of the Consolidated Group than
     such existing Indebtedness (taking into account reasonable market
     conditions existing at such time) and in a principal amount not in excess
     of that outstanding as of the date of such renewal, refinancing or
     extension), (ii) Indebtedness evidenced by the Junior Subordinated
     Debentures in an aggregate principal amount up to $136,082,474.23, and
     (iii) other Subordinated Debt acceptable to the Required Banks in their
     sole discretion.

          (e)  unsecured intercompany Indebtedness owing by a Credit
     Party to another Credit Party (subject to the limitations set forth in
     Section 8.6 in the case of the Credit Party extending the Indebtedness);

          (f)  Indebtedness under Qualified Securitization Transactions in an
     aggregate principal amount not to exceed $300,000,000 at any time
     outstanding;

          (g)  obligations owing under interest rate, commodities and
     foreign currency exchange protection agreements entered into in the
     ordinary course of business to manage existing or anticipated risks and
     not for speculative purposes;

          (h)  other unsecured Funded Debt of the members of the Consolidated
     Group which does not exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate at any time
     outstanding; and

          (i)  except as expressly provided otherwise herein, Support
     Obligations of any member of the Consolidated Group with respect to any
     Indebtedness of any member of the Consolidated Group permitted under
     this Section 8.1.

                                       77
<PAGE>

8.2  Liens.
     -----

     The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group
to contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien with respect to
any of its Property, whether now owned or after acquired, except for Permitted
Liens.

8.3  Nature of Business.
     ------------------

     The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group
to substantively alter the character of its business in any material respect
from that conducted as of the Closing Date.

8.4  Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Purchase of Assets, etc.
     ------------------------------------------------------

     (a)  The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated
Group to enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation, except that

          (i)       a member of the Consolidated Group may be party to a
     transaction of merger or consolidation with another member of the
     Consolidated Group, provided that (A) if the Borrower is a party to such
                         --------
     transaction, the Borrower shall be the surviving entity, (B) if a Guarantor
     is a party to such transaction and the Borrower is not a party to such
     transaction, a Guarantor shall be the surviving entity, and (C) in all
     other cases, if a Domestic Subsidiary is a party to such transaction, a
     Domestic Subsidiary shall be the surviving entity and such Domestic
     Subsidiary shall take such actions as may be necessary for compliance with
     the provisions of Section 7.11;

          (ii)      a Subsidiary may be a party to a transaction of merger or
     consolidation with a Person other than a member of the Consolidated Group,
     provided that (A) the surviving entity shall be a Subsidiary and shall take
     --------
     such actions as may be necessary for compliance with the provisions of
     Section 7.11, (B) no Default or Event of Default shall exist immediately
     after giving effect thereto, and (C) the transaction shall otherwise
     constitute a Permitted Acquisition; and

          (iii)     a Subsidiary may enter into a transaction of merger or
     consolidation in connection with an Asset Disposition permitted under
     Section 8.5.

     (b)  No member of the Consolidated Group shall make any Acquisition,
unless:

          (i)       if the Acquisition is of Capital Stock of another Person
     and after giving effect to the Acquisition the Person that is the subject
     of the Acquisition will not be a Subsidiary, the Acquisition is permitted
     under Section 8.6; and

          (ii)      if (A) the Acquisition is of Capital Stock of another
     Person and after giving effect to the Acquisition the Person that is
     the subject of the Acquisition will be a

                                       78
<PAGE>

     Subsidiary or (B) the Acquisition is of all or any substantial portion of
     the Property of another Person, the Acquisition meets the following
     conditions:

               (I)       the Person or Property which is the subject of
          such Acquisition shall be in the same or similar line of business (or
          related thereto) as the members of the Consolidated Group which are
          parties thereto;

               (II)      in the case of a merger or consolidation, and in
          other cases where appropriate, the board of directors or other
          governing body of the other Person which is the subject of the
          transaction of merger or consolidation shall have approved such
          Acquisition;

               (III)     no Default or Event of Default shall exist
          immediately after giving effect to such Acquisition;

               (IV)      the Borrower shall have delivered to the
          Administrative Agent a Pro Forma Compliance Certificate demonstrating
          that, upon giving effect to such Acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis, the
          Credit Parties shall be in compliance with all of the covenants set
          forth in Section 7.10;

               (V)       if the Acquisition involves an interest in a
          partnership and a requirement that a member of the Consolidated Group
          be a general partner, the general partner shall be a newly formed
          special purpose Subsidiary ;

               (VI)      the Credit Parties shall, and shall cause the
          party which is the subject of the Acquisition to, take such actions as
          may be necessary for compliance with the provisions of Sections 7.11;

               (VII)     in the case of Acquisitions of Foreign Property
          and Acquisitions of Capital Stock of a Foreign Person, the Total
          Consideration paid in connection with all such Acquisitions shall not
          exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate; and

               (VIII)    in the case of the Acquisition of Domestic
          Property and Acquisitions of Capital Stock of a Domestic Person,
          unless the Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Pro
          Forma Compliance Certificate demonstrating that the Consolidated
          Senior Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to any
          such Acquisition is less than 2.50:1.0, the Total Consideration paid
          in connection with any such Acquisition (or series of related
          Acquisitions) shall not exceed $25,000,000.

8.5  Asset Dispositions.
     ------------------

     The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group
to make any Asset Disposition (including, without limitation, any Sale and
Leaseback Transaction), except

                                       79
<PAGE>

          (i)       the sale, lease or other disposition to a Domestic
     Subsidiary; or

          (ii)      the sale, lease or disposition of Property if the
     proceeds of such sale, lease or other disposition are reinvested within
     ninety (90) days in the same or similar Property; or

          (iii)     in all other cases, (A) at least seventy-five percent
     (75%) of the consideration paid therefor shall consist of cash or Cash
     Equivalents, (B) the aggregate net book value of all assets sold, leased or
     otherwise disposed of in any fiscal year shall not exceed an amount equal
     to five percent (5%) of Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of the
     immediately preceding fiscal year, (D) no Default or Event of Default shall
     exist immediately after giving effect thereto, and (E) the Borrower shall
     have demonstrated compliance with the financial covenants hereunder on a
     Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the disposition and shall have
     delivered to the Administrative Agent a Pro Forma Compliance Certificate
     (including reaffirmation of the representations and warranties hereunder as
     of such date before and after giving effect to such transaction) in
     connection therewith.

8.6  Advances, Investments and Loans.
     -------------------------------

     The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group
to make any Investment in or to any Person except for Permitted Investments.

8.7  Prepayments and Amendments Relating to Other Debt.
     -------------------------------------------------

     Without the prior written consent of the Required Banks, the Credit
Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group to:

          (a)       after the issuance thereof, amend or modify, or permit any
     amendment to or modification of, any of the terms of any Funded Debt
     (including any Subordinated Debt) in a manner materially adverse to the
     interests of the Banks;

          (b)       make any payment, prepayment, redemption, defeasance or
     acquisition for value (including without limitation by way of deposit of
     money or securities with a trustee with respect thereto before due for the
     purpose of paying when due) of, or refund, refinance or exchange, any
     Funded Debt (including any Subordinated Debt) other than, so long as no
     Default or Event of Default exists immediately prior thereto or would exist
     immediately after giving effect thereto:

                    (i)  regularly scheduled non-default principal payments on
          the Senior Subordinated Notes and the Junior Subordinated Debentures;

                    (ii) regularly scheduled non-default interest payments on
          the Senior Subordinated Notes and the Junior Subordinated Debentures;

                                       80
<PAGE>

                    (iii)     prepayments in respect of obligations under
          Capital Leases not to exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate in any
          fiscal year;

                    (iv)      prepayments and redemptions of the Senior
          Subordinated Notes not to exceed $50,000,000 in the aggregate provided
                                                                        --------
          that, prior to the making of any such prepayment or redemption, the
          Borrower shall have (A) demonstrated compliance with the financial
          covenants hereunder on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such
          prepayment or redemption, (B) demonstrated that the Consolidated
          Senior Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such
          prepayment or redemption is less than 2.50:1.0, and (C) shall have
          delivered to the Administrative Agent a Pro Forma Compliance
          Certificate (including reaffirmation of the representations and
          warranties hereunder as of such date before and after giving effect to
          such transaction) in connection therewith; and

                    (v)       refinancing of the Senior Subordinated Notes to
          the extent permitted by Section 8.1(d)(i).

          (c)       designate any other indebtedness as "Designated Senior and
     Subordinated Debt" within the meaning provided in the indenture or other
     governing instruments relating to the Junior Subordinated Debentures.

8.8  Transactions with Affiliates.
     ----------------------------

     The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group
to enter into any transaction or series of transactions, whether or not in the
ordinary course of business, with any officer, director, shareholder, Subsidiary
or Affiliate of such Person other than (a) transactions among the Credit
Parties, (b) normal compensation and reimbursement of expenses of officers and
directors, (c) transactions relating to a Qualified Securitization Transaction,
(d) transactions with Owens & Minor Trust I in connection with the Preferred
Securities, and (e) except as otherwise specifically limited in this Credit
Agreement, other transactions which are entered into in the ordinary course of
such Person's business on terms and conditions substantially as favorable to
such Person as would be obtainable by it in a comparable arms-length transaction
with a Person other than an officer, director, shareholder, Subsidiary or
Affiliate.

8.9  Ownership of Subsidiaries.
     -------------------------

     Except as permitted by Section 8.5, the Credit Parties will not permit
any member of the Consolidated Group to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of,
any shares of Capital Stock of any Subsidiaries or permit any Subsidiaries to
issue, sell or otherwise dispose of, any shares of Capital Stock of any
Subsidiary to any Person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary. The Borrower
will not create, form or acquire, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to
create, form or acquire, any Subsidiary, unless such Subsidiary is either (i)
promptly joined as an Additional Credit Party pursuant to the requirements of
Section 7.11, if such joinder is required thereby, (ii) a Securitization
Subsidiary or (iii) a PS Affiliate.

                                       81
<PAGE>

8.10 Fiscal Year.
     -----------

     The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group
to change its fiscal year without the prior written consent of the Required
Banks or to amend, modify or change its articles of incorporation (or corporate
charter or other similar organizational document) or bylaws (or other similar
document) in a manner adverse to the interests of the Banks.

8.11 Subsidiary Dividends.
     --------------------

     The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group
to enter into, assume or otherwise become subject to, or permit any of their
respective Subsidiaries (other than a Securitization Subsidiary pursuant to a
Qualified Securitization Transaction permitted hereunder or any PS Affiliate) to
enter into, assume or otherwise become subject to, any agreement prohibiting or
otherwise restricting the payment of dividends by any of the Borrower's
Subsidiaries (other than a Securitization Subsidiary pursuant to a Qualified
Securitization Transaction permitted hereunder), except as may be provided
herein or in the indenture relating to the Senior Subordinated Notes or in the
indenture relating to the Junior Subordinated Debentures.

8.12 Restricted Payments.
     -------------------

     The Credit Parties will not make, or permit any member of the
Consolidated Group to make, any Restricted Payment, unless no Default or Event
of Default shall exist immediately prior thereto and immediately after giving
effect thereto.

                                   SECTION 9

                               EVENTS OF DEFAULT
                               -----------------

9.1  Events of Default.
     -----------------

     An Event of Default shall exist upon the occurrence of any of the
following specified events (each an "Event of Default"):
                                     ----------------

          (a)  Payment.  Any Credit Party shall
               -------

               (i)  default in the payment when due of any principal of any of
          the Loans or of any reimbursement obligations arising from drawings
          under Letters of Credit, or

               (ii) default, and such default shall continue for
          three (3) or more Business Days, in the payment when due of
          any interest on the Loans or on any reimbursement obligations
          arising from drawings under Letters of Credit, or of any

                                       82
<PAGE>

          Fees or other amounts owing hereunder, under any of the other Credit
          Documents or in connection herewith or therewith; or

          (b)  Representations. Any representation, warranty or statement
               ---------------
     made or deemed to be made by any Credit Party herein, in any of the other
     Credit Documents, or in any statement or certificate delivered or required
     to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove untrue in any
     material respect on the date as of which it was made or deemed to have been
     made; or

          (c)  Covenants.  Any Credit Party shall
               ---------

               (i)       default in the due performance or observance of any
          term, covenant or agreement contained in Sections 7.1(g), 7.9, 7.11 or
          8.1 through 8.12, inclusive, or

               (ii)      default in the due performance or observance of any
          of the financial covenants contained in Section 7.10 and the
          continuance thereof for a period of 15 days after knowledge thereof by
          a Responsible Officer of any Credit Party (but in no event later than
          15 days after the date by which the Borrower is required to deliver
          annual or quarterly financial statements in accordance with Sections
          7.1(a) and (b), as appropriate) without the Borrower having obtained
          an effective waiver hereunder; or

               (iii)     default in the due performance or observance by it of
          any term, covenant or agreement (other than those referred to in
          subsections (a), (b) or (c)(i) or (ii) of this Section 9.1) contained
          in this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document and such default
          shall continue unremedied for a period of at least 30 days after the
          earlier of a Responsible Officer becoming aware of such default or
          notice thereof by the Administrative Agent; provided, however, that if
                                                      --------  -------
          such default cannot be cured within such period, the Borrower or other
          Credit Party may have such additional period of time not to exceed 30
          days after the expiration of such original 30 day period, and such
          default shall not constitute an Event of Default hereunder, so long as
          the applicable Credit Party shall commence within such original 30 day
          period, and diligently pursue, appropriate curative efforts; or

          (d)  Other Credit Documents.  Any Credit Document shall fail to be
               ----------------------
     in full force and effect or to give the Administrative Agent and/or the
     Banks the Liens, rights, powers and privileges purported to be created
     thereby, or any Credit Party shall so state in writing; or

          (e)  Guaranties. The guaranty given by any Guarantor (including
               ----------
     any Additional Credit Party) hereunder or any material provision thereof
     shall cease to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor (including any
     Additional Credit Party) or any Person acting by or on behalf of such
     Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm such Guarantor's obligations under such
     guaranty, or any Guarantor (including any Additional Credit

                                       83
<PAGE>

     Party) shall default in the due performance or observance of any term,
     covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed pursuant to
     any guaranty; or

          (f)  Bankruptcy Event. Any Bankruptcy Event shall occur with respect
               ----------------
     to any member of the Consolidated Group; or

          (g)  Defaults under Other Agreements. With respect to any
               -------------------------------
     Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness outstanding under this Credit
     Agreement) in excess of $10,000,000 in the aggregate for the members of the
     Consolidated Group, taken as a whole, (i) any member of the Consolidated
     Group shall (A) default in any payment (beyond the applicable grace period
     with respect thereto, if any) with respect to any such Indebtedness, or (B)
     default in the observance or performance relating to such Indebtedness or
     contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating
     thereto, or any other event or condition shall occur or condition exist,
     the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or
     permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or trustee or agent on
     behalf of such holders) to cause, any such Indebtedness to become due prior
     to its stated maturity; or (ii) any such Indebtedness shall be declared due
     and payable, or required to be prepaid other than by a regularly scheduled
     required prepayment, prior to the stated maturity thereof; or

          (h)  Judgments. One or more judgments or decrees shall be
               ---------
     entered against the any member of the Consolidated Group involving a
     liability of $500,000 or more in the aggregate (to the extent not paid or
     fully covered by insurance provided by a carrier who has acknowledged
     coverage) and any such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated,
     discharged or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 30 days from the entry
     thereof; or

          (i)  ERISA. Any of the following events or conditions, if such
               -----
     event or condition is reasonably likely to result in the imposition of
     taxes, penalties, or other liabilities in an aggregate amount in excess of
     $5,000,000: (i) any "accumulated funding deficiency," as such term is
     defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Internal Revenue
     Code, whether or not waived, shall exist with respect to any Plan, or any
     lien shall arise on the assets of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in
     favor of the PBGC or a Plan; (ii) an ERISA Event shall occur with respect
     to a Single Employer Plan, which results in the termination of such Plan
     for purposes of Title IV of ERISA; (iii) an ERISA Event shall occur with
     respect to a Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan, which results in
     (A) the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, or (B)
     the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate incurring any liability in connection
     with a withdrawal from, reorganization of (within the meaning of Section
     4241 of ERISA), or insolvency (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA)
     of such Plan; or (iv) any prohibited transaction (within the meaning of
     Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code) or
     breach of fiduciary responsibility shall occur which subjects the Borrower
     or any ERISA Affiliate to any liability under Sections 406, 409, 502(i), or
     502(l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, or under any
     agreement or other

                                       84
<PAGE>

     instrument pursuant to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has agreed
     or is required to indemnify any person against any such liability; or

          (j)   Ownership.  There shall occur a Change of Control; or
                ---------

          (k)   Default under Senior Subordinated Notes. The occurrence of an
                ---------------------------------------
     event of default under the Senior Subordinated Notes; or

          (l)   Default under Securitization Agreement. The occurrence of an
                --------------------------------------
     event of default under any of the Securitization Agreements.

9.2  Acceleration; Remedies.
     ----------------------

     Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and at any time thereafter
unless and until such Event of Default has been waived by the requisite Banks
(pursuant to the voting procedures in Section 11.6) or cured to the satisfaction
of the requisite Banks (pursuant to the voting procedures in Section 11.6), the
Administrative Agent may, and upon the request and direction of the Required
Banks shall, by written notice to the Borrower take any of the following actions
without prejudice to the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Bank to
enforce its claims against the Credit Parties, except as otherwise specifically
provided for herein:

          (i)   Termination of Commitments. Declare the Commitments terminated
                --------------------------
     whereupon the Commitments shall be immediately terminated.

          (ii)  Acceleration. Declare the unpaid principal of and any accrued
                ------------
     interest in respect of all Loans, any reimbursement obligations arising
     from drawings under Letters of Credit and any and all other indebtedness or
     obligations of any and every kind owing by the Credit Parties to the
     Administrative Agent and/or any of the Banks hereunder to be due whereupon
     the same shall be immediately due and payable without presentment, demand,
     protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the
     Credit Parties.

          (iii) Cash Collateral. Direct the Credit Parties to pay (and the
                ---------------
     Credit Parties agree that upon receipt of such notice, or upon the
     occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 9.1(f), they will
     immediately pay) to the Administrative Agent additional cash, to be held by
     the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Banks, in a cash
     collateral account as additional security for the LOC Obligations in
     respect of subsequent drawings under all then outstanding Letters of Credit
     in an amount equal to the maximum aggregate amount which may be drawn under
     all Letters of Credits then outstanding.

          (iv)  Enforcement of Rights. Enforce any and all rights and interests
                ---------------------
     created and existing under the Credit Documents including, without
     limitation, all rights and remedies against a Guarantor and all rights of
     set-off.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in Section
9.1(f) shall occur, then the Commitments shall automatically terminate and all
Loans, all accrued interest in respect

                                       85
<PAGE>

thereof, all accrued and unpaid Fees and other indebtedness or obligations owing
to the Banks hereunder shall immediately become due and payable without the
giving of any notice or other action by the Administrative Agent or the Banks.


                                  SECTION 10

                               AGENCY PROVISIONS
                               -----------------

10.1 Appointment, Powers and Immunities.
     ----------------------------------

     Each Bank hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative
Agent to act as its agent under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit
Documents with such powers and discretion as are specifically delegated to the
Administrative Agent by the terms of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit
Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
Each Bank further authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent to execute and
deliver releases (or similar agreements) to give effect to the provisions of
this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, including specifically,
without limitation, the provisions of Section 8.5. The Administrative Agent
(which term as used in this sentence and in Section 10.5 and the first sentence
of Section 10.6 shall include its affiliates and its own and its affiliates'
officers, directors, employees, and agents): (a) shall not have any duties or
responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Credit Agreement and
shall not be a trustee or fiduciary for any Bank; (b) shall not be responsible
to the Banks for any recital, statement, representation, or warranty (whether
written or oral) made in or in connection with any Credit Document or any
certificate or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by any
of them under, any Credit Document, or for the value, validity, effectiveness,
genuineness, enforceability, or sufficiency of any Credit Document, or any other
document referred to or provided for therein or for any failure by any Credit
Party or any other Person to perform any of its obligations thereunder; (c)
shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, or
verify the performance or observance of any covenants or agreements by any
Credit Party or the satisfaction of any condition or to inspect the property
(including the books and records) of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries
or Affiliates; (d) shall not be required to initiate or conduct any litigation
or collection proceedings under any Credit Document; and (e) shall not be
responsible for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it under or in
connection with any Credit Document, except for its own gross negligence or
willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent may employ agents and attorneys-in-
fact and shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any such
agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care. The titles of
Syndication Agent, Managing Agent and Co-Agent are bestowed in recognition of
the participation in this credit by the Syndication Agent, Managing Agent and
Co-Agent, and such title shall not impose or imply any duties or
responsibilities whatsoever of the Syndication Agent, Managing Agent or Co-
Agent, in their respective capacity as such, to the Borrower, the Guarantors,
the Administrative Agent or the Banks.

10.2 Reliance by Administrative Agent.
     --------------------------------

                                       86
<PAGE>

     The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any certification,
notice, instrument, writing, or other communication (including, without
limitation, any thereof by telephone or telecopy) believed by it to be genuine
and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by or on behalf of the proper
Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including
counsel for any Credit Party), independent accountants, and other experts
selected by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may deem and
treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof for all purposes hereof unless
and until the Administrative Agent receives and accepts an Assignment and
Acceptance executed in accordance with Section 11.3(b) hereof. As to any matters
not expressly provided for by this Credit Agreement, the Administrative Agent
shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall
be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so
acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of the Required Banks,
and such instructions shall be binding on all of the Banks; provided, however,
                                                            --------  -------
that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that
exposes the Administrative Agent to personal liability or that is contrary to
any Credit Document or applicable law or unless 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 any such action.

10.3 Defaults.
     --------

     The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of
the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default unless the Administrative Agent
has received written notice from a Bank or a Credit Party specifying such
Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a "Notice of
Default". In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice of
the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall
give prompt notice thereof to the Banks. The Administrative Agent shall (subject
to Section 10.2) take such action with respect to such Default or Event of
Default as shall reasonably be directed by the Required Banks (or such other
Banks as required by Section 11.6), provided that, unless and until the
                                    -------- ----
Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative
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 interest of the Banks.

10.4 Rights as a Bank.
     ----------------

     With respect to its Commitment and the Loans made by it, Bank of America
(and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) in its capacity as a Bank
hereunder shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Bank and
may exercise the same as though it were not acting as the Administrative Agent,
and the term "Bank" or "Banks" shall, unless the context otherwise indicates,
include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity. Bank of America
(and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) and its affiliates may
(without having to account therefor to any Bank) accept deposits from, lend
money to, make investments in, provide services to, and generally engage in any
kind of lending, trust, or other business with any Credit Party or any of its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates as if it were not acting as Administrative Agent, and
Bank of America (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) and its
affiliates

                                       87
<PAGE>

may accept fees and other consideration from any Credit Party or any of its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates for services in connection with this Credit Agreement
or otherwise without having to account for the same to the Banks.

10.5 Indemnification.
     ---------------

     The Banks agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent not
reimbursed under Section 11.5 hereof, but without limiting the obligations of
the Credit Parties under Section 11.5) ratably (in accordance with their
respective Revolving Commitments (or, if the Revolving Commitments have been
terminated, the outstanding Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and Participation
Interests in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loan (including the Participation
Interests of the Issuing Bank in Letters of Credit and the Participation
Interests of the Swingline Bank in Swingline Loans)) for any and all
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees), or disbursements of any kind and
nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the
Administrative Agent (including by any Bank) in any way relating to or arising
out of any Credit Document or the transactions contemplated thereby or any
action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under any Credit Document;
provided that no Bank shall be liable for any of the foregoing to the extent
- --------
they arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Person to be
indemnified. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Bank agrees to reimburse
the Administrative Agent promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any costs
or expenses payable by the Credit Parties under Section 11.5, to the extent that
the Administrative Agent is not promptly reimbursed for such costs and expenses
by the Credit Parties. The agreements in this Section 10.5 shall survive the
repayment of the Loans, LOC Obligations and other obligations under the Credit
Documents and the termination of the Commitments hereunder.

10.6 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Banks.
     ----------------------------------------------------

     Each Bank agrees that it has, independently and without reliance on the
Administrative Agent or any other Bank, and based on such documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of the
Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries and decision to enter into this Credit
Agreement and that it will, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative 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
analysis and decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit
Documents. Except for notices, reports, and other documents and information
expressly required to be furnished to the Banks by the Administrative Agent
hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to
provide any Bank with any credit or other information concerning the affairs,
financial condition, or business of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries
or Affiliates that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or
any of its affiliates.

10.7 Successor Administrative Agent.
     ------------------------------

     The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving notice thereof to
the Banks and the Credit Parties. Upon any such resignation, the Required Banks
shall have the right to

                                       88
<PAGE>

appoint a successor Administrative Agent (and, provided that no Default or Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower shall have the right to
approve the successor Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably
withheld or delayed)). If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so
appointed by the Required Banks and shall have accepted such appointment within
thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent's giving of notice of
resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Banks,
appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a commercial bank
organized under the laws of the United States having combined capital and
surplus of at least $100,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as
Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall thereupon
succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, discretion,
privileges, and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring
Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations
hereunder. After any retiring Administrative Agent's resignation hereunder as
Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 10 shall continue in effect
for its benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it
while it was acting as Administrative Agent.


                                  SECTION 11

                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------

11.1 Notices.
     -------

     Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other
communications shall have been duly given and shall be effective (i) when
delivered, (ii) when transmitted via telecopy (or other facsimile device) to the
number set out below, (iii) the day following the day on which the same has been
delivered prepaid to a reputable national overnight air courier service, or (iv)
the third Business Day following the day on which the same is sent by certified
or registered mail, postage prepaid, in each case to the respective parties at
the address, in the case of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, set forth
below, and in the case of the Banks, set forth on Schedule 2.1, or at such other
address as such party may specify by written notice to the other parties hereto:

            if to the Borrower or the Guarantors:

                    Owens & Minor, Inc.
                    4800 Cox Road
                    Glen Allen, Virginia 23060
                    Attn:    Richard F. Bozard
                    Telephone:     (804) 965-2921
                    Telecopy:      (804) 965-5403

                    with a copy to:

                                       89
<PAGE>

                    Owens & Minor, Inc.
                    4800 Cox Road
                    Glen Allen, Virginia 23060
                    Attn:    Drew St. J. Carneal
                    Telephone:     (804) 965-2931
                    Telecopy:      (804) 965-1901

            if to the Administrative Agent or the Swingline Bank:

                    Bank of America, N.A.
                    101 N. Tryon Street
                    Independence Center, 15th Floor
                    NC1-001-15-04
                    Charlotte, North Carolina 28255
                    Attn:    Stowe Barber
                    Agency Services
                    Telephone:      (704) 388-3916
                    Telecopy:       (704) 409-0024

                    with a copy to:

                    Bank of America, N.A.
                    Bank of America Healthcare Finance Group
                    100 N. Tryon Street
                    Bank of America Corporate Center, Seventeenth Floor
                    Charlotte, North Carolina  28255
                    Attn:    Philip S. Durand
                    Telephone:      (704) 386-4955
                    Telecopy:       (704) 388-6002

                                       90
<PAGE>

11.2 Right of Set-Off; Adjustments.
     -----------------------------

     Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default,
each Bank (and each of its affiliates) is hereby authorized at any time and from
time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any
and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at
any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Bank (or any of
its affiliates) to or for the credit or the account of any Credit Party against
any and all of the obligations of such Person now or hereafter existing under
this Credit Agreement, under the Notes, under any other Credit Document or
otherwise, irrespective of whether such Bank shall have made any demand
hereunder or thereunder and although such obligations may be unmatured. Each
Bank agrees promptly to notify any affected Credit Party after any such set-off
and application made by such Bank; provided, however, that the failure to give
                                   --------  -------
such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The
rights of each Bank under this Section 11.2 are in addition to other rights and
remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) that such Bank
may have.

11.3 Benefit of Agreement.
     --------------------

          (a)  This Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
     benefit of and be enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of
     the parties hereto; provided that none of the Credit Parties may assign or
                         --------
     transfer any of its interests and obligations without prior written consent
     of each of the Banks; provided further that the rights of each Bank to
                           ----------------
     transfer, assign or grant participations in its rights and/or obligations
     hereunder shall be limited as set forth in this Section 11.3 .

          (b)  Each Bank may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a
     portion of its rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement
     (including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Loans, its Notes,
     and its Commitment); provided, however, that
                          --------  -------

               (i)   each such assignment shall be to an Eligible Assignee;

               (ii)  except in the case of an assignment to another Bank, an
          affiliate of an existing Bank or any fund that invests in bank loans
          and is advised or managed by an investment advisor to an existing Bank
          or an assignment of all of a Bank's rights and obligations under this
          Credit Agreement, any such partial assignment shall be in an amount at
          least equal to $5,000,000 (or, if less, the remaining amount of the
          Commitment being assigned by such Bank) or an integral multiple of
          $1,000,000 in excess thereof;

               (iii) any such assignment shall be of a constant, not varying,
          percentage of all of the Obligations and Commitments hereunder; and

               (iv)  the parties to such assignment shall execute and deliver to
          the Administrative Agent for its acceptance an Assignment and
          Acceptance in the

                                       91
<PAGE>

          form of Schedule 11.3(b) hereto, together with any Note subject to
                  ----------------
          such assignment and a processing fee of $3,500.


     Upon execution, delivery, and acceptance of such Assignment and Acceptance,
     the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of such
     assignment, have the obligations, rights, and benefits of a Bank hereunder
     and the assigning Bank shall, to the extent of such assignment, relinquish
     its rights and be released from its obligations under this Credit
     Agreement. Upon the consummation of any assignment pursuant to this Section
     11.3(b), the assignor, the Administrative Agent and the Credit Parties
     shall make appropriate arrangements so that, if required, new Notes are
     issued to the assignor and the assignee. If the assignee is a Non-U.S.
     Person, it shall deliver to the Credit Parties and the Administrative Agent
     certification as to exemption from deduction or withholding of Taxes in
     accordance with Section 3.11 and shall be subject to the provisions of
     Sections 3.11(e) and 3.11(i).

          (c)  The Administrative Agent shall maintain at its address referred
     to in Section 11.1 a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to
     and accepted by it and a register for the recordation of the names and
     addresses of the Banks and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the
     Loans owing to, each Bank from time to time (the "Register"). The entries
                                                       --------
     in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent
     manifest error, and the Credit Parties, the Administrative Agent and the
     Banks may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a
     Bank hereunder for all purposes of this Credit Agreement. The Register
     shall be available for inspection by the Credit Parties or any Bank at any
     reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. Any
     assignment of any Loans, Commitments or other obligations shall be
     effective only upon an entry with respect thereto being made in the
     Register.

          (d)  Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed by the
     parties thereto, together with any Note subject to such assignment and
     payment of the processing fee, the Administrative Agent shall, if such
     Assignment and Acceptance has been completed and is in substantially the
     form of Schedule 11.3(b) hereto, (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance,
             ----------------
     (ii) record the information contained therein in the Register and (iii)
     give prompt notice thereof to the parties thereto.

          (e)  Each Bank may sell participations to one or more Persons in all
     or a portion of its rights, obligations or rights and obligations under
     this Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment or its
     Loans); provided, however, that (i) such Bank's obligations under this
             --------  -------
     Credit Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Bank shall remain solely
     responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such
     obligations, (iii) the participant shall be entitled to the benefit of the
     yield protection provisions contained in Sections 3.7 through 3.12,
     inclusive, and the right of set-off contained in Section 11.2 (provided
     that (a) such participant shall not be entitled to receive a greater amount
     than the Bank from which it purchased such participation would otherwise be
     entitled to receive and (b) such participant shall be subject to the
     limitations

                                       92
<PAGE>

     set forth in Sections 3.7 through 3.12 as if such participant were a Bank
     hereunder), and (iv) the Credit Parties shall continue to deal solely and
     directly with such Bank in connection with such Bank's rights and
     obligations under this Credit Agreement, and such Bank shall retain the
     sole right to enforce the obligations of the Credit Parties under the
     Credit Documents owing to such Bank and to approve any amendment,
     modification, or waiver of any provision of this Credit Agreement (other
     than amendments, modifications, or waivers decreasing the amount of
     principal of or the rate at which interest is payable on such Loans or
     Notes, extending any scheduled principal payment date or date fixed for the
     payment of interest on such Loans or Notes, or extending its Commitment).

          (f)  any other provision set forth in this Credit Agreement, any Bank
     may at any time assign and pledge all or any portion of its Loans and its
     Notes to any Federal Reserve Bank as collateral security pursuant to
     Regulation A and any Operating Circular issued by such Federal Reserve
     Bank. No such assignment shall release the assigning Bank from its
     obligations hereunder.

          (g)  Any Bank may furnish any information concerning the members of
     the Consolidated Group in the possession of such Bank from time to time to
     assignees and participants (including prospective assignees and
     participants), subject, however, to the provisions of Section 11.14 hereof.

11.4 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.
     ------------------------------

     No failure or delay on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Bank in
exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit
Document and no course of dealing between the Administrative Agent or any Bank
and any of the Credit Parties shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder or under
any other Credit Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder. The
rights and remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any
rights or remedies which the Administrative Agent or any Bank would otherwise
have. No notice to or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle the
Credit Parties to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other
circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the Administrative Agent
or the Banks to any other or further action in any circumstances without notice
or demand.

11.5 Expenses; Indemnification.
     -------------------------

     (a)  The Credit Parties jointly and severally agree to pay within 30
days upon presentation of an invoice all reasonable costs and expenses of the
Administrative Agent in connection with the syndication, preparation, execution,
delivery, administration, modification, and amendment of this Credit Agreement,
the other Credit Documents, and the other documents to be delivered hereunder,
including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for
the Administrative Agent with respect thereto and with respect to advising the
Administrative Agent as to its rights and responsibilities under the Credit
Documents. The

                                       93
<PAGE>

Credit Parties further jointly and severally agree to pay within 30 days upon
presentation of an invoice all reasonable costs and expenses of the
Administrative Agent and the Banks, if any (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses), in connection with the enforcement
(whether through negotiations, legal proceedings, or otherwise) of the Credit
Documents and the other documents to be delivered thereunder.

     (b)  The Credit Parties jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold
harmless the Administrative Agent and each Bank and each of their affiliates and
their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and advisors (each, an
"Indemnified Party") from and against any and all claims, damages, losses,
 -----------------
liabilities, costs, and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys' fees) that may be incurred by or asserted or awarded against any
Indemnified Party, in each case arising out of or in connection with or by
reason of (including, without limitation, in connection with any investigation,
litigation, or proceeding or preparation of defense in connection therewith) the
Credit Documents, any of the transactions contemplated herein or the actual or
proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans, except to the extent such claim,
damage, loss, liability, cost, or expense is found in a final, non-appealable
judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such
Indemnified Party's gross negligence or willful misconduct. In the case of an
investigation, litigation or other proceeding to which the indemnity in this
Section 11.5 applies, such indemnity shall be effective whether or not such
investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any of the Credit Parties,
their respective directors, shareholders or creditors or an Indemnified Party or
any other Person or any Indemnified Party is otherwise a party thereto and
whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated. The Credit
Parties agree not to assert any claim against the Administrative Agent, any
Bank, any of their affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers,
employees, attorneys, agents, and advisors, on any theory of liability, for
special, indirect, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or
otherwise relating to the Credit Documents, any of the transactions contemplated
herein or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans.

     (c)  Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the Credit
Parties hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Credit Parties
contained in this Section 11.5 shall survive the repayment of the Loans, LOC
Obligations and other obligations under the Credit Documents and the termination
of the Commitments hereunder.

11.6 Amendments, Waivers and Consents.
     --------------------------------

     Neither this Credit Agreement nor any other Credit Document nor any of the
terms hereof or thereof may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or
terminated unless such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination is in
writing entered into by, or approved in writing by, the Required Banks and the
Borrower, provided, however, that:
          --------  -------

          (a)   without the consent of each Bank affected thereby, neither this
     Credit Agreement nor any other Credit Document may be amended to

                                       94
<PAGE>

          (i)    extend the final maturity of any Loan, or any portion thereof,
     or extend the final maturity of any reimbursement obligation, or any
     portion thereof, arising from drawings under Letters of Credit,

          (ii)   reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest
     (other than as a result of waiving the applicability of any post-default
     increase in interest rates) thereon or Fees hereunder,

          (iii)  reduce or waive the principal amount of any Loan, or any
     portion thereof, or reduce or waive the principal amount of any
     reimbursement obligation, or any portion thereof, arising from drawings
     under Letters of Credit,

          (iv)   increase the Commitment of a Bank over the amount thereof in
     effect (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any Default or
     Event of Default or mandatory reduction in the Commitments shall not
     constitute a change in the terms of any Commitment of any Bank),

          (v)    release the Borrower or, except as the result of or in
     connection with a dissolution, merger or disposition of a member of the
     Consolidated Group permitted under Section 8.4, release any Material
     Guarantor or all or substantially all of the other Guarantors from its or
     their obligations under the Credit Documents,

          (vi)   amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section 11.6 or
     Section 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14, 3.15, 9.1(a),
     11.2, 11.3, 11.5 or 11.9,

          (vii)  reduce any percentage specified in, or otherwise modify, the
     definition of Required Banks, o r

          (viii) consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower, any
     Material Guarantor or all or substantially all of the other Guarantors of
     any of its or their rights and obligations under (or in respect of) the
     Credit Documents except as permitted thereby;

     (b)  without the consent of the Administrative Agent, no provision of
Section 10 may be amended; and

     (c)  without the consent of the Issuing Bank, no provision of Section
2.1(b), 2.2(a)(ii) or 2.6 may be amended.

Notwithstanding the fact that the consent of all the Banks is required in
certain circumstances as set forth above, (x) each Bank is entitled to vote as
such Bank sees fit on any bankruptcy reorganization plan that affects the Loans,
and each Bank acknowledges that the provisions of Section 1126(c) of the
Bankruptcy Code supersedes the unanimous

                                       95
<PAGE>

         consent provisions set forth herein and (y) the Required Banks may
         consent to allow a Credit Party to use cash collateral in the context
         of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.

11.7     Counterparts.
         ------------

         This Credit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of
which shall constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in
making proof of this Credit Agreement to produce or account for more than one
such counterpart for each of the parties hereto. Delivery by facsimile by any of
the parties hereto of an executed counterpart of this Credit Agreement shall be
as effective as an original executed counterpart hereof and shall be deemed a
representation that an original executed counterpart hereof will be delivered.

11.8     Headings.
         --------

         The headings of the sections and subsections hereof are provided for
convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of
any provision of this Credit Agreement.

11.9     Survival.
         --------

         All indemnities set forth herein, including, without limitation, in
Section 2.6(h), 3.11, 3.12, 10.5 or 11.5 shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Credit Agreement, the making of the Loans, the issuance of the
Letters of Credit, the repayment of the Loans, LOC Obligations and other
obligations under the Credit Documents and the termination of the Commitments
and this Agreement, and all representations and warranties made by the Credit
Parties herein shall survive delivery of the Notes and the making of the Loans
hereunder.

11.10    Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue.
         ------------------------------------------------

         (a) THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED
THEREIN, THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE
PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA. Any
legal action or proceeding with respect to this Credit Agreement or any other
Credit Document may be brought in the courts of the Commonwealth of Virginia in
City of Richmond, or of the United States for the Eastern District of Virginia,
and, by execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement, each of the Credit
Parties hereby irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its property,
generally and unconditionally, the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such courts.
Each of the Credit Parties further irrevocably consents to the service of
process out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding
by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, to it at the address set out for notices pursuant to Section 11.1, such
service to become effective thirty (30) days after such mailing. Nothing herein
shall affect the right of the Administrative Agent or any Bank to serve process
in any other manner permitted by law or to

                                       96
<PAGE>

commence legal proceedings or to otherwise proceed against any Credit Party in
any other jurisdiction.

         (b) Each of the Credit Parties hereby irrevocably waives any objection
which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the
aforesaid actions or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this
Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document brought in the courts referred to
in subsection (a) above and hereby further irrevocably waives and agrees not to
plead or claim in any such court that any such action or proceeding brought in
any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

         (c) TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,
THE BANKS AND EACH OF THE CREDIT PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO
TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, ANY OF THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

11.11    Severability.
         ------------

         If any provision of any of the Credit Documents is determined to be
illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and
the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be
construed without giving effect to the illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provisions.

11.12    Entirety.
         --------

         This Credit Agreement together with the other Credit Documents
represent the entire agreement of the parties hereto and thereto, and supersede
all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, if any, including any
commitment letters or correspondence relating to the Credit Documents or the
transactions contemplated herein and therein.

11.13    Binding Effect; Termination.
         ---------------------------

         (a) This Credit Agreement shall become effective at such time on or
after the Closing Date when it shall have been executed by each Credit Party and
the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall have received
copies hereof (telefaxed or otherwise) which, when taken together, bear the
signatures of each Bank, and thereafter this Credit Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of each Credit Party, the Administrative Agent and
each Bank and their respective successors and assigns.

         (b) The term of this Credit Agreement shall be until no Loans, LOC
Obligations or any other amounts payable hereunder or under any of the other
Credit Documents shall remain outstanding, no Letters of Credit shall be
outstanding, all of the Commitments shall have expired or been terminated and
this Agreement has been terminated.

                                       97
<PAGE>

11.14    Confidentiality.
         ---------------

         The Administrative Agent and each Bank (each, a "Lending Party") agrees
                                                          -------------
to keep confidential any private, non-public information furnished or made
available to it by the Credit Parties pursuant to this Credit Agreement;
provided that nothing herein shall prevent any Lending Party from disclosing
- --------
such information (a) to any other Lending Party or any affiliate of any Lending
Party, or any officer, director, employee, agent, or advisor of any Lending
Party or affiliate of any Lending Party, (b) to any other Person if reasonably
incidental to the administration of the credit facility provided herein, (c) as
required by any law, rule, or regulation, (d) upon the order of any court or
administrative agency, (e) upon the request or demand of any regulatory agency
or authority, (f) that is or becomes available to the public or that is or
becomes available to any Lending Party other than as a result of a disclosure by
any Lending Party prohibited by this Credit Agreement, (g) in connection with
any litigation to which such Lending Party or any of its affiliates may be a
party, (h) to the extent necessary in connection with the exercise of any remedy
under this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document, (i) to the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization or any
nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a
Bank's investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to
such Bank, (j) to any direct or indirect contractual counterparty in swap
agreements or such contractual counterparty's professional advisor (so long as
such contractual counterparty or professional advisor to such contractual
counterparty (i) has been approved in writing by the Borrower and (ii) agrees in
a writing enforceable by the Borrower to be bound by the provisions of this
Section 11.14) and (k) subject to provisions substantially similar to those
contained in this Section 11.14, to any actual or proposed participant or
assignee.

11.15    Source of Funds.
         ---------------

         Each of the Banks hereby represents and warrants to the Borrower that
at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to the
source of funds to be used by such Bank in connection with the financing
hereunder:

                  (a) no part of such funds constitutes assets allocated to any
         separate account maintained by such Bank in which any employee benefit
         plan (or its related trust) has any interest;

                  (b) to the extent that any part of such funds constitutes
         assets allocated to any separate account maintained by such Bank, such
         Bank has disclosed to the Borrower the name of each employee benefit
         plan whose assets in such account exceed 10% of the total assets of
         such account as of the date of such purchase (and, for purposes of this
         subsection (b), all employee benefit plans maintained by the same
         employer or employee organization are deemed to be a single plan);

                  (c) to the extent that any part of such funds constitutes
         assets of an insurance company's general account, such insurance
         company has complied with all of the requirements of the regulations
         issued under Section 401(c)(1)(A) of ERISA; or

                                       98
<PAGE>

                  (d) such funds constitute assets of one or more specific
         benefit plans which such Bank has identified in writing to the
         Borrower.

As used in this Section 11.15, the terms "employee benefit plan" and "separate
account" shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in Section 3
of ERISA.

11.16    Conflict.
         --------

         To the extent that there is a conflict or inconsistency between any
provision hereof, on the one hand, and any provision of any Credit Document, on
the other hand, this Credit Agreement shall control.

                           [Signature Pages to Follow]

                                       99
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart
of this Credit Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first
above written.

BORROWER:                           OWENS & MINOR, INC.,
- --------                            a Virginia corporation

                                    By:___________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

GUARANTORS:                         OWENS & MINOR MEDICAL, INC.,
- ----------                          a Virginia corporation
                                    NATIONAL MEDICAL SUPPLY CORPORATION,
                                    a Delaware corporation
                                    OWENS & MINOR WEST, INC.,
                                    a California corporation
                                    KOLEY'S MEDICAL SUPPLY, INC.,
                                    a Nebraska corporation
                                    STUART MEDICAL, INC.,
                                    a Pennsylvania corporation

                                    By:___________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:
                                           of each of the Guarantors
<PAGE>

BANKS:                              BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
- -----
                                    individually in its capacity as a Bank
                                    and in its capacity as Administrative Agent

                                    By:________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

                                    By::_______________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    SUNTRUST BANK

                                    By::_______________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    BANK ONE, NA

                                    By::_______________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

                                    By::_______________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                                    By::_______________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.

                                    By::_______________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:
<PAGE>

                                 Schedule 2.1
                                 ------------

                             Banks and Commitments
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Revolving         Revolving
                                                                     Commitment        Committed
       Bank                        Notice Address                    Percentage          Amount
       ----                        --------------                    ----------          ------

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>                                     <C>               <C>
Bank of America, N.A.        Bank of America, N.A.                   20.00000000%      $45,000,000
                             101 N. Tryon Street, 15th Floor
                             NC1-001-15-04
                             Charlotte, NC  28255
                             Attn:  Stowe Barber
                             Phone: (704) 388-3916
                             Fax:   (704) 409-0024

                             with a copy to:

                             Bank of America, N.A.
                             Healthcare Finance Group
                             100 N. Tryon Street, 17th Floor
                             Charlotte, NC  28255
                             Attn:  Phil Durand
                             Phone: (704) 386-4955
                             Fax:   (704) 388-6002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Union National Bank                                            18.88888889%      $42,500,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SunTrust Bank                SunTrust Bank                           18.88888889%      $42,500,000
                             919 East Main Street, 22nd Floor
                             Richmond, VA  23219
                             Attn:  T. Patrick Collins
                             Phone: (804) 782-5449
                             Fax:   (804) 782-5413
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bank One, NA                 Bank One, NA                            13.33333333%      $30,000,000
                             153 West 51st Street
                             New York, NY  10019
                             Attn:  Andrea S. Kantor
                             Phone: (212) 373-1023
                             Fax:   (212) 373-1180
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bank of Nova Scotia      The Bank of Nova Scotia                 11.11111111%      $25,000,000
                             1 Liberty Plaza, 26th Floor
                             New York, NY  10006
                             Attn:  Richard Garritt
                             Phone: (212) 225-5026
                             Fax:   (212) 225-5090
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bank of New York         The Bank of New York                     8.88888889%       $20,000,000
                             One Wall Street, 8/th/ Floor
                             New York, NY  10286
                             Attn:  Christopher Kordes
                             Phone: (212) 635-6895
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>                                     <C>               <C>
                             Fax:   (212) 635-1481
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wachovia Bank, N.A.          Wachovia Bank, NA                       8.88888889%       $20,000,000
                             1021 E. Cary Street
                             Richmond, VA  23219
                             Attn:  E. Turner Coggin
                             Phone: (804) 697-7019
                             Fax:   (804) 697-7581

                             with a copy to:

                             Wachovia Bank, NA
                             100 N. Main Street
                             Winston-Salem, NC  27102
                             Attn:  Charlene A. Johnson
                             Phone: (336) 732-5472
                             Fax:   (336) 732-6935
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                              Schedule 2.2(a)(i)
                              ------------------

                          Form of Notice of Borrowing

Bank of America, N.A.,                     [Bank of America, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent                    as Swingline Bank
101 N. Tryon Street, 15/th/ Floor          101 N. Tryon Street, 15/th/ Floor
NC1-001-15-04                              NC1-001-15-04
Charlotte, NC  28255                       Charlotte, NC  28255
Attn: Stowe Barber, Agency Services        Attn:  Stowe Barber, Agency Services]

Re:   Credit Agreement dated as of April 24, 2000 (as amended and modified from
      time to time, the "Credit Agreement") among Owens & Minor, Inc., a
                         ----------------
      Virginia corporation (the "Borrower"), certain Subsidiaries of the
                                 --------
      Borrower, as guarantors, the Banks identified therein, First Union
      National Bank and SunTrust Bank, as Syndication Agents, Bank One, NA, as
      Managing Agent, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Co-Agent, and Bank of America,
      N.A., as Administrative Agent. Terms used herein but not otherwise defined
      herein shall have the meanings provided to such terms in the Credit
      Agreement.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      The Borrower hereby gives notice pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Credit
Agreement that it requests a [Revolving Loan] [Swingline Loan] advance under the
Credit Agreement and in connection therewith sets forth below the terms on which
such [Revolving Loan] [Swingline Loan] advance is requested to be made:

(A)   Date of Borrowing (which is a Business Day)   ________________

(B)   Principal Amount of Borrowing                 ________________

(D)   Interest rate basis                           ________________

(E)   Interest Period and the last day thereof      ________________

      In accordance with the requirements of Section 5.2 of the Credit
Agreement, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the conditions
precedent set forth in Section 5.2 of the Credit Agreement are true and correct
as of the date hereof.

                                        OWENS & MINOR, INC.

                                        By:_____________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:
<PAGE>

                              Schedule 2.2(a)(ii)
                              -------------------

                 Form of Notice of Request of Letter of Credit

Bank of America, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
101 N. Tryon Street, 15/th/ Floor
NC1-001-15-04
Charlotte, NC  28255
Attn: Stowe Barber, Agency Services

Re:   Credit Agreement dated as of April 24,2000 (as amended and modified from
      time to time, the "Credit Agreement") among Owens & Minor, Inc., a
                         ----------------
      Virginia corporation (the "Borrower"), certain Subsidiaries of the
                                 --------
      Borrower, as guarantors, the Banks identified therein, First Union
      National Bank and SunTrust Bank, as Syndication Agents, Bank One, NA, as
      Managing Agent, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Co-Agent, and Bank of America,
      N.A., as Administrative Agent. Terms used herein but not otherwise defined
      herein shall have the meanings provided to such terms in the Credit
      Agreement.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The Borrower hereby gives notice pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Credit Agreement
that it requests the issuance of a Letter of Credit under the Credit Agreement
as follows:

(1)   Date of Issuance (which is a Business Day)    ________________

(2)   Account Party:                                ________________

(3)   For use by:                                   ________________

(4)   Beneficiary:                                  ________________

(5)   Face Amount of Letter of Credit:              ________________

(6)   Date of Issuance:                             ________________

Delivery of Letter of Credit should be made as follows:

      In accordance with the requirements of Section 5.2 of the Credit
Agreement, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the conditions
precedent set forth in Section 5.2 of the Credit Agreement are true and correct
as of the date hereof.

                                 OWENS & MINOR, INC.

                                 By:_______________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title:
<PAGE>

                                 Schedule 2.05
                                 -------------

                            Form of Revolving Note

                                                                  April 24, 2000

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, OWENS & MINOR, INC., a Virginia corporation (the
"Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of ______________________, its
 --------
successors and assigns (the "Bank"), on or before the Termination Date to the
                             ----
office of the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds as provided in
the Credit Agreement,

          (i)  in the case of Revolving Loans, the Bank's Revolving Committed
     Amount or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Revolving
     Loans owing to the Bank; and

          (ii) in the case of Swingline Loans, if the Bank is the Swingline
     Bank, the Swingline Committed Amount or, if less, the aggregate unpaid
     principal amount of all Swingline Loans owing to the Swingline Bank;

together with interest thereon at the rates and as provided in the Credit
Agreement.

     This Revolving Note is one of the Revolving Notes referred to in the Credit
Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended and modified from time to
time, the "Credit Agreement") among the Borrower, certain Subsidiaries of the
           ----------------
Borrower, as guarantors, the Banks identified therein, First Union National Bank
and SunTrust Bank, as Syndication Agents, Bank One, NA, as Managing Agent, The
Bank of Nova Scotia, as Co-Agent, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative
Agent.  Terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meanings provided to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

     The holder may endorse and attach a schedule to reflect borrowings
evidenced by this Revolving Note and all payments and prepayments thereon;
provided that any failure to endorse such information shall not affect the
- --------
obligation of the Borrower to pay amounts evidenced hereby.

     Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, all amounts evidenced by this
Revolving Note may, or shall, become immediately due and payable as provided in
the Credit Agreement without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind,
all of which are waived by the Borrower.  In the event payment of amounts
evidenced by this Revolving Note is not made at any stated or accelerated
maturity, the Borrower agrees to pay, in addition to principal and interest, all
costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys' fees.

     This Revolving Note and the Loans and amounts evidenced hereby may be
transferred only as provided in the Credit Agreement.

     This Revolving Note shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in
accordance with, the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

                                       5
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Note to be duly executed
by its duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.

                                             OWENS & MINOR, INC.,
                                             a Virginia corporation

                                             By:____________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:
<PAGE>

                                 Schedule 3.1
                                 ------------

                         Form of Notice of Conversion

Bank of America, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
101 N. Tryon Street, 15th Floor
NC1-001-15-04
Charlotte, NC  28255
Attn:  Stowe Barber, Agency Services

Re:    Credit Agreement dated as of April 24, 2000 (as amended and modified from
       time to time, the "Credit Agreement") among Owens & Minor, Inc., a
                          ----------------
       Virginia corporation (the "Borrower"), certain Subsidiaries of the
                                  --------
       Borrower, as guarantors, the Banks identified therein, First Union
       National Bank and SunTrust Bank, as Syndication Agents, Bank One, NA, as
       Managing Agent, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Co-Agent, and Bank of
       America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Terms used herein but not
       otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided to such terms
       in the Credit Agreement.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

       The Borrower hereby gives notice pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Credit
Agreement that it requests an continuation or conversion of a Revolving Loan
outstanding under the Credit Agreement, and in connection therewith sets forth
below the terms on which such continuation or conversion is requested to be
made:

(A)    Loan type (Base Rate Loan or Eurodollar Loan)                ____________

(B)    Date of continuation or conversion
       (which is the last day of the applicable Interest Period)    ____________

(C)    Principal amount of continuation or conversion               ____________

(D)    Interest rate basis                                          ____________

(E)    Interest Period and the last day thereof                     ____________

       In accordance with the requirements of Section 5.2 of the Credit
Agreement, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the conditions
precedent set forth in Section 5.2 of the Credit Agreement are true and correct
as of the date hereof.

                                        OWENS & MINOR, INC.

                                        By:_____________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:
<PAGE>

                                Schedule 5.1(b)
                                ---------------

                            Form of Legal Opinions

                 [Opinion of General Counsel of Owens & Minor]


                                April 24, 2000

Bank of America, N.A., as
   Administrative Agent for the Agents and
   the Banks under the Credit Agreement
   described below
Independence Center, 15th Floor
101 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28255

           RE: $225,000,000 Credit Facility for Owens & Minor, Inc.
           --------------------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary to Owens & Minor,
Inc., a Virginia corporation (the "Borrower"), and in such capacity have acted
as counsel to the Borrower and to Owens & Minor Medical, Inc., a Virginia
corporation (the "Virginia Guarantor") and National Medical Supply Corporation,
a Delaware corporation, Owens & Minor West, Inc., a California corporation,
Koley's Medical Supply, Inc., a Nebraska corporation, and Stuart Medical, Inc.,
a Pennsylvania corporation (hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Non-
Virginia Guarantors," individually as the "Non-Virginia Guarantor" and
collectively with the Virginia Guarantor as the "Guarantors") in connection with
the execution and delivery by the Borrower and the Guarantors of (i) that Credit
Agreement dated as of April 24, 2000 (the "Credit Agreement") among the
Borrower, the Guarantors, the banks and financial institutions party thereto,
First Union National Bank and SunTrust Bank, as Syndication Agents, Bank One,
N.A., as Managing Agent, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Co-Agent, and Bank of
America, N.A. as Administrative Agent (collectively, the "Agents"), and (ii) the
Revolving Notes of the Borrower in favor of each of the Banks in the amount of
each such Bank's Revolving Committed Amount (the" Notes").  Hereinafter, the
Credit Agreement and the Notes may be referred to collectively as the "Credit
Documents."  My opinion is being delivered at the request of the Borrower and
the Guarantors pursuant to Section 5.1(b) of the Credit Agreement.  Capitalized
terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in
the Credit Agreement.

     In connection with this opinion, I have examined originals, or copies
identified to my satisfaction as being true copies, of the Credit Agreement and
the Notes and such records, documents or other instruments as in my judgment are
necessary or appropriate to enable me to render the opinions expressed below.
For purposes of this opinion, I have assumed, with your permission, (i) the
authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals, (ii) the conformity
to the originals of all documents submitted as certified or photostatic copies
and the authenticity of the originals, (iii) the genuineness of all signatures
(other than those of the Borrower and the Guarantors) and (iv) the due
authorization, execution and delivery of the Credit Documents by all parties and
the validity and binding effect thereof upon such parties (other than the
authorization, execution and delivery of documents by the Non-Virginia
Guarantors and the validity and binding effect thereof upon the Non-Virginia
Guarantors).
<PAGE>

     As to factual matters, I have relied upon the representations included in
the Credit Agreement, upon certificates of officers of the Borrower and the
Guarantors, and upon certificates of public officials.  Whenever the phrase "to
the best of my knowledge" is used herein, it means to the best of my knowledge
after investigation.

     For purposes of this opinion, I have assumed, with your permission, that
the laws of jurisdictions other than the Commonwealth of Virginia are the same
as those of the Commonwealth of Virginia and except to such extent, I express no
opinion as to the laws of any other jurisdiction.  The opinions rendered herein
are limited to the federal law of the United States of America and the laws of
the Commonwealth of Virginia.

     On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, and subject to the
limitations, qualifications and exceptions set forth below, I am of the opinion
that, as of the date hereof:

     1.  Each of the Non-Virginia Guarantors has been duly incorporated and is
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its
incorporation with the corporate power and authority to enter into the
transaction contemplated by the Credit Agreement.  The Borrower and each of the
Guarantors has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is in good
standing in all other jurisdictions where it is required to be so qualified and
where the failure to be so qualified would have a Material Adverse Effect.

     2.  Each of the Non-Virginia Guarantors has duly authorized, executed and
delivered those Credit Documents to which it is a party.

     3.  Neither the execution or delivery by the Borrower or any of the
Guarantors of those Credit Documents to which it is a party, nor performance by
it of its respective obligations thereunder, nor consummation of the
transactions contemplated therein, will (i) violate any provision of its
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, (ii) to the best of my knowledge, conflict
with, or result in, any breach of any of the terms, covenants, conditions or
provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or
imposition of (or obligation to create or impose) any lien upon any of its
properties or assets pursuant to the terms of any existing indenture, mortgage,
deed of trust or other agreement material to it and to which it is a party or by
which it or any of its properties or assets are bound or to which it may be
subject, the violation or creation of which would have a Material Adverse
Effect, or (iii) to the best of my knowledge, conflict with or contravene any
judgment, writ, order, injunction or decree of any court, arbitrator,
administrative agency or other governmental authority binding on it or any of
its respective properties or assets.

     4.  To the best of my knowledge, except as disclosed in the Borrower's Form
10K for the fiscal year of the Borrower ending December 31, 1999, there are no
actions, suits or proceedings pending or threatened against the Borrower or any
of the Guarantors which if adversely determined would be likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

     5.  To the best of my knowledge, no consent of any other party (including
shareholders of the Borrower and the Guarantors) is required in connection with
the execution or delivery by the Borrower or the Guarantors, or the performance
of payment obligations by the Borrower or the Guarantors under, the Credit
Documents to which each is a party.

     This opinion letter is rendered in connection with the transactions
contemplated in the Credit Agreement and is intended solely for your benefit and
the benefit of the Agents and the Banks (including any subsequent holder of a
Note), and Hunton & Williams as special Virginia counsel to the
<PAGE>

Borrower and the Guarantors, each of which may receive a copy hereof and each of
which may rely hereon as if such opinion letter were addressed to it. This
opinion may not be relied upon for any other purposes, nor may it be relied upon
by any other person for any purpose, without my prior written consent. This
opinion letter is given as of its date and I do not undertake to advise you of
changes which may hereafter be brought to my attention.

                                        Very truly yours,


                                        Drew St.J. Carneal
                                        Senior Vice President
                                        General Counsel
<PAGE>

                 [Opinion of General Counsel of Owens & Minor]


                                April 24, 2000

Bank of America, N.A., as
 Administrative Agent for the Agents and
 the Banks under the Credit Agreement
 described below
Independence Center, 15th Floor
101 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28255

           RE: $225,000,000 Credit Facility for Owens & Minor, Inc.
           --------------------------------------------------------


                [Opinion of Outside Counsel for Credit Parties]


                                April 24, 2000

Bank of America, N.A., as
 Administrative Agent for the Agents and
 the Banks under the Credit Agreement
 described below
Independence Center, 15th Floor
101 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28255

             $225,000,000 Credit Facility for Owens & Minor, Inc.
             ----------------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as special Virginia counsel to Owens & Minor, Inc., a
Virginia corporation (the "Borrower") and Owens & Minor Medical, Inc., a
                           --------
Virginia corporation (together with the Borrower, the "Virginia Companies") and
                                                       ------------------
to National Medical Supply Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Owens & Minor
West, Inc., a California corporation, Koley's Medical Supply, Inc., a Nebraska
corporation, and Stuart Medical, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (hereinafter
referred to collectively as the "Non-Virginia Guarantors") in connection with
                                 -----------------------
the execution and delivery by the Virginia Companies and the Non-Virginia
Guarantors of (i) that Credit Agreement dated as of April 24, 2000 (the "Credit
                                                                         ------
Agreement") among the Virginia Companies, the Non-Virginia Guarantors, the banks
- ---------
and financial institutions party thereto, First Union National Bank and SunTrust
Bank, as Syndication Agents, Bank One, N.A., as Managing Agent, The Bank of Nova
Scotia, as Co-Agent, and Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent
(collectively, the "Agents"), and (ii) the Revolving Notes of the Borrower in
favor of each of the Banks in the amount of each such Bank's Revolving Committed
Amount (the "Notes").  Hereinafter, the Credit Agreement and the Notes may be
             -----
referred to collectively as the "Credit Documents."  Our opinion is being
                                 ----------------
delivered at the request of the Virginia Companies and the Non-Virginia
Guarantors pursuant to Section 5.1(b) of the Credit Agreement.  Capitalized
terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in
the Credit Agreement.

     In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals, or copies
identified to our satisfaction as being true copies, of the Credit Agreement and
the Notes and such records, documents or other instruments as in our judgment
are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinions expressed
below.  For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed, with your permission, (i)
the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, (ii) the
conformity to the originals of all documents submitted as certified or
photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals, (iii) the genuineness
of all signatures (other than those of the Virginia Companies) and (iv) the due
authorization, execution and delivery of the Credit Documents by all parties
other than the Virginia Companies and the validity and binding effect thereof
upon all parties other than the Virginia Companies and the Non-Virginia
Guarantors.

     As to factual matters, we have relied upon the representations included in
the Credit Agreement, upon certificates of officers of the Virginia Companies,
and upon certificates of public officials.  Whenever the phrase "to the best of
our knowledge" is used herein, it refers to the actual knowledge of the
attorneys of this firm involved in the representation of the Virginia Companies
without independent investigation.
<PAGE>

     The opinions rendered herein are limited to the federal law of the United
States of America and the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  We express no
opinion as to the laws of any other jurisdiction.

     On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, and subject to the
limitations, qualifications and exceptions set forth below, we are of the
opinion that, as of the date hereof:

     1.  Each of the Virginia Companies has been duly incorporated and is
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Virginia with the corporate power and authority to enter into the transactions
contemplated by the Credit Agreement.

     2.  Each of the Virginia Companies has duly authorized, executed and
delivered those Credit Documents to which it is a party.  Each of the Credit
Documents to which any of the Virginia Companies or the Non-Virginia Guarantors
is a party constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Virginia
Company or Non-Virginia Guarantor, as the case may be, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms; except to the extent that enforceability may be
limited or otherwise affected by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws now or hereafter in effect relating to
or affecting creditors' rights generally, general principles of equity, whether
such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law and to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.  In
addition, the opinion rendered in this paragraph 2 is further subject to the
following exception:  (i) the enforceability of the indemnification provisions
of the Credit Agreement may be limited by public policy, (ii) certain of the
waivers contained in the Credit Documents may be unenforceable in whole or in
part, but the inclusion of such provisions does not render the other provisions
of the Credit Documents invalid or unenforceable, (iii) we express no opinion as
to Section 3.14 or Section 11.3(e) of the Credit Agreement insofar as they
provide that any participant in the Loans may exercise set-off or similar rights
with respect to such participation, and (iv) we have assumed that, when
exercising rights under any Credit Document, the Agents and the Banks will act
in good faith.

     3.  Neither the execution or delivery by either of the Virginia Companies
of those Credit Documents to which it is a party, nor performance by it of its
respective obligations thereunder, nor consummation of the transactions
contemplated therein, will (i) violate any provision of any applicable statutory
law or regulation or of its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, or (ii) to the
best of our knowledge, conflict with or contravene any judgment, writ, order,
injunction or decree of any court, arbitrator, administrative agency or other
governmental authority binding on such Virginia Company or any of its respective
properties or assets.  In expressing the opinion set forth in clause (i) above,
we are expressing no opinion as to (y) whether Loans made under the Credit
Agreement comply with any statutory, regulatory or other loan limits applicable
to the Banks, or comply with any statutes, laws, rules or regulations which
prescribe permissible and lawful investments for the Banks, or (z) any
securities, environmental, land use, ERISA or antitrust laws and regulations.

     4.  To the best of our knowledge, except as disclosed in the Borrower's
Form 10K for the fiscal year of the Borrower ending December 31, 1999, there are
no actions, suits or proceedings pending or threatened against either of the
Virginia Companies which if adversely determined would be likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

     5.  To the best of our knowledge, no consent, license, approval or
authorization of, or registration or declaration with, any governmental body,
official, authority, bureau or agency is required in connection with the
execution or delivery by the Virginia Companies, or the performance of payment
obligations by the Virginia Companies under, the Credit Documents to which each
is a party.
<PAGE>

     This opinion letter is rendered in connection with the transactions
contemplated in the Credit Agreement and is intended solely for your benefit and
the benefit of the Agents and the Banks (including any subsequent holder of a
Note), each of which may receive a copy hereof and each of which may rely hereon
as if such opinion letter were addressed to it.  This opinion may not be relied
upon for any other purposes, nor may it be relied upon by any other person for
any purpose, without our prior written consent.  This opinion letter is given as
of its date and we do not undertake to advise you of changes which may hereafter
be brought to our attention.

                                 Very truly yours,
<PAGE>

                                Schedule 5.1(e)
                                ---------------

                         Form of Officer's Certificate

     Pursuant to Section 5.1(e) of the Credit Agreement (the "Credit
                                                              ------
Agreement"), dated as of April 24, 2000, among Owens & Minor, Inc., a Virginia
- ---------
corporation (the "Borrower"), certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as
                  --------
guarantors, the Banks identified therein, First Union National Bank and SunTrust
Bank, as Syndication Agents, Bank One, NA, as Managing Agent, The Bank of Nova
Scotia, as Co-Agent, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, the
undersigned, ___________, Secretary of _______________ (the "Corporation"),
                                                             -----------
hereby certifies to the Administrative Agent and the Banks as follows:

     1.   Attached hereto as Annex I is a true and complete copy of resolutions
duly adopted by the board of directors of the Corporation on
_______________________, 200_.  The attached resolutions have not been rescinded
or modified and remain in full force and effect.  The attached resolutions are
the only corporate proceedings of the Corporation now in force relating to or
affecting the matters referenced therein.

     2.   Attached hereto as Annex II is a true and complete copy of the Bylaws
of the Corporation as in effect on the date hereof.

     3.   Attached hereto as Annex III is a true and complete copy of the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation and all amendments thereto as in
effect on the date hereof.

     4.   Each of the following persons is now a duly elected and qualified
officer of the Corporation, holding the office(s) indicated, and the signature
appearing opposite his/her name below is his/her true and genuine signature.

     Name                    Office                    Signature
     ----                    ------                    ---------

                                                ________________________
                                                ________________________

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his/her name of the
Corporation.

                                   _____________________________
                                   Secretary
                                   Date:  April 24, 2000

     I, _____________________, Vice President of the Corporation, hereby certify
that _______________, whose genuine signature appears above, is, and  has been
at all times since ______________, a duly elected, qualified and acting
Secretary of the Corporation.

                                      __________________________________
                                      Vice President
                                      April 24, 2000
<PAGE>

                                 Schedule 6.17
                                 -------------

                                 Subsidiaries

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Name of Subsidiary           Jurisdiction of Incorporation       Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of
       ------------------           -----------------------------       --------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>                                <C>
Owens & Minor Medical, Inc.       Virginia                           Owens & Minor, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Medical Supply
Corporation                       Delaware                           Owens & minor Medical, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Owens & Minor West, Inc.          California                         National Medical Supply Corp.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Koley's Medical Supply, Inc.      Nebraska                           Owens & Minor Medical, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyons Physician Supply Company
Company  (1)                      Ohio                               Owens & Minor Medical, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Kuhlman & Company (1)          Michigan                           Owens & Minor Medical, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stuart Medical, Inc.              Pennsylvania                       Owens & Minor, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
O & M Funding Corp. (1)           Virginia                           Owens & Minor Medical, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Owens & Minor Trust I (1)         Delaware                           Owens & Minor, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OMI Specialty, Inc. (1)           Virginia                           Owens & Minor, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OMI International, Ltd. (1)       British Virgin Islands             Owens & Minor, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

 (1)  subsidiary is not a guarantor to this Credit Agreement
<PAGE>

                                 Schedule 6.24
                                 -------------

                                 Labor Matters

Collective bargaining agreement

Owens & Minor Medical, Inc. is party to a labor contract dated March 7, 1997,
between Owens & Minor Medical, Inc. and the Minnesota's Health Care Union, Local
113, Seiu, AFL-CIO/CLC.  The agreement governs warehouse employees in the Mounds
View, Minnesota facility only.
<PAGE>

                                Schedule 7.1(c)
                                ---------------

                      Form of Borrowing Base Certificate

For the calendar month ended __________, 200__.

     Pursuant to that Credit Agreement dated as of April 24, 2000 (as amended
and modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"; all capitalized terms
                                     ----------------
used herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Credit Agreement)
among Owens & Minor, Inc., a Virginia corporation (the "Borrower"), certain
                                                        --------
Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as guarantors, the Banks identified therein, First
Union National Bank and SunTrust Bank, as Syndication Agents, Bank One, NA, as
Managing Agent, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Co-Agent, and Bank of America, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent, the undersigned, the ___________________ of the
Borrower, hereby certifies to the Administrative Agent and the Banks that, to
the best of his knowledge and belief, the following statements are true and
correct in all material respects as of the date hereof:


1.   aggregate net book value of inventory of the Credit Parties
     on a consolidated basis after deducting allowances and
     reserves relating thereto                                     $__________

2.   LIFO Reserve                                                  $__________

3.   Eligible Inventory (Line 1 less Line 2)                       $__________

4.   Eligible Inventory advance rate (Line 3 multiplied by 50%)    $__________

5.   aggregate net book value of accounts receivable of the
     Credit Parties on a consolidated basis after deducting
     allowances and reserves relating thereto                      $__________

6.   aggregate net book value of accounts receivable
     transferred to any Person in connection with a
     Qualified Securitization Transaction                          $__________

7.   Eligible Receivables (Line 5 less Line 6)                     $__________

8.   Eligible Receivables advance rate (Line 7 multiplied by 85%)  $__________

9.   Borrowing Base (Line 4 plus Line 8)                           $__________


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this __ day of
__________, 200__.

                                  OWENS & MINOR, INC.

                                  By:_____________________
                                  Name:
                                  Title:
<PAGE>

                                Schedule 7.1(d)
                                ---------------

                   Form of Officer's Compliance Certificate

For the fiscal quarter ended __________, 200__.

     Pursuant to that Credit Agreement dated as of April 24, 2000 (as amended
and modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"; all capitalized terms
                                     ----------------
used herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Credit Agreement)
among Owens & Minor, Inc., a Virginia corporation (the "Borrower"), certain
                                                        --------
Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as guarantors, the Banks identified therein, First
Union National Bank and SunTrust Bank, as Syndication Agents, Bank One, NA, as
Managing Agent, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Co-Agent, and Bank of America, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent, the undersigned, the ___________________ of the
Borrower, hereby certifies to the Administrative Agent and the Banks that, to
the best of his knowledge and belief:

     a.   The company-prepared financial statements which accompany this
          certificate are true and correct in all material respects and have
          been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis,
          subject to changes resulting from normal year-end audit adjustments.

     b.   Since ___________ [the date of the most recent Officer's Compliance
          Certificate or, if none, the Closing Date), no Default or Event of
          Default has occurred under the Credit Agreement.

     Delivered herewith are detailed calculations demonstrating compliance by
the Credit Parties with the financial covenants contained in Section 7.10 of the
Credit Agreement as of the end of the fiscal period referred to above.

     This __ day of __________, 200__.

                                  OWENS & MINOR, INC.

                                  By:________________________
                                  Name:
                                  Title:
<PAGE>

                      Attachment to Officer's Certificate
                      -----------------------------------

                      Computation of Financial Covenants
<PAGE>

                                 Schedule 7.12
                                 -------------

                           Form of Joinder Agreement

     THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of __________, 200__, is
                                  ---------
by and between ____________________, a _______________ (the "Applicant
                                                             ---------
Subsidiary"), and Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent
- ----------
under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of April 24, 2000 (as amended and
modified, the "Credit Agreement"), among Owens & Minor, Inc., a Virginia
               ----------------
corporation (the "Borrower"), certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as
                  --------
guarantors, the Banks identified therein, First Union National Bank and SunTrust
Bank, as Syndication Agents, Bank One, NA, as Managing Agent, The Bank of Nova
Scotia, as Co-Agent, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.  All of
the defined terms in the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by reference.

     The Borrower is required by Section 7.11 of the Credit Agreement to cause
the Applicant Subsidiary to become a "Guarantor".  Accordingly, the Applicant
Subsidiary hereby agrees with the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the
Banks, as follows:

     1.   The Applicant Subsidiary hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms
that, by its execution of this Agreement, the Applicant Subsidiary will be
deemed to be a party to the Credit Agreement and a "Guarantor" for all purposes
of the Credit Agreement, and shall have all of the obligations of a Guarantor
thereunder as if it had executed the Credit Agreement.  The Applicant Subsidiary
hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the
terms, provisions and conditions applicable to the Guarantors contained in the
Credit Agreement.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of
this paragraph 1, the Applicant Subsidiary hereby (i) jointly and severally
together with the other Guarantors, guarantees to each Bank and the
Administrative Agent, as provided in Section 4 of the Credit Agreement, the
prompt payment and performance of the Obligations in full when due (whether at
stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise)
strictly in accordance with the terms thereof.

     2.   The address of the Applicant Subsidiary for purposes of all notices
and other communications is the address set forth for the other Credit Parties
in Section 11.1 of the Credit Agreement.

     3.   The Applicant Subsidiary hereby waives acceptance by the
Administrative Agent and the Banks of the guaranty by the Applicant Subsidiary
under Section 4 of the Credit Agreement upon the execution of this Agreement by
the Applicant Subsidiary.

     4.   This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall
constitute one contract.

     5.   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Applicant Subsidiary has caused this Joinder
Agreement to be duly executed by its authorized officers, and the Administrative
Agent, for the benefit of the Banks, has caused the same to be accepted by its
authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written.

                                        [APPLICANT SUBSIDIARY]

                                        By:__________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

                                        Acknowledged and accepted:

                                        BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
                                        as Administrative Agent

                                        By:__________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:
<PAGE>

                                 Schedule 8.1
                                 ------------

                                 Indebtedness

1.   $855,000 Letter of Credit from Bank of America, N.A. to Owens & Minor West,
Inc. for the benefit of Industry Urban - Development Agency located in City of
Industry, California relating to excess sales tax revenues incentive.

2.   Capital lease obligations outstanding on the Closing Date; balance at March
31, 2000 was $2,622,791.
<PAGE>

                                 Schedule 8.2
                                 ------------

                                     Liens

None.
<PAGE>

                                Schedule 11.3(b)
                                ----------------

                       Form of Assignment and Acceptance

     THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE, dated as of_________________, 200__ (this
"Assignment"), is entered into between THE BANK IDENTIFIED ON THE SIGNATURE
- -----------
PAGES AS THE "ASSIGNOR" (the "Assignor") and THE PARTY IDENTIFIED ON THE
                              --------
SIGNATURE PAGES AS "ASSIGNEE" ("Assignee").
                                --------

     Reference is made to that Credit Agreement dated as of April 24, 2000 (as
amended and modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement") among Owens &
                                             ----------------
Minor, Inc., a Virginia corporation (the "Borrower"), certain Subsidiaries of
                                          --------
the Borrower, as guarantors, the Banks identified therein, First Union National
Bank and SunTrust Bank, as Syndication Agents, Bank One, NA, as Managing Agent,
The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Co-Agent, and Bank of America, N.A., as
Administrative Agent.  Terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall
have the meanings provided to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

     1.   The Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee, without
recourse and without representation or warranty except as expressly set forth
herein, and the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from the Assignor,
effective as of the Effective Date shown below, those rights and interests of
the Assignor under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents
identified on Schedule 1 hereto (the "Assigned Interests"), together with unpaid
              ----------              ------------------
interest and fees relating to the Assigned Interests accruing from the Effective
Date.  After giving effect to such sale and assignment, the Commitment of, and
the amount of the Revolving Obligations owing to, the Assignor and the Assignee
will be as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto.  Schedule 2.1 is deemed modified and
                        ----------          ------------
amended to the extent necessary to give effect to this Assignment.

     2.   The Assignor (i) represents and warrants that it is the legal and
beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that such
interest is free and clear of any adverse claim; (ii) makes no representation or
warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements,
warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Documents
or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency
or value of the Credit Documents or any other instrument or document furnished
pursuant thereto; (iii) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no
responsibility with respect to the financial condition of any Credit Party or
the performance or observance by any Credit Party of any of its obligations
under the Credit Documents or any other instrument or document furnished
pursuant thereto; and (iv) attaches the Notes held by the Assignor and requests
that the Administrative Agent exchange such Notes for new Notes payable to the
order of the Assignee in an amount equal to the Commitment assumed by the
Assignee pursuant hereto and to the Assignor in an amount equal to the
Commitment retained by the Assignor, if any, as specified on Schedule 1 hereto.
                                                             ----------

     3.   The Assignee (i) confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit
Documents, together with copies of the financial statements referred to in
Section 7.1 of the Credit Agreement and such other documents and information as
it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter
into this Assignment; (ii) agrees that it will, independently and without
reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Assignor 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
the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents; (iii) confirms that it is
an Eligible Assignee; (iv) appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to
take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and
discretion under the Credit Agreement and the
<PAGE>

other Credit Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms
thereof, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental
thereto; (v) agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of
the obligations that by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required to be
performed by it as a Bank; and (vi) attaches any U.S. Internal Revenue Service
or other forms required under Section 3.11.

     4.   Following the execution of this Assignment, it will be delivered to
the Administrative Agent for acceptance and recording by the Administrative
Agent.  The effective date for this Assignment shall be the Effective Date shown
below.

     5.   Upon such acceptance and recording by the Administrative Agent, as of
the Effective Date, (i) the Assignee shall be a party to the Credit Agreement
and, to the extent provided in this Assignment, have the rights and obligations
of a Bank thereunder and (ii) the Assignor shall, to the extent provided in this
Assignment, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under the
Credit Agreement.

     6.   Upon such acceptance and recording by the Administrative Agent, from
and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments
under the Credit Agreement and the Notes in respect of the interest assigned
hereby (including, without limitation, all payments of principal, interest and
commitment fees with respect thereto) to the Assignee.  The Assignor and
Assignee shall make all appropriate adjustments in payments under the Credit
Agreement and the Notes for periods prior to the Effective Date directly between
themselves.

     7.   This Assignment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

     8.   This Assignment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by
different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so
executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of
Schedule 1 to this Assignment by telecopier shall be effective as delivery of a
manually executed counterpart of this Assignment.

     9.     Terms of Assignment

     (a)    Legal Name of Assignor:               SEE SIGNATURE PAGE
     (b)    Legal Name of Assignee:               SEE SIGNATURE PAGE
     (c)    Effective Date of Assignment:         ________________, 200__

See Schedule I attached for a description of the Revolving Obligations and
    ----------
Commitments (and the percentage interests therein and relating thereto) which
are the subject of this Assignment.

     10.  The fee payable to the Administrative Agent in connection with this
Assignment is enclosed.
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor and the Assignee have caused this
Assignment to be executed by their officers thereunto duly authorized as of the
date hereof.

                                   ____________________, as Assignor

                                   By:______________________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:

                                   _____________________, as Assignee

                                   By:_______________________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:

                                   Notice address of Assignee:

                                   __________________________
                                   __________________________
                                   Attn: ______________________
                                   Telephone:  (___) ____________
                                   Telecopy:   (___) ____________

CONSENTED TO AND ACCEPTED:

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent

By:__________________________
Name:
Title:

OWENS & MINOR, INC.

By:__________________________
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE I
                                  ----------
                         TO ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
                              OWENS & MINOR, INC.

            REVOLVING LOANS AND LOC OBLIGATIONS PRIOR TO ASSIGNMENT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Revolving       Revolving       Revolving          LOC            LOC
                  Committed      Commitment         Loans         Committed     Obligations
                   Amount        Percentage      Outstanding       Amount       Outstanding
                -------------  ---------------  --------------  -------------  --------------
<S>             <C>            <C>              <C>             <C>            <C>
ASSIGNOR
- --------------

ASSIGNEE
- --------------
</TABLE>


         REVOLVING LOANS AND LOC OBLIGATIONS SUBJECT TO THIS ASSIGNMENT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Revolving       Revolving       Revolving          LOC            LOC
                  Committed      Commitment         Loans         Committed     Obligations
                   Amount        Percentage      Outstanding       Amount       Outstanding
                -------------  ---------------  --------------  -------------  --------------
<S>             <C>            <C>              <C>             <C>            <C>
ASSIGNOR
- --------------

ASSIGNEE
- --------------
</TABLE>


              REVOLVING LOANS AND LOC OBLIGATIONS AFTER ASSIGNMENT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Revolving       Revolving       Revolving          LOC            LOC
                  Committed      Commitment         Loans         Committed     Obligations
                   Amount        Percentage      Outstanding       Amount       Outstanding
                -------------  ---------------  --------------  -------------  --------------
<S>             <C>            <C>              <C>             <C>            <C>
ASSIGNOR
- --------------

ASSIGNEE
- --------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                             552
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  214,309
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,496
<INVENTORY>                                    338,711
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               558,363
<PP&E>                                          79,560
<DEPRECIATION>                                  54,756
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 834,045
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          354,484
<BONDS>                                        151,333
                          132,000
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        65,648
<OTHER-SE>                                     123,055
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   834,045
<SALES>                                        854,549
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               854,549
<CGS>                                          764,781
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  835,081
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,633
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    94
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,305
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,436
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,596
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,840
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,840
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.20


</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission