PIONEER STANDARD ELECTRONICS INC
10-Q, 1996-08-14
ELECTRONIC PARTS & EQUIPMENT, NEC
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<PAGE>   1

                                    FORM 10-Q

                UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 1996.
                               --------------

                                       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 0-5734
                       ------

                       Pioneer-Standard Electronics, Inc.
                       ----------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

       Ohio                                               34-0907152
- - -------------------------------           ------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of           (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

4800 East 131st Street, Cleveland, OH                      44105
- - -------------------------------------                      -----
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (216) 587-3600
                                                     --------------

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 
    ---     ---

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
Common Shares, as of the latest practical date: COMMON SHARES, WITHOUT PAR
VALUE, AS OF AUGUST 1, 1996: 22,534,167.


<PAGE>   2



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                       PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (Dollars in Thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       June 30, 1996                      
                                                        (Unaudited)        March 31, 1996 
                                                        -----------        -------------- 
                                                                                          
ASSETS                                                                                    
                                                                                          
Current assets                                                                            
<S>                                                      <C>                  <C>         
    Cash                                                 $ 31,713             $ 24,440    
    Accounts receivable - net                             204,973              189,296    
    Merchandise inventory                                 263,914              238,370    
    Prepaid expenses                                        1,802                2,922    
    Deferred income taxes                                  11,454               11,454    
                                                         --------             --------    
           Total current assets                           513,856              466,482    
                                                                                          
Intangible assets                                          42,148               42,446    
Other assets                                                1,488                1,503    
                                                                                          
Property and equipment, at cost                            86,572               84,024    
Accumulated depreciation                                   38,611               35,345    
                                                         --------             --------    
    Net                                                    47,961               48,679    
                                                         --------             --------    
                                                         $605,453             $559,110    
                                                         ========             ========    
                                                                                          
                                                                                          
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                      

Current liabilities                                                                   
    Notes payable to banks                               $ 29,500             $ 21,000    
    Accounts payable                                      163,576              184,946    
    Accrued liabilities                                    38,212               32,825    
    Long-term debt due within                                                             
           one year                                         2,888                2,871    
                                                         --------             --------    
           Total current liabilities                      234,176              241,642    
                                                                                          
Long-term debt                                            212,481              164,447    
Deferred income taxes                                       2,328                2,328    
                                                                                          
Shareholders' equity                                                                      
    Common stock, at stated value                           6,675                6,667    
    Capital in excess of stated value                      17,517               17,221    
    Retained earnings                                     131,982              126,506    
    Foreign currency translation adjustment                   294                  299    
                                                         --------             --------    
           Net                                            156,468              150,693    
                                                         --------             --------    
                                                         $605,453             $559,110    
                                                         ========             ========    
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

                                       2
<PAGE>   3



                       PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS, INC.

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                   (Unaudited)
                 (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Quarter ended
                                                  June 30,
                                           1996           1995
                                           ----           ----
<S>                                      <C>           <C>     
Net sales                                $375,156      $224,724

Cost and expenses:
  Cost of goods sold                      308,990       181,114
  Warehouse, selling and
       administrative expense              51,348        31,148
                                      -----------   -----------
Operating profit                           14,818        12,462

Interest expense                            3,904         1,449
Equity in earnings of
  50%-owned company                            --           451
                                      -----------   -----------

Income before income taxes                 10,914        11,464

Provision for income taxes                  4,763         4,648
                                      -----------   -----------

Net income                                 $6,151        $6,816
                                      ===========   ===========



Average shares outstanding             23,138,433    23,085,351

Shares outstanding at end of period    22,534,167    22,427,731

Earnings per share - primary and
   fully diluted                             $.27          $.29

Dividends per share                          $.03         $.023
</TABLE>



See accompanying notes.

                                       3
<PAGE>   4



                       PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS, INC.

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)
                             (Dollars in Thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Three months ended,
                                                              June 30,      
                                                         1996        1995
                                                         ----        ----

Cash flows from operating activities:
<S>                                                    <C>         <C>   
Net income                                             $6,151      $6,816
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
   used in operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization                     3,554       2,173
      Undistributed earnings of affiliate                  --        (451)
      Increase in operating working capital           (56,132)    (12,491)
      Increase in other assets                             15           1
      Deferred taxes                                       --          36
                                                     --------    --------
         Total adjustments                            (52,563)    (10,732)
                                                     --------    --------

         Net cash used in operating activities        (46,412)     (3,916)

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Additions to property and equipment                 (2,554)     (6,018)
                                                     --------    --------
         Net cash used in investing activities         (2,554)     (6,018)

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Increase (decrease) in short-term financing          8,500      (4,000)
   Increase in revolving credit borrowings             48,000      21,000
   Increase (decrease) in other long-term 
       debt obligations                                    51         (64)
   Issuance of common shares under company         
       stock option plan                                  304         400
   Dividends paid                                        (675)       (522)
                                                     --------    --------
         Net cash provided by financing activities     56,180      16,814

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                    59         (24)
                                                     --------    --------

Net increase in cash                                    7,273       6,856

Cash at beginning of period                            24,440       9,598
                                                     --------    --------
Cash at end of period                                 $31,713     $16,454
                                                     ========    ========
</TABLE>




See accompanying notes.

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

NOTES - Pioneer-Standard Electronics, Inc.

1. PER SHARE DATA

Net income per common share is computed using the weighted average common shares
and common share equivalents outstanding during the quarters ended June 30, 1996
and 1995. Common share equivalents consist of shares issuable upon exercise of
stock options computed by using the treasury stock method.

2. STOCK SPLIT

On July 25, 1995, the Board of Directors declared a three-for-two stock split
effected in the form of a 50% share dividend of the Company's common shares
payable September 6, 1995 to shareholders of record August 16, 1995. The share
and per share data have been restated for the periods presented to reflect the
stock split.

3. MANAGEMENT OPINION

The information furnished herein reflects all normal and recurring adjustments
which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to provide a fair statement
of the results of operations for the quarters ended June 30, 1996 and 1995. The
results of operations for the three month period are not necessarily indicative
of results which may be expected for a full year.

                                       5
<PAGE>   6



                       PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS, INC.

                     Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Current assets increased by $47.4 million and current liabilities decreased by
$7.5 million during the three-month period ended June 30, 1996, resulting in an
increase of $54.8 million of working capital. The increase in working capital is
attributable to the increased level of business activity. The current ratio was
2.2:1 at June 30, 1996 compared with 1.9:1 at year-end, March 31, 1996.

During the first three months of the current year, total interest-bearing debt
increased by $56.5 million. The increase in debt is attributable to funding the
working capital and capital expenditure needs arising from an increased level of
business activity. The ratio of interest-bearing debt to capitalization was 61%
at June 30, 1996 compared with 56% at March 31, 1996.

A Form S-3 Registration Statement for $200 million of debt and/or equity related
securities filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission became effective
July 11, 1996. On August 12, 1996, the Company completed a public offering of
$150 million principal amount of 8.50% Senior Notes due 2006. The indenture
under which the notes were issued limits (i) the creation of liens, (ii) sale
and leaseback transactions, (iii) consolidations, mergers and transfers of all
or substantially all of the Company's assets, and (iv) indebtedness of the
Company's restricted subsidiaries. These limitations are subject to a number of
important qualifications and exceptions. In addition, the Notes are subject to
mandatory purchase by the Company at the option of the holders in the event of a
change of control of the Company. The indebtedness evidenced by the Notes rank
pari passu in right of payment with all other unsubordinated indebtedness of the
Company.

Net proceeds from the sale of the Notes were applied to the repayment of a
portion of the borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility. The
remainder of the revolving credit facility was repaid with the proceeds of
borrowings under a new revolving credit facility with four banks effective
August 12, 1996. The new revolving credit facility of $125 million has an
initial term of three years and replaces the former $200 million facility which
was due to expire in 1998. In addition, on an annual basis, the new facility may
be extended for a three-year period upon the Company's request, with the consent
of all members of the bank group. All or any portion of the outstanding loans
may be prepaid at any one time and the commitments may be terminated, in whole
or in part, at the Company's option with no prepayment penalty. Interest rates
on borrowings are based on various floating rate alternative pricing mechanisms.
There is a commitment fee on the unborrowed amount. The terms of the credit
facility provide for, among other things, restrictions regarding minimum working
capital requirements, limitations on other borrowings and capital expenditures
and the maintenance of certain financial ratios. At the close of business on
August 12, 1996, borrowings under the new facility totaled $53 million.

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

The Company also has unsecured short-term lines of credit aggregating $40
million available for use. These lines, which may be withdrawn at the option of
the lenders, permit the Company to borrow at varying interest rates. There were
no borrowings under these lines as of August 12, 1996.

Effective July 2, 1996, the Company entered into a Share Subscription Agreement
and Trust with Wachovia Bank of North Carolina, N.A., as Trustee, pursuant to
which the Trustee subscribed for 5,000,000 Common Shares of the Company which
will be paid for over the 15 year term of the Trust. The proceeds from the sale
of the Common Shares will be used to fund Company obligations under various
employee benefit plans, to pay cash bonuses and other similar employee related
Company obligations. Under Ohio law, the subscribed for Common Shares are deemed
to be issued and outstanding for voting and dividend purposes, but will not be
fully paid and nonassessable until payment for such Common Shares is received as
provided in the Trust. According to generally accepted accounting principles,
none of the 5,000,000 Common Shares will be deemed outstanding for purposes of
calculating earnings per share until payment is received for the Common Shares
as provided in the Trust.

Management estimates that capital expenditures for the current year will
approximate $23 million ($2.6 million was expended in the first three months of
the current year). Under present business conditions, it is anticipated that
funds from current operations and available financial facilities will be
sufficient to finance both capital spending and working capital needs for the
balance of the current fiscal year.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months ended June 30, 1996 Compared with
the Three Months ended June 30, 1995

Net sales for the three-month period ended June 30, 1996 of $375.2 million
increased 67% over sales of the prior year three-month period of $224.7 million.
The current quarter sales include the sales of Pioneer-Standard of Maryland,
Inc., the Company's former affiliate which Pioneer acquired in November, 1995.
The Company's net sales, excluding the newly acquired affiliate were $268.5
million, up 19% over the comparable period a year ago. The increase in net sales
reflect strong demand especially for computer systems products. Semiconductor
products accounted for 41% of the Company's sales in the current quarter,
compared with 34% a year ago. Computer systems products were 38% of sales in
1996 versus 40% last year. Passive and electromechanical products were 18% of
the Company's business in 1996 compared with 24% a year earlier. Miscellaneous
products accounted for 3% and 2% of sales in 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Cost of goods sold increased 71% compared with the prior year quarter, resulting
in a gross margin of 17.6% in the current quarter compared with 19.4% a year
ago. A shift in product mix was the principal factor impacting current year
margins.

Warehouse, selling and administrative expenses of $51.3 million increased by 65%
over the $31.1 million incurred during the prior year three-month period. This
resulted in a ratio of these expenses to sales of 13.7% for the current quarter
compared with 13.9% a year ago.


                                       7
<PAGE>   8

The operating profit resulting from the activity described above of $14.8
million, or 4.0% of sales in the current period was up 19% compared with $12.5
million, or 5.5% of sales a year ago.

Interest expense was $3.9 million in the current quarter compared with $1.4
million a year ago. The higher interest expense is due to increased debt
resulting from the purchase of the Company's former affiliate and to fund
working capital needs to support the growth of the business.

The consolidated statement of income for the current three month period includes
the operating results of the Pioneer Maryland. For the prior year three month
period ended June 30, 1995, results only included the Company's 50% equity
interest in Pioneer Maryland's earnings of $.5 million.

The effective tax rate for the current year three-month period was 43.6%
compared with 40.5% for the same period a year ago. The increase in the current
year rate is primarily attributable to the equity in earnings of the Company's
affiliate included in the prior year's pre-tax income.

Primarily as a result of the factors above, the Company's net income for the
three-month period ending June 30, 1996 of $6.2 million was $.6 million less
than the $6.8 million earned a year earlier.

ITEM 6.             EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
                    (a)  EXHIBITS
                    Number         Description
                    ------         -----------
                    11             Calculation of Primary Earnings Per Share
                    27             Financial Data Schedule

                                   SIGNATURES

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

                                              PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS, INC.

Date:  August 14, 1996                            /s/    James L. Bayman
     --------------------------               -----------------------------
                                               Chairman, President and CEO

Date:  August 14, 1996                            /s/    John V. Goodger
     --------------------------               -----------------------------
                                                Vice President & Treasurer

                                       8
<PAGE>   9

                       Pioneer-Standard Electronics, Inc.
                                  Exhibit Index

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Sequential
Exhibit No.                                      Description                         Page No.               
- - -----------                                      -----------                         --------               
<S>                 <C>                                                                <C>
  4.(a)             Credit Agreement, dated as of August 12, 1996 by and among                
                         Pioneer-Standard Electronics, Inc., the Banks                        
                         identified on the signature pages thereto and National               
                         City Bank, as Agent.                                                         
                                                                                              
    (b)             Rights Agreement dated as of April 25, 1989 by and between                
                         the Company and AmeriTrust Company National                          
                         Association, which is incorporated herein by reference               
                         from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the                
                         year ended March 31, 1989.                                    N/A        
                                                                                          
    (c)             Note Purchase Agreement dated as of October 31, 1990 by and               
                         between the Company and Teachers Insurance and Annuity               
                         Association of America, which is incorporated herein by              
                         reference from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form                
                         10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1990.                 N/A       
                                                                                           
    (d)             Amendment No. 1 to Note Purchase Agreement dated as of                    
                         November 1, 1991 by and between the Company and                      
                         Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America,               
                         which is incorporated herein by reference from the                   
                         Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended       N/A       
                         March 31, 1993.                                                      
                                                                                              
    (e)             Amendment No. 2 to Note Purchase Agreement dated as of                    
                         November 30, 1995 by and between the Company and                     
                         Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America.        N/A    
                                                                                              
    (f)             Amendment No. 3 to Note Purchase Agreement dated as of                    
                         August 12, 1996 by and between the Company and Teachers              
                         Insurance and Annuity Association of America, which is            
                         incorporated herein by reference from the Company's                  
                         Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31,              
                         1996.                                                               
                                                                                           
    (g)             Form of Indenture with respect to the 8 1/2% Senior Notes                 
                         due 2001, which is incorporated from the Company's                   
                         Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No.                         
                         333-07665).                                                   N/A    
                                                                                              
    (h)             8 1/2 % Senior Notes due 2001.                                    
                                                                                              
    (i)             Officer's Certificate containing terms relating to the                   
                         8 1/2% Senior Notes due 2001.                                          

10. (a)             Retirement Agreement effective March 31, 1996 by and between
                         the Company and Preston B. Heller, Jr. which is        
                         incorporated herein by reference from the Company's    
                         Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31,
                         1996.                                                         N/A
</TABLE>                    

                                       9
<PAGE>   10




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 Sequential  
Exhibit No.                                      Description                                      Page No.   
- - -----------                                      -----------                                      --------   
<S> <C>                <C>                                                                           <C>
    (b)                Employment Agreement effective as of April 1, 1996 by and                             
                            between the Company and James L. Bayman, which is                                
                            incorporated herein by reference from the Company's                              
                            Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31,                  N/A              
                            1996.                                                                   
                                                                                                             
    (c)                Employment Agreement effective as of April 1, 1996 by and                             
                            between the Company and Arthur Rhein, which is                                   
                            incorporated herein by reference from the Company's                              
                            Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31,                  N/A          
                            1996.                                                                        
                                                                                                             
    (d)                Employment Agreement effective as of April 1, 1996 by and                             
                            between the Company and John V. Goodger, which is                                
                            incorporated herein by reference from the Company's                              
                            Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31,                  N/A        
                            1996.                                                                         
                                                                                                             
    (e)                1982 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended, which is                                
                            incorporated by reference from the Company's Annual                              
                            Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31,                  N/A        
                            1988.                                                                         
                                                                                                             
    (f)                Amended and Restated 1991 Stock Option Plan, which is                                 
                            incorporated by reference from the Company's Form S-8                            
                            Registration Statement dated April 28, 1994.                             N/A        
                                                                                                          
    (g)                Amended 1995 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors, which                           
                            is incorporated by reference from the Company's Form                             
                            S-8 Registration Statement dated June 28, 1996.                          N/A        
                                                                                                             
    (h)                Share Subscription Agreement and Trust, effective July 2,                          
                            1996, between the Company and Wachovia Bank of North                             
                            Carolina, N.A., which is incorporated by reference from                          
                            the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg.                   N/A        
                            No. 333-07665).                               

    11                 Calculation of Primary Earnings Per Share

    27                 Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>

                    
                                       10
        

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 4.(a)

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                          DATED AS OF AUGUST 12, 1996

                                     AMONG

                       PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS, INC.

                                  AS BORROWER,

                                      AND

              THE BANKS IDENTIFIED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO,

                                  AS LENDERS,

                                      AND

                              NATIONAL CITY BANK,

                                    AS AGENT



<PAGE>   2



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                -----------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         Page
                                                                                                         ----

<S>                                                                                                       <C>
         RECITALS ......................................................................................   1

         ARTICLE I 

         DEFINITIONS ...................................................................................   1

ARTICLE II

         THE CREDIT ....................................................................................  18
         2.1      Commitment ...........................................................................  18
         2.2      Final Principal Payment ..............................................................  18
         2.3      Ratable Loans ........................................................................  18
         2.4      Applicable Margins ...................................................................  18
         2.5      Commitment Fee; Closing Fee ..........................................................  19
         2.6      Intentionally Omitted ................................................................  19
         2.7      Minimum Amount of Loans ..............................................................  19
         2.8      Interest Payable on the Loans ........................................................  20
                  (a)      Intentionally Omitted .......................................................  20
                  (b)      Method of Selecting Rate Options and Interest
                           Periods .....................................................................  20
                  (c)      Determination of Adjusted Base Rate .........................................  20
                  (d)      Monthly Installments ........................................................  20
                  (e)      Interest on Overdue Payments; Default
                           Interest Rate ...............................................................  21
         2.9      Repayments and Prepayments of Principal ..............................................  22
                  (a)      Optional Prepayments ........................................................  22
                  (b)      Mandatory Prepayments .......................................................  22
                  (c)      Application of Prepayments ..................................................  22
                  (d)      Maturity ....................................................................  23
                  (e)      Notice of Prepayments of Principal ..........................................  23
                  (f)      Reduction in Commitment .....................................................  23
         2.10     Payments and Computations ............................................................  24
                  (a)      Time and Place of Payments ..................................................  24
                  (b)      Application of Funds ........................................................  24
                  (c)      Payments on Business Days ...................................................  25
                  (d)      Computation of Interest .....................................................  25
         2.11     Payments to be Free of Deductions ....................................................  25
         2.12     Use of Proceeds ......................................................................  26
         2.13     LIBOR Break Funding Cost; CD Break Funding Cost ......................................  26
         2.14     Additional Costs .....................................................................  26
         2.15     Indemnification of Losses ............................................................  29
         2.16     Statements by Agent or any Lender ....................................................  29
         2.17     Borrowing Notices; Telephonic Notices ................................................  30
         2.18     Notes; Telephonic Notices ............................................................  31
         2.19     Lending Installations ................................................................  31
         2.20     Non-Receipt of Funds by Agent ........................................................  31
         2.21     Withholding Tax Exemption ............................................................  32

ARTICLE III

CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT...............................................................................................  32
                                                                 32
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   3




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                                       <C>
         3.1      Initial Advance ......................................................................  32
         3.2      Each Advance .........................................................................  34

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES .........................................................................  35
         4.1      Existence ............................................................................  35
         4.2      Authorization and Validity ...........................................................  35
         4.3      No Conflict, Government Consent ......................................................  36
         4.4      Financial Statements-- Material Adverse Change .......................................  36
         4.5      Tax ..................................................................................  36
         4.6      Litigation and Contingent Obligations ................................................  36
         4.7      Subsidiaries .........................................................................  37
         4.8      ERISA ................................................................................  37
         4.9      Accuracy of Information ..............................................................  37
         4.10     Regulation U .........................................................................  37
         4.11     Material Agreements ..................................................................  37
         4.12     Compliance with Laws .................................................................  37
         4.13     Ownership of Properties ..............................................................  38
         4.14     Investment Company Act ...............................................................  38
         4.15     Public Utility Holding Company Act ...................................................  38
         4.16     Solvency .............................................................................  38
         4.17     Insurance ............................................................................  39
         4.18     Environmental Matters ................................................................  39

ARTICLE V

COVENANTS ..............................................................................................  40
         5.1      Financial Reporting ..................................................................  40
         5.2      Prohibited Uses of Proceeds ..........................................................  42
         5.3      Notice of Default ....................................................................  43
         5.4      Conduct of Business ..................................................................  43
         5.5      Taxes ................................................................................  43
         5.6      Insurance ............................................................................  43
         5.7      Compliance with Laws .................................................................  43
         5.8      Maintenance of Properties ............................................................  44
         5.9      Inspection ...........................................................................  44
         5.10     Maintenance of Status ................................................................  44
         5.11     Merger; Sale of Assets ...............................................................  44
         5.12     Delivery of Non-Borrowing and Non-Pledge
                  Agreement ............................................................................  44
         5.13     Sale and Leaseback ...................................................................  45
         5.14     Acquisitions and Investments .........................................................  45
         5.15     Liens ................................................................................  45
         5.16     Affiliates ...........................................................................  47
         5.17     Additional Indebtedness and Financial
                  Undertakings .........................................................................  47
         5.18     Litigation ...........................................................................  47
         5.19     Further Assurances ...................................................................  48
         5.20     Current Ratio ........................................................................  48
         5.21     Consolidated Tangible Net Worth; Tangible Net
                  Worth ................................................................................  48
         5.22     Working Capital ......................................................................  48
</TABLE>




                                      -ii-


<PAGE>   4



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                                       <C>
         5.23     Capital Expenditures .................................................................  48
         5.24     Leverage Ratio .......................................................................  48
         5.25     Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio; Fixed     
                  Charge Coverage Ratio ................................................................  48
         5.26     Investment and Loan Limit ............................................................  48
         5.27     Acquisition Limit ....................................................................  49
         5.28     Environmental Matters ................................................................  49
         5.29     Subsidiaries Tangible Net Worth ......................................................  49
         5.30     Tangible Assets; Assets ..............................................................  50
                                                                                                            
ARTICLE VI                                                                                                  
                                                                                                            
DEFAULTS ...............................................................................................  50
         6.1      Nonpayment of Principal ..............................................................  50
         6.2      Nonpayment of Other Obligations ......................................................  50
         6.3      Certain Breaches .....................................................................  50
         6.4      Representations and Warranties .......................................................  50
         6.5      Other Breaches .......................................................................  50
         6.6      Defaults on Indebtedness .............................................................  50
         6.7      Bankruptcy, etc ......................................................................  51
         6.8      Appointment of Receiver ..............................................................  51
         6.9      Condemnation .........................................................................  51
         6.10     Judgments ............................................................................  51
         6.11     ERISA Withdrawal .....................................................................  51
         6.12     ERISA Reorganization .................................................................  52
         6.13     Other Defaults .......................................................................  52

ARTICLE VII

ACCELERATION, WAIVERS, AMENDMENTS AND REMEDIES .........................................................  52
         7.1      Acceleration .........................................................................  52
         7.2      Amendments & Waivers .................................................................  52
         7.3      Preservation of Rights ...............................................................  53
                                                                                                          
ARTICLE VIII

GENERAL PROVISIONS .....................................................................................  53
         8.1      Survival of Representations ..........................................................  53
         8.2      Governmental Regulation ..............................................................  54
         8.3      Tax ..................................................................................  54
         8.4      Heading ..............................................................................  54
         8.5      Entire Agreement .....................................................................  54
         8.6      Several Obligations Benefits of This Agreement .......................................  54
         8.7      Expenses; Indemnification ............................................................  54
         8.8      Numbers ..............................................................................  55
         8.9      Accounting ...........................................................................  55
         8.10     Severability of Provisions ...........................................................  55
         8.11     Nonliability of Lenders ..............................................................  55
         8.12     CHOICE OF LAW ........................................................................  55
         8.13     CONSENT TO JURISDICTION ..............................................................  55
         8.14     WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .................................................................  56

ARTICLE IX
</TABLE>

                                     -iii-



<PAGE>   5



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                                       <C>
AGENT ..................................................................................................  56
         9.1      Appointment ..........................................................................  56
         9.2      Powers ...............................................................................  56
         9.3      General Immunity .....................................................................  56
         9.4      No Responsibility for Loans, Recitals, etc ...........................................  56
         9.5      Action on Instructions of Lenders ....................................................  57
         9.6      Employment of Agents and Counsel .....................................................  57
         9.7      Reliance on Documents; Counsel .......................................................  57
         9.8      Agent's Reimbursement and Indemnification ............................................  57
         9.9      Rights as a Lender ...................................................................  58
         9.10     Lender Credit Decision ...............................................................  58
         9.11     Successor Agent ......................................................................  58

ARTICLE X

SETOFF; RATABLE PAYMENTS ...............................................................................  59
         10.1     Setoff ...............................................................................  59
         10.2     Ratable Payments .....................................................................  59
                                                                                                            
ARTICLE XI                                                                                                  
                                                                                                            
BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENT; PARTICIPATION ........................................................  59
         11.1     Successors and Assigns ...............................................................  59
         11.2     Participation ........................................................................  60
         11.2.1   Permitted Participants; Effect .......................................................  60
         11.2.2   Voting Rights ........................................................................  60
         11.2.3   Benefit of Setoff ....................................................................  61
         11.3     Assignments ..........................................................................  61
         11.3.1   Permitted Assignments ................................................................  61
         11.3.2   Prior Consent ........................................................................  61
         11.3.3   Effective Date .......................................................................  61
         11.4     Dissemination of Information .........................................................  62
         11.5     Tax Treatment ........................................................................  62
                                                                                                          
ARTICLE XII

NOTICES; NATURE OF OBLIGATIONS .........................................................................  62
         12.1     Giving Notice ........................................................................  62
         12.2     Change of Address ....................................................................  63
         12.3     Nature of Borrower's Obligations and Modification                                         
                  Thereof ..............................................................................  63
                                                                                                            
ARTICLE XIII                                                                                                
                                                                                                            
COUNTERPARTS ...........................................................................................  64
                                                                                                          
SCHEDULES
Schedule 1        Subsidiaries of Borrower
Schedule 2        Permitted Liens
Schedule 3        Description of Borrower's Corporate Reorganization
                  and Transfer of Assets
Schedule 4        Description of Borrower's Debt Offering
Schedule 5        Description of SECT
</TABLE>

                                     - iv-



<PAGE>   6



Schedule 6        Permitted existing Indebtedness for Borrowed Money
                  of Subsidiaries

EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A         Form of Promissory Note
EXHIBIT B         Form of Non-Borrowing and Non-Pledge Agreement
EXHIBIT C         Form of Borrowing Notice
EXHIBIT D         Form of Borrower's Counsel Opinion
EXHIBIT E         Form of Subsidiaries' Counsel Opinion
EXHIBIT F         Form of Written Money Transfer Instructions
EXHIBIT G         Form of Financial Compliance Certificate
EXHIBIT H         Form of Notice of Assignment

                                      -v-

<PAGE>   7



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

     This Agreement, dated as of August 12, 1996, is among Pioneer-Standard
Electronics, Inc., an Ohio corporation, and its successors and assigns (the
"Borrower"), National City Bank, a national banking association, and the several
banks, financial institutions and other entities from time to time parties to
this Agreement (sometimes collectively, "Lenders" and sometimes individually, a
"Lender"), and National City Bank, not individually, but as "Agent".

                                    RECITALS
                                    --------

     A. Borrower is primarily engaged in the business of distributing industrial
and consumer electronic products.

     B. Borrower is listed on the National Association of Securities Dealers
Incorporated stock exchange ("NASDAQ").

     C. Borrower has requested that Lenders make loans available to Borrower
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and that Agent act as administrative
agent for Lenders. Agent and Lenders have agreed to do so.

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

                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

     As used in this Agreement:

     "Acquisition" means any transaction, or any series of related transactions,
consummated on or after the date of this Agreement, by which Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries (I) acquires any business as a going concern or all or
substantially all of the assets of any firm, corporation or division thereof,
whether through purchase of assets or stock, merger or otherwise or (ii)
directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent
transaction in a series of transactions) at least a majority (in number of
votes) of the securities of a corporation which have ordinary voting power for
the election of directors (other than securities having such power only by
reason of the happening of a contingency) or a majority (by percentage or voting
power) of the outstanding partnership interests of a partnership.

     "Additional Facilities" means (a) a short-term money market line of credit
in the maximum principal amount of $40,000,000 to be loaned to Borrower by
certain Lenders, to be used by Borrower for short-term overnight borrowing
needs, (b) a $10,000,000 line of credit facility for foreign exchange
purchases/sales, made



<PAGE>   8



available by any Lender to Borrower and (c) a $10,000,000 line of credit
facility for foreign exchange purchases/sales, made available by any Lender to
Canada.

         "Advance" means a borrowing hereunder consisting of the aggregate
amount of the several Loans made by Lenders to Borrower of the same Type.

         "Affected Lender" is defined in SECTION 2.14(d).

         "Affiliate" of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person. A Person
shall be deemed to control another Person if the controlling Person owns 10% or
more of any class of voting securities (or other ownership interests) of the
controlled Person or possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management or policies of the controlled Person
whether through ownership of stock, by contract or otherwise.

         "Agent" means National City Bank in its capacity as agent for Lenders
pursuant to ARTICLE IX, and not in its individual capacity as a Lender, and any
successor Agent appointed pursuant to ARTICLE IX.

         "Aggregate Commitment" means the aggregate of the Commitments
of all Lenders.

         "Aggregate Measured Credit Risk" means, as at any time during the
pendency of this Agreement that an interest rate exchange agreement or interest
rate option agreement is in effect, the amount determined by the Agent in
accordance with the terms of such interest rate exchange agreement or interest
rate option agreement as being Borrower's measured credit risk thereunder at
such time.

         "Agreement" means this Credit Agreement, as it may be amended or
modified and in effect from time to time.

         "Applicable Margin" means the applicable margin determined by reference
to the table in SECTION 2.4 used in calculating the interest rate applicable to
the various Types of Advances, which shall vary from time to time in accordance
with SECTION 2.4.

         "Applicable Law" means collectively, all federal, state, county,
municipal and other governmental statutes, laws, rules, orders, regulations,
ordinances, judgments, decrees and injunctions affecting the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries, whether now or hereafter enacted and in force.

         "Article" means an article of this Agreement unless another document is
specifically referenced.

                                      -2-



<PAGE>   9



         "Assets" means, with respect to any Person, as of any date of
determination, the total amount of assets of that Person as shown on the balance
sheet of such Person.

         "Authorized Financial Officer" means any vice president or treasurer of
the Borrower, acting singly.

         "Authorized Officer" means the Vice President/Treasurer or Internal
Auditor of the Borrower, acting singly.

         "Base Rate Applicable Margin" means, as of any date, the Applicable
Margin in effect on such date with respect to Base Rate Loans.

         "Base Rate" or "Prime Rate" means the fluctuating rate of interest
which is publicly announced from time to time by Agent at its Head Office as
being its "prime rate" or "base rate" thereafter in effect, with each change in
the Base Rate automatically, immediately and without notice being reflected in
the fluctuating interest rate thereafter applicable hereunder, it being
specifically acknowledged that the Base Rate is not necessarily the lowest rate
of interest then available from Agent on fluctuating-rate loans.

         "Base Rate Loan" means a Loan which bears interest at the Base Rate.

         "Borrower" means Pioneer-Standard Electronics, Inc., an Ohio
corporation.

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

         "Borrowing Notice" is defined in SECTION 2.8(b).

         "Business Day" means with respect to any borrowing, payment or rate
selection of Advances a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks
generally are open in Cleveland, Ohio.

         "Canada"  means  Pioneer-Standard Canada  Inc.,  a Canadian
corporation.

         "Capital Expenditures" means any and all amounts invested, expended or
incurred (including by reason of Capitalized Lease Obligations) incurred by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of the purchase, acquisition,
improvement, renovation or expansion of any properties or assets of Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, expenditures required to
be capitalized in accordance with GAAP.

         "Capital Stock" means any and all shares, interests, participations or
other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any
and all equivalent ownership interests

                                      -3-



<PAGE>   10



in a Person which is not a corporation and any and all warrants or
options to purchase any of the foregoing.

         "Capitalized Lease" of a Person means any lease of Property imposing
obligations on such Person, as lessee thereunder, which are required in
accordance with GAAP to be capitalized on a balance sheet of such Person.

         "Cash Equivalents" means, as of any date, (i) securities issued or
directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States Government or any
agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than one year
from such date, (ii) time deposits and certificates of deposit having maturities
of not more than one year from such date and issued by any domestic commercial
bank having (A) senior long-term unsecured debt rated at least A or the
equivalent thereof by S&P or A-2 or the equivalent thereof by Moody's and (B)
capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000, and (iii) commercial paper rated
at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof by S&P or P-1 or the equivalent thereof
by Moody's and in either case maturing within 90 days from such date.

         "CD Applicable Margin" means, as of any date with respect to any CD
Interest Period, the Applicable Margin in effect for such CD Interest Period as
determined in accordance with SECTION 2.4 hereof.

         "CD Break Funding Costs" means an amount sufficient to reimburse each
Lender for any and all loss, cost or expense actually incurred by the Lender as
the result of the occurrence of any CD Break Funding Event, determined by
multiplying the amount of the principal prepayment hereunder by the difference,
if any, between, (x) NCB's Certificate of Deposit Rate for a term then available
closest to the remaining duration of the Interest Period for the principal sum
being prepaid, and for an amount comparable to such principal sum, and (y) the
CD Rate (less the CD Applicable Margin) in effect for the principal sum being so
prepaid, immediately prior to the prepayment of such sum, all as determined as
of the date of occurrence of the CD Break Funding Event.

         "CD Break Funding Event" means any of the events or occurrences set
forth in SECTIONS 2.13 (a) or 2.13(b).

         "CD Interest Period" means, with respect to a CD Rate Loan, a period of
between 30 to 180 days, inclusive, selected by Borrower commencing on a Business
Day selected by Borrower pursuant to this Agreement. Such CD Interest Period
shall end on (but exclude) the last day of the period. If a CD Interest Period
would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, such CD Interest
Period shall end on the next succeeding Business Day.

         "CD Rate" means NCB's Certificate of Deposit Rate for the
applicable CD Interest Period, as determined on the first day of

                                       -4-



<PAGE>   11



such CD Interest Period, plus for each fiscal quarter, the CD Applicable Margin.

         "CD Rate Loan" means a Loan which bears interest at the CD Rate.

         "Change In Control" means, with respect to any Person, the transfer of
the ownership or control (in one transaction or as the most recent transaction
in a series of transactions) of (i) such number of voting securities (or other
ownership interests) of the controlled Person that possesses, directly or
indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or
policies of the controlled Person whether through ownership of stock, by
contract or otherwise a majority, or (ii) with respect to any company whose
stock is publicly traded on a securities exchange, the solicitation for proxies
in connection with the election of the board of directors at a meeting of
shareholders.

         "Closing Date" means the date of this Agreement.

         "Closing Fee" is defined in SECTION 2.5(b).

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

         "Commitment Fee" is defined in SECTION 2.5(a).

         "Commitment" means, for each Lender, the obligation of such Lender to
make Loans not exceeding the amount set forth opposite its signature below or as
set forth in any Notice of Assignment relating to any assignment that has become
effective pursuant to SECTION 11.3.2, as such amount may be modified from time
to time pursuant to the terms hereof.

         "Condemnation" is defined in SECTION 6.9.

         "Consolidated Debt Service" means, for any period, (a) Consolidated
Interest Expense for such period PLUS (b) the aggregate amount of scheduled
principal payments of Indebtedness (excluding any unaccelerated Indebtedness
arising under this Facility) required to be made during such period by Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries.

         "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, as of any date of
determination, the ratio of (a) the sum of Consolidated Net Income (after taxes)
PLUS Consolidated Interest Expense, to (b) Consolidated Debt Service.

         "Consolidated Funded Debt" means as of any date of determination, all
Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding at
such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                                      -5-



<PAGE>   12



         "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the amount of
interest expense of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period on the
aggregate principal amount of their Indebtedness, determined on a consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP plus any capitalized interest which accrued during
such period.

         "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, consolidated net
income (or loss) of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on
a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; PROVIDED that there shall be
excluded (a) the income (or deficit) of any other Person accrued prior to the
date it becomes a Subsidiary of Borrower or is merged into or consolidated with
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (b) the undistributed earnings of
any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or
similar distributions by such Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by the
terms of any contractual obligation or requirement of law applicable to such
Subsidiary.

         "Consolidated Outstanding Indebtedness" means, as of any date of
determination, all Indebtedness of Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding at
such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "Consolidated Stockholder's Equity" means, as of any date of
determination, an amount equal to the sum of the following amounts appearing on
the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries: (i) all equity
as calculated in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) all indebtedness which is
subordinate (to the satisfaction of the Agent) to Indebtedness arising under
this Agreement.

         "Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" means, as of any date of
determination, an amount equal to Consolidated Stockholder's Equity minus the
sum of (i) any surplus resulting from any write-up of assets subsequent to March
31, 1996, (ii) goodwill, including any amounts, however designated on a
consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, representing the
excess of the purchase price paid for assets or stock over the value assigned to
them on the books of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (iii) patents, trademarks,
trade names and copyrights, (iv) any amount at which shares of capital stock of
Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries appear as an asset on Borrower's
consolidated balance sheet, and (v) any other amount in respect of an intangible
that should be classified as an asset on Borrower's consolidated balance sheet
in accordance with GAAP.

         "Contingent Obligation" means any direct or indirect liability,
contingent or otherwise, with respect to any indebtedness, lease, dividend,
letter of credit, banker's acceptance or other obligation of another Person
incurred to provide assurance to the obligee of such obligation that such
obligation will be paid or discharged, that any agreements relating thereto will
be complied with, or that the holders of such

                                      -6-



<PAGE>   13



obligation will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss in respect
thereof. Contingent Obligations shall include, without limitation, (i) the
direct or indirect guaranty, endorsement (otherwise than for collection or
deposit in the ordinary course of business), co-making, discounting with
recourse or sale with recourse by any Person of the obligation of another
Person; (ii) any liability for the obligations of another Person through any
agreement (contingent or otherwise) (A) to purchase, repurchase, or otherwise
acquire such obligation or any security therefor, or to provide funds for the
payment or discharge of such obligation (whether in the form of loans, advances,
stock purchases, capital contributions, or otherwise), (B) to maintain the
solvency of any balance sheet item, level of income or financial condition of
another, or (C) to make take-or-pay, pay-or-play, or similar payments if
required regardless of nonperformance by any other party or parties to an
agreement, if in the case of any agreement described under subclauses (A), (B)
or (C) of this sentence the purpose or intent thereof is to provide the
assurance described above. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be
equal to the amount of the obligation so guaranteed or otherwise supported.

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

         "Corporate Reorganization" means the corporate restructuring of the
Borrower as described on Schedule 3 hereto.

         "Corporate Reorganization Documents" is defined in Section 3.1.

         "Current Assets" means, as of any date of determination, all current
assets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP.

         "Current Liabilities" means, as of any date of determination, all
current liabilities of Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that Current
Liabilities shall not include the principal amount of Loans made hereunder
unless and until the earlier to occur of (a) the Facility Termination Date, and
(b) a Default.

         "Current Portion of Long Term Debt" means, for each fiscal year of
Borrower, scheduled principal payments (excluding any unaccelerated Indebtedness
arising under this Facility), on Indebtedness for Borrowed Money.

         "Current Ratio" means the ratio of Current Assets to Current
Liabilities.

                                      -7-



<PAGE>   14



                  "Debt Offering" shall mean the Borrower's public debt offering
as described in Schedule 4 hereto, in an amount not to exceed $150,000,000.

                  "Debt Offering Documents" is defined in SECTION 3.1.

                  "Default" means an event of Default described in ARTICLE VI.

                  "Debt Service" means, for any period, (a) Interest Expense for
such period plus (b) the aggregate amount of scheduled principal payments of
Indebtedness (excluding any unaccelerated Indebtedness arising under this
Facility) required to be made during such period by Borrower.

                  "Default Interest Rate" means an annual rate of interest equal
to the lesser of (i) two percent (2.0%) above the Base Rate; or (2) the maximum
rate of interest which may be lawfully charged in respect of the Obligations.

                  "EBITDA" means, for any period, the sum of Borrower's and its
Subsidiaries' Consolidated Net Income, increased by the sum for such period of
interest expense, income and franchise tax expense, amortization and
depreciation, non-recurring extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined
in accordance with GAAP) which was deducted in determining Consolidated Net
Income for such period.

                  "Environmental Laws" means any and all foreign, Federal,
state, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes,
ordinances, codes, decrees, requirements of any Governmental Authority or other
Requirements of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing
liability or standards of conduct concerning protection of human health or the
environment, as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect, in each case to
the extent the foregoing are applicable to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
or any of their respective assets or Properties.

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

                  "Existing Facilities" means the $200,000,000 revolving loan
facility for which NCB is agent.

                  "Facility Termination Date" means August 12, 1999; provided,
however, the Facility Termination Date may be extended annually for additional
one (1) year terms upon the prior written consent of the Borrower and each
Lender.

                  "Financial Undertaking" of a Person means (i) any repurchase
obligation or liability of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries with respect
to accounts or notes receivable sold by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries,
(ii) any sale and leaseback transactions

                                      -8-



<PAGE>   15



which do not create a liability on the consolidated balance sheet of such
Person, (iii) any other transaction which is the functional equivalent of or
takes the place of borrowing but which does not constitute a liability on the
consolidated balance sheet of such Person, or (iv) interest rate exchange
agreements and interest rate options; provided, however, Financial Undertaking
shall not include any agreement, device or arrangement (not otherwise described
in (iv), above), that is designed to protect a Borrower from the fluctuations of
interest rates, exchange rates or forward rates applicable to such party's
assets, liabilities or exchange transactions, including, forward currency
exchange agreements, interest rate cap or collar protection agreements, or
forward rate currency options.

                  "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, as of any date of
determination, the ratio of (a) the sum of Net Income (after taxes) plus
Interest Expense, to (b) Debt Service. All components of the Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio Shall be annualized for the following three periods: (i) July 1,
1996 through September 30, 1996; (ii) July 1, 1996, through December 31, 1996;
and (iii) July 1, 1996 through March 31, 1997; provided, however, Current
Portion of Long Term Debt (a component of Debt Service), shall be a fixed annual
amount. "Annualized" as used herein shall mean: (A) for one quarter the ratio of
(i) the product of (y) the sum of Consolidated Net Income plus Consolidated
Interest Expense times (z) four (4) divided by (ii) the sum of (y) the product
of Consolidated Interest Expense multiplied by four (4) plus (z) the Current
Portion of Long Term Debt; (B) for two cumulative quarters the ratio of (i) the
product of (y) the sum of Consolidated Net Income plus Consolidated Interest
Expense times (z) two (2) divided by (ii) the sum of (y) the product of
Consolidated Interest Expense multiplied by two (2) plus (z) the Current Portion
of Long Term Debt; and (C) for three cumulative quarters the ratio of (i) the
quotient of (y) the sum of Consolidated Net Income plus Consolidated Interest
Expense divided by (z) three (3) times (ii) four (4) divided by the sum of the
quotient of the sum of Consolidated Interest Expense divided by three (3) times
four (4) plus the Current Portion of Long Term Debt.

                  "FSC" means Pioneer-Standard FSC,  Inc.,  a Virgin Islands
corporation.

                  "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner
consistent with that used in preparing the financial statements referred to in
SECTION 5.1; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if there shall be any change in accounting
principles from GAAP as in effect at the Closing Date, then the Required Lenders
and the Borrower shall make such adjustments to the financial covenants affected
thereby by reference to the official interpretations of GAAP by The Financial
Accounting Standards Board, its predecessors and successors or as are mutually
determined in good faith to be appropriate to reflect such changes so that the
criteria for

                                      -9-



<PAGE>   16



evaluating the financial condition and operations of the Borrower shall be the
same after such changes as if such changes had not been made.

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

     "Head Office" means, in relation to Agent, the head office of National City
Bank, located at 1900 East Ninth Street, Cleveland, Ohio, 44114, or such other
office as may be designated as such by written notice to Borrowers and Lenders
by National City Bank or any successor Agent.

     "Illinois" means Pioneer-Standard Illinois, Inc., an Illinois corporation.

     "Indebtedness" means, in relation to any Person, at any time, all of the
obligations of such Person which, in accordance with GAAP, would be classified
as indebtedness upon a balance sheet (including any footnote thereto) of such
Person prepared at such time, and in any event shall include, without
limitation:

     (i) all indebtedness of such Person arising or incurred under or in respect
     of (A) any guaranties (whether direct or indirect) by such Person of the
     indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of any other Person, or (B) any
     endorsement by such Person of any of the indebtedness, obligations or
     liabilities of any other Person (otherwise than as an endorser of
     negotiable instruments received in the ordinary course of business and
     presented to commercial banks for collection of deposit), or (C) the
     discount by such Person, with recourse to such Person, of any of the
     indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of any other Person;

     (ii) all indebtedness of such Person arising or incurred under or in
     respect of any agreement, contingent or otherwise made by such Person (A)
     to purchase any indebtedness of any other Person or to advance or supply
     funds for the payment or purchase of any indebtedness of any other Person
     or (B) to purchase, sell or lease (as lessee or lessor) any property,
     products, materials or supplies or to purchase or sell transportation or
     services, in each such case if primarily for the purpose of enabling any
     other Person to make payment of any indebtedness of such other Person or to
     assure the owner or holder of such other Person's indebtedness against
     loss, regardless of the delivery or non-delivery of the property, products,
     materials or supplies or the furnishing or non-furnishing of the
     transportation or services, or (C) to make any loan, advance, capital
     contribution or other investment in any other Person for the purpose of
     assuring a minimum equity, asset base, working capital or other balance
     sheet condition

                                     - 10 -



<PAGE>   17



     for or as at any date, or to provide funds for the payment of any
     liability, dividend or stock liquidation payment, or otherwise to supply
     funds to or in any manner invest in any other Person;

     (iii) all indebtedness, obligations and liabilities secured by or arising
     under or in respect of any Lien, upon or in Property owned by such Person,
     even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of
     such indebtedness, obligations and liabilities;

     (iv) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or
     other title retention agreement with respect to Property acquired by such
     Person, even though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender (or
     lessor) under such agreement in the event of default are limited to
     repossession or sale of such Property; and

     (v) all indebtedness arising or incurred under or in respect of any
     Contingent Obligation.

     "Indebtedness for Borrowed Money" means at any time, all Indebtedness
required by GAAP to be reflected as such on Borrower's balance sheet, including
as appropriate, all Indebtedness (i) in respect of any money borrowed (including
pursuant to this Agreement, any money borrowed under the Additional Facilities
and debt incurred pursuant to the Debt Offering); (ii) under or in respect of
any Contingent Obligation (whether direct or indirect) of any money borrowed;
(iii) evidenced by any loan or credit agreement, promissory note, debenture,
bond, guaranty or other similar written obligation to pay money; or (iv) arising
under Capitalized Leases.

     "Initial Advance" means the first Advance made hereunder.

     "Initial Borrowing Date" means the date on which the first Advance is made
hereunder.

     "Interest Expense" means, for any period, the amount of interest expense of
Borrower for such period on the aggregate principal amount of its Indebtedness,
plus any capitalized interest which accrued during such period.

     "Interest Period" means a CD Interest Period or a LIBOR Interest Period.

     "Investment" of a Person means any loan, advance (other than commission,
travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary
course of business), extension of credit (other than accounts receivable arising
in the ordinary course of business on terms customary in the trade),
contribution of capital by such Person to any other Person or any investment in,
or purchase or other acquisition of, the stock, partnership interests,

                                      -11-



<PAGE>   18



notes, debentures, or other securities of any other Person made by such Person.

                  "Late Charge" means with respect to any delinquent payment of
principal or interest hereunder, a fee that is equal to the greater of Five
Hundred and 00/100 Dollars ($500.00) or three percent (3%) of the delinquent
payment, charged to Borrower or added to the unpaid balance of the Notes
whenever any payment of principal or interest is not paid when due.

                  "Lenders" means the lending institutions listed on the
signature pages of this Agreement, their respective successors and assigns and
any other lending institutions that subsequently become parties to this
Agreement.

                  "Lending Installations" means, with respect to a Lender, any
office, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of such Lender.

                  "Leverage Ratio" means Consolidated Outstanding Indebtedness
divided by Consolidated Tangible Net Worth.

                  "LIBOR Applicable Margin" means, as of any date with respect
to any LIBOR Interest Period, the Applicable Margin in effect for such LIBOR
Interest Period as determined in accordance with SECTION 2.4 hereof.

                  "LIBOR Break Funding Costs" means an amount sufficient to
reimburse each Lender for any and all loss, cost or expense actually incurred by
the Lender as the result of the occurrence of any LIBOR Break Funding Event,
determined by multiplying the amount of the principal prepayment hereunder by
the deficiency, if any, between, (x) LIBOR for a term then available closest to
the remaining duration of the Interest Period for the principal sum being
prepaid, and for an amount comparable to such principal sum, and (y) the LIBOR
Rate in effect for the principal sum being so prepaid, immediately prior to the
prepayment of such sum, all as determined as of the date of occurrence of the
LIBOR Break Funding Event.

                  "LIBOR Break Funding Event" means any of the events or
occurrences set for forth in SECTIONS 2.13(a) or 2.13(b).

                  "LIBOR Interest Period" means a period of one, two, three or
six months commencing on a Business Day selected by Borrower pursuant to this
Agreement. Such LIBOR Interest Period shall end on (but exclude) the day which
corresponds numerically to such date one, two, three or six months thereafter,
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if there is no such numerically corresponding day in
such next, second, third or sixth succeeding month, such LIBOR Interest Period
shall end on the last Business Day of such next, second, third or sixth
succeeding month. If a LIBOR Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which
is not a Business Day, such LIBOR Interest Period shall end on the next
succeeding Business Day; PROVIDED,

                                     - 12 -



<PAGE>   19



HOWEVER, that if said next succeeding Business Day falls in a new calendar
month, such LIBOR Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding
Business Day.

                  "LIBOR Rate Loan" means a Loan which bears interest at a LIBOR
Rate.

                  "LIBOR Rate" means one, two, three or six-month London
InterBank Offered Rate (for dollars), adjusted for statutory reserves, if
applicable ("LIBOR") PLUS for each fiscal quarter, the LIBOR Applicable Margin.

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

                  "Limited Partnership" means Pioneer-Standard Electronics,
Ltd., a Texas limited partnership.

                  "Loan" means, with respect to a Lender, such Lender's portion
of any Advance.

                  "Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Notes, the
Non-Borrowing and Non-Pledge Agreements and any other document from time to time
evidencing or securing indebtedness incurred by Borrower under this Agreement,
as any of the foregoing may be amended or modified from time to time.

                  "Maryland"  means  Pioneer Standard of Maryland,  Inc.,  a
Maryland corporation.

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

                  "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 Law, including, without limitation, asbestos,
polychlorinated biphenyls and ureaformaldehyde insulation.

                  "Minnesota"  means  Pioneer-Standard  Minnesota,   Inc.,  a
Minnesota Corporation.

                                     - 13 -



<PAGE>   20



         "Moody's"  means Moody's Investors Service,  Inc.  and its
successors.

         "Multiemployer Plan" means a Plan maintained pursuant to a collective
bargaining agreement or any other arrangement to which Borrowers or any member
of the Controlled Group is a party to which more than one employer is obligated
to make contributions.

         "NCB"  means  National  City  Bank,  a  national  banking
association.

         "Net Income" means for any period, net income (or loss) of Borrower for
such period determined in accordance with GAAP.

         "Non-Borrowing and Non-Pledge Agreement" means a Non-Borrowing and
Non-Pledge Agreement, executed by each of Borrower's Substantial Subsidiaries in
favor of Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit B, as the same may be
amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Note" means a promissory note, in substantially the form of EXHIBIT A
hereto, duly executed by Borrowers and payable to the order of a Lender in the
amount of its Commitment, including any amendment, modification, renewal or
replacement of such promissory note.

         "Notice of Assignment" is defined in SECTION 11.3.3.

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

         "Participant" means a participant under SECTION 11.2.1.

         "Payment Date" means, with respect to the payment of interest accrued
on any Base Rate Loan, the last day of each calendar month, and, with respect to
the payment of interest accrued on any CD Rate Loan or LIBOR Rate Loan, the last
day of the CD Interest Period or LIBOR Interest Period, as the case may be,
except that for any CD Interest Period in excess of 90 days and any LIBOR
Interest Period in excess of three months, interim payments shall be made every
ninetieth day and the last day of every third month, respectively.

         "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any
successor thereto.

         "Permitted Liens" are defined in SECTION 5.15.

         "Person" means any natural person, corporation, firm, joint
venture,  partnership,  association,  enterprise,  trust or other

                                     - 14 -



<PAGE>   21



entity or organization, or any government or political subdivision
or any agency, department or instrumentality thereof.

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

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

                  "Pro Rata Share" means, in relation to any particular item,
the share of any Lender in such item, which shall be in the same proportion
which the Commitment of a Lender bears to the Aggregate Commitment, net of any
and all charges or fees due and payable to Agent under the Loan Documents.

                  "Purchasers" is defined in SECTION 11.3.1.

                  "Purchase Money Security Interest" is defined in SECTION 5.15
(iv).

                  "Rate Option" means the CD Rate, the Base Rate or the LIBOR
Rate.

                  "Regulation D" means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor
thereto or other regulation or official interpretation of said Board of
Governors relating to reserve requirements applicable to member banks of the
Federal Reserve System.

                  "Regulation U" means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor or
other regulation or official interpretation of said Board of Governors relating
to the extension of credit by banks for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
margin stocks applicable to member banks of the Federal Reserve System.

                  "Reportable Event" means a reportable event as defined in
Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued under such section, with
respect to a Plan, excluding, however, such events as to which the PBGC by
regulation waived the requirement of Section 4043(a) of ERISA that it be
notified within 30 days of the occurrence of such event, provided, however, that
a failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Code and of
Section 302 of ERISA shall be a Reportable Event regardless of the issuance of
any such waiver of the notice requirement in accordance with either Section 4043
(a) of ERISA or Section 412 (d) of the Code.

                  "Required Lenders" means those Lenders whose aggregate Pro
Rata Shares of the outstanding Advances equal or exceed seventy-five percent
(75%) of the aggregate amount of the outstanding

                                     - 15 -



<PAGE>   22



Advances, or, in the event that there are no Advances outstanding, those Lenders
having seventy-five percent (75%) of the Aggregate Commitment.

                  "Reserve Requirement" means, with respect to a CD Interest
Period or a LIBOR Interest Period, the maximum aggregate reserve requirement
(including all basic, supplemental, marginal and other reserves) which is
imposed under Regulation D on new non-personal time deposits of $100,000 or more
with a maturity equal to that of such CD Interest Period or on Eurocurrency
liabilities (in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans).

                  "Section" means a numbered section of this Agreement, unless
another document is specifically referenced.

                  "Single Employer Plan" means a Plan maintained by Borrower or
any member of the Controlled Group for employees of Borrower or any member of
the Controlled Group.

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

                  "Substantial Portion" means, with respect to the Property of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, Property which (i) represents more than 2% of
the consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as would be shown
in the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as
at the beginning of the twelve-month period ending with the month in which such
determination is made.

                  "Substantial Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that has
received funding or will receive funding from the Borrower in excess of
$100,000.

                  "SECT" shall mean Borrower's stock employee compensation trust
as described in Schedule 5 hereto.

                  "SECT Documents" is defined in Section 3.1.

                  "Stockholder's Equity" means, as of any date of determination,
an amount equal to the sum of the following amounts appearing on the balance
sheet of Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be: (i) all equity as
calculated in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) all indebtedness which is
subordinate (to the satisfaction of the Agent) to Indebtedness arising under
this Agreement.

                                     - 16 -



<PAGE>   23



                  "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group and its 
successors.

                  "Tangible Assets" means of the Borrower, as of any date of
determination, the total amount of assets after deducting therefrom (i) all
investments and loans of the Borrower to its Subsidiaries, as permitted under
this Agreement, and (ii) all goodwill of the Borrower, all as shown on the
balance sheet of the Borrower.

                  "Tangible Net Worth" means, as of any date of determination,
as to any Person on a nonconsolidated basis, an amount equal to Stockholder's
Equity minus the sum of (i) any surplus resulting from any write-up of assets
subsequent to March 31, 1996 (ii) goodwill, including any amounts, however
designated on a balance sheet of such Person, representing the excess of the
purchase price paid for assets or stock over the value assigned to it on the
books of such Person, (iii) patents, trademarks, trade names and copyrights,
(iv) any amount at which shares of capital stock of such Person appear as an
asset on such Person's balance sheet, and (v) any other amount in respect of an
intangible that should be classified as an asset on such Person's balance sheet,
in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Transferee" is defined in SECTION 11.4.

                  "Transfer of Assets" means that certain transfer of assets,
from Borrower to a Subsidiary as more fully described on Schedule 3 hereto.

                  "Type" means, with respect to any Loan, its nature as a LIBOR
Rate Loan, Base Rate Loan or CD Rate Loan.

                  "Unfunded Liabilities" means the amount (if any) by which the
present value of all vested nonforfeitable benefits under all Single Employer
Plans exceeds the fair market value of all such Plan assets allocable to such
benefits, all determined as of the then most recent valuation date,for such
Plans.

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

                  "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" of a Person means (i) any Subsidiary
all of the outstanding voting securities of which shall at the time be owned or
controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries of such Person, or by such Person and one or more Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries of such Person, or (ii) any partnership, association, joint venture
or similar business organization 100% of the ownership interests having ordinary
voting power of which shall at the time be so owned or controlled.

                  "Working  Capital"  means  Current  Assets  minus  Current
Liabilities.

                                      -17-



<PAGE>   24



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

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   THE CREDIT
                                   ----------

                  2.1 COMMITMENT. From and including the date of this Agreement
and prior to the Facility Termination Date, each Lender severally agrees, on the
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, to make Loans to Borrower from
time to time in amounts not to exceed in the aggregate at any one time
outstanding the amount of its Commitment, and on the Closing Date; provided,
however, that in no event shall the Aggregate Commitment hereunder exceed
$125,000,000. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Borrower may borrow, repay
and reborrow at any time prior to the Facility Termination Date. The Commitments
to lend hereunder shall expire on the Facility Termination Date.

                  2.2 FINAL PRINCIPAL PAYMENT.  Any outstanding Loans and
all other unpaid Obligations shall be paid in full by Borrower on
the Facility Termination Date.

                  2.3 RATABLE LOANS. Each Advance hereunder shall consist
of Loans made from the several Lenders ratably in accordance with their Pro 
Rata Share of the Aggregate Commitment.

                  2.4 APPLICABLE MARGINS.   On the Closing Date, the Applicable
Margin shall be determined using Tier IV of the performance grid below.
Thereafter, The CD Applicable Margin, Base Rate Applicable Margin and LIBOR
Applicable Margin shall be adjusted on the first day of each calender quarter,
beginning October 1, 1996, based on the ratio of Consolidated Funded Debt as of
the end of the quarter immediately preceding the immediately preceding quarter
to EBITDA for such quarter, multiplied by four (4). To the extent that, as of an
adjustment date, Borrower has not provided to Agent information necessary to
apply the performance grid, interest shall be payable retroactively upon receipt
of such information and calculation by Agent. In such event, Borrower shall
continue to pay interest at the interest rate and on the Payment Dates in effect
for the preceding quarter and the parties shall adjust for the difference
between interest payable and interest actually paid, when information to apply
the performance grid is available.










                                      -18-



<PAGE>   25



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Tier     Consolidated               LIBOR +          CD +             Prime 
                  Funded Debt/EBITDA                                             +
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>      <C>                        <C>              <C>              <C>
         Tier I   greater than 3.25x         137.0 bps        150.0 bps        0 bps
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Tier II  less than or equal         112.5 bps        125.0 bps        0 bps
                  to 3.25x but
                  greater than 3.0x
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Tier III less than or equal         100.0 bps        112.5 bps        0 bps
                  to 3.0x but
                  greater than 2.75x
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Tier IV  less than or equal         87.5 bps         100.0 bps        0 bps
                  to 2.75x but
                  greater than 2.5x
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Tier V   less than or equal         75.0 bps         87.5 bps          0 bps
                  to 2.5x but
                  greater than 2.25x
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Tier VI  less than or equal         62.5 bps         75.0 bps         0 bps
                  to 2.25x
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>

*        bps = basis points
</TABLE>

                  2.5 COMMITMENT FEE; CLOSING FEE. (a) Borrower agrees to pay to
Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee (the "COMMITMENT FEE") on
the daily unborrowed portion of such Lender's Commitment from the Closing Date
to and including the Facility Termination Date, calculated as follows: (i) .375%
per annum on the daily unborrowed portion of such Lender's Commitment in the
event the Applicable Margin is Tier I, II, III or IV or (ii) .25% per annum on
the daily unborrowed portion of such Lender's Commitment in the event Borrower's
Applicable Margin is Tier V or VI. The Commitment Fee shall be payable quarterly
in arrears on the first day of each calendar quarter hereafter beginning October
1, 1996, and on the Facility Termination Date.

                  (b) Borrower further agrees to pay to Agent for the account of
each Lender a closing fee (the "CLOSING FEE") in the aggregate amount of
$78,125. Borrower shall pay the Closing Fee to Agent for the account of each
Lender on the Closing Date.

                  (c) Borrower further agrees to pay all fees payable to
Agent pursuant to a separate letter agreement.

                  2.6 Intentionally Omitted

                  2.7 Minimum Amount of Loans.  Base Rate Loans and CD
Rate Loans shall be in the minimum amount of $5,000,000, and in
multiples of $1,000,000 if in excess thereof.  LIBOR Rate Loans

                                      -19-



<PAGE>   26



shall be in the minimum amount of $10,000,000, and in multiples of
$1,000,000 if in excess thereof.

         2.8      INTEREST PAYABLE ON THE LOANS.

         (a)      INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

         (b) METHOD OF SELECTING RATE OPTIONS AND INTEREST PERIODS. (i) Borrower
shall select the Rate Option for each Advance and shall select the Interest
Period applicable to each CD Rate Loan and LIBOR Rate Loan from time to time, by
delivery to Agent of an irrevocable notice in the form of EXHIBIT C hereto (a
"BORROWING NOTICE"), or by telephonic notice to Agent ("TELEPHONIC NOTICE"),
followed by a same day (which shall mean prior to 5:00 p.m. Cleveland, Ohio,
time) written Borrowing Notice delivered to Agent via facsimile.

         (ii) Each CD Rate Loan and LIBOR Rate Loan shall bear interest from and
including the first day of the Interest Period applicable thereto until (but not
including) the last day of such Interest Period at the interest rate determined
as applicable to such Loan. Borrower shall select Interest Periods with respect
to CD Rate Loans and LIBOR Rate Loans so that it is not necessary to pay such
Loan prior to the last day of the applicable Interest Period in order to repay
the Loans on the Facility Termination Date. Provided that no Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, Borrower may elect to continue a Loan as a CD Rate
Loan or LIBOR Rate Loan, as the case may be, by giving irrevocable written,
telephonic or telegraphic notice thereof to Agent not more than ten (10) nor
less than three (3) Business Days prior to the last day of the then-current
Interest Period for such Loan, specifying the duration of the succeeding
Interest Period therefor. If Agent does not receive timely notice of such
election, Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Loan to a
Base Rate Loan at the end of the then-current Interest Period. Provided that no
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Borrower may, on any Business
Day, convert any outstanding Base Rate Loan, or portion thereof, into a CD Rate
Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan in the same aggregate principal amount. If Borrower
desires to convert a Base Rate Loan, it shall give Agent prior written or
telephonic notice not more than ten (10) nor less than three (3) Business Days
prior to the requested conversion date, which notice shall specify the duration
of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

         (c) DETERMINATION OF ADJUSTED BASE RATE. Agent shall determine the Base
Rate in effect from time to time. Any change in the Base Rate shall, for all
purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, become effective on the
effective date of such change in the Base Rate as announced by Agent in
accordance with Agent's customary practices.

         (d) MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS.

                                      -20-



<PAGE>   27



                    (i)  Borrower shall pay to Agent, for the account of Lenders
                         in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Share,
                         monthly in arrears on the last Business Day of each
                         month beginning with the month following the month in
                         which the Closing Date occurs, interest on the
                         outstanding principal amount of the Base Rate Loans at
                         the annual rate equal to the Base Rate plus the Base
                         Rate Applicable Margin; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if
                         Borrower elects, pursuant to the final paragraph of
                         SECTION 2.4(a), to convert a Base Rate Loan, or any
                         portion thereof, to a CD Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate
                         Loan, Borrower shall pay to Agent, for the account of
                         Lenders in proportion to their respective Commitments,
                         all accrued but unpaid interest on such Base Rate Loan,
                         or that portion thereof which is being so converted,
                         for the period commencing on the date of the last
                         payment date under this paragraph 2.8(d) (i) and
                         concluding on the day immediately preceding the first
                         day of the Interest Period for the CD Rate Loan or the
                         LIBOR Rate Loan into which such Base Rate Loan is
                         converted.

                    (ii) Borrower shall pay to Agent, for the account of Lenders
                         in accordance with their Pro Rata Share, in arrears,
                         interest on the outstanding principal amount of the CD
                         Rate Loans and the LIBOR Rate Loans at the annual rate
                         equal to the CD Rate or the LIBOR Rate, as applicable.
                         Such interest shall be due and payable on the last
                         Business Day of the applicable Interest Period of
                         ninety (90) days or less, for all other CD Rate Loans
                         and LIBOR Rate Loans, interest shall be payable, in
                         arrears as aforesaid, on (x) that Business Day which is
                         ninety (90) days after the beginning of the Interest
                         Period for such Loans; and (y) on the final day of the
                         Interest Period therefor.

                  (e) INTEREST ON OVERDUE PAYMENTS; DEFAULT INTEREST RATE. If
any payment of principal or interest is not paid when due, or prior to the
expiration of the applicable period of grace (if any) therefor, Agent may charge
and collect from Borrower, or may add to the unpaid balance of the Notes, a Late
Charge. Any Late Charge charged and collected by the Agent shall be distributed
to Lenders in proportion to their respective Commitments. No failure by Agent to
charge or collect any Late Charge in respect of any delinquent payment shall be
considered to be a waiver by Agent or Lenders of any rights they may have
hereunder, including without limitation the right subsequently to impose a Late
Charge for such delinquent

                                      -21-



<PAGE>   28



payment or to take such other actions as may then be available to them hereunder
or at law or in equity, including but not limited to the right to terminate the
Commitments and/or to accelerate the Obligations pursuant to the terms hereof.
If the Notes have been accelerated pursuant to this Agreement or if a Default
hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall have occurred and be
continuing, the outstanding principal balance of the Indebtedness advanced under
this Agreement, together with all accrued interest thereon and any and all other
Obligations, shall bear interest from the date on which such amount shall have
first become due and payable to the date on which such amount shall be paid
(whether before or after judgment) at the Default Interest Rate. Interest at the
Default Interest Rate will continue to accrue and will (to the extent permitted
by applicable law) be compounded daily until the Obligations in respect of such
payment are discharged (whether before or after judgment).

         2.9 REPAYMENTS AND PREPAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL.

         (a) OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS. Without derogating from the mandatory
prepayment requirements contained in SECTION 2.9(b) hereof, Borrower may prepay
the principal of the Loans in full or in part at any time and from time to time
upon payment to Agent of all accrued interest to the date of payment; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that (i) all partial payments of principal shall be in an amount equal
to or greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00); and (ii) all
Loans may be prepaid without penalty or premium. If Borrower shall prepay any
Loan which is a LIBOR Rate Loan or a CD Rate Loan on a day other than the final
day of the applicable Interest Period therefor, such prepayment must include an
amount equal to all of Lenders' aggregate LIBOR Break Funding Costs or CD Break
Funding Costs, respectively, applicable to or resulting from such prepayment in
accordance with SECTION 2.9, below.

         (b) MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS. If at any time the aggregate
principal balance of all Loans made hereunder exceeds the aggregate
amount of the Commitments Borrower shall immediately prepay an
amount equal to such excess.

         (c) APPLICATION OF PREPAYMENTS. Any prepayment of the Obligations shall
be applied by Agent as set forth in Section 2.10 hereof. To the extent that such
payment, repayment or prepayment shall be applied to a CD Rate Loan or a LIBOR
Rate Loan, Agent shall retain such amount until the expiration of the Interest
Period applicable to such Loan, and, shall apply such payment at such time so as
to minimize the LIBOR Break Funding Costs or CD Break Funding Costs applicable
to such payment, repayment or prepayment, unless otherwise instructed by
Borrower to pay, repay or prepay such Loan and nonetheless incur the applicable
LIBOR Break Funding Cost or CD Break Funding Cost.

                                      -22-



<PAGE>   29



         (d) MATURITY. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
Borrower will be entitled to reborrow all or any part of the principal of the
Notes repaid or prepaid prior to the termination of the Commitments. The
Commitments shall terminate, and all of the Indebtedness evidenced by each Note
shall, if not sooner paid, be in any event absolutely and unconditionally due
and payable in full by Borrower, on the Facility Termination Date.

         (e) NOTICE OF PREPAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL. Borrower will provide Agent at
least (1) one Business Day's advance, written notice of its intention to make
any voluntary prepayment of principal. Such notice shall be irrevocable and
shall specify the date of prepayment and the aggregate amount to be paid.

         (f) REDUCTION IN COMMITMENT. Provided there is not then any Default or
Unmatured Default hereunder or any other Loan Document, Borrower may, upon and
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 2.9(f), elect
permanently to reduce the Aggregate Commitment by providing Agent and each
Lender with not less than thirty (30) days' prior written notice of its election
to do so. Such notice shall specify the date on which such reduction is intended
to become effective and the amount to which Borrower would propose to reduce the
Aggregate Commitment. Provided that Borrower shall, on or prior to the effective
date for such reduction specified in such notice, have made such payments or
prepayments as may be necessary to cause the outstanding balance of all Loans to
Borrower to be reduced to an amount equal to or less than the amount of the
Aggregate Commitment (giving effect to the proposed reduction thereof
contemplated in Borrower' s notice), the Aggregate Commitment shall, on the date
specified in Borrower's notice, be reduced to the amount stipulated in
Borrower's notice. In the event that Borrower shall elect to reduce the
Aggregate Commitment as aforesaid, each Lender's commitment shall be reduced,
pro rata, to reflect any such reduction in the Aggregate Commitment, and the
amount of the Commitment Fee payable during the fiscal quarter in which such
reduction shall become effective shall be calculated so as to give effect to
such reduction, as of the effective date thereof, on a per diem basis. Each
reduction in the amount of the Aggregate Commitment effected pursuant to this
Section 2.9(f) shall be in a multiple of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000), and
the minimum reduction shall be Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000). Each
reduction in the amount of the Aggregate Commitment shall be permanent. Borrower
may exercise their right permanently to reduce the amount of the Aggregate
Commitment not more frequently than twice during any six-month period. Borrower
shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses of Agent (including, without
limitation, reasonable attorney's fees) incurred in connection with the exercise
of Borrower's rights under this Section 2.9(f).

                                      -23-



<PAGE>   30



2.10 PAYMENTS AND COMPUTATIONS.

                  (a) TIME AND PLACE OF PAYMENTS. Each payment to be made by
Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents shall be made directly
to Agent at its Head Office, not later than 12:00 noon Cleveland time, on the
due date of each such payment, in immediately available and freely transferrable
funds. Any payment received after such time will be deemed to have been received
on the next Business Day. Agent will, on the same Business Day that it receives
(or is deemed to receive, as aforesaid) each such payment, cause to be
distributed to each Lender, in immediately available and freely transferrable
funds, such Lender's Pro Rata Share of each such payment received by Agent. In
the event payment by Borrower has not been received when due, Agent, in its sole
discretion, without prior notice to Borrower, may debit the account of Borrower
with Agent, Account No. 2563771, in the amount of such payment.

                  (b) APPLICATION OF FUNDS.   Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, the funds received by Agent with respect to
the Obligations shall be applied as follows:

                  (i)  NO DEFAULT. Provided that the Notes have not been
                       accelerated pursuant to SECTION 7.1, below, and
                       provided further that no Default or Unmatured Default
                       hereunder or under any Loan Document shall have
                       occurred and be continuing at the time that Agent
                       receives such funds, in the following manner: (a)
                       FIRST, to the payment of all fees, charges, and other
                       sums (other than principal and interest) then due and
                       payable to Agent or Lenders under the Notes, this
                       Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including,
                       without limitation, any LIBOR Break Funding Costs or CD
                       Break Funding Costs which may then be payable); (b)
                       SECOND, to the payment of all accrued but unpaid
                       interest at the time of such payment in accordance with
                       each Lender's Pro Rata Share; and (c) THIRD, to the
                       payment of principal of the Notes in accordance with
                       Lender's Pro Rata Shares.

                  (ii) DEFAULT. If the Notes have been accelerated pursuant to
                       SECTION 7.1, or if a Default hereunder shall have
                       occurred and be continuing hereunder or under the Notes
                       or any of the other Loan Documents at the time Agent
                       receives such funds, in the following manner: (a) FIRST
                       to the payment or reimbursement of Lenders and Agent
                       for all costs, expenses, disbursements and losses which
                       shall have been incurred or sustained by Lenders or
                       Agent in or incidental to the collection of the
                       Obligations owed by Borrower hereunder or the exercise,

                                      -24-



<PAGE>   31



                    protection, or enforcement by Lenders or Agent of all or any
                    of the rights, remedies, powers and privileges of Lenders
                    and Agent under this Agreement, the Notes, or any of the
                    other Loan Documents and in and towards the provision of
                    adequate indemnity to Agent and any of Lenders against all
                    taxes or Liens which by law shall or may have priority over
                    the rights of Agent or Lenders in and to such funds; and (b)
                    SECOND to the payment of all of the Obligations in
                    accordance with SECTION 2.10(b) (i) above.

                (c) PAYMENTS ON BUSINESS DAYS. If any sum would (but for the
provisions of this SECTION 2.10(c)) become due and payable on any day which is
not a Business Day, then such sum shall become due and payable on the next
succeeding Business Day, and interest payable on such sum shall continue to
accrue and shall be adjusted by Agent accordingly.

                (d) COMPUTATION OF INTEREST. All computations of interest
payable under this Agreement, the Notes, or any of the other Loan Documents
shall be computed by Agent on the basis of the actual principal amount
outstanding on each day during the payment period, and shall be calculated with
reference to the actual number of days elapsed during such period on the basis
of a year consisting of three hundred and sixty (360) days. The daily interest
charge shall be one three-hundred-sixtieth (1/360th) of the annual interest
amount. Each determination of any interest rate by Agent shall be conclusive and
binding on Borrower in the absence of manifest error. Absent manifest error, a
certificate or statement signed by an authorized officer of the Agent shall be
conclusive evidence of the amount of the Obligations due and unpaid as of the
date of such certificate or statement.

                2.11 PAYMENTS TO BE FREE OF DEDUCTIONS. Each payment to be
made by Borrower under this Agreement, any Note, or any of the other Loan
Documents shall be made in accordance with SECTION 2.10 hereof, without set-off,
deduction or counterclaim whatsoever, and free and clear of taxes, levies,
imposts, duties, charges, fees, deduction, withholdings, compulsory loans,
restrictions or conditions of any nature now or hereafter imposed or levied by
any governmental or taxing authority, unless Borrower is compelled by law to
make any such deduction or withholding. In the event that any such obligation to
deduct or withhold is imposed upon Borrower with respect to any such payment:
(a) Borrower shall be permitted to make the deduction or withholding required by
law in respect of the said payment, and (b) there shall become and be absolutely
due and payable by Borrower to Agent or such Lender on the date on which the
said payment shall be due and payable, and Borrower hereby promises to pay to
Agent or such Lender on such date, such additional amount as shall be necessary
to enable Agent or such Lender to receive the same net amount which Agent or
such Lender would have received on such due date had no such obligation been

                                      -25-



<PAGE>   32



imposed by law. Notwithstanding any provision of this SECTION 2.11 to the
contrary, the foregoing provisions of this SECTION 2.11 shall not apply in the
case of any deductions or withholding made (y) in respect of taxes charged upon
or by reference to the overall net income, profits or gains of Agent or any
Lender, or (z) failure by a Lender to comply with SECTION 2.21.

                  2.12 USE OF PROCEEDS. Borrower represents, warrants and
covenants to Agent and to each Lender that all proceeds of the Advances shall be
used by Borrower only for the following purposes: (i) Working Capital needs,
(ii) Acquisitions, to the extent expressly permitted under this Agreement and
(iii) except as expressly limited in this Agreement, general corporate purposes.

                  2.13 LIBOR BREAK FUNDING COST; CD BREAK FUNDING COST. Borrower
shall pay to Agent, for the ratable benefit of each Lender, the LIBOR Break
Funding Costs or CD Break Funding Costs that Agent determines are attributable
to:

                  (a) any payment (including, without limitation, any payment
resulting from the acceleration of the Loans pursuant to this Agreement or any
Loan Document), repayment, mandatory or optional prepayment, or conversion of a
LIBOR Rate Loan or CD Rate Loan for any reason on a date other than the last day
of the Interest Period for such LIBOR Rate Loan or CD Rate Loan; or

                  (b) any failure by Borrower for any reason to borrow a LIBOR
Rate Loan or CD Rate Loan on the date for such borrowing specified in the
relevant notice of borrowing or Borrowing Notice given pursuant to this
Agreement.

                  2.14 ADDITIONAL COSTS.

                  (a) Notwithstanding any conflicting provisions of this
Agreement to the contrary, if any applicable law, rule or regulation not in
effect as of the date hereof shall (i) subject Agent or any Lender to any tax,
levy, impost, duty, charge, fee, deduction or withholding of any nature with
respect to any Loan, this Agreement, any Note, or any of the other Loan
Documents or the payment by Borrower of any amounts payable to Agent or any
Lender hereunder or thereunder (other than taxes charged upon or by reference to
the overall net income, profits or gains of Agent or any Lender or taxes charged
with respect to any Lender's failure to comply with SECTION 2.21 hereof); or
(ii) materially change, in the reasonable opinion of the party so affected, the
basis of taxation (other than changes in tax rates applicable to taxes charged
upon or by reference to the overall net income, profits or gains of Agent or any
Lender or taxes charged with respect to any Lender's failure to comply with
SECTION 2.21 hereof) of payments to Agent or any Lender of the principal of or
the interest on any Note or any other amounts payable to Agent or any Lender
under this Agreement, or any of the other Loan Documents; or (iii) impose or
increase or render applicable any special or supplementary special deposit or

                                      -26-



<PAGE>   33



reserve or similar requirements (whether or not having the force of law) against
assets held by, or deposits in or for the account of, or any eligible
liabilities of, or loans by any office or branch of, Agent or any Lender; or
(iv) impose on Agent or any Lender any other condition or requirement with
respect to this Agreement, any Note, or any of the other Loan Documents, and if
the result of any of the foregoing is (A) to increase the cost to Agent or any
Lender of making, funding or maintaining all or any part of the principal of the
Loans, or (B) to reduce the amount of principal, interest or any other sum
payable by Borrower to Agent or any Lender under this Agreement, any Note, or
any of the other Loan Documents, or (C) to require Agent or any Lender to make
any payment or to forego any interest or other sum payable by Borrower to Agent
or any Lender under this Agreement, any Note, or any of the other Loan
Documents, the amount of which payment or foregone interest or other sum is
measured by or calculated by reference to the gross amount of any sum receivable
or deemed received by Agent or any Lender from Borrower under this Agreement,
any Note, or any of the other Loans Documents, then, and in each such case,
Borrower will pay to Agent For Agent or the account of a Lender, as the case may
be, within sixty (60) days of written notice by Agent or such Lender, such
additional amounts as will (in the reasonable opinion of Agent or such Lender,
as the case may be) be sufficient to compensate Agent or such Lender for such
sum.

         (b) If any present or future applicable law, rule or regulation shall
make it unlawful for Borrower to perform any one or more of its agreements or
Obligations under this Agreement, any Note, or any of the other Loan Documents,
then the obligations of Lenders under their respective Commitment shall
terminate immediately. If any present or future applicable law, rule or
regulation shall make it unlawful for Borrower to perform any one or more of its
agreements or obligations under this Agreement, any Note, or any of the other
Loan Documents, and Agent, or any Lender shall at any time determine (which
reasonable determination shall be conclusive and binding on Borrower) (i) that,
as a consequence of the effect or operation (whether direct or indirect) of any
such applicable law, rule or regulation, any one or more of the rights,
remedies, powers or privileges of Agent or any Lender under or in respect of
this Agreement, any Note, or any of the other Loan Documents shall be or become
invalid, unenforceable, or materially restricted; and (ii) that all or any one
or more of the rights, remedies, powers and privileges so affected are of
material importance to Agent or any Lender (as determined by the party so
affected), then Agent shall, at the direction of the Required Banks, by giving
notice to Borrower, declare all of the Obligations, including, without
limitation, the entire unpaid principal of the Notes, all of the unpaid interest
accrued thereon and any and all other sums due and payable by Borrower to Agent
or Lenders under this Agreement, any Note, and any of the other Loan Documents,
to be immediately due and payable, and, thereupon, such Obligations shall (if
not already due and payable) forthwith become

                                      -27-



<PAGE>   34



and be due and payable without further notice or other formalities of any kind,
all of which are hereby expressly waived.

                  (c) If Agent or any Lender shall reasonably determine that any
law, rule or regulation not in effect as of the date hereof regarding capital
adequacy, or in the event of any change in any existing such law, rule or
regulation or 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 Lender with any
request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force
of law) from any such authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or would
have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender's capital, as a
consequence of its obligations hereunder, to a level below that which such
Lender could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking
into consideration such Lender's policies with respect to capital adequacy) by
any amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then Borrower shall pay to such
Lender within sixty (60) days of written notice by such Lender such amount or
amounts, in addition to the amounts payable under the provisions of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, as will compensate such Lender for such
reduction. Determinations by any Lender of the additional amount or amounts
required to compensate such Lender in respect of the foregoing shall be
presumptively correct absent manifest error. In determining such amount or
amounts, each Lender may use in good faith any reasonable averaging and
attribution methods of general application.

                  (d) Each Lender agrees, that upon the occurrence of any event
giving rise to the operation of SECTION 2.11, or (a)-(c) of this SECTION 2.14
with respect to such Lender, it will, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law
or by the relevant governmental authority, in consultation with the Agent, for a
period of thirty (30) days endeavor in good faith to avoid or minimize the
increase in costs or reduction in payments resulting from such event (including,
but not limited to, endeavoring to change its Lending Installation); provided,
however, that such avoidance or minimization can be made in such a manner that
such Lender, in its sole determination, suffers no economic, legal or regulatory
disadvantage. If any Lender (an "Affected Lender") shall make a demand for
payment under any of such Sections, and Borrower shall find a Lender or an
assignee which offers in writing to purchase the Commitments and Advances of
such Affected Lender without recourse at par on a specified date, together with
accrued and unpaid interest and commitment fees thereon to the date of purchase,
and tenders the purchase price of such Commitments and Advances on such
specified date, and if, in the reasonable opinion of such Affected Lender, its
acceptance of such offer would be permitted under Applicable Law and all
relevant governmental authorities and would not result in its suffering any
economic, legal, or other regulatory disadvantage, then Borrower shall be
excused from the payment of the increased costs claimed by such

                                      -28-



<PAGE>   35



Affected Lender under any of such Sections accruing after the first interest
payment date pursuant to SECTION 2.18 for each Advance of such Affected Lender
following such specified date, if the Affected Lender demanding payment under
either such Section declines such purchase offer. If such Affected Lender
accepts such purchase offer, upon consummation of such purchase offer such
Affected Lender shall cease to be a party hereto. Except as provided in the
immediately preceding sentence, nothing in this SECTION 2.14(d) shall affect or
postpone the obligations of Borrower to make payments as provided hereunder. Any
reasonable expenses incurred by such Affected Lender under this SECTION 2.14(d)
shall be paid by the Borrower upon delivery by such Affected Lender to Borrower
of a certificate as to the amount of such expenses, which certificate shall be
conclusive and binding, in absence of manifest error.

                  (e) For purposes of this SECTION 2.14, "laws, rules and
regulations not in effect on the date hereof" or similar words shall be deemed
to include future interpretations of existing laws, rules and regulations.

                  2.15 INDEMNIFICATION OF LOSSES. Without derogating from any of
the other provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents
Borrower hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to indemnify Agent and
each Lender, upon demand at any time and as often as the occasion therefor may
require, against any and all claim, demands, suits, actions, damages, losses,
costs, expenses and all other liabilities whatsoever which Agent or any Lender
or any of their respective directors or officers may sustain or incur as a
consequence of, on account of, in relation to or in any way in connection with
(a) any failure by Borrower to pay, punctually on the due date thereof, any
amount payable under this agreement, any Note, or any of the other Loan
Documents beyond the expiration of the period of grace (if any) applicable
thereto, or (b) the acceleration of the maturity of any of the Obligations, or
(c) any failure by any Borrower to perform or comply with any of the terms and
provisions of this Agreement, any Note or any of the other Loan Documents. Such
claims, demands, suits, actions, damages, losses, costs, expenses shall include,
without limitation (i) any costs incurred by Agent or any lender in carrying
funds to cover any overdue principal, overdue interest or any other overdue sums
payable by Borrower under this Agreement, any Note or any of the other Loan
Documents; (ii) any interest payable by Agent or any Lender in order to carry
the fund referred to in clause (i) of this SECTION 2.15; and (iii) any losses
(but excluding losses of anticipated profit) incurred or sustained by Agent or
any Lender in liquidating or re-employing funds acquired from third parties to
make, fund or maintain all or any part of the Loans.

                  2.16 STATEMENTS BY AGENT OR ANY LENDER. A certified statement
signed by an officer of Agent or any Lender setting forth any additional amount
required to be paid by Borrower to Agent or such Lender (together with
supporting documentation setting forth in reasonable detail an explanation of
the basis for requesting

                                      -29-



<PAGE>   36



payment of such amount), respectively, under SECTION 2.14 and 2.15 hereof shall
be submitted by Agent or such Lender to Borrower in connection with each demand
made at any time by Agent (with copies thereof delivered to each other Lender)
or such Lender under either of such Sections. A claim by Agent or any Lender for
all or any part of any additional amounts required to be paid by Borrower under
SECTION 2.14 and 2.15 hereof may be made before or after any payment to which
such claim relates. Each such statement shall, in the absence of manifest error,
constitute presumptive evidence of the additional amount required to be paid to
Agent or such Lender.

         2.17 BORROWING NOTICES; TELEPHONIC NOTICES. (a) All requests for draws,
advances, or disbursements of Loan proceeds shall be made by and on behalf of
Borrower in writing on a Borrowing Notice, or by Telephonic Notice. All
Telephonic Notices, must be followed by same day (which shall mean prior to 5:00
p.m., Cleveland, Ohio, time) written Borrowing Notice delivered to Agent via
facsimile. Borrowing Notices may be transmitted to Agent at its Head Office via
fax or telecopy, PROVIDED that Borrower immediately notifies Agent by telephone
of such transmission. Each Borrowing Notice for Base Rate Loans shall be
transmitted to and received by Agent, or each Telephonic Notice shall be
received by telephone by Agent, not later than 12:00 p.m. Cleveland, Ohio, time
not more than ten (10) Business Days nor less than one (1) Business Day before
the Borrowing Date of each Base Rate Loan and not more than ten (10) Business
Days nor less than three (3) Business Days before the Borrowing Date for each CD
Rate Loan or LIBOR Rate Loan. All Borrowing Notices shall be accompanied by such
documents, reports and other materials as may be reasonably necessary to enable
Agent (and each Lender) to confirm that the conditions precedent to the
disbursement of such requested Loan have been satisfied.

         (b) Agent shall notify Lenders promptly by telephone of its receipt of
Borrower's Borrowing Notice, but in no event shall Agent notify Lenders later
than 5:00 p.m. Cleveland time, on the day on which Agent actually receives the
applicable Borrowing Notice. In addition, Agent shall provide each Lender with a
copy of each such Borrowing Notice, together with all accompanying materials,
promptly upon Agent's receipt thereof, and shall in addition provide each Lender
with a statement showing Agent's calculation of its respective Pro Rata Share of
the Advance so requested. Each Lender will, upon receiving notice from Agent of
Borrower's Borrowing Notice, become and be obligated to place at the disposal of
Agent, not later than 10:00 a.m., Cleveland time, on the Borrowing Date set
forth on such Borrowing Notice, an aggregate amount in dollars equal to such
Lender's Pro Rata Share multiplied by the amount of the Advance requested. The
payment by each Lender of such aggregate amount shall be made to Agent at
Agent's Head Office in immediately available and freely transferrable funds.

                                      -30-



<PAGE>   37




          (c) Agent shall disburse the proceeds of each Loan to Borrower, in
immediately available funds not later than noon, Cleveland time, on the
Borrowing Date described therefor, provided that: (x) Borrower shall have
provided Agent with a Borrowing Notice for such Advance as and when provided
above; (y) all of the conditions precedent applicable to such Advance shall be
satisfied as at the Closing Date or such later Borrowing Date as may be
applicable to such Loan; and (z) each Lender shall fund the amount equal to its
Loan as provided in SECTION 2.17(b), above.

          2.18 NOTES; TELEPHONIC NOTICES. Each Lender is hereby authorized to
record the principal amount of each of its Loans and each repayment on the
schedule attached to its Note, provided, however, that the failure to so record
shall not affect Borrower's obligations under such Note. Borrower hereby
authorizes Lenders and Agent to extend, convert or continue Loans, effect
selections of Types of Advances and to transfer funds based on telephonic
notices made by any person or persons Agent or any Lender in good faith believes
to be acting on behalf of Borrower. Borrower agrees to deliver promptly to Agent
a written confirmation, if such confirmation is requested by Agent or any
Lender, of each telephonic notice signed by an Authorized Officer. If the
written confirmation differs in any material respect from the action taken by
Agent and Lenders, the records of Agent and Lenders shall govern absent manifest
error.

          2.19 LENDING INSTALLATIONS. Each Lender may book its Loans at any
Lending Installation selected by such Lender and may change its Lending
Installation from time to time. All terms of this Agreement shall apply to any
such Lending Installation and the Notes shall be deemed held by each Lender for
the benefit of such Lending Installation. Each Lender may, by written or telex
notice to Agent and Borrower, designate a Lending Installation through which
Loans will be made by it and for whose account Loan payments are to be made.

          2.20 NON-RECEIPT OF FUNDS BY AGENT. Unless Borrower or a Lender, as
the case may be, notifies Agent prior to the date on which it is scheduled to
make payment to Agent of (i) in the case of a Lender, the proceeds of a Loan or
(ii) in the case of Borrower, a payment of principal, interest or fees to Agent
for the account of Lenders, that it does not intend to make such payment, Agent
may assume that such payment has been made. Agent may, but shall not be
obligated to, make the amount of such payment available to the intended
recipient in reliance upon such assumption. If such Lender or Borrower, as the
case may be, has not in fact made such payment to Agent, the recipient of such
payment shall, on demand by Agent, repay to Agent the amount so made available
together with interest thereon in respect of each day during the period
commencing on the date such amount was so made available by Agent until the date
Agent recovers such amount at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of
payment by a Lender, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day or (ii) in

                                     -31-



<PAGE>   38




the case of payment by Borrower, the interest rate applicable to the relevant 
Loan.

          2.21 WITHHOLDING TAX EXEMPTION. At least five Business Days prior to
the first date on which interest or fees are payable hereunder for the account
of any Lender, each Lender that is not incorporated under the laws of the United
States of America, or a state thereof, agrees that it will deliver to each
Borrower and Agent two duly completed copies of United States Internal Revenue
Service Form 1001 or 4224, certifying in either case that such Lender is
entitled to receive payments under this Agreement and the Notes without
deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes. Each Lender
which so delivers a Form 1001 or 4224 further undertakes to deliver to each
Borrower and Agent two additional copies of such form (or a successor form) on
or before the date that such form expires (currently, three successive calendar
years for Form 1001 and one calendar year for Form 4224) or becomes obsolete or
after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent forms so
delivered by it, and such amendments thereto or extensions or renewals thereof
as may be reasonably requested by Borrower or Agent, in each case certifying
that such Lender is entitled to receive payments under this Agreement and the
Notes without deduction or withholding of any United States federal income
taxes, unless an event (including without limitation any change in treaty, law
or regulation) has occurred prior to the date on which any such delivery would
otherwise be required which renders all such forms inapplicable or which would
prevent such Lender from duly completing and delivering any such form with
respect to it and such Lender advises Borrower and Agent that it is not capable
of receiving payments without any deduction or withholding of United States
federal income tax.

                                  ARTICLE III

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

          3.1 INITIAL ADVANCE. Lenders shall not be required to make the Initial
Advance hereunder unless (a) Borrower has paid all fees due and payable to
Lenders and Agent hereunder, (b) the initial Borrowing Notice is delivered to
the Agent on or before August 6, 1996, (c) the proceeds of the Initial Advance
together with the net proceeds of the Debt Offering are sufficient to and are
used for the payoff and termination of the Existing Facilities, (d) the net
proceeds of the Debt Offering shall be equal to or greater than $147 million and
such proceeds have been received by Borrower (e) the consummation of the Debt
Offering shall have occurred on or before the date hereof, in accordance with
the terms and conditions of documents and instruments (the "Debt Offering
Documents") that have been reviewed and approved by Agent and Agent's counsel,
and (f) Borrower shall have furnished to Agent, with sufficient copies for
Lenders, the following:

                                     -32-



<PAGE>   39




  (i)  The duly executed originals of the Loan Documents, including the Notes,
       payable to the order of each of Lenders, and this Agreement and a
       Non-Borrowing and Non-Pledge Agreement executed by Maryland;

 (ii)  A certificate of good standing for Borrower and each of its Substantial
       Subsidiaries, certified by the appropriate governmental officer, and
       foreign qualification certificates, certified by the appropriate
       governmental officer, for each jurisdiction where the failure to so
       qualify or be licensed (if required) could reasonably be expected to
       result in a Material Adverse Change;

(iii)  Copies, certified by an officer of Borrower of each of the Borrower's
       formation documents (including by-laws or code of regulations), together
       with all amendments thereto;

 (iv)  An incumbency certificate, executed by an officer of Borrower and
       Maryland, which shall identify by name and title and bear the signature
       of the Persons authorized to sign the Loan Documents or the Non-Borrowing
       and Non-Pledge Agreement, as the case may be, and to make borrowings
       hereunder on behalf of Borrower, upon which certificate Agent and Lenders
       shall be entitled to rely until informed of any change in writing by
       Borrower or Maryland;

  (v)  Copies, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, of Borrower's
       and each Substantial Subsidiaries' Board of Directors' resolutions, other
       than Canada, which shall provide either a shareholder or Board of
       Directors resolution (and resolutions of other bodies, if any are deemed
       necessary by counsel for any Lender) authorizing, as the case may be, the
       Advances PROVIDED for herein and the execution, delivery and performance
       of the Loan Documents or the Non-Borrowing and Non- Pledge Agreement to
       be executed and delivered by Borrower and each Subsidiary hereunder;

 (vi)  A written opinion of Borrower's and Maryland's counsel, addressed to
       Lenders in substantially the form of EXHIBIT D and EXHIBIT E hereto;

(vii)  A certificate, signed by an officer of Borrower, stating that on the
       initial Borrowing Date no Default or Unmatured Default has occurred and
       is continuing and that all representations and warranties of Borrower are
       true and correct as of the initial Borrowing Date;

                                      -33-



<PAGE>   40




(viii)  The most recent financial statements of Borrower and a certificate from
        an officer of the Borrower stating that no material adverse change in
        the Borrower's financial condition has occurred since March 31, 1996;

  (ix)  UCC financing statement, judgment, and tax lien searches with respect to
        Borrower from the State of Ohio, from the state of Maryland with respect
        to Maryland and from the province of Ontario with respect to Canada;

   (x)  A certificate, signed by an officer of Borrower, stating that all
        judgments against Borrower have been satisfied, and that all liens or
        encumbrances on any Property of Borrower have been released, other than
        liens permitted pursuant to SECTION 5.15;

  (xi)  Written money transfer instructions, in substantially the form of
        Exhibit F hereto, addressed to Agent and signed by an Authorized
        Officer, together with such other related money transfer authorizations
        as Agent may have reasonably requested;

 (xii)  A copy of Borrower's final amendment to Form S-3 as filed with the
        United States Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the
        Debt Offering and any other documents or instruments relating thereto
        requested by Agent or any Lender, and a certificate of an Authorized
        Financial Officer stating that the Debt Offering has been consummated;

(xiii)  A copy of all documents and instruments executed by Borrower in
        connection with the SECT (the "SECT Documents"); and

 (xiv)  Such other documents as any Lender or its counsel may have reasonably
        requested, the form and substance of which documents shall be acceptable
        to the parties and their respective counsel.

        3.2 EACH ADVANCE.  Lenders shall not be required to make any Advance
unless on the applicable Borrowing Date:

   (i)  There exists no Default or Unmatured Default;

  (ii)  The representations and warranties contained in Article IV are true and
        correct in all material respects as of such Borrowing Date with respect
        to Borrower and to any Subsidiary in existence on such

                                     - 34 
<PAGE>   41




               Borrowing Date, except to the extent any such representation or
               warranty is stated to relate solely to an earlier date, in which
               case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in
               all material respects on and as of such earlier date;

         (iii) All legal matters incident to the making of such
               Advance shall be satisfactory to Lenders and their
               counsel; and

         (iv)  Borrower has provided to Lenders, Borrower's latest audited
               annual financial statement and unaudited partial year financial
               statement (all such financial statements to be prepared with the
               specified detail required in SECTION 5.1 hereof).

     Each Borrowing Notice with respect to each such Advance shall constitute a
representation and warranty by Borrower that the conditions contained in
SECTIONS 3.2(i) and (ii) have been satisfied.

                                  ARTICLE IV

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

     Borrower represents and warrants to Lenders that:

          4.1 EXISTENCE. The Borrower is a corporation duly organized and
validly existing under the laws of the State of Ohio, having its principal place
of business in Garfield Heights, Ohio; and Maryland is a corporation duly
organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Maryland, having
its principal place of business in Gaithersburg, Maryland; and each has all
requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its
business is conducted. Borrower's Subsidiaries are duly incorporated, or duly
formed, as the case may be, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of their jurisdiction of incorporation or formation and have all requisite
authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which their business
is conducted.

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

                                     -35-



<PAGE>   42




          4.3 NO CONFLICT, GOVERNMENT CONSENT. Neither the execution and
delivery by Borrower of the Loan Documents, nor the consummation of the
transactions therein contemplated, nor compliance with the provisions thereof
will violate any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction,
decree or award binding on Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Borrower' s or
any Subsidiary's articles of incorporation, bylaws or partnership agreement, or
the provisions of any material indenture, material instrument or material
agreement to which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or is subject,
or by which it, or its Property, is bound, or conflict with or constitute a
default thereunder, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien in, of
or on the Property of the Borrower or a Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of any
such indenture, instrument or agreement. No order, consent, approval, license,
authorization, or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or
exemption by, any governmental or public body or authority, or any subdivision
thereof, is required to authorize, or is required in connection with the
execution, delivery and performance of, or the legality, validity, binding
effect or enforceability of, any of the Loan Documents.

          4.4 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-- Material Adverse Change. The March 31, 1996
financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries heretofore delivered to
Lenders were prepared in accordance with GAAP in effect on the date such
statements were prepared and fairly present the financial condition and
operations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date and the consolidated
results of their operations for the period then ended. Since March 31, 1996
there has been no change in the business, Property, prospects, condition
(financial or otherwise) or results of operations of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Change.

          4.5 TAX. Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed all United States
federal tax returns and all other tax returns which are required to be filed and
have paid all taxes due pursuant to said returns or pursuant to any assessment
received by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries except such taxes, if any, as
are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been
provided. No tax liens have been filed and no claims are being asserted with
respect to any such taxes. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of
Borrower and its Subsidiaries in respect of any taxes or other governmental
charges are adequate.

          4.6  LITIGATION AND CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS.  There is no
litigation, arbitration, governmental investigation, proceeding or
inquiry: pending or, to the knowledge of any of its officers,
threatened against or affecting Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Change.  Borrower and its Subsidiaries have no material Contingent
Obligations  not  provided  for  or  disclosed  in  the  financial

                                     -36-



<PAGE>   43




statements referred to in SECTION 5.1 (including reports of the type referred to
in SECTION 5.1(ix)).

          4.7 SUBSIDIARIES. SCHEDULE 1 hereto contains an accurate list of all
of the presently existing Subsidiaries of Borrower setting forth their
respective jurisdictions of incorporation or formation, as the case may be, and
the percentage of their respective capital stock or partnership interests, as
the case may be, owned by Borrower or other Subsidiaries. All of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock or partnership interests, as the case may
be, of such Subsidiaries have been duly authorized and issued and are fully paid
and nonassessable.

          4.8 ERISA. The Unfunded Liabilities of all Single Employer Plans do
not in the aggregate exceed $1,000,000. Neither Borrower nor any other member of
the Controlled Group has incurred, or is reasonably expected to incur, any
withdrawal liability to Multiemployer Plans in excess of $250,000 in the
aggregate. Each Plan complies in all material respects with all applicable
requirements of law and regulations, no Reportable Event has occurred with
respect to any Plan, neither Borrower nor any other member of the Controlled
Group has withdrawn from any Plan or initiated steps to do so, and no steps have
been taken to reorganize or terminate any Plan.

          4.9 ACCURACY OF INFORMATION. All factual information heretofore or
contemporaneously furnished by or on behalf of Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries to Agent or any Lender for purposes of or in connection with this
Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby is, and all other such factual
information hereafter furnished by or on behalf of Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries to Agent or any Lender will be, true and accurate in all material
respects (taken as a whole) on the date as of which such information is dated or
certified and not incomplete by omitting to state any material fact necessary to
make such information (taken as a whole) not misleading at such time.

          4.10 REGULATION U.  Borrower does not hold any margin
stock (as defined in Regulation U).

          4.11 MATERIAL AGREEMENTS. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries
is a party to any agreement or instrument or subject to any charter or other
corporate restriction which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Change. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default in
the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants
or conditions contained in (i) any agreement to which it is a party, which
default could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change or
(ii) any agreement or instrument evidencing or governing Indebtedness.

          4.12 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Borrower and its Subsidiaries
have complied with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations,

                                     -37-



<PAGE>   44




orders and restrictions of any domestic or foreign government or any
instrumentality or agency thereof, having jurisdiction over the conduct of their
respective businesses, and ownership of their respective Property, the
non-compliance with which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Change. Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary has received any notice to
the effect that its operations are not in material compliance with any of the
requirements of applicable federal, state and local environmental, health and
safety statutes and regulations or the subject of any federal or state
investigation evaluating whether any remedial action is needed to respond to a
release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment, which
non-compliance or remedial action could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Change.

          4.13 OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTIES. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2
hereto, on the date of this Agreement, Borrower and its Subsidiaries will have
good title, free of all Liens other than those permitted by SECTION 5.15, to all
of the Property and assets reflected in the financial statements as owned by it.

          4.14 INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. Neither Borrower nor any of its  
Subsidiaries is an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an
"investment company", within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.

          4.15 PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT. Neither Borrower nor any of
its Subsidiaries is a "holding company" or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding
company", or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a "subsidiary company"
of a "holding company", within the meaning of the Public Utility Molding Company
Act of 1935, as amended.

          4.16 SOLVENCY. (i) Immediately after the Closing Date and immediately
following the making of each Loan and after giving effect to the application of
the proceeds of such Loans, (a) the fair value of the assets of Borrower
individually, and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, at
a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, subordinated,
contingent or otherwise, of Borrower individually, or Borrower and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as the case may be; (b) the present fair
saleable value of the Property of Borrower individually, and Borrower and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, will be greater than the amount that will
be required to pay the probable liability of Borrower individually, or Borrower
and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on their debts and other
liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other
liabilities become absolute and matured; (c) Borrower individually, and Borrower
and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and
liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and
liabilities become absolute and matured; and (d) Borrower individually, and
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated

                                     -38-



<PAGE>   45




basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the
businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and
are proposed to be conducted after the date hereof.

     (ii) Borrower does not intend to, or to permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
and does not believe that it or any of its Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond
its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing of
and amounts of cash to be received by Borrower or any such Subsidiary and the
timing of the amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness
or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.

          4.17 INSURANCE. Borrower and its Subsidiaries carry insurance on their
businesses with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, in such
amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily
carried by companies engaged in similar businesses in localities where Borrower
and its Subsidiaries operate, including, without limitation:

          (i)  Property and casualty insurance (including coverage for flood and
               other water damage for any Property located within a 100-year
               flood plain) in the amount of the replacement cost of the
               improvements at the Property;

          (ii) Comprehensive general liability insurance in the
               amount of $20,000,000 per occurrence.

          4.18 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Each of the following representations and
warranties is true and correct on and as of the Closing Date except to the
extent that the facts and circumstances giving rise to any such failure to be so
true and correct, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Change:

          (a) To the best knowledge of Borrower, the Property of Borrower and
     its Subsidiaries does not contain, and has not previously contained, any
     Materials of Environmental Concern in amounts or concentrations which
     constitute or constituted a violation of, or could reasonably give rise to
     liability under, Environmental Laws.

          (b) To the best knowledge of Borrower, the Property of Borrower and
     its Subsidiaries and all operations of such Property are in compliance, and
     have in the last two years been in compliance, with all applicable
     Environmental Laws, and there is no contamination at, under or about the
     Property of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, or violation of any
     Environmental Law with respect to the Property of Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries.

                                     -39-



<PAGE>   46




          (c) Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any
     notice of violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or
     potential liability regarding environmental matters or compliance with
     Environmental Laws with regard to any of their Property, nor does Borrower
     or its Subsidiaries have knowledge or reason to believe that any such
     notice will be received or is being threatened.

          (d) To the best knowledge of Borrower, Materials of Environmental
     Concern have not been transported or disposed of from any Property of
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries in violation of, or in a manner or to a
     location which could reasonably give rise to liability under, Environmental
     Laws, nor have any Materials of Environmental Concern been generated,
     treated, stored or disposed of at, on or under any of the Property of
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries in violation of, or in a manner that could
     give rise to liability under, any applicable Environmental Laws.

          (e) No judicial proceedings or governmental or administrative action
     is pending, or, to the knowledge of Borrower or its Subsidiaries,
     threatened, under any Environmental Law to which the Borrower or any of its
     Subsidiaries is or will be named as a party with respect to any Property of
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries nor are there any consent decrees or other
     decrees, consent orders, administrative order or other orders, or other
     administrative of judicial requirements outstanding under any Environmental
     Law with respect to any Property of Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

          (f) To the best knowledge of Borrower, there has been no release or
     threat of release of Materials of Environmental Concern at or from any
     Property of Borrower or its Subsidiaries, or arising from or related to the
     operations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with any Property
     in violation of or in amounts or in a manner that could give rise to
     liability under Environmental Laws.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                   COVENANTS
                                   ---------

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

          5.1  FINANCIAL REPORTING.  Borrower will maintain, for
itself and each Subsidiary, a system of accounting established and
administered in accordance with GAAP, and furnish to Lenders:

                                     -40-



<PAGE>   47




   (i) As soon as available, but in any event not later than 45 days after
       the close of each fiscal quarter, for the Borrower and its
       Subsidiaries, an unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance
       sheet as of the close of each such period and the related unaudited
       consolidated and consolidating statements of income and retained
       earnings for such period and the portion of the fiscal year through
       the end of such period and of year to date cash flows of the Borrower
       and its Subsidiaries, all certified by an Authorized Financial
       Officer;

  (ii) As soon as available, but in any event not later than 45 days after the
       close of each fiscal quarter, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
       related reports in form and substance satisfactory to Lenders, all
       certified by the Borrower's Authorized Financial Officer, a statement
       detailing Consolidated Outstanding Indebtedness;

 (iii) As soon as available, but in any event not later than 90 days after
       the close of each fiscal year, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
       (i) audited financial statements, including a consolidated balance
       sheet as at the end of such year and the related consolidated
       statements of income and retained earnings and of cash flows for such
       year, setting forth in' comparative form the figures for the previous
       year, reported on without a "going concern" or like qualification or
       exception, by Ernst & Young, LLP (or other independent certified
       public accountants of nationally recognized standing acceptable to
       (Agent), and (ii) unaudited financial statements, including a
       consolidating balance sheet as at the end of such year and the related
       consolidating statements of income and retained earnings and of cash
       flow for such year;

 (iv)  As soon as available, but in any event not later than 90 days after the
       close of each fiscal year, for Borrower and its Subsidiaries, the
       following related reports in form and substance satisfactory to Lenders,
       all certified by the entity's Authorized Financial Officer: a statement
       of Consolidated Outstanding Indebtedness;

  (v)  Together with the quarterly and annual financial statements required
       hereunder, a compliance certificate in substantially the form of EXHIBIT
       G hereto signed by an Authorized Officer showing the calculations and
       computations necessary to determine compliance with the financial
       covenants set forth in this Agreement and stating that no

                                      -41-



<PAGE>   48




               Default or Unmatured Default exists, or if any Default or
               Unmatured Default exists, stating the nature and status thereof;

          (vi) As soon as possible and in any event within 10 days after
               Borrower knows that any Report able Event has occurred with
               respect to any Plan, a statement, signed by an Authorized
               Financial Officer of Borrower, describing said Reportable Event
               and the action which Borrower proposes to take with respect
               thereto;

         (vii) As soon as possible and in any event within 10 days after receipt
               by Borrower, a copy of (a) any notice or claim to the effect that
               Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is or may be liable to any
               Person as a result of the release by any Borrower, any of its
               Subsidiaries, or any other Person of any toxic or hazardous waste
               or substance into the environment, which could reasonably be
               expected to result in a Material Adverse Change and (b) any
               notice alleging any violation of any federal, state or local
               environmental, health or safety law or regulation by Borrower or
               any of its Subsidiaries, which, in either case, could reasonably
               be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change;

       (viii)  Promptly upon the furnishing thereof to the shareholders of
               Borrower, copies of all financial statements, reports and proxy
               statements so furnished;

         (ix)  Within three (3) business days after due to the SEC, copies of
               all registration statements and annual, quarterly, monthly or
               other reports and any other public information which Borrower or
               any of its Subsidiaries files with the Securities Exchange
               Commission; and

          (x)  Such other information (including, without limitation, financial
               statements for Borrower and nonfinancial information) as Agent
               may from time to time reasonably request.

          5.2 PROHIBITED USES OF PROCEEDS. Borrower will not nor will it permit
any Subsidiary to, use any of the proceeds of the Advances (i) to purchase or
carry any "margin stock" (as defined in Regulation U), or (ii) for any purpose
that shall be a violation of Regulation U, or regulations G, T and X of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or for any other purpose
violative of any rule or regulation of such Board.

                                     -42-



<PAGE>   49




          5.3 NOTICE OF DEFAULT. Borrower will give, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to give, notice in writing to Lenders of the occurrence of any
Default or Unmatured Default and of any other development, financial or
otherwise, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Change, promptly upon (but in no event later then ten (10) Business Days after)
such occurrence or development.

          5.4 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. Borrower will do, and will cause its
Subsidiaries to do, all things necessary to remain duly incorporated or duly
qualified, validly existing and in good standing as a corporation, general
partnership, limited partnership or limited liability company, as the case may
be, in its jurisdiction of incorporation/formation and maintain all requisite
authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is
conducted and to carry on and conduct its business in substantially the same
manner as it is presently conducted and, specifically, neither Borrower nor its
Subsidiaries may undertake any significant business other than the manufacture
or distribution of industrial and consumer electronic products or related
consulting or support services.

          5.5 TAXES. Borrower will pay, and will cause its Subsidiaries to pay,
when due all taxes, assessments and governmental charges and levies upon it of
its income, profits or Property, except those which are being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves
have been set aside.

          5.6 INSURANCE. Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to,
maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in
such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily
carried by companies engaged in similar businesses in localities where Borrower
and its Subsidiaries operate, including, without limitation:

          (i)  Property and casualty insurance (including coverage for flood and
               other water damage for any Property located within a 100-year
               flood plain) in the amount of the replacement cost of the
               improvements at the Property; and

          (ii) Comprehensive general liability insurance in the
               amount of $20,000,000 per occurrence.

          5.7 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations, orders, writs,
judgments, injunctions, decrees or awards to which it may be subject, the
non-compliance with which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Change.

                                     -43-



<PAGE>   50




          5.8 MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES. Except as permitted pursuant to SECTION
5.11 of this Agreement, Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, do
all things necessary to maintain, preserve, protect and keep its Property in
good repair, working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and
make all necessary and proper repairs, renewals and replacements so that its
business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all
times.

          5.9 INSPECTION. Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to,
permit Agent and each Lender, by its respective representatives and agents, to
inspect any Property, corporate books and financial records of Borrower and each
of its Subsidiaries, to examine and make copies of the books of accounts and
other financial records of Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, and to discuss
the affairs, finances and accounts of Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, and
to be advised as to the same by their respective officers at such reasonable
times and intervals as Agent may designate (provided, however, that any
inspection by a Lender shall be arranged by Agent).

          5.10 MAINTENANCE OF STATUS. Borrower shall remain a corporation
validly existing and in good standing in the state of its incorporation and the
Borrower shall at all times remain a corporation listed and in good standing on
NASDAQ or other national securities exchange. The Borrower shall not permit a
Change in Control of Borrower.

          5.11 MERGER; SALE OF ASSETS. Other than the Transfer of Assets in
connection with the Corporate Reorganization, Borrower will not, nor will it
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any merger, consolidation,
reorganization or liquidation or transfer or otherwise dispose of a Substantial
Portion of its Property or business, unless approved in advance by Lenders.

          5.12 DELIVERY OF NON-BORROWING AND NON-PLEDGE AGREEMENT.
Within sixty (60) days of the Closing Date, Borrower shall cause Canada to
deliver a Non-Borrowing and Non-Pledge Agreement (together with such documents
as Lenders shall reasonably request, including, but not limited to, documents of
the type described in SECTION 3.1) . Borrower shall deliver to Agent all
documents or instruments executed in connection with the formation of Illinois,
Minnesota or the Limited Partnership (the "CORPORATE REORGANIZATION DOCUMENTS").
After the earlier to occur of the following: (i) ten (10) days following
Borrower's acquisition of a Substantial Subsidiary or (ii) the completion of the
Corporate Reorganization, Borrower shall cause such Substantial Subsidiary to
execute and deliver to Lenders' a Non-Borrowing and Non-Pledge Agreement and an
updated Schedule 1 initialed by Borrower for identification (together with such
other documents as Lenders shall reasonably request, including, but not limited
to, documents of the type described in SECTION 3.1). The Non-Borrowing and
Non-Pledge

                                      -44-



<PAGE>   51




Agreement and such other documents each shall be in form and substance
satisfactory to Lenders.

          5.13 SALE AND LEASEBACK. Borrower will not, nor will it permit its
Subsidiaries to, sell or transfer all or a Substantial Portion of its Property
in order to concurrently or subsequently lease as lessee such or similar
Properties.

          5.14 ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS. Borrower will not, nor will it
permit any Subsidiary to, make or suffer to exist any Investments, or
commitments therefor, or create any Subsidiary (other than Illinois, Minnesota
and the Limited Partnership) or become or remain a partner in any partnership or
joint venture, or make any Acquisition of any Person, except:

          (i)  Cash Equivalents;

          (ii) up to $10,800,000 investment in Canada, other existing
               Investments in Subsidiaries and joint ventures, and other
               Investments in existence on the date hereof and described in
               Schedule "1" hereto;

         (iii) acquisitions permitted pursuant to SECTION 5.27; and

          (iv) investments and loans permitted under SECTION 5.26.

          5.15 LIENS. Borrower twill not, nor will it permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, create, incur, or suffer to exist any Lien in, of or on any
Property of it or any of its Subsidiaries, except:

          (i)  with  respect  to  Property  consisting  of  real
               property under the laws of the state where such
               Property is located,  any tax lien, or any lien
               securing  workers'  compensation  or  unemployment
               insurance obligations, or any mechanic's, carrier's
               or landlord's  lien,  or any lien arising under
               ERISA,  or  any  security  interest  arising under
               article four  (bank deposits and collections)  or
               five (letters or credit) of the Uniform Commercial
               Code,  or  any  security  interest  or  other  lien
               similar to the foregoing, EXCEPT that this clause
               (i) shall apply only to (A) the extent that the
               aggregate of such liens on a consolidated basis
               does  not  exceed  $1,000,000,  and  (B)  security
               interests and other liens arising by operation of
               law (whether statutory or common law) and in the
               ordinary course of business and shall not apply to
               any security interest or other lien that secures
               any  Indebtedness  for  Borrowed  Money  or  any
               Contingent Obligation or any obligation that is in
               material default in any manner  (other than any
               default  contested in good faith by timely and

                                     -45-



<PAGE>   52




                    appropriate proceedings effective to stay enforcement of the
                    security interest or other lien in question);

          (ii)      zoning or deed restrictions, public utility easements, minor
                    title irregularities and similar matters having no adverse
                    effect as a practical matter on the ownership or use of any
                    of the properties or interfere with use thereof in the
                    business of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries;

          (iii)     with respect to Property consisting of real property under
                    the laws of the state where such Property is located, any
                    lien securing or given in lieu of surety, stay, appeal or
                    performance bonds, or securing performance of contracts or
                    bids (other than contracts for the payment of money
                    borrowed), or deposits required by law or governmental
                    regulations or by any court order, decree, judgment or rule
                    or as a condition to the transaction of business or the
                    exercise of any right, privilege or license, EXCEPT that
                    this clause (iii) shall not apply to (A) the extent that the
                    aggregate of such liens on a consolidated basis exceeds
                    $1,000,000, and (B) any lien or deposit securing any
                    obligation that is in material default in any manner (other
                    than any default contested in good faith by timely and
                    appropriate proceedings effective to stay enforcement of the
                    security interest or than lien in question);

          (iv)      any mortgage, security, interest or other lien (each a
                    "PURCHASE MONEY SECURITY INTEREST") which is created or
                    assumed in purchasing, constructing or improving any real
                    property or equipment to which any property is subject when
                    purchased, PROVIDED, that (A) the Purchase Money Security
                    Interest shall be confined to the aforesaid property, (B)
                    the indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the total
                    cost of the purchase, construction or improvement and (C)
                    any such indebtedness, if repaid in whole or in part, cannot
                    be reborrowed;

          (v)       any lease other than any Capitalized Lease (it being agreed
                    that a Capitalized Lease is a lien rather than a lease for
                    the purposes of this Agreement) so long as the aggregate
                    annual rentals of all such leases do not exceed Ten Million
                    Dollars ($10,000,000) on a consolidated basis,

                                      -46-



<PAGE>   53




          (vi)      any financing statement perfecting a security interest that
                    would be permissible under this subsection; and

          (vii)     liens existing on the date hereof and described on SCHEDULE
                    2 hereof.

Liens permitted pursuant to this SECTION 5.15 shall be deemed to be "PERMITTED
LIENS".

          5.16 AFFILIATES. Except as permitted pursuant to SECTION 5.2, SECTION
5.11 or SECTION 5.14 Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction (including, without limitation, the
purchase or sale of any Property or service) with, or make any payment or
transfer to, any Affiliate except in the ordinary course of business and
pursuant to the reasonable requirements of Borrower or such Subsidiary's
business and upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to that Borrower
or such Subsidiary than that Borrower or such Subsidiary would obtain in a
comparable arm's-length transaction.

          5.17 ADDITIONAL INDEBTEDNESS AND FINANCIAL UNDERTAKINGS. Borrower will
not enter into or remain liable upon, any Financial Undertaking, nor will
Borrower incur Indebtedness for Borrowed Money (other than Indebtedness for
Borrowed Money which is incurred under this Agreement, the Additional
Facilities, the Debt Offering or that consists of interest rate exchange
agreements or interest rate option agreements, that in the aggregate, at any
time, do not create an Aggregate Measured Credit Risk in excess of $7,500,000).
Borrower will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter into or remain liable
upon, any Financial Undertaking, nor will Borrower permit any of its
Subsidiaries to incur Indebtedness for Borrowed Money (other than loans made by
the Borrower and permitted by SECTION 5.26, and current Indebtedness for
Borrowed Money as described on Schedule 6 hereto).

          5.18 LITIGATION. Borrower shall furnish or cause to be furnished to
Agent, promptly (and, in any event, within five (5) Business Days) after any
Borrower or its Subsidiaries shall have first become aware of the same, a
written notice setting forth full particulars of and what action Borrower or its
Subsidiaries is taking or proposes to take with respect to (a) any final
judgment in an amount exceeding One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) rendered
against Borrower or any Affiliate of Borrower; (b) the commencement or
institution of any legal or administrative action, suit, proceeding or
investigation by or against Borrower in or before any court, governmental or
regulatory body, agency, commission, or official, board of arbitration or
arbitrator, the outcome of which could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Change; or (c) the occurrence of any adverse development not
previously disclosed by Borrower to Agent in writing, in any such action, suit,
proceeding or investigation.

                                     -47-



<PAGE>   54




          5.19 FURTHER ASSURANCES. Borrower will execute, acknowledge and
deliver, or cause to be executed, acknowledged and delivered, any and all such
further assurances and other agreements or instruments, and take or cause to be
taken all such other action, as shall be reasonably requested by Agent from time
to time in order to give full force and effect to the Loan Documents.

          5.20 CURRENT RATIO.  Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated 
basis, shall maintain, at all times, a Current Ratio in excess of 1.7 to 1.

          5.21 CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE NET WORTH; TANGIBLE NET WORTH. Borrower and
its Subsidiaries shall have a Consolidated Tangible Net Worth of not less than
$95,000,000 at Closing. Thereafter, Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall
maintain, at all times, a Consolidated Tangible Net Worth equal to $95,000,000
plus (i) 100% of the net proceeds to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any
equity offering; (ii) 100% of the net proceeds to Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries of the SECT; and a minimum of 75% of positive Consolidated Net
Income, if any, per calendar quarter thereafter; provided, however, that no
adjustments shall be made as a consequence of any loss. Borrower shall have a
Tangible Net Worth of not less than $95,000,000 at Closing. Thereafter, Borrower
shall maintain, at all times, a Tangible Net Worth equal to $95,000,000 plus (i)
100% of the net proceeds to Borrower of any equity offering; (ii) 100% of the
net proceeds to Borrower of the SECT; and a minimum of 75% of positive Net
Income, if any, per calendar quarter thereafter; provided, however, that no
adjustments shall be made as a consequence of any loss.

          5.22 WORKING CAPITAL. Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated
basis, shall have maintained Working Capital of $175,000,000 as of March 31,
1996, and shall maintain as of March 31, 1997, and at all times thereafter,
Working Capital of $190,000,000.

          5.23 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Capital Expenditures for Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, shall not exceed $30,000,000 for
Borrower's and its Subsidiaries' fiscal year ending March 31, 1997, and each
year thereafter.

          5.24 LEVERAGE RATIO. The Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 4.75 to 1.00
at any time during the period commencing on the Closing Date, and ending on
March 31, 1997, 4.25 to 1.00 at any time during the period commencing April 1,
1997, and ending on March 31, 1998, and 3.00 to 1.00 at any time during the
period commencing on April 1, 1998, and thereafter.

          5.25 CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO; FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE
RATIO. Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall maintain a Consolidated Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio of no less than 2.0x to 1.0 on and after the Closing Date, and on
the last calendar day of each fiscal quarter thereafter, until the Facility
Termination

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<PAGE>   55




Date. Borrower shall maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 1.25x to 1.0,
commencing September 30 1996, and on the last calendar day of each fiscal
quarter thereafter, until the Facility Termination Date.

          5.26 INVESTMENT AND LOAN LIMIT. Neither the Borrower, nor any of its
Subsidiaries, together or individually, directly or indirectly, in any instance
or in the aggregate over time may: (a) invest in any manner more than
$10,800,000 in Canada, or (b) loan more than an aggregate principal amount of:
(i) $25,000,000 to Canada; (ii) $75,000,000 to Limited Partnership; (iii)
$15,000,000 to Minnesota; (iv) $10,000,000 to Illinois; (v) $55,000,000 to
Maryland; and (vi) $1,000,000 to FSC.

          5.27 ACQUISITION LIMIT. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries
shall fund the Acquisitions of Persons, or offer for, any Capital Stock of
Persons, to the extent the aggregate consideration (including contingent
consideration) of all such Acquisitions made after the Closing Date and until
the Facility Termination Date would exceed $2,000,000.

          5.28 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall:

          (a) Conduct and complete all investigations, studies, sampling and
     testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under
     Environmental Laws and promptly comply in all material respects with all
     lawful orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding
     Environmental Laws, except to the extent that (i) the same are being
     contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and the pendency of such
     proceedings could not be reasonably expected to result in a Material
     Adverse Change, or (ii) that Borrower has determined in good faith that
     contesting the same is not in the best interests of Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries and the failure to contest the same could not be reasonably
     expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

          (b) Defend, indemnify and hold harmless Agent and each Lender, and
     their respective employees, agents, officers and directors from and against
     any claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages,
     costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature known or unknown, contingent
     or otherwise, arising out of, or in any way relating to the violation of,
     noncompliance with or liability under any Environmental Laws applicable to
     the operations of Borrower, its Subsidiaries or its Property, or any
     orders, requirements or demands of Governmental Authorities related
     thereto, including, without limitation, attorney's and consultant's fees,
     investigation and laboratory fees, response costs, court costs and
     litigation expenses, except to the extent that any of the foregoing arise
     out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party seeking
     indemnification therefor.

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<PAGE>   56




     This indemnity shall continue in full force and effect regardless of the
     termination of this Agreement.

          5.29 SUBSIDIARIES TANGIBLE NET WORTH. Each Substantial Subsidiary of
Borrower, shall at all times maintain a Tangible Net Worth equal to or greater
than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), provided, however, with respect to Canada
the covenants of this SECTION 5.29 shall apply as of September 30, 1996, and
thereafter.

          5.30 TANGIBLE ASSETS; ASSETS. As of the Closing Date, and at all times
thereafter, Borrower's Tangible Assets shall be equal to or greater than
forty-six (46%) percent of the Borrower's Assets, based on equity method of
accounting.

                                  ARTICLE VI

                                   DEFAULTS
                                   --------

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

          6.1 NONPAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL. Nonpayment of any principal payment on 
any Note when due.

          6.2 NONPAYMENT OF OTHER OBLIGATIONS. Nonpayment of interest upon any
Note or of any Commitment Fee or other payment Obligations under any of the Loan
Documents within three (3) Business Days after the same becomes due.

          6.3 CERTAIN BREACHES. The breach of any of the terms or provisions of
SECTIONS 5.2, 5.6, 5.7 and 5.9 through 5.28, or the breach by any Substantial
Subsidiary of its Non-Borrowing and Non-Pledge Agreement.

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

          6.5 OTHER BREACHES. The breach by any Borrower (other than a breach
which constitutes a Default under any other section of this ARTICLE VI) which
constitutes a Default under any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement
which is not remedied within fifteen (15) days after written notice from Agent
or any Lender.

          6.6  DEFAULTS ON INDEBTEDNESS.  Failure of Borrower or any of its 
Subsidiaries to pay any of its respective Indebtedness when due; or the default
by Borrower or any of its subsidiaries in the performance of any term, provision
or condition contained in

                                    -50-



<PAGE>   57




any agreement, or any other event shall occur or condition exist which causes or
permits any Indebtedness of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to be due and
payable or required to be prepaid (other than by a regularly scheduled payment)
prior to the stated maturity thereof; provided, however, that it shall not be a
default under this SECTION 6.6 if Borrower shall be in default with respect to
Indebtedness arising from Indebtedness other than Indebtedness for Borrowed
Money in an aggregate amount not exceeding One Million Dollars ($1,000,000).

          6.7 BANKRUPTCY, ETC. Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i)
have an order for relief entered with respect to it under the Federal bankruptcy
laws as now or hereafter in effect, (ii) make an assignment for the benefit of
creditors, (iii) apply for, seek, consent to, or acquiesce in, the appointment
of a receiver, custodian, trustee, examiner, liquidator or similar official for
it or any of its Property, (iv) institute any proceeding for an order for relief
under the Federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter in effect or to adjudicate
it as a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking dissolution, winding up, liquidation,
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of it or its debts under
any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of
debtors or fail to file an answer or other pleading denying the material
allegations of any such proceeding filed against it, (v) take any corporate
action to authorize or effect any of the foregoing actions set forth in this
SECTION 6.7, (vi) fail to contest in good faith any appointment or proceeding
described in SECTION 6.8 or (vii) not pay, or admit in writing its inability to
pay, its debts generally as they become due.

          6.8 APPOINTMENT OF RECEIVER. A receiver, trustee, examiner, liquidator
or similar official shall be appointed for Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
or any of their respective Property, or a proceeding described in SECTION
6.7(iv) shall be instituted against Borrower or any Subsidiary and such
appointment continues undischarged or such proceeding continues undismissed or
unstayed for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days.

          6.9 CONDEMNATION. Any court, government or governmental agency shall
condemn, seize or otherwise appropriate, or take custody or control of (each a
"CONDEMNATION"), all or any portion of the Property of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries which, when taken together with all other Property of such Person
so condemned, seized, appropriated, or taken custody or control of, during the
twelve-month period ending with the month in which any such Condemnation occurs,
could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change on Borrower
or Subsidiary.

          6.10 JUDGMENTS. Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail within
sixty (60) days to pay, bond or otherwise discharge any judgments or orders for
the payment of money in an amount which, when added to all other judgments or
orders

                                     -51-



<PAGE>   58




outstanding against Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries would exceed $1,000,000
in the aggregate, which have not been stayed on appeal or otherwise
appropriately contested in good faith.

          6.11 ERISA WITHDRAWAL. Borrower or any other member of the Controlled
Group shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that it
has incurred withdrawal liability to such Multiemployer Plan in an amount which,
when aggregated with all other amounts required to be paid to Multiemployer
Plans by Borrower or any other member of the Controlled Group as withdrawal
liability (determined as of the date of such notification), exceeds $250,000 or
requires payments exceeding $100,000 per annum.

          6.12 ERISA REORGANIZATION. Borrower or any other member of the
Controlled Group shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan
that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or is being terminated, within
the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, if as a result of such reorganization or
termination the aggregate annual contributions of Borrower and the other members
of the Controlled Group (taken as a whole) to all Multiemployer Plans which are
then in reorganization or being terminated have been or will be increased over
the amounts contributed to such Multiemployer Plans for the respective plan
years of each such Multiemployer Plan immediately preceding the plan year in
which the reorganization or termination occurs by an amount exceeding $250,000.

          6.13 OTHER DEFAULTS. The occurrence of any default under any Loan
Document or the breach of any of the terms or provisions of any Loan Document,
which default or breach continues beyond any period of grace therein provided.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                  ACCELERATION, WAIVERS, AMENDMENTS AND REMEDIES
                  ----------------------------------------------

          7.1 ACCELERATION. If any Default described in SECTION 6.7 or 6.8
occurs with respect to Borrower, the obligations of Lenders to make Loans
hereunder shall automatically terminate and the Obligations shall immediately
become due and payable without any election or action on the part of Agent or
any Lender. If any other Default occurs, the Agent may, with the concurrence of
the Required Lenders, terminate or suspend the obligations of Lenders to make
Loans hereunder, or declare the Obligations to be due and payable or both,
whereupon the Obligations shall become immediately due and payable, without
presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which Borrower hereby
expressly waives.

     If, within ten (10) days after acceleration of the maturity of the
Obligations or termination of the obligations of Lenders to make Loans hereunder
as a result of any Default (other than any

                                    -52-



<PAGE>   59




Default as described in SECTION 6.7 or 6.8 with respect to any Borrower) and
before any judgment or decree for the payment of the Obligations due shall have
been obtained or entered, each Lender (in their sole discretion) shall so
direct, Agent shall, by notice to Borrower, rescind and annul such acceleration
and/or termination.

          7.2 AMENDMENTS & WAIVERS. Subject to the provisions of this Article
VII, the Required Lenders (or Agent with the consent in writing of Lenders) and
Borrower may enter into agreements and waivers supplemental hereto for the
purpose of adding or modifying any provisions to the Loan Documents or changing
in any manner the rights of Lenders or Borrower hereunder or waiving any Default
hereunder; provided, however, that no such supplemental agreement or waiver
shall, without the consent of each Lender affected thereby:

          (i)  Extend the Facility Termination Date or forgive all or any
               portion of the principal amount of any Loan or accrued interest
               thereon or the Commitment Fee, reduce the Applicable Margins or
               the underlying interest rate options or extend the time of
               payment of such interest or Commitment Fees.

          (ii) Release any Substantial Subsidiary from its Non-
               Borrowing and Non-Pledge Agreement.

         (iii) Increase the amount of the Commitment of any Lender
               hereunder.

          (iv) Permit Borrower to assign its rights under this
               Agreement.

          (v)  Amend this SECTION 7.2.

No amendment of any provision of this Agreement relating to Agent shall be
effective without the written consent of Agent.

          7.3 PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS. No delay or omission of Lenders or Agent
to exercise any right under the Loan Documents shall impair such right or be
construed to be a waiver of any Default or an acquiescence therein, and the
making of a Loan notwithstanding the existence of a Default or the inability of
Borrower to satisfy the conditions precedent to such Loan shall not constitute
any waiver or acquiescence. Any single or partial exercise of any such right
shall not preclude other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right, and no waiver, amendment or other variation of the terms,
conditions or provisions of the Loan Documents whatsoever shall be valid unless
in writing signed by Lenders required pursuant to SECTION 7.2, and then only to
the extent in such writing specifically set forth. All remedies contained in the
Loan Documents or by law afforded shall be

                                     -53-



<PAGE>   60




cumulative and all shall be available to Agent and Lenders jointly until the
Obligations have been paid in full.

                                 ARTICLE VIII

                             GENERAL PROVISIONS
                             ------------------

          8.1 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS. All representations and warranties of
Borrower contained in this Agreement shall survive delivery of the Notes and the
making of the Loans herein contemplated.

          8.2 GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION. Anything contained in this Agreement to
the contrary notwithstanding, no Lender shall be obligated to extend credit to
Borrower in violation of any limitation or prohibition provided by any
applicable statute or regulation.

          8.3 TAX. Any taxes (excluding federal income taxes on the overall net
income of any Lender and taxes resulting from a Lenders failure to comply with
SECTION 2.21) or other similar assessments or charges made by any governmental
or revenue authority in respect of the Loan Documents shall be paid by Borrower,
together with interest and penalties, if any.

          8.4 HEADING. Section headings in the Loan Documents are for
convenience of reference only, and shall not govern the interpretation of any of
the provisions of the Loan Documents.

          8.5 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The Loan Documents embody the entire agreement
and understanding among Borrower, Agent and Lenders and supersede all prior
commitments, agreements and understandings among Borrower, Agent and Lenders
relating to the subject matter thereof.

          8.6 SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS BENEFITS OF THIS AGREEMENT. The respective
obligations of Lenders hereunder are several and not joint and no Lender shall
be the partner or agent of any other (except to the extent to which Agent is
authorized to act as such). The failure of any Lender to perform any of its
obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender from any of its
obligations hereunder. This Agreement shall not be construed so as to confer any
right or benefit upon any Person other than the parties to this Agreement and
their respective successors and assigns.

          8.7 EXPENSES; INDEMNIFICATION. Borrower shall reimburse Agent for any
costs, internal charges and out-of-pocket expenses (including, without
limitation, all expenses of Agent's due diligence investigation of Borrower,
syndication expenses, travel expenses, reasonable fees for consultants and fees
and reasonable expenses for attorneys for Agent, which attorneys may be
employees

                                    -54-



<PAGE>   61




of Agent) paid or incurred by Agent in connection with the amendment,
modification, and administration of the Loan Documents. Borrower also agrees to
reimburse Agent and Lenders for any costs, internal charges and out-of-pocket
expenses (including, without limitation, all fees and reasonable expenses for
attorneys for Agent and Lenders, which attorneys may be employees of Agent or
Lenders) paid or incurred by Agent or any Lender in connection with the
collection and enforcement of the Loan Documents (including, without limitation,
any workout). Borrower further agrees to indemnify Agent and each Lender, its
directors, officers and employees against all losses, claims, damages,
penalties, judgments, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation,
all expenses of litigation or preparation there for whether or not Agent or any
Lender is a party thereto) which any of them may pay or incur arising out of or
relating to this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, any Property, the
transactions contemplated hereby or the direct or indirect application or
proposed application of the proceeds of any Loan hereunder. The obligations of
Borrower under this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

          8.8 NUMBERS. All statements, notices, closing documents, and requests
hereunder shall be furnished to Agent with sufficient counterparts so that Agent
may furnish one to each of Lenders.

          8.9 ACCOUNTING. Except as provided to the contrary herein, all
accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted and all accounting
determinations hereunder shall be made in accordance with GAAP, except that any
calculation or determination which is to be made on a consolidated basis shall
be made for Borrower and all its Subsidiaries, including those Subsidiaries, if
any, which are unconsolidated on Borrower's official financial statements.

          8.10 SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS. Any provision in any Loan Document
that is held to be inoperative, unenforceable, or invalid in any jurisdiction
shall, as to that jurisdiction, be inoperative, unenforceable, or invalid
without affecting the remaining provisions in that jurisdiction or the
operation, enforceability, or validity of that provision in any other
jurisdiction, and to this end the provisions of all Loan Documents are declared
to be severable.

          8.11 NONLIABILITY OF LENDERS. The relationship between Borrower, on
the one hand, and Lenders and Agent, on the other, shall be solely that of
borrower and lender. Neither Agent nor any Lender shall have any fiduciary
responsibilities to Borrower. Neither Agent nor any Lender undertakes any
responsibility to Borrower to review or inform Borrower of any matter in
connection with any phase of any Borrower's business or operations.

          8.12 CHOICE OF LAW.  THE LOAN DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN THOSE
CONTAINING A CONTRARY EXPRESS CHOICE OF LAW PROVISION) SHALL BE
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS (AND NOT THE LAW OF

                                     -55-



<PAGE>   62




CONFLICTS) OF THE STATE OF OHIO, BUT GIVING EFFECT TO FEDERAL LAWS APPLICABLE TO
NATIONAL BANKS.

          8.13 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO
THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR OHIO STATE COURT
SITTING IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENTS AND BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ALL
CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN
ANY SUCH COURT AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE
AS TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT
OR THAT SUCH COURT IS AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL IMPAIR THE
RIGHT OF AGENT OR ANY LENDER TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST BORROWER IN THE COURTS
OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BY BORROWER AGAINST AGENT OR
ANY LENDER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF Agent OR ANY LENDER INVOLVING, DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY, ANY MATTER IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO, OR CONNECTED WITH
ANY LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL BE BROUGHT ONLY IN A COURT IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO.

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

                                  ARTICLE IX

                                     AGENT
                                     -----

          9. 1 APPOINTMENT. National City Bank is hereby appointed Agent
hereunder and under each other Loan Document, and each of Lenders irrevocably
authorizes Agent to act as the agent of such Lender. Agent agrees to act as such
upon the express conditions contained in this Article IX. Agent shall not have a
fiduciary relationship in respect of Borrower or any Lender by reason of this
Agreement.

          9.2 POWERS. Agent shall have and may exercise such powers under the
Loan Documents as are specifically delegated to Agent by the terms of each
thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Agent
shall have no implied duties to Lenders, or any obligation to Lenders to take
any action thereunder except any action specifically provided by the Loan
Documents to be taken by Agent.

          9.3  GENERAL IMMUNITY. Neither Agent nor any of its directors,
officers,  agents or employees  shall be  liable to Borrower, Lenders or any
Lender for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them hereunder or
under any other Loan Document

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<PAGE>   63




or in connection herewith or therewith except for its or their own gross
negligence or willful misconduct.

          9.4 NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOANS, RECITALS, ETC. Neither Agent nor any
of its directors, officers, agents or employees shall be responsible for or have
any duty to ascertain, inquire into, or verify (i) any statement, warranty or
representation made in connection with any Loan Document or any borrowing
hereunder; (ii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants or
agreements of any obligor under any Loan Document, including, without
limitation, any agreement by an obligor to furnish information directly to each
Lender; (iii) the satisfaction of any condition specified in ARTICLE IV, except
receipt of items required to be delivered to Agent; (iv) the validity,
effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other instrument or
writing furnished in connection therewith; or (v) the value, sufficiency,
creation, perfection or priority of any interest in any collateral security.
Agent shall have no duty to disclose to Lenders information that is not required
to be furnished by Borrower to Agent at such time, but is voluntarily furnished
by Borrower to Agent (either in its capacity as Agent or in its individual
capacity).

          9.5 ACTION ON INSTRUCTIONS OF LENDERS. Agent shall in all cases be
fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, hereunder and under any
other Loan Document in accordance with written instructions signed by the
Required Lenders, and such instructions and any action taken or failure to act
pursuant thereto shall be binding on all of Lenders and on all holders of Notes.
Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action
hereunder and under any other Loan Document unless it shall first be indemnified
to its satisfaction by Lenders pro rata against any and all liability, cost
and expense that it may incur by reason of taking or continuing to take any such
action.

          9.6 EMPLOYMENT OF AGENTS AND COUNSEL. Agent may execute any of its
duties as Agent hereunder and under any other Loan Document by or through
employees, agents, and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be answerable to Lenders,
except as to money or securities received by it or its authorized agents, for
the default or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it
with reasonable care. Agent shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning
all matters pertaining to the agency hereby created and its duties hereunder and
under any other Loan Document.

          9.7 RELIANCE ON DOCUMENTS; COUNSEL. Agent shall be entitled to rely
upon any Note, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram,
statement, paper or document believed by it to be genuine and correct and to
have been signed or sent by the proper person or persons, and, in respect to
legal matters, upon the opinion of counsel selected by Agent, which counsel may
be employees of Agent.

                                    -57-



<PAGE>   64




          9.8 AGENT'S REIMBURSEMENT AND INDEMNIFICATION. Lenders agree to
reimburse and indemnify Agent ratably in proportion to their respective
Commitments (i) for any amounts not reimbursed by Borrower for which Agent is
entitled to reimbursement by Borrower under the Loan Documents, (ii) for any
other expenses incurred by Agent on behalf of Lenders, in connection with the
preparation, execution, delivery, administration and enforcement of the Loan
Documents and (iii) for any liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any
kind and nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted
against Agent in any way relating to or arising out of the Loan Documents or any
other document delivered in connection therewith or the transactions
contemplated thereby, or the enforcement of any of the terms thereof or of any
such other documents, provided that no Lender shall be liable for any of the
foregoing to the extent they arise from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of Agent. The obligations of Lenders under this SECTION 9.8 shall
survive payment of the Obligations and termination of this Agreement.

          9.9 RIGHTS AS A LENDER. In the event Agent is a Lender, Agent shall
have the same rights and powers hereunder and under any other Loan Document as
any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not Agent, and the term
"Lender" or "Lenders" shall, at any time when Agent is a Lender, unless the
context otherwise indicates, include Agent in its individual capacity. Agent may
accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of trust,
debt, equity or other transaction, in addition to those contemplated by this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, with Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
in which Borrower or such Subsidiary is not restricted hereby from engaging with
any other Person. Agent, in its individual capacity, is not obligated to remain
a Lender.

          9.10 LENDER CREDIT DECISION. Each Lender acknowledges that it has,
independently and without reliance upon Agent or any other Lender and based on
the financial statements prepared by Borrower and such other documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and
decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each Lender
also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon Agent or
any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or
not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

          9.11 SUCCESSOR AGENT. Agent may resign at any time by giving written
notice thereof to Lenders and Borrower, such resignation to be effective upon
the appointment of a successor Agent or, if no successor Agent has been
appointed, forty-five days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its
intention to resign. Upon any such resignation, Lenders shall have the right to
appoint, on behalf of Borrower and Lenders, a successor Agent. If no

                                   -58-



<PAGE>   65




successor Agent shall have been so appointed by Lenders within thirty days after
the resigning Agent's giving notice of its intention to resign, then the
resigning Agent may appoint, on behalf of Borrower and Lenders, a successor
Agent. If Agent has resigned and no successor Agent has been appointed, Lenders
may perform all the duties of Agent hereunder and Borrower shall make all
payments in respect of the Obligations to the applicable Lender and for all
other purposes shall deal directly with Lenders. No successor Agent shall be
deemed to be appointed hereunder until such successor Agent has accepted the
appointment. Any such successor Agent shall be a commercial bank having capital
and retained earnings of at least $50,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any
appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor Agent shall
thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges
and duties of the resigning Agent. Upon the effectiveness of the resignation of
Agent, the resigning Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations
hereunder and under the Loan Documents. After the effectiveness of the
resignation of an Agent, the provisions of this ARTICLE X shall continue in
effect for the benefit of such Agent in respect of any actions taken or omitted
to be taken by it while it was acting as Agent hereunder and under the other
Loan Documents.

                                   ARTICLE X

                           SETOFF; RATABLE PAYMENTS
                           ------------------------

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

          10.2 RATABLE PAYMENTS. If any Lender, whether by setoff or otherwise,
has payment made to it upon its Loans in a greater proportion than that received
by any other Lender, such Lender agrees, promptly upon demand, to purchase a
portion of the Loans held by the other Lenders so that after such purchase each
Lender will hold its ratable proportion of Loans. If any Lender, whether in
connection with setoff or amounts which might be subject to setoff or otherwise,
receives collateral or other protection for its Obligations or such amounts
which may be subject to setoff, such Lender agrees, promptly upon demand, to
take such action necessary such that all Lenders share in the benefits of such
collateral ratably in proportion to their Loans. In case any such payment is
disturbed by legal process, or otherwise, appropriate further adjustments shall
be made.

                                    - 59 -



<PAGE>   66




                                  ARTICLE XI

                BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENT; PARTICIPATION
                -----------------------------------------------

          11.1 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The terms and provisions of the Loan
Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Borrower and Lenders
and their respective successors and assigns, except that (i) Borrower shall not
have the right to assign their rights or obligations under the Loan Documents
and (ii) any assignment by any Lender must be made in compliance with SECTION
11.3. Notwithstanding clause (ii) of this Section, any Lender may at any time,
without the consent of Borrower or Agent, assign all or any portion of its
rights under this Agreement and its Notes to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided,
however, that no such assignment shall release the transferor Lender from its
obligations hereunder. Agent may treat the payee of any Note as the owner
thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until such payee complies with
SECTION 11.3 in the case of an assignment thereof or, in the case of any other
transfer, a written notice of the transfer is filed with Agent. Any assignee or
transferee of a Note agrees by acceptance thereof to be bound by all the terms
and provisions of the Loan Documents. Any request, authority or consent of any
Person, who at the time of making such request or giving such authority or
consent is the holder of any Note, shall be conclusive and binding on any
subsequent holder, transferee or assignee of such Note or of any Note or Notes
issued in exchange therefor.

          11.2 PARTICIPATION.

          11.2.1 PERMITTED PARTICIPANTS; EFFECT. Any Lender may, in the ordinary
     course of its business and in accordance with applicable law, at any time
     sell to one or more banks, financial institutions, pension funds, or any
     other funds or entities participating interests in any Loan owing to such
     Lender, any Note held by such Lender, any Commitment of such Lender or any
     other interest of such Lender under the Loan Documents. In the event of any
     such sale by a Lender of participating interests to a Participant, such
     Lender's obligations under the Loan Documents shall remain unchanged, such
     Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the
     performance of such obligations, such Lender shall remain the holder of any
     such Note for all purposes under the Loan Documents, all amounts payable by
     Borrower under this Agreement shall be determined as if such Lender had not
     sold such participating interests, and Borrower and Agent shall continue to
     deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's
     rights and obligations under the Loan Documents.

          11.2.2 VOTING RIGHTS.  Each Lender shall retain the sole right to
     approve, without the consent of any Participant,

                                     -60-



<PAGE>   67




any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents
other than any amendment, modification or waiver with respect to any Loan or
Commitment in which such Participant has an interest which forgives principal,
interest or fees or reduces the interest rate or fees payable with respect to
any such Loan or Commitment or postpones any date fixed for any regularly
scheduled payment of principal of, or interest or fees on, any such Loan or
Commitment or releases any Subsidiary from a Non-Borrowing and Non-Pledge
Agreement.

     11.2.3 BENEFIT OF SETOFF. Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be
deemed to have the right of Setoff provided in SECTION 10.1 in respect of its
participating interest in amounts owing under the Loan Documents to the same
extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it
as a Lender under the Loan Documents, provided that each Lender shall retain the
right of setoff provided in SECTION 10.1 with respect to the amount of
participating interests sold to each Participant. Lenders agree to share with
each Participant, and each Participant, by exercising the right of setoff
provided in Section 10.1, agrees to share with each Lender, any amount received
pursuant to the exercise of its right of setoff, such amounts to be shared in
accordance with SECTION 10.2 as if each Participant were a Lender.

     11.3 ASSIGNMENTS.

     11.3.1 PERMITTED ASSIGNMENTS. Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of its
business and in accordance with applicable law, at any time assign to one or
more banks, financial institutions, pension funds, or any other funds or
entities ("PURCHASERS") all or any portion of its rights and obligations under
the Loan Documents. Such assignment shall be substantially in the form of
EXHIBIT H hereto or in such other form as may be agreed to by the parties
thereto. The consent of Agent shall be required prior to an assignment becoming
effective with respect to a Purchaser which is not a Lender or an Affiliate
thereof. Such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

     11.3.2 PRIOR CONSENT. Notwithstanding SECTION 11.3.1, Lenders may not
assign rights and obligations under the Loan Documents to a Purchaser without
the prior written consent of Borrower if any of the following would occur: (i)
an assignment of less than five (5%) of the Aggregate Commitment as of the date
of such assignment, (ii) the proposed purchaser is a financial institution not
organized under the laws of a state or of the United States (unless such
institution is an affiliate of the transferring Lender), or (iii) such transfer
would result in Borrower incurring increased payments pursuant to SECTION 2.11;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if at the time of the proposed assignment Borrower is
the subject of a

                                     -61-



<PAGE>   68




     proceeding referenced in SECTION 6.7 or 6.8, or any Default shall have
     occurred, the Borrower consent shall not be required and any Lender may
     consummate an assignment notwithstanding the requirements of clauses (i),
     (ii) or (iii) of this SECTION 11.3.2.

          11.3.3 EFFECTIVE DATE. Upon (i) delivery to Agent of a notice of
     assignment, substantially in the form attached as EXHIBIT 1 to EXHIBIT H
     hereto (a "NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT"), together with any consents required by
     SECTION 11.3.2, and (ii) payment of a $2,500 fee to Agent for processing
     such assignment (PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if such assignment shall be made
     to an Affiliate of Lender, then Lender shall not be required to pay such
     fee to Agent), such assignment shall become effective on the effective date
     specified in such Notice of Assignment. The Notice of Assignment shall
     contain a representation by the Purchaser to the effect that none of the
     consideration used to make the purchase of the Commitment and Loans under
     the applicable assignment agreement are "plan assets" as defined under
     ERISA and that the rights and interests of the Purchaser in and under the
     Loan Documents will not be "plan assets" under ERISA. On and after the
     effective date of such assignment, such Purchaser shall for all purposes be
     a Lender party to this Agreement and any other Loan Document executed by
     Lenders and shall have all the rights and obligations of a Lender under the
     Loan Documents, to the same extent as if it were an original party hereto,
     and no further consent or action by the Borrower, Lenders or Agent shall be
     required to release the transferor Lender with respect to the percentage of
     the Aggregate Commitment and Loans assigned to such Purchaser. Upon the
     consummation of any assignment to a Purchaser pursuant to this SECTION
     11.3.2, the transferor Lender, Agent and Borrower shall make appropriate
     arrangements so that replacement Notes are issued to such transferor Lender
     and new Notes or, as appropriate, replacement Notes, are issued to such
     Purchaser, in each case in principal amounts reflecting their Commitment,
     as adjusted pursuant to such assignment.

          11.4 DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION. Borrower authorizes each Lender to
disclose to any Participant or Purchaser or any other Person acquiring an
interest in the Loan Documents by operation of law (each a "TRANSFEREE") and any
prospective Transferee any and all information in such Lender's possession
concerning the creditworthiness of Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

          11.5 TAX TREATMENT. If any interest in any Loan Document is
transferred to any Transferee which is organized under the laws of any
jurisdiction other-than the United States or any State thereof, the transferor
Lender shall cause such Transferee, concurrently with the effectiveness of such
transfer, to comply with the provisions of SECTION 2.21.

                                     -62-



<PAGE>   69




                                  ARTICLE XII

                        NOTICES; NATURE OF OBLIGATIONS
                        ------------------------------

          12.1 GIVING NOTICE. Except as otherwise permitted by SECTION 2.17 with
respect to borrowing notices, all notices and other communications provided to
any party hereto under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be in
writing or by telex or by facsimile and addressed or delivered to such party at
its address set forth below its signature hereto or at such other address as may
be designated by such party in a notice to the other parties. Any notice, if
mailed and properly addressed with postage prepaid, shall be deemed given when
received; any notice, if transmitted by telex or facsimile, shall be deemed
given when transmitted (answerback confirmed in the log of telexes).

          12.2 CHANGE OF ADDRESS. Borrower, Agent and any Lender may change the
address for service of notice upon it by a notice in writing to the other
parties hereto.

          12.3 NATURE OF BORROWER'S OBLIGATIONS AND MODIFICATION THEREOF. The
obligations of Borrower under this Agreement are absolute and unconditional and
shall be irrevocable. Borrower agrees that its obligations hereunder shall not
be impaired, modified, changed, released or limited in any manner whatsoever by
any impairment, modification, change, release or limitation of the liability of
Borrower by any bankruptcy case or by any stay or other legal impediment in or
arising from the operation of any present or future provision of the Bankruptcy
Code or other similar state or federal statute, or from the decision of any
court. Borrower agrees that Lenders may, in their discretion, (i) release,
discharge, compromise or settle with, or grant indulgences to, refuse to proceed
or take action against, Borrower with respect to its respective obligations
under this Agreement, (ii) release, surrender, modify, impair, exchange,
substitute or extend the period or duration of time for the performance,
discharge or payment of, refuse to enforce, compromise or settle its respective
lien, security interest, pledge or assignment against, any and all deposits or
other property or assets on which Lenders may have a lien, security interest,
pledge or assignment or which secures any of the obligations of Borrower under
this Agreement, and (iii) amend, modify, alter or restate, in accordance with
their respective terms, this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents or
otherwise, accept deposits or other property from, or enter into transactions of
any kind or nature with, Borrower. Borrower confirms that it will be directly or
indirectly benefitted by the Loan and any and all other Advances under this
Agreement or any of the Loan Documents.

                 [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                     -63-



<PAGE>   70




                                 ARTICLE XIII

                                 COUNTERPARTS
                                 ------------

     This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which
taken together shall constitute one agreement, and any of the parties hereto may
execute this Agreement by signing any such counterpart. This Agreement shall be
effective when it has been executed by Borrower, each Subsidiary of Borrower,
Agent and Lenders and each party has notified Agent by telex or telephone, that
it has taken such action.

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

                              PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS, INC.

                              By: /s/ John V. Goodger

                              Print Name:  John V. Goodger

                              Title:  Vice President

                                   4800 East 131st Street
                                   Garfield Heights, Ohio 44105
                                   phone: 216 587-3600
                                   facsimile: 216 587-3563

                              Attention: John V. Goodger

                                     -64-



<PAGE>   71




Commitments
- - -----------

$48,000,000                    NATIONAL CITY BANK,
                                    Individually and as
                                    Agent

                                    By: /s/ Anthony J. DiMare

                                    Print Name: Anthony J. DiMare

                                    Title: Vice President

                                    Via Hand Delivery
                                    National City Bank
                                    National City Center, 10th
                                    Floor
                                    1900 East Ninth Street
                                    Cleveland, Ohio 44114

                                    Via U.S. Mail
                                    National City Bank
                                    P. O. Box 5756
                                    Cleveland, Ohio 44101-0756

                                    Attention:  Anthony J. DiMare
                                                Vice President

                                     -65-



<PAGE>   72




$39,000,000                   KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                   By: /s/ Mattew Touhey

                                   Print Name: Matthew Touhey

                                   Title: Assistant Vice President

                                   Via Hand Delivery
                                   KeyBank National Association
                                   Large Corporate Group
                                   Mail Code OH-01-27-0606
                                   127 Public Square
                                   Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1306

                                   Via U.S. Mail
                                   KeyBank National Association
                                   Large Corporate Group
                                   Mail Code OH-01-27-0606
                                   127 Public Square
                                   Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1306

                                   Attention:

                                   Matthew P. Tuohey

                                     -66-



<PAGE>   73




$25,000,000                        MELLON BANK, N.A.

                                   By: /s/ Mark F. Johnston

                                   Print Name: Mark F. Johnston

                                   Title: AVP

                                   Via Hand Delivery
                                   Mellon Bank, N.A.
                                   Three Mellon Bank Center
                                   Suite 2300
                                   Pittsburgh, PA 15259
                                   Attention: Loan Administration
                                   Theresa Heukeshoven

                                   Via U.S. Mail
                                   Mellon Bank, N.A.
                                   Three Mellon Bank Center
                                   Suite 2300
                                   Pittsburgh, PA 15259
                                   Attention: Loan Administration
                                   Theresa Heukeshoven

                                   With a Copy To:

                                   Via Hand Delivery
                                   Mellon Bank, N.A.
                                   One Mellon Bank Center
                                   Grant Street, Room 4530
                                   Pittsburgh, PA 15258-0001

                                   Via U.S. Mail
                                   Mellon Bank, N.A.
                                   One Mellon Bank Center
                                   Grant Street, Room 4530
                                   Pittsburgh, PA 15258-0001

                                   Attention:

                                   Mark F. Johnston

                                     -67-



<PAGE>   74




$13,000,000                        STAR BANK, N.A.

                                   By: /s/ John D. Barrett

                                   Print Name: John D. Barrett

                                   Title: Vice President

                                   Via Hand Delivery
                                   Star Bank, N.A.
                                   1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 220
                                   Cleveland, Ohio 44115

                                   Via U.S. Mail
                                   Star Bank, N.A.
                                   1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 220
                                   Mail Location 4432
                                   Cleveland, Ohio 44115

                                   Attention:

                                   John D. Barrett

                                     -68-


<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 4.(f)

                   AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         This Amendment No. 3 to Note Purchase Agreement (this "Amendment) is
entered into as of August 12, 1996 by PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS, INC. (the
"Company") and TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (the
"Noteholder").

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT.

        WHEREAS, the Company and the Noteholder have entered into a Note 
Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 31, 1990 (the "Original Purchase 
Agreement"), pursuant to which, at closing held on November 2, 1990, the 
Noteholder purchased $20,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Company's 
9.79% Senior Notes due November 1, 2000 (the "Notes"), which Original Purchase 
Agreement has been amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Note Purchase 
Agreement, dated as of November 1, 1991, and that certain Amendment No. 2 to 
Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 30, 1995 (as so amended, the 
"Purchase Agreement"). The Noteholder was the sole purchaser and remains the 
sole record and beneficial owner of the Notes. Capitalized terms used herein 
and not otherwise defined herein are used with the meanings assigned thereto in 
the Purchase Agreement.

        WHEREAS, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this 
Amendment, and as an inducement to the Noteholder to consent to the 
Reorganization (as defined herein) and certain other actions, the Company and 
the Noteholder desire to amend the Purchase Agreement as set forth below.

        NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and the Noteholder agree as follows:

SECTION 1. GENERAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.

        The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Noteholder as follows:

        Section 1.1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN PURCHASE AGREEMENT. The 
representations and warranties with respect to the Company contained in the 
Purchase Agreement are true and correct in all material respects and the 
Noteholder shall be entitled to rely on such representations and warranties as 
if they were made to the Noteholder in this Amendment as of the date hereof.

        Section 1.2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN CREDIT AGREEMENT. The 
representations and warranties with respect to the Company contained in the 
Credit Agreement and in any document, certificate or instrument delivered 
pursuant to the Credit Agreement are true and

    
 
                                               


                                                 


<PAGE>   2
correct in all material respects and the Noteholder shall be entitled to rely 
on such representations and warranties as if they were made to the Noteholder 
in this Amendment as of the date hereof.

SECTION 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

        The Purchase Agreement is hereby amended in the following respects:

         Section 2.1. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 9.12 OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
Section 9.12 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its
entirety and substituting the following new Section 9.12 in lieu thereof:

              Section 9.12 CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO; FIXED
         CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. The Company shall at all times maintain a ratio
         of (a) the sum of Consolidated EBIT plus Operating Lease Rentals to (b)
         the sum of Consolidated Interest Expense plus Operating Lease Rentals,
         in each instance for the four most recent Fiscal Quarters for which
         financial statements are required to have been delivered pursuant to
         Section 10.1 hereof of not less than 2.00 to 1.00. Commencing September
         30, 1996, the Company shall at all times maintain a ratio of (a) the
         sum of Non-consolidated EBIT plus Non-consolidated Operating Lease
         Rentals to (b) the sum of Non-consolidated Interest Expense plus
         Non-consolidated Operating Lease Rentals, in each instance for the four
         most recent Fiscal Quarters for which financial statements are required
         to have been delivered pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof of not less than
         1.25 to 1.00.

         Section 2.2. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 9.13(a) OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
Section 9.13(a) of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in
its entirety and substituting the following new Section 9.13(a) in lieu thereof:

              Section 9.13 LIENS. (a) Neither the Company nor any Restricted
         Subsidiary will create, incur or suffer to exist any Lien on property
         which is owned by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary,
         respectively, on the date hereof and which is not presently subject to
         any Lien, or any property which is hereafter acquired by the Company or
         any Restricted Subsidiary, other than Permitted Liens.

         Section 2.3. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 9.14 OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
Section 9.14 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its
entirety and substituting the following new Section 9.14 in lieu thereof:

              Section 9.14 RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY INDEBTEDNESS. The Company will
         not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, expressly
         or by operation of law, to create, incur, assume, guarantee, in any
         manner become liable in respect of or suffer to exist any Restricted
         Subsidiary Indebtedness.


                                   2
<PAGE>   3
         Section 2.4. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 9.15 OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
Section 9.15 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its
entirety and substituting the following new Section 9.15 in lieu thereof:

              Section 9.15 MERGER; SALE OF ASSETS. Other than the
         Reorganization, neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary will
         enter into any merger, consolidation, reorganization or liquidation or
         transfer or otherwise dispose of all or a Substantial Portion of its
         property or business, unless approved in advance by the holders of at
         least 66-2/3% in aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Notes then
         Outstanding.

         Section 2.5. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 9.16 OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
Section 9.16 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its
entirety and substituting the following new Section 9.16 in lieu thereof:

              Section 9.16 TRANSFER AND SALE OF ASSETS. As of August 9, 1996,
         and at all times thereafter, the Company's Non-consolidated Tangible
         Assets shall be equal to or greater than forty percent (40%) of the
         Company's Consolidated Tangible Assets.

         Section 2.6. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 9.20 OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
Section 9.20 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its
entirety and substituting the following new Section 9.20 in lieu thereof:

              Section 9.20 LIMITATIONS ON CONSOLIDATED FUNDED INDEBTEDNESS. The
         Company will not permit the ratio of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness
         to Total Capitalization of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
         to be greater than (i) 0.65 to 1.00 at any time from the Closing Date
         through and including March 30, 1997, (ii) 0.575 to 1.00 at any time
         subsequent to March 30, 1997 through and including March 30, 1998 and
         (iii) 0.55 to 1.00 at any time subsequent to March 30, 1998.

         Section 2.7. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 9.23 TO THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
Section 9.23 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its
entirety and substituting the following new Section 9.23 in lieu thereof:

              Section 9.23 THIS SECTION INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

         Section 2.8. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 9.24 TO THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
Section 9.24 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its
entirety and substituting the following new Section 9.24 in lieu thereof:

              Section 9.24 INVESTMENT AND LOAN LIMIT. Neither the Company nor
         any Restricted Subsidiary, together or individually, directly or
         indirectly, in any instance or in the aggregate over time may: (a)
         invest in any manner more than $10,8000,000 in Pioneer/Canada or (b)
         loan more than an aggregate

                                      3
<PAGE>   4
        principal amount of (i) $25,000,000 to Pioneer/Canada; (ii) $55,000,000
        to Pioneer/Maryland; (iv) $75,000,000 to Limited Partnership; (v)
        $15,000,000 to Pioneer/Minnesota; and (vi) $10,000,000 to
        Pioneer/Illinois.

        Section 2.9. AMENDMENT TO 12.1 OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT. Section 12.1
of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the definition of
"Restricted Subsidiary" in its entirety and substituting the following new
definition in lieu thereof:

        The term "Restricted Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary of the
Company hereafter designated by action of the Board of Directors of the Company
as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 9.22 hereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that no corporation may be designated a Restricted Subsidiary unless:

            (a) such corporation is organized under the laws of the United
        States, Canada or any jurisdiction of the foregoing;

            (b) such corporation conducts substantially all of its business and
        owns substantially all of its property within the United States or
        Canada;
                        
            (c) a majority of the shares of each class of the capital stock of
        such Subsidiary is owned by the Company directly or indirectly through
        another Restricted Subsidiary;

            (d) such corporation has not previously been designated as a
        Restricted Subsidiary hereunder and had such designation rescinded;

            (e) such corporation has executed and delivered to the Noteholders a
        Non-Borrowing Agreement; and

            (f) the requirements of Section 9.22(a) have been complied with or
        are complied with concurrently with such designation;

        PROVIDED, FURTHER, that the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary may
        be rescinded by action of the Board of Directors of the Company pursuant
        to Section 9.22(c) hereof.

        Section 2.10 FURTHER AMENDMENT TO SECTION 12.1 OF THE PURCHASE
AGREEMENT. Section 12.1 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by deleting
the definition of "Restricted Subsidiary Indebtedness" in its entirety and
substituting the following new definition in lieu thereof:

            The term "Restricted Subsidiary Indebtedness" shall mean any
        Indebtedness created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed by a Restricted
        Subsidiary other than Indebtedness to the Company specifically permitted
        by Section 9.24.

                                    4                  
<PAGE>   5
         Section 2.11. FURTHER AMENDMENT TO SECTION 12.1 OF THE PURCHASE
AGREEMENT. The following definitions are hereby added to Section 12.1 of the
Purchase Agreement, to be inserted therein in the appropriate alphabetical
order:
                
              The term "Amendment No. 3" shall mean Amendment No. 3 to Note
         Purchase Agreement dated as of August 12, 1996 between the Company and
         the Noteholder.

              The term "Credit Agreement" shall mean that certain Credit
         Agreement among the Company and certain lenders, including, without
         limitation, National City Bank, a national banking association, as
         agent thereunder, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to
         $125,000,000 in the aggregate.

              The term "Non-Borrowing Agreement" shall have the meaning set
         forth in Amendment No. 3.

              The term "Limited Partnership" shall mean Pioneer-Standard
         Electronics, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership.

              The term "Non-consolidated EBIT" of any Person shall mean, as of
         the date of determination thereof, (i) Non-consolidated Net Income of
         such Person for such period, PLUS (ii) Non-consolidated Interest
         Expense of such Person for such period, PLUS (iii) provisions for
         federal, state and local income taxes of such Person for such period,
         in each case, for the period of the four most recent Fiscal Quarters
         for which financial statements are required to have been delivered
         pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof prior to the date of determination
         thereof.

              The term "Non-consolidated Interest Expense" shall mean, for any
         period, without duplication, the aggregate of all interest paid or
         accrued by the Company during such period for Indebtedness of the
         Company, on a non-consolidated basis, including, without limitation,
         interest payable with respect to the Notes and the interest portion of
         Capital Lease payments, all as determined in accordance with generally
         accepted accounting principles.

              The term "Non-consolidated Net Income (or Net Loss)" shall mean,
         for any period, the non-consolidated net income (or net loss) of the
         Company for such period determined in accordance with generally
         accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis, after
         eliminating all items to be eliminated in accordance with generally
         accepted accounting principles, excluding:

                   (a) any gains or losses on the sale or other disposition
              (other than a sale or other disposition in the ordinary course of
              business) of investments or fixed or capital Assets, and any taxes
              on such excluded gains and any tax deductions or credits on
              account of any such excluded losses;

                   (b) all items properly classified as extraordinary in
              accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
                                     5
<PAGE>   6
                (d) net earnings and losses of any Person (other than the
        Company), substantially all the Assets of which have been acquired
        by the Company in any manner, realized by such other Person prior to
        the date of such acquisition;

                (e) net earnings and losses of any Person (other than the 
        Company) which shall have been merged into or consolidated with the 
        Company prior to the date of such merger or consolidation;

                (f) net earnings of any Person (other than the Company) in
        which the Company has an ownership interest, except to the extent 
        such net earnings shall have actually been received by the Company in 
        the form of cash distributions;

                (g) earnings resulting from any reappraisal, revaluation or 
        write-up of Assets subsequent to March 31, 1990;

                (h) any gain after applicable taxes arising from the
        acquisition of any capital stock or other securities of the Company;
        and

                (i) earnings resulting from the elimination of all or a
        portion of any reserve established prior to the accounting period
        for which Non-consolidated Net Income (or Net Loss) is being 
        determined; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that earnings in any such period
        resulting from the elimination of all or a portion of one or more
        reserves established prior to such period with respect to 
        transactions in the ordinary course of business need not be
        excluded to the extent that they do not in the aggregate exceed
        5% of Non-consolidated Net Income for such period.

        The term "Non-consolidated Operating Lease Rentals" shall mean, as of
any date of determination, without duplication, rentals accrued or paid by the
Company on Operating Leases on a non-consolidated basis for the four Fiscal
Quarters immediately preceding the date of determination for which financial
statements have been delivered or are required to have been delivered pursuant
to Section 10.1 hereof.

        The term "Non-consolidated Tangible Assets", with respect to the
Company, shall mean, as of any date of determination, the total amount of
Assets of the Company after deducting therefrom (i) all investments and loans
of the Company to its Subsidiaries, as permitted under this Agreement, and (ii)
all goodwill of the Company, valued at book value (established in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles).

        The term "Pioneer/Illinois" shall mean Pioneer-Standard of Illinois,
Inc., an Illinois corporation.

                                       6
<PAGE>   7
        The term "Pioneer/Minnesota" shall mean Pioneer-Standard of Minnesota,
Inc., a Minnesota corporation.

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

        The term "Reorganization" shall mean the corporate reorganization
described in Item 5 of Exhibit C hereto.

        The term "Substantial Portion" shall mean, with respect to the Property
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, Property which represents more
than two percent (2%) of the consolidated assets of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries as would be shown in the consolidated financial
statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as at the beginning
of the twelve-month period ending with the month in which such determination 
is made.

        Section 2.12. AMENDMENT TO EXHIBIT C TO THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT. Exhibit
C to the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following Item 5 
thereto:

        5. DESCRIPTION OF BORROWER'S CORPORATE REORGANIZATION AND TRANSFER OF 
           ASSETS

        Pursuant to the restructuring of Pioneer-Standard Electronics, Inc.
(the "Company") for state tax planning purposes, the Company will contribute
certain classes of assets as follows:

                The Company's Illinois operations and employees, will be
        transferred to a new corporation, Pioneer-Standard Illinois 
        ("Illinois"). The assets transferred to Illinois will have a value of 
        approximately $7,060,000 and Illinois will assume liabilities of 
        approximately $5,650,000.

                The Company's Minnesota operations, Minnesota employees and 
        the Company's intangibles will be transferred to a new corporation, 
        Pioneer-Standard Minnesota ("Minnesota"). Minnesota will license the 
        right to use the intangibles to the rest of the affiliated group
        for a royalty. The assets transferred to Minnesota will have a value
        of approximately $9,065,000 and Minnesota will assume liabilities of 
        approximately $7,250,000.

                The Company's Texas operations and employees along with the
        Packard line of business will be transferred to the newly formed
        limited partnership, Pioneer-Standard Electronics, Ltd. ("Pioneer 
        LP"). The assets transferred to Pioneer LP will have a value of
        approximately $64,345,000 and Pioneer LP will assume liabilities
        of approximately $51,475,000.

                                       7
<PAGE>   8
        The dollar amounts set forth above are based upon the actual value, as
of April 1, 1996, of the assets and liabilities which will be transferred. The
actual transfer is anticipated to take place in the second half of 1996.
Attached as Annex 1 is the projected balance sheets of the affiliated companies
after the proposed transaction based upon the April 1, 1996 valuations.

                                       8
<PAGE>   9
<TABLE>
ANNEX 1 
PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS AFTER TRANSFER OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CONTRIBUTED CAPITAL TO NEW ENTITIES
(4/1/96 Used for Simplicity, Actual Transfer Anticipated 6/1/96)

<CAPTION>

                                 PIONEER-STANDARD                                    PIONEER-STANDARD ,
                                   MARYLAND AND           TRANSFER OF ASSETS           MARYLAND AND            PIONEER-STANDARD
                                      CANADA             AND LIABILITIES AND             CANADA                ELECTRONICS, LTD.
                                 ESTIMATED 3/31/96       CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION            4/1/96                    4/1/96  
<S>                                <C>                       <C>                      <C>                      <C>

  BALANCE SHEET

Assets:
Cash                               $ 24,782,000                                       $ 24,782,000
Net Assets Receivable               189,296,000              $(49,801,771)             139,494,229             $36,595,806
Intercompany Receivable                                        64,372,842               64,372,842
Net Inventory                       238,371,000               (23,765,369)             214,605,831              22,288,818
Net Prop. and Equip.                 48,679,000                (6,898,913)              41,780,087               5,458,078
Investment in Subsidiaries                                     16,093,211               18,093,211
Other Current Assets                 58,809,000                                         56,609,000
   Total Assets                    $559,937,000              $         (0)            $559,937,000             $64,342,702

Liabilities and
Shareholders' Equity:
Liabilities:
Notes Payable                      $ 21,000,000                                       $ 21,000,000
Accounts Payable                    184,947,000                                        184,947,000             
Intercompany Payable                                                                                           $51,474,162
Other Accrued Liabilities            36,522,000                                         36,522,000
Long Term Debt                      164,447,000                                        164,447,000
Deferred Income Taxes                 2,328,000                                          2,328,000
   Total Liabilities               $409,244,000              $         (0)             409,244,000             $51,474,162

Shareholders' Equity:
Common Shares and PIC              $ 23,888,000                                       $ 23,888,000             $12,866,540
Retained Earnings                   126,506,000                                        126,506,000
Foreign Currency Translation            299,000                                            299,000
   Total Shareholders' Equity      $150,693,000                                       $150,693,000             $12,866,540
   Total Liabilities and
   Shareholders' Equity            $559,937,000              $         (0)            $559,937,000             $64,342,702

</TABLE>

<TABLE>

<CAPTION>

                                                                                                              CONSOLIDATED
                                  PIONEER-STANDARD           PIONEER-STANDARD                                  TOTAL WITH
                                   MINNESOTA, INC.            ILLINOIS, INC.                                  NEW ENTITIES
                                        4/1/96                    4/1/96               ELIMINATIONS              4/1/96
<S>                                <C>                       <C>                      <C>                      <C>

  BALANCE SHEET

Assets:
Cash                                                                                                          $  24,782,000
Net Assets Receivable              $  7,021,293              $6,184,672                                         189,296,000
Intercompany Receivable                                                               $(64,372,642)
Net Inventory                         1,410,167                  66,384                                         238,371,000
Net Prop. and Equip.                    632,351                 808,484                                          48,679,000
Investment in Subsidiaries                                                             (16,093,211)
Other Current Assets                                                                                             58,809,000
   Total Assets                    $  9,063,811              $7,059,540               $(80,466,053)           $ 559,937,000

Liabilities and
Shareholders' Equity:
Liabilities:
Notes Payable                                                                                                 $  21,000,000
Accounts Payable                                                                                                184,947,000
Intercompany Payable               $  7,251,049              $5,647,632               $ 64,372,842                        0
Other Accrued Liabilities                                                                                        36,522,000
Long Term Debt                                                                                                  164,447,000
Deferred Income Taxes                                                                                             2,328,000
   Total Liabilities               $  7,251,049              $5,647,632                                       $ 409,244,000

Shareholders' Equity:
Common Shares and PIC              $  1,812,762              $1,411,906               $ 16,093,211            $  23,888,000
Retained Earnings                                                                                               126,506,000
Foreign Currency Translation                                                                                        299,000
   Total Shareholders' Equity      $  1,812,762              $1,411,908                                       $ 150,693,000
   Total Liabilities and                                                                                       
   Shareholders' Equity            $  9,063,811              $7,059,540               $ 80,466,053            $ 559,937,000



</TABLE>



<PAGE>   10
SECTION 3. RELEASE OF GUARANTEES.

        The Noteholder hereby unconditionally releases Pioneer/Maryland and 
Pioneer/Canada from all obligations under and in respect of the Maryland 
Guarantee and the Canada Guarantee, respectively, which shall hereinafter no 
longer be in force and effect.

SECTION 4. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS AMENDMENT.

        This Amendment (including, without limitation, Section 3 hereof) shall 
not be effective unless and until each party hereto shall have executed and 
delivered an original counterpart hereof and the following conditions shall 
have been satisfied or waived;

        Section 4.1. OPINIONS OF COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY. The Noteholder and its
special counsel shall have received from Calfee, Halter & Griswold, Cleveland,
Ohio, special counsel for the Company, an opinion, dated the date hereof, in
form and substance satisfactory to the Noteholder and its special counsel,
relating to the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company of this
Amendment and the enforceability against the Company of this Amendment, in
accordance with its terms.

        Section 4.2. CREDIT AGREEMENT. The Credit Agreement and all other
documents, certificates or instruments delivered pursuant thereto shall have
been reduced to writing and furnished to the Noteholder and its special
counsel, and the Credit Agreement and such other documents, certificates and
instruments shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Noteholder
and its special counsel. The Noteholder shall have received an Officer's
Certificate of the Company certifying that attached thereto are true, correct
and complete copies of a fully executed Credit Agreement and such other
documents, certificates and instruments, that such documents are the only
agreements between such parties relating to the transactions contemplated by
the Credit Agreement, that each such document is in full force and effect
without any term or condition thereof having been amended, modified or waived,
that there is no default thereunder and that each of the conditions set forth
in Section 3.1 of the Credit Agreement has been satisfied (without any thereof
having been waived).

        Section 4.3. ADDITIONAL INTEREST. In consideration for its agreement to
enter into this Amendment, the Noteholder shall have received a payment in
immediately available funds of $10,000, representing additional interest in
respect of the Notes.


        Section 4.4. NON-BORROWING AND NON-PLEDGE AGREEMENT. The Non-Borrowing
and Non-Pledge Agreement dated as of August 12, 1996 (the "Non-Borrowing
Agreement") among each of the Restricted Subsidiaries and the Noteholder shall
have been duly authorized by necessary corporate action. Each of the Restricted
Subsidiaries shall have duly executed and delivered a Non-Borrowing Agreement in
the form of EXHIBIT A attached hereto.
<PAGE>   11
SECTION 5. MISCELLANEOUS.

        Section 5.1. CROSS-REFERENCES. References in this Amendment to any
Section (or "Section ") are, unless otherwise specified, to such Section 
(or "Section") of this Amendment.

        Section 5.2. INSTRUMENT PURSUANT TO PURCHASE AGREEMENT. This Amendment
is executed pursuant to Section 13.4 of the Purchase Agreement and shall (unless
otherwise expressly indicated herein) be construed, administered and applied in
accordance with all of the terms and provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
Except as expressly amended hereby, all of the representations, warranties,
terms, covenants and conditions of the Purchase Agreement and the Notes shall
remain unamended and unwaived. The amendments set forth herein shall be limited
precisely as provided for herein to the provisions expressly amended herein and
shall not be deemed to be a waiver of, amendment of, consent to or modification
of any other term or provision of the Purchase Agreement or the Notes or of any
term or provision of any other document or of any transaction or further action
on the part of the Company which would require the consent of any Noteholder
under the Purchase Agreement.

        5.3. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The Amendment shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns.

        5.4. COUNTERPARTS. This Amendment may be executed simultaneously in two 
or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all 
of which shall constitute together but one and the same instrument.

        5.5. GOVERNING LAW. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed 
in accordance with the law of the State of New York.


        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be 
executed by their respective officers duly authorized thereunto as of the date 
and year first above written.

                               
                                 PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS, INC.


                                 By: /s/ John V. Goodger
                                     -----------------------------
                                    Name: John V. Goodger
                                    Title: Vice President, Assistant
                                           Secretary and Treasurer

                                TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY
                                  ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA


                                 By: /s/ Loren S. Archibold
                                     -----------------------------
                                    Name: Loren S. Archibold
                                    Title: Managing Director-Private
                                           Placement
                                                                                
<PAGE>   12
                                   EXHIBIT A

                 FORM OF NON-BORROWING AND NON-PLEDGE AGREEMENT

        The Non-Borrowing and Non-Pledge Agreement dated as of August 12, 1996 
(this "Agreement") is Made by (NAME OF SUBSIDIARY) (the "Maker") in favor of 
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (the "Noteholder") and 
each of the other holders (collectively with the "Noteholders") from time to 
time of the 9.79% Senior Notes due November 1, 2000 (the "Notes") of 
Pioneer-Standard Electronics, Inc., an Ohio Corporation (the "Company").

        All terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein, shall have the 
meaning ascribed to those terms in the Note Purchase Agreement dated as of 
October 31, 1990, (the "Note Purchase Agreement") by and between the Company 
and the Noteholder, as amended.

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

        WHEREAS, the Company and the Noteholder are entering into an Amendment 
No. 3 to the Note Purchase Agreement of even date herewith (the "Amendment");

        WHEREAS, Maker is a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

        WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the effectiveness of the 
Amendment that Maker execute and deliver this Agreement.

        NOW THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency 
of which is hereby acknowledged by Maker, the Maker agrees as follows:

        SECTION 1. RESTRICTION ON INDEBTEDNESS. Maker covenants and agrees that 
it shall not create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee any Indebtedness for 
Borrowed Money other than any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money owed to the 
Company pursuant to a loan from the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Note Purchase Agreement. The term "Indebtedness for Borrowed Money" means at
any  time, all Indebtedness required by GAAP to be reflected as such on Makers 
balance sheet, including as appropriate, all Indebtedness (i) in respect of any 
money borrowed; (ii) under or in respect of any Contingent Obligation (as 
defined in the Credit Agreement) (whether direct or indirect) of any money 
borrowed (iii) evidenced by any loan or credit agreement, promissory note, 
debenture, bond, guaranty or other similar written obligation to pay money; or 
(iv) arising under Capitalized Lease Obligations.

        SECTION 2. RESTRICTION ON LIEN. Other than as permitted under the Note 
Purchase Agreement, Maker covenants and agrees that it shall not create, permit 
the creation of, or incur a Lien on any of its Property.
<PAGE>   13
        SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Other than as specifically 
permitted under the Note Purchase Agreement, Maker hereby represents and 
warrants to, and covenants with, the Noteholders, that:

        (a) Maker is duly authorized to make and enter into this Agreement and 
to carry out the terms and conditions contemplated herein.

        (b) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Maker and 
constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of Maker, enforceable 
against Maker in accordance with its terms;

        (c) Maker has no Indebtedness for Borrowed Money as of the date hereof.

        (d) Maker has no Liens on any of its Property as of the date hereof.

        SECTION 4. EVENT OF DEFAULT. The breach of any of the terms or 
provisions of Sections 1, 2 or 3 above shall constitute a default under this 
Agreement. ("Default"). In the event of a Default the Noteholders shall have 
all the rights and remedies provided for upon the occurrence of an Event of 
Default under the Note Purchase Agreement.

        SECTION 5. MISCELLANEOUS

        (a) No failure on the part of the Noteholder to exercise, and no delay 
in exercising, any right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver 
thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude 
any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The 
rights and remedies of the Noteholder provided herein and therein are not 
exclusive of, any rights or remedies provided by law.

        (b) This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance 
with the law of the State of New York.

        (c) MAKER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION 
OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR NEW YORK STATE COURT SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY 
IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND 
THE NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND MAKER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS 
IN RESPECT OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH 
COURT AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE AS TO 
THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT OR 
THAT SUCH COURT IS AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL IMPAIR THE 
RIGHT OF ANY NOTEHOLDER TO BRING PROCEEDING AGAINST MAKER IN THE COURTS OF ANY 
OTHER JURISDICTION. ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BY OR AGAINST ANY NOTEHOLDER OR ANY 
AFFILIATE OF ANY NOTEHOLDER INVOLVING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ANY MATTER IN ANY 
WAY ARISING
       
                                     2
<PAGE>   14
OUT OF, RELATED TO, OR CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE BROUGHT ONLY IN A 
COURT IN NEW YORK COUNTY, NEW YORK.


                                ____________________, a _______________________
                                corporation

                                By:____________________________________________
                                Its:___________________________________________


<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 4.(h)
 
               NO.                               $

                                    [LOGO]

                                                         CUSIP  723877 AB 2

                       PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS, INC.
                     8 1/2% SENIOR NOTES DUE AUGUST 1, 2006
 
 PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing
              under the laws of Ohio (herein called the "Company,"
 which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter
          referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
 
or registered assigns, the principal sum of                              DOLLARS
 
on August 1, 2006, and to pay interest thereon from August 12, 1996 or from the
most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly
provided for, semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 in each year, commencing
February 1, 1997, at the rate of 8 1/2% per annum, subject to an increase to
9 1/2% per annum in accordance with Paragraph 2 on the reverse of this Security,
until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment. The interest
so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment
Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name
this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close
of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the
15th of January or the 15th of July (whether or not a Business Day), as the case
may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so
punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the
Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose
name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the
close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted
Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of
Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record
Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with
the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this
series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange,
all as more fully provided in said Indenture.
 
    Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on
this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for
that purpose in New York, New York, in dollars; provided, however, that at the
option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the
Security Register.
 
    Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set
forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
 
    Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.
 
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.
 
Dated:
 
                    TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
 
   This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in
the within-mentioned Indenture.
 
               STAR BANK, N. A.
                  As Trustee
 
By 
  ---------------------------------                       
    Authorized Signatory


PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS, INC.

By /s/ James L. Bayman
  --------------------------------------------------------------
    Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
 
Attest:  /s/ John V. Goodger
       ------------------------------------------------------
         Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
 
                                      SEAL
<PAGE>   2
 
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS, INC.
                            NOTES DUE AUGUST 1, 2006
 
  This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company
(herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or more series
under an Indenture, dated as of August 1, 1996 (herein called the "Indenture"),
between the Company and Star Bank, N.A., as Trustee (herein called the
"Trustee," which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to
which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made
for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and
immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the
Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be,
authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on
the face hereof, limited in aggregate principal amount to $150,000,000, and with
certain terms established pursuant to an Officer's Certificate, dated August 7,
1996 (the "Officer's Certificate").
 
  This Security will bear interest at a rate of 8 1/2% per annum, subject to an
increase to 9 1/2% per annum, upon the occurrence of a Rating Event as defined
in the Officer's Certificate.
 
  If any Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur
and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be
declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the
Indenture.
 
  The Indenture also provides that upon the occurrence of a Change of Control,
each Holder shall have the right to require the Company to purchase such
Holder's Securities at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount
of such Securities plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of such
purchase.
 
  This Security is subject to defeasance as described in the Indenture.
 
  The Indenture may be modified by the Company and the Trustee without consent
of any Holder with respect to certain matters as described in the Indenture. In
addition, the Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at
the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains
provisions permitting the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of
all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain
provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and
their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security
shall bind such Holder and all future Holders of this Security and of any
Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange hereof
or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made
upon this Security.
 
  No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of
the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed.
 
  As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set
forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register,
upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or
agency of the Company in any place where the principal of (and premium, if any)
and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the
Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder hereof or his attorney duly
authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series,
of authorized denominations and for the same Stated Maturity and aggregate
principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
 
  The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without
coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. As
provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth,
Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount
of Securities of this series of a different authorized denomination, as
requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
 
  No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or
exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
 
  Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all
purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
 
  The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Company to,
among other things, merge or consolidate with any other Person or sell, assign,
transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties or assets. All such
covenants and limitations are subject to a number of important qualifications
and exceptions. The Company must report periodically to the Trustee on
compliance with the covenants in the Indenture.
 
  A director, officer, employee or shareholder, as such, of the Company shall
not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under this Security or
the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of, such
obligations or their creation. Each Holder, by accepting a Security, waives and
releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the
consideration for the issuance of this Security.
 
  Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security
Identification Procedures ("CUSIP"), the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be
printed on the Securities of this series as a convenience to the Holders of the
Securities of this series. No representation is made as to the correctness or
accuracy of such numbers as printed on the Securities of this series and
reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed hereon.
 
  All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have
the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
 
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                ASSIGNMENT FORM
 
   To assign this Security, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and
transfer this Security to
 
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Insert assignee's social security or tax ID number)
 
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)
 
and irrevocably appoint
agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may
substitute another to act for him.
 
Dated: ____________________________________ Your Signature:
        (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side this Security)
 
Signature Guaranty:
                    Signatures must be guaranteed
                    by an "eligible guarantor
                    institution" meeting the
                    requirements of the Transfer
                    Agent, which requirements will
                    include membership or
                    participation in STAMP or such
                    other "signature guarantee
                    program" as may be determined
                    by the Transfer Agent in
                    addition to, or in substitution
                    for, STAMP, all in accordance
                    with the Exchange Act.
 
       Social Security Number or Taxpayer
                    Identification
       Number:
 
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       OPTION TO HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
 
   If you wish to elect to have all or any portion of this Security purchased by
the Company pursuant to Section 1013 ("Change of Control Offer") of the
Indenture, check the applicable box:
 
/ / in whole         / / in part         amount to be purchased: $
 
Dated:  ___________________________________  Your Signature:
          (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security)
 
Signature Guaranty:
                    Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor
                    institution" meeting the requirements of the Transfer Agent,
                    which requirements will include membership or participation
                    in STAMP or such other "signature guarantee program" as may
                    be determined by the Transfer Agent in addition to, or in
                    substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Exchange
                    Act.
 
Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 4.(i)

                        ASSISTANT SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE

                  I, John V. Goodger, Assistant Secretary of Pioneer-Standard
Electronics, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), HEREBY CERTIFY THAT
attached hereto are true copies of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board") at a meeting duly called and held on July
2, 1996, at which meeting a quorum was present and acting throughout, and by the
Pricing Committee appointed by the Board by written consent dated August 7,
1996; such resolutions have not been amended, modified or rescinded and remain
in full force and effect; and such resolutions are the only resolutions adopted
by the Board or any committee thereof or any officer of the Company relating to
the designation of the terms of the series of securities therein specified to be
issued under the Indenture, dated as of August 1, 1996, as Trustee.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name this 12th
day of August, 1996.

                                                     /s/ John V. Goodger
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     John V. Goodger
                                                     Assistant Secretary
<PAGE>   2

                       PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS, INC.

       Resolutions Adopted At A Special Meeting Of The Board Of Directors

                                  July 2, 1996

                                   * * * * * *


                  WHEREAS, the Company may offer from time to time (i) Common
Shares, without par value, of the Company (the "Common Shares"), and (ii)
debentures, notes and/or other unsecured evidences of indebtedness (the "Debt
Securities"), at an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed U.S.
$240,000,000 or its equivalent in any other currency or units based on or
relating to foreign currencies;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following resolutions
are hereby ratified, approved and confirmed;

                  RESOLVED, that for the purposes of the offering, issuance and
sale of the Debt Securities a Pricing Committee shall consist of James L. Bayman
and John V. Goodger (the "Pricing Committee"), and that the execution of any
document by the Pricing Committee shall be conclusive evidence of the action
taken by the Pricing Committee as contemplated, required or authorized by these
resolutions;

                  FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Company issue and sell Debt
Securities at such times determined by the Board of Directors or the Pricing
Committee, provided, that the aggregate amount of Debt Securities issued and
sold at any time (a "Date of Debt Issuance") does not exceed the difference
between $240,000,000, and (i) the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities
issued and sold prior to the Date of Debt Issuance, and (ii) the aggregate value
of all Common Shares (as determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to these
resolutions) issued and sold prior to such Date of Debt Issuance; and

                  FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Debt Securities may be sold to
purchasers through underwriters or other purchasers, for cash at a price, rate
of interest and upon such other terms and conditions as shall be determined by
the Board of Directors or the Pricing Committee, the exact amount of Debt
Securities to be determined by the Board of Directors or the Pricing Committee;
and that, in effecting delivery of any Debt Securities pursuant to any
Underwriting Agreement, the officers of the Company hereinafter authorized be
and each of them is hereby authorized and empowered to issue and sell the same
and to cause to be delivered properly executed certificates representing Debt
Securities.
<PAGE>   3

                       PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS, INC.

                         8 1/2% Notes due August 1, 2006

                  Terms Resolutions Adopted by Written Consent
                                 August 7, 1996

                                   * * * * * *

                  THE UNDERSIGNED, James L. Bayman, Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and President of Pioneer-Standard Electronics, Inc., an Ohio corporation
(the "Company"), and John V. Goodger, Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant
Secretary of the Company, being the two "Designated Officers" of the Company
authorized by the Resolutions (as hereinafter defined) adopted on July 2, 1996
to establish the form and terms of the Notes (as hereinafter defined) and to
take, on behalf of the Board of Directors, certain other action with respect to
the Notes (the "Designated Officers"), do hereby adopt and execute the following
preamble and resolutions by written consent ("Consent"):

                  WHEREAS, pursuant to resolutions adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Company on July 2, 1996 (the "Resolutions"), the Designated
Officers have been authorized to, among other things, (i) determine, authorize
and fix the terms of a series of Debt Securities of the Company in an aggregate
principal amount of up to $150,000,000, (ii) negotiate, execute and deliver an
underwriting agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") relating to such Debt
Securities, and (iii) take all such further action as the Designated Officers
may deem to be necessary or advisable to carry out the purpose and intent of the
Resolutions which relate to the offering of such Debt Securities;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that:

                  A. Pursuant to Section 301 of the Indenture dated as of August
1, 1996 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and Star Bank, N.A., as Trustee
(the "Trustee"), and pursuant to the Resolutions, there is hereby established a
series (as that term is used in Section 301 of the Indenture) of Debt Securities
to be issued under the Indenture, and, in addition to the terms provided in the
Indenture, such series of Debt Securities shall have the following terms, which
are numbered in accordance with Section 301 of the Indenture:

                  (1) The title of the Debt Securities of the series is 8 1/2% 
Senior Notes due August 1, 2006 (the "Notes");

                  (2) The limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Notes
which may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture (except for Notes
authenticated and delivered upon transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of,
other Notes pursuant to Sections 304, 305, 306, 906 or 1107 of the Indenture) is
$150,000,000;

                   (3) The Notes will be issued in definitive form, including in
the form of one or more fully registered Global Notes, without coupons and
investors may elect to hold their Notes directly or to hold interests in the
Global Notes; beneficial owners of interests in any such Global




<PAGE>   4

Notes may exchange such interests for Notes of like tenor and principal amount
only as provided in Section 305; the U.S. Depositary for such Global Note or
Notes shall initially be The Depository Trust Company (the "Depositary"); and
such Global Note or Notes shall be deposited with, or on behalf of , the
Depositary and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the
Depositary;

                  (4) The original issue date of the Notes shall be August 12, 
1996. The date on which the principal of the Notes is payable shall be August 1,
2006;

                  (5) The rate at which the Notes shall bear interest is 8.1/2%
per annum; the date from which such interest shall accrue shall be as set forth
in the form of the Notes annexed hereto as Annex A; the Interest Payment Dates
on which such interest shall be payable shall be February 1 and August 1 of each
year, beginning February 1, 1997; the Regular Record Dates for the interest
payable on such Interest Payment Dates shall be the January 15 or July 15, as
the case may be, immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date;
PROVIDED that interest payable at maturity shall be payable to the Person to
whom principal shall be payable;

                   (6) The place or places where the principal of and interest
on the Notes shall be payable are the office or agency of the Company maintained
for such purpose, the Corporate Trust Office and any other place or places
designated by the Company pursuant to Section 1002 of the Indenture; PROVIDED,
that interest on the Notes will be paid by check mailed to the address of each
Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register
or, at the option of the Company, by wire transfer to an account designated by
such Person in a bank located in the United States; and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that,
while the Notes are represented by one or more Global Notes registered in the
name of the Depositary or its nominee, the Company will cause payments of
principal of or interest on such Global Notes to be made to the Depositary or
its nominee, as the case may be, by wire transfer to the extent, in the funds
and in the manner required by agreements with, or regulations or procedures
prescribed from time to time by, the Depositary or its nominee, and otherwise in
accordance with such agreements, regulations or procedures;

                  (7) The Notes may not be redeemed, in whole or in part, prior
to maturity, pursuant to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption or otherwise;

                  (8) The Company shall have no obligation to redeem or purchase
the Notes pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision;

                  (9) The denominations of the Notes shall be $1,000 and any 
integral multiple thereof;

                  (10) The entire principal amount of the Notes shall be payable
upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502
of the Indenture;

                  (11) Not applicable;

                  (12) Sections 1302 and 1303 of the Indenture shall be 
applicable to the Notes;



                                       2
<PAGE>   5

                  (13) The Notes shall be denominated, and principal of and 
premium and interest on the Notes shall be payable, in United States Dollars;

                  (14) Not applicable;

                  (15) Not applicable; and

                  (16) Not applicable.

                  B. Pursuant to Section 201 of the Indenture and pursuant to 
the Resolutions, the form of note annexed hereto as Annex A is hereby
established as the form of the Notes.

                  C. The purchase price payable to the Company for the Notes
pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement shall be 99% of the principal amount
thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from August 12, 1996.

                  D. The Notes will bear interest at the rate of 8 1/2% per
annum (the "Initial Rate"), subject to an increase to 9 1/2% per annum (the
"Adjusted Rate") upon the occurrence of a Rating Event. "Rating Event" means
either (a) the assignment of a rating to the Notes by the National Association
of Insurance Commissioners (the "NAIC") which is either NAIC-3, NAIC-4 or
NAIC-5, or (b) the assignment of a rating to the Notes by (i) Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's") which is below Baa3 and (ii) Standard & Poor's
Corporation ("S&P") which is below BBB-. Upon the occurrence of a Rating Event,
the Initial Rate will be immediately increased (an "Interest Increase
Adjustment") to the Adjusted Rate. If any and all Rating Events cease at any
time to exist, the Adjusted Rate will be immediately decreased (an "Interest
Decrease Adjustment" and together with an Interest Increase Adjustment, an
"Interest Adjustment") to the Initial Rate. The effective date of any Interest
Increase Adjustment will be either, (i) the earlier of the date that the
occurrence of a Rating Event is publicly announced or notice thereof is received
by the Company or (ii) if such public announcement or notice occurs between a
record date and an interest payment date, such interest payment date. The
effective date of any Interest Decrease Adjustment will be either (i) the
earlier of the date on which the cessation of any and all Rating Events is
publicly announced or notice thereof is received by the Company or (ii) if such
public announcement or notice occurs between a record date and an interest
payment date, such interest payment date. Interest Adjustments may occur
throughout the term of the Notes.

                  If an Interest Adjustment occurs during an interest payment
period, the Notes will bear interest during such interest payment period at a
rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the Initial Rate and the
Adjusted Rate, calculated by multiplying the Initial Rate or the Adjusted Rate,
as applicable, by the number of days such interest rate is in effect during such
interest payment period, determining the sum of such products, and dividing such
sum by the number of days in such interest payment period, rounding to the
nearest one hundredth of a percentage point. All calculations pursuant to the
preceding sentence will be made on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of
twelve 30-day months.

                  E. All terms used in this Consent which are defined in the 
Indenture and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to
them in the Indenture.

                                       3
<PAGE>   6




                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Consent
 as of the 7th day of August, 1996.



/s/ James L. Bayman
- - ----------------------------------
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
  and President

/s/ John V. Goodger
- - ----------------------------------
Vice President, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary



                                      4

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 11


                    CALCULATION OF PRIMARY EARNINGS PER SHARE
            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Three months ended
                                                          June 30,
                                                  1996                1995
                                                  ----                ----
<S>                                         <C>                  <C>       
Weighted average common shares
  and common share equivalents
  outstanding                               23,138,433           23,085,351

Net income                                      $6,151               $6,816

Earnings per share - primary and
  fully diluted                                   $.27                 $.29
</TABLE>


                                       11

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          31,713
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  212,768
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,995
<INVENTORY>                                    263,914
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               513,856
<PP&E>                                          86,572
<DEPRECIATION>                                  38,611
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 605,453
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          234,176
<BONDS>                                        212,481
<COMMON>                                         6,675
                                0
                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     149,793
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   605,453
<SALES>                                        375,156
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               375,156
<CGS>                                          308,990
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  308,990
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                51,348
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,904
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,914
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,763
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,151
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,151
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .27
        

</TABLE>


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