BOSTON ACOUSTICS INC
10-Q, 1997-08-12
HOUSEHOLD AUDIO & VIDEO EQUIPMENT
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<PAGE>

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


                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               Washington, D.C.  20549

                                     ------------
                                      FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
               [x] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                         the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
                    for the quarterly period ended June 28, 1997 
                                          or
                 [ ] Transition Report pursuant Section 13 or 15 (d)
                       of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
               for the transition period from __________ to __________
                                           
Commission File No. 33-9875

                                                                     
                                   --------------
                                BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                           

Massachusetts                                       04-2662473   
(State or other jurisdiction                     (I.R.S. employer
     of incorporation or                         identification no.)
        organization)                    

300 Jubilee Drive
Peabody, Massachusetts                             01960 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)         (Zip Code)


                                    (508) 538-5000
                 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


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 [ ]

There were 3,304,366 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of  August
8, 1997.

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

<PAGE>
                              Boston Acoustics, Inc.
 
                                      INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                             PAGE
                                                                                                                             -----
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
Part I:    Financial Information
  Item 1.      Financial Statements

               Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)-
               March 29, 1997 and June 28, 1997.........................................................................        4

               Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)-
               Three months ended June 29, 1996 and June 28, 1997.......................................................        6

               Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)-
               Three months ended June 29, 1996 and June 28, 1997.......................................................        7

               Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.....................................................        8

  Item 2.      Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 
               and Results of Operations................................................................................       10

Part II:   Other Information

               Items 1 through 6........................................................................................       13

               Signatures...............................................................................................       14

</TABLE>

                                        2

<PAGE>










 
                             PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
                              ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 








                                        3



<PAGE>

                    Boston Acoustics, Inc. and Subsidiaries 
                          Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                 (Unaudited)
 
                                   ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    MARCH 29, 1997  JUNE 28, 1997
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>             <C>
Current Assets:

  Cash and cash equivalents.......................................................   $  4,937,232   $   2,856,796
  Short-term investments..........................................................      2,594,454       2,587,186
  Accounts receivable, net of reserves of approximately $411,000 and $409,000,
   respectively...................................................................      9,328,881       9,351,778
  Inventories.....................................................................      9,540,757      11,260,974
  Deferred income taxes...........................................................        791,000         791,000
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets.......................................        809,761         357,304
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
     Total current assets.........................................................     28,002,085      27,205,038
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
Property and Equipment, at cost:

  Land............................................................................      1,433,365       1,433,365
  Building........................................................................      7,012,347       7,012,347
  Machinery and equipment.........................................................      7,414,269       7,542,535
  Office equipment and furniture..................................................      1,597,499       1,633,704
  Motor vehicles..................................................................        373,177         267,551
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
                                                                                       17,830,657      17,889,502
Less-accumulated depreciation and amortization....................................      6,936,205       7,121,335
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
                                                                                       10,894,452      10,768,167
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
Other Assets:
  Long-term investments...........................................................      1,022,164         656,122
  Other assets....................................................................      2,311,411       2,163,579
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
      Total other assets..........................................................      3,333,575       2,819,701
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
                                                                                     $ 42,230,112   $  40,792,906
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial 
statements.

                                        4

<PAGE>

                    Boston Acoustics, Inc. and Subsidiaries 
                          Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                 (Unaudited)

                       LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    MARCH 29, 1997  JUNE 28, 1997
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>             <C>
Current Liabilities:

Accounts payable..................................................................   $  1,020,146   $   1,816,175
Accrued payroll and payroll-related expenses......................................      1,210,101       1,049,437
Dividends payable.................................................................        523,279         411,421
Current maturity of line of credit................................................        --            2,825,000
Other accrued expenses............................................................        499,446         545,677
Accrued income taxes..............................................................         68,135         298,554
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
    Total current liabilities.....................................................      3,321,107       6,946,264
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
Line of credit (Note 4)...........................................................        --           18,000,000

Commitments

Shareholders' Equity:

Common stock, $.01 par value
   Authorized--6,000,000 shares
   Issued--4,602,954 and 4,606,287 shares at March 29, 1997 and June 28, 1997,
     respectively.................................................................         46,029          46,063
Additional paid-in capital........................................................      4,973,409       5,036,496
Retained earnings.................................................................     38,322,082      39,111,200
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
                                                                                       43,341,520      44,193,759
Less--Treasury stock, 416,720 and 1,314,921 shares at March 29, 1997 and June 28,
  1997, respectively, at cost.....................................................      4,432,515      28,347,117
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
    Total shareholders' equity....................................................     38,909,005      15,846,642
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
                                                                                     $ 42,230,112   $  40,792,906
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.

                                       5
<PAGE>
                     Boston Acoustics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                        Consolidated Statements of Income
                                 (Unaudited)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                     ----------------------------
                                                                                     JUNE 29, 1996  JUNE 28, 1997
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>            <C>
Net sales..........................................................................  $  11,051,857  $  12,415,276

Cost of goods sold.................................................................      6,276,741      6,974,138
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
   Gross profit....................................................................      4,775,116      5,441,138
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
Selling and marketing expenses.....................................................      1,570,072      1,803,669

General and administrative expenses................................................        584,217        918,005

Engineering and development expenses...............................................        732,092        976,300
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
   Total expenses..................................................................      2,886,381      3,697,974
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
   Income from operations..........................................................      1,888,735      1,743,164

Interest income, net...............................................................        141,610         30,070
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
   Income before provision for income taxes........................................      2,030,345      1,773,234
Provision for income taxes.........................................................        711,000        639,000
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
  Net income.......................................................................  $   1,319,345  $   1,134,234
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
Net income per common share........................................................  $         .30  $         .28
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding...............................      4,398,481      4,029,774
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
Dividends per share................................................................  $        .125  $        .125
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
                   Boston Acoustics, Inc. and Subsidiaries 
                    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                (Unaudited)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                      ----------------------------
                                                                                      JUNE 29, 1996  JUNE 28, 1997
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>            <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income.......................................................................   $ 1,319,345   $   1,134,234
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities-
   Depreciation and amortization....................................................       345,032         408,316
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition of Snell Acoustics-
   Accounts receivable..............................................................       397,527         (22,897)
   Inventories......................................................................      (282,087)     (1,720,217)
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets........................................         4,364         452,457
   Accounts payable.................................................................        90,236         796,029
   Accrued payroll and other accrued expenses.......................................      (180,921)       (114,433)
   Accrued income taxes.............................................................       436,443         230,419
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
     Net cash provided by operating activities......................................     2,129,939       1,163,908
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
   Acquisition of Snell Acoustics...................................................    (2,564,749)            --
   Purchases of property and equipment, net.........................................      (515,636)        (58,845)
   Purchase of held-to-maturity investments.........................................    (1,195,684)            --
   Purchase of available-for-sale investments.......................................      (250,000)            --
   Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investments.............................       575,857             --
   Proceeds from sale of held-to-maturity investments...............................     1,783,722         373,310
   Increase in other assets.........................................................       (11,019)         (2,589)
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
     Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities............................    (2,177,509)        311,876
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
   Dividends paid...................................................................      (551,088)       (523,279)
   Purchase of treasury stock.......................................................      (933,550)    (23,914,602)
   Proceeds from line of credit.....................................................           --       20,825,000
   Proceeds from exercise of stock options..........................................           --           56,661
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
     Net cash used in financing activities..........................................    (1,484,638)     (3,556,220)
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents...............................................    (1,532,208)     (2,080,436)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period......................................     4,702,299       4,937,232
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period............................................   $ 3,170,091   $   2,856,796
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
Supplemental Disclosure of NonCash Financing Activities:
   Dividends payable................................................................   $   545,538   $     411,421
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
   Cash paid for income taxes.......................................................   $   250,733   $     408,582
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
   Cash paid for interest...........................................................   $     5,007   $      66,844
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.

                                         7

<PAGE>

                    BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
              NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
    The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein have been
prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission and include, in the opinion of
management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments)
necessary for a fair presentation of interim period results. Certain information
and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or
omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The Company believes, however,
that its disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not
misleading. The results for the three-month period ended June 28, 1997 are not
necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full fiscal year. These
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual
Report included in its Form 10-K filed on June 20, 1997.
 
(2) INVENTORIES
 
    Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market
and consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    MARCH 29, 1997  JUNE 28,1997
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>             <C>
Raw materials and work-in process.................................................   $  5,889,305   $   6,637,363
Finished goods....................................................................      3,651,452       4,623,611
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
                                                                                     $  9,540,757   $  11,260,974
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
    Work-in-process and finished goods inventories consist of materials, labor
and manufacturing overhead.
 
(3) NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
 
    Net income per common share is computed using the weighted average number of
shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Common equivalent shares
(stock options) have not been considered in the calculation of earnings per
share as their effect would not be significant. Fully diluted earnings per share
have not been presented as the amounts would not differ significantly from
primary earnings per share. On March 31, 1997, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board issued SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share. SFAS No. 128
establishes standards for computing and presenting earnings per share and
applies to entities with publicly held common stock or potential common stock.
SFAS No. 128 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 1997, and
early adoption is not permitted. When adopted by the Company, SFAS No. 128 will
require restatement of prior year's earnings per share. The Company believes
that the adoption of SFAS No. 128 will not have a material effect on its
financial statements.
 
(4) REDEMPTION OF COMMON STOCK AND LINE OF CREDIT
 
    On June 13, 1997, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 898,201 shares of
its common stock from the estates of its co-founder, Francis L. Reed, and his
wife, Dorothea T. Reed. The shares were repurchased at $26 5/8 per share or a
total of approximately $23,915,000. Funds to complete the repurchase were

                                       8
<PAGE>

obtained from an unsecured $25 million revolving line of credit agreement 
with a bank. At June 28, 1997 the Company had drawn down approximately $20.8 
million on this line of credit.

(5) STOCK OPTIONS
 
    The following is a summary of stock option activity:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           WEIGHTED
                                                                           NUMBER OF         PRICE          AVERAGE
                                                                            OPTIONS          RANGE           PRICE
                                                                          -----------  -----------------  -----------
<S>                                                                       <C>          <C>                <C>
Outstanding at March 29, 1997...........................................     158,667   $   17.00--$19.50    $ 18.55
Options granted.........................................................     100,000   $      21.00         $ 21.00
Options exercised.......................................................      (3,333)  $      17.00         $ 17.00
                                                                          -----------  -----------------  -----------
Outstanding at June 28, 1997............................................     255,334   $   17.00--$21.00    $ 19.54
                                                                          -----------  -----------------  -----------
Exercisable at June 28, 1997............................................      55,416   $   17.00--$21.00    $ 18.92
                                                                          -----------  -----------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                       9

<PAGE>
        MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
                             RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The following table sets forth the results of operations for the three-month
period ended June 29, 1996 and June 28, 1997 expressed as percentages of net
sales.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                      --------------------------------
                                                                                       JUNE 29, 1996    JUNE 28, 1997
                                                                                      ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>              <C>
Net sales...........................................................................         100.0%           100.0%

Cost of goods sold..................................................................          56.8             56.2
                                                                                             -----            -----
 Gross profit.......................................................................          43.2             43.8
                                                                                             -----            -----
Selling and marketing expenses......................................................          14.2             14.5

General & administrative expenses...................................................           5.3              7.4

Engineering & development expenses..................................................           6.6              7.9
                                                                                             -----            -----
                                                                                              26.1             29.8
                                                                                             -----            -----
 Income from operations.............................................................          17.1             14.0

Interest income, net................................................................           1.2               .3
                                                                                             -----            -----
 Income before provision for income taxes...........................................          18.3             14.3

Provision for income taxes..........................................................           6.4              5.2
                                                                                             -----            -----
 Net income.........................................................................          11.9%             9.1%
                                                                                             -----            -----
</TABLE>
 
Net sales increased 12 percent, from approximately $11,052,000 during the
first quarter of fiscal 1997 to approximately $12,415,000 during the first
quarter of fiscal 1998. The overall sales increase during the three-month period
ended June 28, 1997 was primarily due to increases of sales in both the home and
automotive loudspeaker categories, particularly to international distributors.
In addition, the Company began shipments of its new MicroMedia-TM- speaker
systems to Gateway 2000, Inc. The MicroMedia system is a high performance
system, consisting of a pair of miniature desktop speakers and a separate
subwoofer containing a three-channel amplifier that powers the whole system. It
is capable of producing true high fidelity sound for music, games and
multi-media applications.
 
The Company's gross margin for the three-month period ended June 28, 1997 
increased slightly as a percentage of net sales from 43.2% to 43.8% due 
primarily to a shift in the sales mix to loudspeaker models 

                                        10

<PAGE>

with slightly higher margins and the improvement in manufacturing 
efficiencies compared to the same period a year ago.
 
Total operating expenses increased both in absolute dollars and as a
percentage of net sales during the three-month period ended June 28, 1997 as
compared to the corresponding period in fiscal 1997. Selling and marketing
expenses have increased primarily due to increased salaries and expenses
associated with additional personnel affiliated with increased international
sales volume. General and administrative expenses have increased due primarily
to costs associated with operating results of the Snell Acoustics subsidiary,
expenses resulting from the Gateway 2000 agreement and the costs associated with
the redemption of the Company's outstanding common stock from the estates of its
co-founder Francis L. Reed and his wife Dorothea T. Reed. Engineering and
development expenses have increased primarily due to start-up expenses relating
to fulfilling the Gateway 2000 orders.
 
Interest income, net decreased during the three-month period ended June 28,
1997 due primarily to the utilization of working capital and borrowings under
the Company's line of credit in conjunction with the common stock repurchase.

The Company's effective income tax rate increased slightly from 35% for the
three-month period ended June 29, 1996 to 36% for the three-month period ended
June 28, 1997. The increase is primarily due to the decrease in investments in
tax-free instruments which resulted in a reduction of tax benefits derived by
the Company's Massachusetts securities corporation.
 
Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 1998 decreased 14% from
approximately $1,319,000 in fiscal 1997 to $1,134,000 in fiscal 1998. Earnings
per share decreased 7% from $.30 to $.28 per share for the three-month period
ended June 28, 1997. This decrease was primarily the result of the increase in
operating expenses, a decrease in interest income and an operating loss by the
Snell subsidiary included in the consolidated results of operations.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
During the first three months of fiscal 1998, the Company financed its
growth with cash generated by operations. As of June 28, 1997 the Company's
working capital was approximately $20,259,000. The Company's cash and cash
equivalents were approximately $2,857,000, short-term investments were
approximately $2,587,000, and long-term investments were approximately $656,000.
The Company's cash and cash equivalents at June 28, 1997 decreased by
approximately $2,080,000 from March 29, 1997 primarily as a result of the
repurchase of common stock during the quarter. The Company has two lines of
credit with two banking institutions totaling $26,500,000. At June 28, 1997 the
Company had borrowings totaling $20,825,000 under one line of credit.
 
The Company believes that its resources are adequate to meet its
requirements for working capital and capital expenditures through the next
twelve months.
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
 
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 contains certain safe 
harbors regarding forward-looking statements. From time to time, information 
provided by the Company or statements made by its directors, officers, or 
employees may contain "forward-looking" information which involve risk and 
uncertainties. Any statements in this report that are not statements of 
historical fact are forward-looking statements (including, but not limited 
to, statements concerning the characteristics and growth of the Company's 
market and customers, the Company's objectives and plans for future 
operations, possible acquisitions, and the Company's expected liquidity and 
capital resources). Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of 
assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and accordingly, 
actual results could differ materially. Factors that may cause such 
differences include, but are not limited to: 

                                   11

<PAGE>

the continued and future acceptance of the Company's products, the rate of 
growth in the audio industry; the presence of competitors with greater 
technical marketing and financial resources; the Company's ability to 
promptly and effectively respond to technological change to meet evolving 
consumer demands; capacity and supply constraints or difficulties; and the 
Company's ability to successfully integrate new operations. For a further 
discussion of these and other significant factors to consider in connection 
with forward-looking statements concerning the Company, reference is made to 
Exhibit 99 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year March 
30, 1996.

                                        12

<PAGE>

                              PART II: OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
        NONE

ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES
 
        NONE
 
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
 
        NONE
 
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
        NONE
 
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
 
        NONE
 
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
        a) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K
 
           Exhibit 10.1--Loan Agreement dated as of June 13, 1997 between Boston
           Acoustics, Inc. and State Street Bank and Trust Company.
 
           Exhibit 10.2--Revolving Credit Note dated as of June 13, 1997 in the 
           amount of $25,000,000 made by Boston Acoustics, Inc. payable to the 
           order of State Street Bank and Trust Company.
 
           Exhibit 10.3--Stock Redemption Agreement dated as of June 13, 1997 
           by and among Boston Acoustics, Inc. and Valerie R. Cohen, Lisa M. 
           Mooney and Paul F. Reed as Executors of the Estate of Francis L. 
           Reed and the Estate of Dorothea T. Reed.
 
           Exhibit 27.--Financial Data Schedule 

        b) Reports on Form 8-K
 
           No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended 
           June 28, 1997.

                                        13

<PAGE>

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


Date: August 8, 1997                  By: s/Andrew G. Kotsatos
                                         ------------------------------------
                                            Andrew G. Kotsatos
                                            Director, Chief Executive Officer
                                            and Treasurer
 
Date: August 8, 1997                  By: s/Fred E. Faulkner, Jr. 
                                         ------------------------------------
                                            Fred E. Faulkner, Jr.
                                            President and Chief 
                                            Operating Officer


                                       14


<PAGE>

                                                            Exhibit 10.1









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


                                    LOAN AGREEMENT
                                           
                              Dated as of June 13, 1997
                                           
                                       BETWEEN
                                           
                                BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.
                                           
                                         AND
                                           
                         STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
                                           
                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>


                                    LOAN AGREEMENT
                                    --------------

    THIS LOAN AGREEMENT is made as of June 13, 1997, between BOSTON ACOUSTICS,
INC., a Massachusetts corporation (the "Borrower") having its principal place of
business and chief executive office at 300 Jubilee Drive, Peabody, Massachusetts
01960, and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY (the "Lender"), a Massachusetts
trust company with its head office at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02110.

    SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS.
                -----------

    1.1  Definitions.  As used herein, the following terms shall have the
         -----------
following meanings:

    "Affiliate" means, with reference to any person, (including an individual,
a corporation, a partnership, a trust, any trade or business and any
governmental agency or instrumentality), (i) any director, officer or employee
of that person, (ii) any other person controlling, controlled by or under direct
or indirect common control of that person, (iii) any other person directly or
indirectly holding 10% or more of any class of the capital stock or other equity
interests (including options, warrants, convertible securities and similar
rights) of that person and (iv) any other person with respect to which such
person holds, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of any class of capital stock
or other equity interests (including options, warrants, convertible securities
and similar rights).  For purposes of Section 5.1(v) hereof, "Affiliate" means,
within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code, (i) any member of a controlled
group of corporations which includes the Borrower, (ii) any trade or business,
whether or not incorporated, under common control with the Borrower, (iii) any
member of an affiliated service group which includes the Borrower, and (iv) any
member of a group treated as a single employer by regulation.

    "Agreement" means this Loan Agreement, including the Exhibits hereto, as
originally executed, or if this Agreement is amended, varied or supplemented
from time to time, as so amended, varied or supplemented.

    "Business Day" means any day on which the head office of the Lender is open
for transactions of all of its normal and customary business, and with respect
to Libor Loans, any day which is also a day for trading by and between banks in
United States dollar deposits in the London interbank market in which the Lender
customarily participates.

    "Closing Date" means the first date on which all of the conditions set
forth in Section 4 have been satisfied and any Loans are to be made hereunder.

    "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the rules and
regulations thereunder, as amended.

    "Default" means an event or condition that, but for the requirement that
time elapse or notice be given, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

<PAGE>

    "Encumbrances" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.6.

    "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

    "Event of Default" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

    "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.

    "Indebtedness" with respect to any person means and includes, without
duplication, (i) all items which, in accordance with GAAP, would be  included as
a liability on the balance sheet of such person, (ii) the face amount of all
banker's acceptances and of all letters of credit issued by any bank for the
account of such person and all drafts drawn thereunder, (iii) the total amount
of all indebtedness secured by any Encumbrance to which any property or asset of
such person is subject, whether or not the indebtedness secured thereby shall
have been assumed, and (iv) the total amount of all indebtedness and obligations
of others which such person has directly or indirectly guaranteed, endorsed
(otherwise than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business),
discounted with recourse or agreed (contingently or otherwise) to purchase or
repurchase or otherwise acquire, including, without limitation, any agreement
(a) to advance or supply funds to such other person to maintain working capital,
equity capital, net worth or solvency, or (b) otherwise to assure or hold
harmless such other person against loss in respect of its obligations.

    "Initial Financial Statement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.5.

    "Insolvent" or "Insolvency" means that there shall have occurred one or
more of the following events with respect to a person: death; dissolution;
liquidation; termination of existence; "insolvent" or "insolvency" within the
meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or other applicable statute; such
person's inability to pay its debts as they come due or failure to have adequate
capital to conduct its business; such person's failure to have assets having a
fair saleable value net of any cost to dispose of such assets in excess of the
amount required to pay the probable liability on its then existing debts
(including unmatured, unliquidated and contingent debts); appointment of a
receiver of any part of the property of, execution of a trust mortgage or an
assignment for the benefit of creditors by, or the filing of a petition in
bankruptcy or the commencement of any proceedings under any bankruptcy or
insolvency laws or any laws relating to the relief of debtors, readjustment of
indebtedness or reorganization of debtors by or against such person, or the
offering of a plan to creditors or such person for composition or extension,
except for an involuntary proceeding commenced against such person which is
dismissed within 45 days after the commencement thereof without the entry of an
order for relief or the appointment of a trustee.

    "Interest Charges" means, for any period, without duplication, all interest
and all amortization of debt discount and expense (including commitment fees and
similar expenses) on any particular Indebtedness for which such calculations are
being made, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

<PAGE>

    "Interest Period" means, as to any Libor Loan or Treasury Rate Loan, the
period, the commencement and duration of which shall be determined in accordance
with Section 2.4.1, provided that if any such Interest Period would otherwise
end on a day which is not a Business Day for Libor Rate purposes, such Interest
Period shall end on the Business Day next preceding or next succeeding such day
as determined by the Lender in accordance with its usual practices and notified
to the Borrower at the beginning of such Interest Period.

    "Letters of Credit" means letters of credit in the form customarily issued
by the Lender as standby or documentary or commercial letters of credit, issued
by the Lender at the request and for the account of the Borrower.
 
    "Libor Loan Rate" means an annual rate of interest for an Interest Period
equal to the Libor Rate in effect on the first day of such Interest Period plus
the fixed rate spread set forth below which is applicable to the Borrower on the
day of any Notice of Borrowing or Conversion (based upon the Borrower's ratio of
Total Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth on the last day of the fiscal quarter
immediately preceding such Interest Period, as evidenced by the financial
statements required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.1(i),
provided that the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ending March 31,
1997, on which the initial fixed rate spread is based, shall be adjusted to
reflect the transactions evidenced by the Redemption Agreement on a pro forma 
basis): 


     Total Liabilities/             Libor Loan
     Tangible Net Worth           Fixed Rate Spread
     ------------------           -----------------

     greater than 1.5 to 1.0            1.25%

     greater than 1.0 to 1.0
     but less than or equal 
     to 1.5 to 1.0                      1.00%

     greater than 0.75 to 1.0 
     but less than or equal 
     to 1.0 to 1.0                      0.75%
   
     less than or equal to 
     0.75 to 1.0                        0.50%


    "Libor Loans" means, in relation to any Interest Period, any portion of the
principal amount of any Revolving Loans on which the Borrower elects pursuant to
Section 2.4 to pay interest at a rate determined by reference to the Libor Rate.

    "Libor Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Period, in the case of any
Libor Loan, the annual rate of interest determined by the Lender, at or before
10:00 a.m. (Boston time) (or as soon thereafter as practicable) on the second
Business Day prior to the first day 


<PAGE>

of such Interest Period, to be the annual rate of interest at which deposits 
of U.S. dollars are offered to the Lender by prime banks in whatever London 
interbank market may be selected by the Lender in its sole discretion, acting 
in good faith, at or about the time of determination and in accordance with 
the usual practice in such market for delivery on the first day of such 
Interest Period in immediately available funds and having a maturity equal to 
such Interest Period in an amount equal (as nearly as may be) to the amount 
of such Libor Loan.  Each such determination by the Lender shall be 
conclusive.

    "Loan" means a loan made to the Borrower by the Lender pursuant to Section
2 hereof, and "Loans" means all of such loans, collectively.

    "Loan Documents" means, collectively, this Agreement (including, without
limitation, the agreements and other instruments listed or described in the
Closing Checklist attached hereto as Exhibit E), the Note, the Letters of Credit
(and all letter of credit applications relating thereto) and any other
agreements, instruments or documents referred to herein or therein and/or
delivered in connection herewith, and all schedules, exhibits and annexes
thereto.

    "Maturity Date" means July 1, 2002.

    "Net Income" means the pre-tax gross revenues of the Borrower for the
period in question, less all expenses and other proper charges, all determined
in accordance with GAAP but in any event, excluding from Net Income (without
duplication):  (i) any gain or loss, amortization or deduction arising from any
write-up of assets, except to the extent inclusion thereof shall be approved in
writing by the Lender; (ii) earnings of any Subsidiary accrued prior to the date
it became a Subsidiary; (iii) the net earnings of any business entity (other
than a Subsidiary) in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has an
ownership interest, except to the extent such net earnings shall have actually
been received by the Borrower or such Subsidiaries in the form of cash
distributions; (iv) any gains or losses on the sale or other disposition of
investments or fixed or capital assets; (v) the proceeds of any life insurance
policy; (vi) any deferred or other credit representing any excess of the equity
of any Subsidiary at the date of acquisition thereof over the amount invested in
such Subsidiary; and (vii) any reversal of any contingency reserve, except to
the extent that provision for such contingency reserve shall be made from income
arising during such period.

    "Note" means the Revolving Credit Note.

    "Notice of Borrowing, Continuation or Conversion" shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 2.4.1.

    "Obligations" means any and all obligations of the Borrower to the Lender
of every kind and description, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent,
primary or secondary, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising,
regardless of how they arise or by what agreement or instrument they may be
evidenced or whether evidenced by any agreement or instrument, and includes
obligations to perform acts and to refrain from acting as well as obligations to
pay money.



<PAGE>


    "Participant" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.

    "Person" or "person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability
company, partnership, limited liability partnership, trust, trade, business and
governmental agency and instrumentality.

    "Plans" means, collectively, each "employee pension benefit plan" and each
"employee welfare benefit Plan" (each as defined in ERISA) maintained by the
Borrower.

    "Prime Rate" means the annual rate of interest announced by the Lender from
time to time, at the principal office of the Lender, as its prime rate.

    "Prime Rate Loans" means any Revolving Loans (or any portion thereof) as to
which the interest rate is the Prime Rate.

    "Redemption Agreement" means that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated
as of the date of this Agreement, among the Borrower and certain of its
stockholders.

    "Restricted Payments" means (i) any cash or property dividend,
distribution, or other payment, direct or indirect, to any Person who now or in
the future may hold an equity interest in the Borrower, whether evidenced by a
security or not; and (ii) any payment on account of the purchase, redemption,
retirement or other acquisition of any capital stock of the Borrower, or any
other payment or distribution made in respect thereof, either directly or
indirectly.

    "Revolving Credit Maximum Amount" means $25,000,000.

    "Revolving Credit Note" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.1.

    "Revolving Loan" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.1.

    "Revolving Loan Account" means the account on the books of the Lender in
which will be recorded Revolving Loans made by the Lender to the Borrower
pursuant to this Agreement, payments made on such Revolving Loans and other
appropriate debits and credits as provided by this Agreement.

    "Stated Amount" means, with respect to each Letter of Credit outstanding at
any given time, the maximum amount then available to be  drawn thereunder
(without regard to whether any conditions to drawing could then be met).

    "Subsidiary" means any corporation, association, joint stock company,
business trust or other similar organization of which 50% or more of the
ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the members of the board
of directors or other governing body of such entity is held or controlled by a
Borrower or a Subsidiary of a Borrower; or any other such organization the
management of which is directly or indirectly controlled by a Borrower or a
Subsidiary of a Borrower through the exercise of voting power or otherwise; or
any joint 


<PAGE>

venture, whether incorporated or not, in which a Borrower has a 50% ownership 
interest or any other entity which would be consolidated with the Borrower in 
presenting its financial statements in accordance with GAAP.

    "Tangible Net Worth" means the amount which is equal to the net worth of
the Borrower computed in accordance with GAAP and with inventory and cost of
goods sold determined on a "first in, first out" basis, and minus (i) the book
value, net of applicable reserves, of all intangible assets of the Borrower,
including, without limitation, goodwill, trademarks, trade names, copyrights,
patents and any similar rights and unamortized debt discount and expense, (ii)
intercompany accounts with Affiliates (including receivables due from
Affiliates), unless existing on the date of the Initial Financial Statement, or
created thereafter in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past
practices, (iii) to the extent not otherwise approved in advance by Lender, any
write up in the book value of any asset of the Borrower resulting from
revaluation thereof after the date of the Initial Financial Statement, (iv) the
value, if any, attributable to any capital stock of the Borrower held in
treasury, and (v) the value, if any, attributable to any notes or subscriptions
receivable due from stockholders in respect of capital stock.

    "Taxes" means, any and all taxes (including, without limitation, income,
receipts, franchise, ad valorem or excise taxes, transfer or gains taxes or
fees, use taxes, withholding, payroll or minimum taxes) imposed on, or otherwise
payable by, or for which responsibility for payment, withholding or collection
lies with, the Borrower by any governmental authority, federal, state or
otherwise, including any taxes imposed on any of the Borrower's Subsidiaries or
other Affiliates for which the Borrower may be liable under applicable law or by
agreement to which the Borrower is a party or by which it is bound or subject
to, and including, but not limited to, any interest, penalties or additions to
tax with respect thereto.

    "Total Liabilities" means, at any date as of which the amount thereof shall
be determined, all obligations of the Borrower that should, as determined in
accordance with GAAP, be classified as liabilities on the balance sheet of the
Borrower, including, in any event, all Indebtedness of the Borrower.

    "Treasury Rate Loans" means, in relation to any Interest Period, any
portion of the principal amount of any Revolving Loans on which the Borrower
elects pursuant to Section 2.4 to pay interest at a rate determined by reference
to the Treasury Rate.

    "Treasury Rate" means, as to any Revolving Loan (or any portion thereof),
the yield per annum determined by the Bank in its good faith and judgment to be
the yield in the secondary market on United States Government Treasury
obligations having a maturity date which is the same as, or is the nearest date
subsequent to, the Interest Period for such Revolving Loan (or portion thereof),
plus the fixed rate spread set forth below which is applicable to the Borrower
on the date of any Notice of Borrowing or Conversion (based upon the Borrower's
ratio of Total Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth on the last day of the fiscal
quarter immediately preceding such Interest Period, as evidenced by the
financial statements required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to
Section 5.1(i), provided that the financial statements for the fiscal quarter
ending March 31, 1997, on which the initial 


<PAGE>

fixed rate spread is based, shall be adjusted to reflect the transactions 
evidenced by the Redemption Agreement on a pro forma basis):



     Total Liabilities/                  Treasury Loan
     Tangible Net Worth                Fixed Rate Spread
     ------------------                -----------------

     greater than 1.5 to 1.0                   1.25%

     greater than 1.0 to 1.0 but 
     less than or equal to 1.5 to 1.0          1.00%

     greater than 0.75 to 1.0 but less 
     than or equal to 1.0 to 1.0               0.75%

     less than or equal to 0.75 to 1.0         0.50%

Such determination shall be made by the Lender on the date which is 2 Business
Days prior to the first day of the Interest Period applicable to such Revolving
Loan. 

    "Unused Commitment" for any period of time means the difference for each
day during such period between the Revolving Credit Maximum Amount in effect and
the sum of the principal amount of Revolving Loans actually outstanding
hereunder and the Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit.


    SECTION 2.  REVOLVING LOANS.
                ---------------

    2.1  Revolving Loans.  
         ---------------

         2.1.1  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement,
and in reliance upon the representations, warranties and covenants of the
Borrower made herein, the Lender agrees to make loans ("Revolving Loans") to the
Borrower at the Borrower's request from time to time, from and after the date
hereof and prior to the Maturity Date, provided that the principal amount of
Revolving Loans outstanding at any time, plus the aggregate Stated Amount of
Letters of Credit outstanding at such time, plus the aggregate amount of any
unreimbursed draws under outstanding Letters of Credit, shall not exceed the
Revolving Credit Maximum Amount, and provided, further, that at the time the
Borrower requests a Revolving Loan and after giving effect to the making thereof
there has not occurred and is not continuing any Default or Event of Default. 
The Borrower agrees that it shall be an Event of Default hereunder if at any
time the debit balance of the Revolving Loan Account, plus the aggregate Stated
Amount of Letters of Credit outstanding at any time, plus the 


<PAGE>

aggregate amount of unreimbursed draws under outstanding Letters of Credit at 
such time, shall exceed the Revolving Credit Maximum Amount unless the 
Borrower shall, upon notice of such excess from the Lender, promptly pay cash 
to the Lender to be credited to the Revolving Loan Account in such amount as 
shall be necessary to eliminate the excess.  Each Revolving Loan shall be in 
a minimum amount of $100,000 or an integral multiple thereof.  The Revolving 
Loans shall be evidenced by a Revolving Credit Note (the "Note") in the form 
of Exhibit A hereto.

         2.1.2     Subject to the provisions of Sections 2.5 and 2.6, the
Borrower may prepay outstanding Revolving Loans and the Note in whole or in part
at any time without premium or penalty.  Amounts so paid in respect of the
Revolving Loans and the Note and other amounts may be borrowed and reborrowed
from time to time as provided in Section 2.1.1.  On the Revolving Credit
Maturity Date, the Borrower shall repay all outstanding Revolving Loans and the
Note, together with all unpaid interest thereon and all fees and other amounts
due hereunder.

         2.2. Letters of Credit. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
              -----------------
of this Agreement, and in reliance upon the representations, warranties  and
covenants of the Borrower made herein, the Lender agrees to issue, to the extent
permitted by law and the Uniform Customs Practices of the International Chamber
of Commerce governing Letters of Credit (Publication No. 500 or any successor
thereto), Letters of Credit upon the application of the Borrower during the
period from the date hereof to the Maturity Date; provided that the aggregate
Stated Amount of Letters of Credit outstanding at any time, plus the aggregate
amount of all unreimbursed draws under such outstanding Letters of Credit, shall
not at any time (i) exceed $2,500,000, or (ii) cause the principal amount of
Revolving Loans outstanding at such time (after taking into account such Stated
Amount and all such unreimbursed draws) to exceed the Revolving Credit Maximum
Amount; and provided, further, that at the time the Borrower requests the
issuance of a Letter of Credit and after giving effect to the issuance thereof,
there has not occurred and is not continuing any Default or Event of Default. 
All Letters of Credit shall have a stated expiration date not to exceed one year
and shall, in any event, expire not later than the date which is one (1) month
prior to the Maturity Date.  Amounts drawn under the Letters of Credit shall
become immediately due and payable by the Borrower to the Lender.  Without
limiting the foregoing, if any Letter of Credit would by its terms expire after
the Maturity Date, the Borrower shall, on the Maturity Date, cause another
letter of credit issued by another bank to be substituted therefor or cause
another bank satisfactory to the Lender to indemnify the Lender to its
satisfaction against any and all liabilities and obligations in respect to such
Letter of Credit and, in such event, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
shall continue in full force and effect until all of the Obligations under any
such Letters of Credit have been paid in full to the Lender.  In order to
evidence such Letters of Credit, the Borrower shall enter into, with the Lender,
such agreements and execute such instruments and documents as the Lender
customarily requires in like transactions.

    2.3  Interest and Fees.  
         -----------------

<PAGE>

         2.3.1  Interest on any Revolving Loans shall be calculated and due and
payable based upon the following interest rate alternatives:

        (i)        In the absence of any election by the Borrower under
              clause (ii) or (iii) below, either initially with respect to
              any Revolving Loan or at the expiration of the applicable
              Interest Period under such clause (ii) or (iii) below, such
              Revolving Loans shall bear interest at a rate per annum
              equal to the Prime Rate in effect from time to time, with
              interest thereon being payable monthly in arrears on the
              last Business Day of each month.  Any change in the Prime
              Rate shall result in a change on the same day in the rate of
              interest to accrue from and after such day on the unpaid
              balance of principal of the Revolving Loans bearing interest
              with reference to the Prime Rate.

        (ii)       In the manner and subject to the provisions set forth
              in Sections 2.1, 2.4 and 2.5, so long as no Default or Event
              of Default has occurred and is then continuing, the Borrower
              may elect from time to time prior to the Maturity Date to
              have all or a portion of the unpaid principal amount of any
              Revolving Loan bear interest during any particular Interest
              Period applicable to Libor Loans at the Libor Rate and be
              treated as a Libor Loan, with interest, in all cases, being
              due and payable on the last day of the applicable Interest
              Period relating to such Libor Loan (but in any event, no
              less frequently than quarterly), provided, that any such
              portion of any Loan shall be in an amount not less than
              $100,000 or an integral multiple thereof.

        (iii)      In the manner and subject to the provisions set
              forth in Sections 2.1, 2.4 and 2.5, so long as no Default or
              Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, the
              Borrower may elect from time to time prior to the Maturity
              Date to have all or a portion of the unpaid principal amount
              of any Revolving Loan bear interest during any particular
              Interest Period applicable to Treasury Rate Loans at the
              Treasury Rate and be treated as a Treasury Rate Loan; with
              interest, in all cases, being due and payable monthly in
              arrears on the last Business Day of each month and last day
              of the applicable Interest Period relating to such Treasury
              Rate Loan, provided that any such portion of any Loan shall
              be in an amount not less than $100,000 or an integral
              multiple thereof.
              
    The rates of interest set forth above shall apply before an Event of
    Default.  After an Event of Default pursuant to Section 6 of this
    Agreement, interest shall accrue on the balance hereof at a rate equal
    to four percent (4%) per annum above the highest rate that would
    otherwise apply to amounts outstanding hereunder. 
              
              2.3.2  The Borrower shall pay to the Lender a commitment
    fee, payable monthly in arrears on the last Business Day of each
    month, equal to one-eighth of one percent (0.125%) per annum of the
    Unused Commitment during the preceding month.

<PAGE>

    
              2.3.3  The Borrower shall pay to the Lender on the Closing
    Date a non-refundable closing fee in the amount of $15,000.
    
              2.3.4  The Borrower authorizes the Lender to charge to the
    Revolving Loan Account or to any deposit account which the Borrower
    may maintain with the Lender the principal, interest, fees, charges,
    taxes and expenses provided for in this Agreement or any other
    document executed or delivered in connection herewith.
    
              2.3.5  If, after the date hereof, the Lender shall have
    determined that the adoption of any applicable law, rule, regulation,
    guideline, directive or request (whether or not having the force of
    law) regarding capital requirements for banks or bank holding
    companies, or any change therein, or any change in the interpretation
    or administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank
    or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration
    thereof, or compliance by the Lender with any of the foregoing imposes
    or increases a requirement by the Lender to allocate capital resources
    to the Lender's commitment to make Revolving Loans or issue Letters of
    Credit which has or would have the effect of reducing the return on
    the Lender's capital to a level below that which the Lender could have
    achieved (taking into consideration the Lender's then existing
    policies with respect to capital adequacy and assuming full
    utilization of the Lender's capital) but for such adoption, change or
    compliance by any amount deemed by the Lender to be material, then: 
    (i) the Lender shall promptly after its determination of such
    occurrence give notice thereof to the Borrower; and (ii) to the extent
    that the costs of such increased capital requirements are not
    reflected in the Prime Rate, the Borrower and the Lender shall
    thereafter attempt to negotiate in good faith, within 30 days
    following the date the Borrower receives such notice, an adjustment
    payable hereunder that will adequately compensate the Lender in light
    of the circumstances.  If the Lender and the Borrower are unable to
    agree to such adjustment within 30 days following the date upon which
    the Borrower receives such notice, then commencing on the date of such
    notice (but no earlier than the effective date of any such increased
    capital requirement), the fees payable hereunder shall increase by an
    amount that will, in the Lender's reasonable determination, provide
    adequate compensation.  The provisions of this Section 2.3.5 shall be
    applied to the Borrower so as not to discriminate against the Borrower
    vis-a-vis other customers of the Lender.
    
              2.3.6  Anything hereinbefore to the contrary
    notwithstanding, if any present or future applicable law (which
    expression, as used in this Agreement, includes statutes and rules and
    regulations thereunder and interpretations thereof by any competent
    court or by any governmental or other regulatory body or official
    charged with the administration or the interpretation thereof and
    requests, directives, instructions and notices at any time or from
    time to time heretofore or hereafter made upon or otherwise issued to
    the Lender by any central bank or other fiscal,  monetary or other
    authority, whether or not having the force of law) shall (i) subject
    the Lender to any tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, fee, deduction or
    withholding of any nature with respect to this Agreement, the maximum
    amount of the Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit or the payment to
    the Lender of any amounts due to it hereunder, or (ii) 


<PAGE>


    materially change the basis of taxation of payments to the Lender of the
    principal or the interest on or any other amounts payable to the
    Lender hereunder, or (iii) impose or increase or render applicable any
    special or supplemental special deposit or reserve or similar
    requirements or assessment against assets held by, or deposits in or
    for the account of, or any liabilities of, or loans by an office of
    the Lender in respect of the transactions contemplated herein, or (iv)
    impose on the Lender any other conditions or requirements with respect
    to this Agreement, the Revolving Credit Maximum Amount, the Letters of
    Credit or any Revolving Loan, and the result of any of the foregoing
    is (A) to increase the cost to the Lender of making, funding or
    maintaining all or any part of the Revolving Loans or the Letters of
    Credit, or (B) to reduce the amount of principal, interest or other
    amount payable to the Lender hereunder, or (C) to require the Lender
    to make any payment or to forego any interest or other sum payable
    hereunder, the amount of which payment or foregoing interest or other
    sum is calculated by reference to the gross amount of any sum
    receivable or deemed received by the Lender from the Borrower
    hereunder, then, and in each such case not otherwise provided for
    hereunder, the Borrower will, upon demand made by the Lender
    accompanied by calculations thereof in reasonable detail, pay to the
    Lender such additional amounts as will be sufficient to compensate the
    Lender for such additional cost, reduction, payment or foregoing
    interest or other sum, provided that the foregoing provisions of this
    sentence shall not apply in the case of any additional cost,
    reduction, payment or foregoing interest or other sum resulting from
    any taxes charged upon or by reference to the overall net income,
    profits or gains of the Lender.
    
         2.4  Loan Requests.
              -------------
    
              2.4.1     All requests under this Agreement for Revolving
    Loans or for a conversion of the interest rate applicable to any
    Revolving Loan (or portion thereof) under Section 2.3 above to a rate
    of a different type or for a continuation of a Revolving Loan (or a
    portion thereof) at an interest rate of the same type for an
    additional Interest Period, shall be made by the Borrower in writing
    (each such request to be irrevocable), substantially in the form
    attached hereto as Exhibit C (each a "Notice of Borrowing,
    Continuation or Conversion"), specifying (a) the amount of the
    requested advance or portion of outstanding principal into which the
    type of interest rate requested is to be converted or continued,
    (b) the requested borrowing or interest rate conversion or
    continuation date, (c) whether the requested advance or affected
    principal portion is to be treated as a Libor Loan or a Treasury Rate
    Loan or a combination thereof (and if a combination, the proportions
    of each), and (d) if the requested advance or affected principal
    portion is to be in whole or in part a Libor Loan or a Treasury Rate
    Loan, the length of the requested Interest Period for such advance or
    principal portion as applicable (which must be, in the case of Libor
    Loans, for one, two, three, six or twelve months, and in the case of
    Treasury Rate Loans, for two, three or four years), provided, however,
    that no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date. 
              
              2.4.2     Each Notice of Borrowing, Continuation or
    Conversion must be delivered to an officer of the Lender no later than
    11:00 a.m. Boston time, (a)  2 


<PAGE>

    Business Days prior to the requested advance, continuation or conversion 
    date, in the case of Libor Loans or Treasury Rate Loans, or (b) on the 
    requested advance, continuation or conversion date, in the case of Prime 
    Rate Loans.  If the Borrower does not request that an existing Libor Loan 
    or Treasury Rate Loan be maintained as a Libor Loan or Treasury Rate Loan 
    at least 2 Business Days prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable
    to such Loan, in accordance with the procedure set forth herein, then the 
    Borrower shall be deemed to have requested that such Loan be converted 
    into a Prime Rate Loan. 
    
         2.5  Libor Loan Provisions.
              ---------------------

              2.5.1     The Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower upon
    determining any Libor Rate.  Each such notice shall be conclusive and
    binding upon the Borrower.  If, with respect to any Interest Period,
    the Lender is unable to determine the Libor Rate relating thereto, or
    adverse or unusual conditions in or changes in applicable law relating
    to the London interbank market make it illegal or, in the reasonable
    judgment of the Lender, impracticable, to fund therein the amount of
    the requested Libor Loan or make the projected Libor Rate unreflective
    of the actual costs of funds therefor to the Lender, or if it shall
    become unlawful for the Lender to charge interest on the Loans on a
    Libor Rate basis, then in any of the foregoing events the Lender shall
    so notify the Borrower and interest will be calculated and payable in
    respect of such projected Interest Period (and thereafter for so long
    as the conditions referred to in this sentence shall continue) by
    reference to the Prime Rate in accordance with Section 2.3.1(i). 
              
              2.5.2     In the event the Lender shall incur any loss, cost
    or expense as a result of: 
                   
                   
              (i)  any payment, prepayment of or election to change the
              interest rate applicable to any principal of a Libor Loan on
              a date other than the last day of any Interest Period
              applicable thereto, or
                   
              (ii) any failure by the Borrower to borrow or convert into
              any Libor Loan on the date or in the amount specified in a
              Notice of Borrowing, Continuation or Conversion, or 
                   
              (iii) any increase in the cost to the Lender of making Libor
              Loans (including without limitation costs associated with
              increases in taxes, with reserves required by law or
              regulation, or with any other governmental assessments, in
              connection with Libor Loans), 
              
    then in any such event the Borrower shall pay to the Lender such
    amount or amounts as shall be sufficient (in the reasonable opinion of
    the Lender) to compensate the Lender fully for such loss, cost or
    expense, such compensation to include, without limitation, an amount
    equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the amount of interest that 


<PAGE>

    would have accrued on the principal amount so paid, prepaid or converted or
    not borrowed for the period from the date of such payment, prepayment
    or conversion to the last day of the Interest Period for such
    Revolving Loan or, in the case of a failure to borrow, for the entire
    Interest Period for such Revolving Loan, commencing on the date of
    such failure to borrow, at the applicable rate of interest for such
    Revolving Loan provided for herein, over (b) the amount of interest
    (as reasonably determined by the Lender) the Lender would have been
    offered in the London interbank market for dollar deposits of amounts
    comparable to such principal amount at a maturity comparable to said
    period. 
         
         2.6  Prepayment of Fixed Rate Treasury Loans.  In the event the
              ---------------------------------------
    Lender shall incur any loss, cost or expense as a result of: 
                   
                   
              (i)  any payment, prepayment of or election to change the
              interest rate applicable to any principal of a Treasury Rate
              Loan on a date other than the last day of any Interest
              Period applicable thereto, or
                   
              (ii) any failure by the Borrower to borrow or convert into
              any Treasury Rate Loan on the date or in the amount
              specified in a Notice of Borrowing, Continuation or
              Conversion, or 
                   
              (iii)     any increase in the cost to the Lender of making
              Treasury Loans (including without limitation costs
              associated with increases in taxes (except for taxes on the
              overall net income of the Lender imposed by the United
              States of America or any political subdivision thereof),
              with reserves required by law or regulation, or with any
              other governmental assessments, in connection with Treasury
              Rate Loans), 
              
    then in any such event the Borrower shall pay to the Lender such
    amount or amounts as shall be sufficient (in the reasonable opinion of
    the Lender) to compensate the Lender fully for such loss, cost or
    expense, such compensation to include, without limitation, an amount
    equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the monthly interest which would
    otherwise be payable on the principal to be prepaid from the date of
    the first day of the calendar month immediately following the date of
    prepayment (unless prepayment is tendered on the first day of any
    calendar month during the term of the applicable Note, in which case
    from the date of prepayment) to and including the applicable maturity
    date; over (b) the monthly interest the holder would earn if the
    principal to be prepaid were reinvested for the period from the first
    day of the calendar month immediately following the date of prepayment
    (unless prepayment is tendered on the first day of any calendar month
    during the term of the applicable Note, in which case from the date of
    prepayment) to and including the applicable maturity date, at the
    Treasury Rate, such difference to be discounted to present value at
    the Treasury Rate. 
    

<PAGE>

         SECTION 3.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
                     ------------------------------

    
         The Borrower represents, warrants and covenants as follows:
    
         3.1       Organization and Qualification.  The Borrower (i) is a
                   ------------------------------
    corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
    under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts; (ii) has all
    requisite corporate power and authority to own its property and
    conduct its business as now conducted and as presently contemplated;
    and (iii) is duly qualified and in good standing in each jurisdiction
    (which jurisdictions are listed on Exhibit B hereto) where the nature
    of its properties or its business (present or proposed) requires such
    qualification.  Since the date of the Initial Financial Statement, the
    Borrower has continued to engage in substantially the same business as
    that in which it was then engaged and is engaged in no unrelated
    business.
    
         3.2       Corporate Authority; Valid Obligations; Approvals.  The
                   -------------------------------------------------
    execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents and the
    transactions and other documents contemplated hereby and thereby are
    within the Borrower's corporate authority, have been authorized by all
    necessary corporate proceedings on the part of the Borrower, and do
    not and will not contravene any provision of law, its charter document
    or its by-laws, or contravene any provisions of, or constitute a
    Default or Event of Default hereunder or a default under any other
    agreement, instrument, judgment, order, decree, permit, license or
    undertaking binding upon or applicable to the Borrower or any of its
    properties, or result in the creation, other than in favor of the
    Lender, of any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien, encumbrance
    or charge upon any of the properties or assets of the Borrower.  The
    Loan Documents have been duly executed and delivered and constitute
    the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower enforceable
    in accordance with their terms.  The execution, delivery and
    performance of the Loan Documents and the transactions and other
    documents contemplated hereby and thereby do not require any approval
    or consent of, or filing or registration with, any person.
    
         3.3       Title to Properties; Absence of Liens.  The Borrower
                   -------------------------------------
    has good and marketable title to all of its properties, assets and
    rights of every name and nature now purported to be owned by it, which
    properties, assets and rights include all those necessary to permit
    the Borrower to conduct its business as such business was conducted on
    the date of the Initial Financial Statement, free from all liens,
    charges and encumbrances whatsoever except for insubstantial and
    immaterial defects in title and liens, charges or encumbrances
    permitted under Section 5.6.
    
         3.4       Compliance.  The Borrower (i) has all necessary
                   ----------
    permits, approvals, authorizations, consents, licenses, franchises,
    registrations and other rights and privileges (including without
    limitation patents, trademarks, trade names and copyrights) to allow
    it to own and operate its business without any violation of law or the
    rights of others, (ii) is duly authorized, qualified and licensed
    under and in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations,
    authorizations and orders of public authorities (including, without
    limitation, laws relating to hazardous materials, 


<PAGE>


    hazardous waste, oil, and protection of the environment and laws relating 
    to ERISA or to employee benefit plans generally), and (iii) has performed 
    all obligations required to be performed by it under, and is not in
    default under or in violation of, its charter or by-laws, or any
    agreement, lease, mortgage, note, bond, indenture, license or other
    instrument or undertaking to which it is a party or by which any of it
    or any of its properties are bound, except for any such violations or
    failures to comply under clauses (i) through (iii) above which,
    individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse
    effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of
    operations or assets of the Borrower, and the Borrower has not
    received any notice by any governmental authority or third party with
    respect to the generation, storage, or disposal or release or threat
    of release of hazardous substances, hazardous materials, or oil, or
    with respect to any violation of any federal, state or local
    environmental, health or safety statute or regulation.
    
         3.5       Financial Statements.  The Borrower has furnished to
                   --------------------
    the Lender its audited balance sheet as of March 29, 1997 and the
    related audited statements of income and stockholders' equity and cash
    flows for the year then ended, which were prepared in accordance with
    GAAP, certified by  independent certified public accountants
    acceptable to the Lender and fairly present the financial position of
    the Borrower as at the close of business on such date and the results
    of its operations for the year then ended (the "Initial Financial
    Statement").  At the date hereof, the Borrower has no material
    Indebtedness or other liabilities, whether accrued, absolute,
    contingent or otherwise, and whether due or to become due, that are
    not set forth on the Initial Financial Statement or on Exhibit B
    hereto.  Since the Initial Financial Statement there have been no
    material adverse changes, individually or in the aggregate, in the
    assets, liabilities, financial condition or business of the Borrower,
    except as set forth on Exhibit B hereto.
    
         3.6       Events of Default; Solvency.  As of the date of this
                   ---------------------------
    Agreement, no Default or Event of Default exists and the Borrower is
    not, and immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the
    Revolving Loans will not be, Insolvent.
    
         3.7       Taxes.  The Borrower has filed all federal, state and
                   -----
    other tax returns required to be filed for all Taxes, and has paid (or
    has established adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP for the
    payment of) all Taxes, assessments and other such governmental charges
    due from the Borrower have been fully paid.  The Borrower has not
    executed any waiver that would have the effect of extending the
    applicable statute of limitations in respect of any Tax.
    
         3.8       Labor Relations; Litigation.  The Borrower is not
                   ---------------------------
    engaged in any unfair labor practice and, except as set forth on
    Exhibit B attached hereto, there is no litigation, proceeding,
    governmental investigation (administrative or judicial) or labor
    dispute, pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened
    against the Borrower, which, if decided adversely to the Borrower,
    could have a materially adverse effect on the business, properties or
    condition (whether financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or on the
    ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this


<PAGE>

    Agreement or any other agreement or document contemplated hereby, nor
    is any substantial basis for any such litigation or labor dispute
    known to exist.
    
         3.9       Restrictions on the Borrower.  The Borrower is not
                   ----------------------------
    party to or bound by any contract, agreement or instrument, nor
    subject to any charter or other corporate restriction which will,
    under current or foreseeable conditions, materially and adversely
    affect its business, property, assets, operations or conditions,
    financial or otherwise.
    
         3.10      Contracts with Affiliates, Etc.  Except as disclosed on
                   ------------------------------
    Exhibit B attached hereto, and except for agreements or transactions
    (in each case) in the ordinary course of business and on an
    arm's-length basis, the Borrower is not a party to or otherwise bound
    by any agreements,  instruments or contracts (whether written or oral)
    with any Affiliate, except for any such agreement, instrument or
    contract (other than an agreement, instrument or contract with respect
    to Indebtedness for borrowed money) as would not materially and
    adversely affect the condition (financial or otherwise), properties,
    business or results of operations of the Borrower.
    
         3.11      Disclosure.  No representations and warranties made by
                   ----------
    the Borrower in this Agreement, any other Loan Document or in any
    other agreement, instrument, document, certificate, statement or
    letter furnished to the Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower, and no
    other factual information heretofore or contemporaneously furnished by
    or on behalf of the Borrower to the Lender, in connection with any of
    the transactions contemplated by any of the Loan Documents contains
    (as of the date given) any untrue statement of fact or omits to state
    a fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not
    misleading in any material respect in light of the circumstances in
    which they are made.  Except as disclosed herein or in the Initial
    Financial Statement or in the other Loan Documents, there is no fact
    known to the Borrower which materially adversely affects, or which
    would in the future materially adversely affect, the business,
    condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or assets of
    the Borrower.
    
         3.12      Subsidiaries.  As of the date hereof, the Borrower has
                   ------------
    no Subsidiaries, except as disclosed on Exhibit B attached hereto.
    
    
         SECTION 4.  CONDITIONS OF LOANS.
                     -------------------
    
         4.1       Conditions to Initial Revolving Loan.  The obligation of the
                   ------------------------------------
    Lender to make the initial Revolving Loan is subject to the
    fulfillment to the satisfaction of the Lender on the date hereof of
    the following conditions precedent:
    
              4.1.1  Receipt by the Lender of all of the agreements,
    documents, instruments, certificates and opinions listed or described
    on the Closing Checklist attached hereto as Exhibit E, in form and
    substance satisfactory to the Lender, and duly executed and delivered
    by the parties thereto, along with such additional 

<PAGE>


    instruments, certificates, opinions and other documents as the Lender 
    shall reasonably request.
    
              4.1.2  The representations and warranties contained herein
    shall be true and accurate on and as of the date hereof, the Borrower
    shall have performed and complied with all covenants and conditions
    required herein to be performed or complied with by it prior to the
    making of such Revolving Loan, and no Default or Event of Default
    shall be continuing or result from the Revolving Loans to be made on
    the date hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby.
    
         4.2  Conditions to all Loans.  The obligation of the Lender to
              -----------------------
    make any Revolving Loan is subject to the fulfillment to the
    satisfaction of the Lender immediately prior to or contemporaneously
    with each such Loan of each of the following conditions:  (i) the
    representations and warranties contained herein or otherwise made in
    writing by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant hereto or in
    connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall be true and
    correct in all material respects at the time of each such Loan (except
    for representations and warranties limited as to time or with respect
    to a specific event) with and without giving effect to the Loan to be
    made at such time and the application of the proceeds thereof, (ii) no
    Default or Event of Default shall be continuing or result from such
    Loan, (iii) no material adverse change in the condition (financial or
    otherwise), business or properties of the Borrower shall have occurred
    since the date of the Initial Financial Statement, and (iv) no change
    in applicable law or regulation shall have occurred as a consequence
    of which it shall have become and continue to be unlawful for the
    Lender or the Borrower to perform any of its respective agreements or
    obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party.
    
         SECTION 5.  COVENANTS.
                     ---------

         During the term of this Agreement and so long as any Obligation
    of the Borrower in respect of any Loan remains outstanding, the
    Borrower hereby covenants to the Lender that:
     
         5.1  Financial Statements and Other Reporting Requirements.  The
              -----------------------------------------------------
    Borrower shall furnish to the Lender:
    
              (i)  as soon as available to the Borrower, but in any event
         within 120 days after each fiscal year-end, the balance sheet of
         the Borrower as at the end of, and related statements of income,
         retained earnings and cash flow for, such year prepared in
         accordance with GAAP and certified by independent certified
         public accountants satisfactory to the Lender that such
         statements present fairly the financial position of the Borrower
         prepared in accordance with GAAP applied in a manner consistent
         with the Borrower's past practices; and concurrently with such
         financial statements, if in the opinion of such accountants a
         Default or Event of Default exists, a written statement by such
         accountants that, in the making of the audit necessary for their
         report and 


<PAGE>

         opinion upon such financial statements, they have obtained knowledge of
         such Default or Event of Default, and they shall disclose in such 
         written statement the nature and status thereof; 
    
              (ii)  as soon as available to the Borrower, but in any event
         within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of each
         fiscal year of the Borrower, the balance sheet of the Borrower as
         at the end of, and related statements of income, retained
         earnings and cash flow for, the portion of the year then ended
         and for the quarter then ended, prepared in accordance with GAAP
         (with the exception of footnotes) applied in a manner consistent
         with the audited financial statements required by clause (i)
         above (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments, none of
         which shall be materially adverse) and certified pursuant to the
         report to be delivered to the Lender under clause (iv) of this
         Section 5.1;
    
              (iii)  promptly as they become available, copies of all such
         financial statements, proxy material and reports as the Borrower
         shall send to or make generally available to stockholders and of
         all regular and periodic reports filed by the Borrower or any of
         its Subsidiaries with any securities exchange or with the
         Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental authority
         succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, and
         promptly as they become available, a copy of each report
         (including any so-called management letters) submitted to the
         Borrower by independent certified public accountants in
         connection with each annual audit of the books of the Borrower by
         such accountants or in connection with any interim audit thereof
         pertaining to any phase of the business of the Borrower;
    
              (iv)  concurrently with each delivery of financial
         statements pursuant to clause (i) and clause (ii) of this Section
         5.1, a chief financial officer's report in substantially the form
         of Exhibit D hereto, and including, without limitation,
         computations in reasonable detail evidencing compliance with the
         covenants contained in Sections 5.16 and 5.17;
         
              (v)  promptly after obtaining knowledge of the existence
         thereof, notice of (a) the occurrence of any event which
         constitutes a Default or Event of Default, together with the
         nature and duration thereof and the action proposed to be taken
         with respect thereto, (b) the occurrence of any condition or
         event with respect to the Borrower or any Affiliate which could
         be expected to constitute a material adverse change in or to have
         a material adverse effect on the business, properties or
         condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower, together with
         the nature and duration thereof and the action proposed to be
         taken with respect thereto, (c) any litigation or any
         investigative proceedings of a governmental agency or authority
         commenced or threatened against the Borrower, any Affiliate or
         any Plan which could be expected to have a material adverse
         effect on the business, properties or condition (financial or
         otherwise) of the Borrower, or the issuance of any judgment,
         award, decree, order or other 

<PAGE>

         determination in or relating to any such litigation or proceedings, 
         (d) the occurrence of a reportable event (as defined in ERISA) or any 
         communications to, or receipt of communications from, the PBGC, the 
         United States Department of Labor or the IRS by the Borrower or any 
         Affiliate relating to any Plan, along with copies of all such
         communications, (e) the adoption by the Borrower of any stock
         option or executive compensation plan, whether or not subject to
         ERISA, and any Plan subject to ERISA, or the substantial
         modification of any such plan, along with the vesting and funding
         schedules and other principal provisions thereof, and (f) any
         communications given or received by the Borrower in any way
         relating to compliance with, any violation or potential violation
         of, or any potential liability under, any environmental law or
         regulation (including those relating to pollution control,
         hazardous materials and hazardous wastes), along with copies of
         all such communications; and
    
              (vi)  from time to time, such other financial data and
         information about the Borrower as the Lender may reasonably
         request.
         
              5.2  Conduct of Business.  The Borrower will maintain its
                   -------------------
         corporate existence, continue to have a fiscal year ending on the
         last Saturday of March of each year (unless otherwise agreed to
         by the Lender) and remain or engage in substantially the same
         business as that in which it is now engaged, and will duly
         observe and comply with all applicable laws and all requirements
         of any governmental authorities relative to it, its assets or to
         the conduct of its business, including laws relating to the
         environment, pollution control, hazardous materials and hazardous
         waste (except where the failure to observe and comply with such
         laws or requirements would not materially and adversely affect
         the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, business, or
         results of operations of the Borrower or the ability of the
         Borrower to perform its obligations to the Lender) and will
         maintain and keep in full force and effect all licenses and
         permits necessary to the proper conduct of its business.
         
              5.3  Maintenance and Insurance.  The Borrower will maintain
                   -------------------------
         and keep its properties in good repair, working order and
         condition so that its business may be properly and advantageously
         conducted at all times, and will comply with the provisions of
         all material Leases to which it is a party or under which it
         occupies property so as to prevent any material loss or
         forfeiture thereof or thereunder.  The Borrower at all times will
         maintain insurance with such insurance companies, in such amounts
         against such hazards and liabilities and for such purposes as is
         customary in the industry for companies of established reputation
         engaged in the same or similar businesses and owning or operating
         similar properties.  Upon request of the Lender from time to
         time, the Borrower shall furnish to the Lender certificates or
         other evidence satisfactory to the Lender of compliance with the
         foregoing insurance provisions.
         
              5.4  Taxes.  The Borrower will pay or cause to be paid all
                   -----
         taxes, assessments or governmental charges on or against it or
         its properties prior to 


<PAGE>

         such taxes becoming delinquent, except for any tax, assessment or 
         charge which is being contested in good faith by proper legal 
         proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves have been 
         established and are being maintained, provided that no enforcement 
         action to enforce a lien has been commenced against the Borrower with 
         respect to any such tax, assessment or charge which is material in 
         amount.
         
              5.5  Limitation of Indebtedness.  Except with the prior
                   --------------------------
         written consent of the Lender, the Borrower will not create,
         incur, assume or suffer to exist, or in any manner become or be
         liable directly or indirectly with respect to, any Indebtedness
         except: (i) the Obligations; (ii) Indebtedness for borrowed money
         existing on the date of this Agreement and described on Exhibit B
         hereto or in the Initial Financial Statement; and
         (iii) Indebtedness on open account for the purchase price of
         services, materials and supplies incurred by the Borrower in the
         ordinary course of business (not as a result of borrowing), so
         long as all of such open account Indebtedness shall be promptly
         paid and discharged when due or in conformity with customary
         trade terms and practices, except for any such open account
         Indebtedness which is being contested in good faith by the
         Borrower and as to which adequate reserves required by GAAP have
         been established and are being maintained.
         
              5.6  Restrictions on Liens.  Without the Lender's prior
                   ---------------------
         written consent, the Borrower will not create, incur, assume or
         suffer to exist any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or
         other charge or encumbrance, including the lien or retained
         security title of a conditional vendor, ("Encumbrances") upon or
         with respect to any property or assets, real or personal, of the
         Borrower, or assign or otherwise convey any right to receive
         income, except: 
           
         (i)  Encumbrances existing on the date of this Agreement and set
         forth on Exhibit B hereto; 
              
         (ii) Encumbrances in favor of the Lender; 



         (iii)  liens for taxes, fees, assessments and other 
         governmental charges to the extent that payment of the 
         same is not required in accordance with the provisions 
         of Section 5.4; or 

         (iv) liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary 
      course of the Borrower's business in connection with 
      workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, social 
      security and other similar laws, or liens of mechanics, 
      laborers, materialmen, carriers and warehousemen arising 
      by operation of law to secure payment for labor, materials, 
      supplies or services incurred in the ordinary course of 
      Borrower's business, but only if the payment thereof is not 


<PAGE>

      at the time required and such liens do not, individually or 
      in the aggregate, materially detract from the value or limit 
      the use of any property subject thereto. 

              5.7  Mergers, Acquisitions and Purchases and Sales
                   ---------------------------------------------
of Assets.  The Borrower will not (i) consolidate or merge with or
- ---------
into any other corporation or other entity, (ii) acquire the assets
or stock of any entity, other than in connection with acquisitions
of interests in other corporations or business entities engaged in
the same business as that in which the Borrower is now engaged or
in a reasonable extension or expansion thereof (either through the
purchase of assets or capital stock or otherwise); provided, that
(a) the aggregate amount of all such acquisitions shall not exceed
$500,000, (b) the properties and assets acquired in connection with
such acquisitions shall be free from all liens, charges and
encumbrances whatsoever, and (c) immediately prior to and after
giving effect to such acquisition, no Default or Event of Default
shall exist, or (iii) sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of
or discount any portion of its assets (including any note,
instrument or account), other than the sale of finished goods and
the disposition of scrap, waste and obsolete items in the ordinary
course of business.

              5.8  Investments and Loans.  The Borrower will not
                   ---------------------
make or have outstanding at any time any investments in or loans to
any other person, whether by way of advance, guaranty, extension of
credit, capital contribution, purchase of stocks, notes, bonds or
other securities or evidences of Indebtedness, or acquisition of
limited or general partnership interests or interests in any
limited liability company, other than: (i) in direct obligations of
the United States of America, maturing within one year of their
issuance; (ii) in time certificates of deposit or repurchase
agreements, maturing within one year of their issuance, from banks
or other financial institutions in the United States having
capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $200,000,000;
(iii) in short-term commercial paper carrying the highest rating by
Moody's or Standard and Poor's rating services and issued by
corporations headquartered in the United States, in currency of the
United States; (iv) in shares of money-market mutual funds having
assets in excess of $100,000,000 and substantially all of the
assets of which consist of investments referred to in clauses (i)
through (iii), inclusive, above; (v) advances to employees for
business related expenses to be incurred in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practices in an amount not to
exceed $150,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any one time,
provided that no such advances to any single employee shall exceed
$100,000 in the aggregate; and (vi) investments in addition to
those permitted by this Section 5.8 and disclosed on Exhibit B
attached hereto.

              5.9  Restricted Payments  The Borrower shall not,
                   -------------------
directly or indirectly (through any Affiliate or otherwise),
declare, pay or make any Restricted Payment other than (i) regular
compensation and bonuses paid to employees of the Borrower in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, and
(ii) dividends in respect of, or repurchases of, the Borrower's
common stock (including the repurchase contemplated by the
Redemption Agreement), so long as no Default or Event of Default
exists or would occur by reason of the taking of such action.


<PAGE>

    5.10  ERISA Compliance.
          ----------------

    None of the Borrower, any Plan and any fiduciary thereof shall
(i) engage in any "prohibited transaction" or incur, whether or not 
waived, any "accumulated funding deficiency" (both as defined in
ERISA and the Code), (ii) fail to satisfy any additional funding
requirements set forth in Section 412 of the Code and Section 302
of ERISA, or (iii) terminate or withdraw from participation in any
Plan in a manner which could result in the imposition of a lien on
any property of, or impose a substantial withdrawal liability on,
the Borrower.  The Borrower and each Plan shall comply in all
material respects with ERISA.

    5.11  Inspection by the Lender; Books and Records.  The
          -------------------------------------------
Borrower will permit the Lender or its designees, at any reasonable
time and from time to time, to visit and inspect the properties of
the Borrower, to examine and make copies of the books and records
of the Borrower and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts
of the Borrower with appropriate officers.  The Borrower will keep
adequate books and records of account in which true and complete
entries will be made reflecting all of its business and financial
transactions, and such entries will be made in accordance with GAAP
and applicable law.

    5.12  Use of Proceeds.  The Borrower will use the proceeds of
          ---------------
the Loans solely for (i) the consummation of the redemption
transactions contemplated by the Redemption Agreement, and (ii) its
working capital needs.  No portion of any Loans shall be used for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin security" or
"margin stock" as such terms are used in Regulations G, U or X of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

    5.13  Transactions with Affiliates.  The Borrower will not,
          ----------------------------
directly or indirectly, enter into any transaction with any
Affiliate except in the ordinary course of business on terms that
are no less favorable to the Borrower than those which might be
obtained at the time in a comparable arm's-length transaction with
any person who is not an Affiliate.

    5.14  No Amendments to Certain Documents.  The Borrower will
          ----------------------------------
not at any time cause or permit any of the Redemption Agreement,
the charter or other incorporation documents or by-laws of the
Borrower to be modified, amended or supplemented in any respect
whatever, without the express prior written agreement, consent or
approval of the Lender, except for immaterial changes which could
not adversely affect the Lender or its rights hereunder.

    5.15  Subsidiaries.  The Borrower shall give the Lender
          ------------
written notice of the formation after the date hereof of any
Subsidiary, and agrees that it shall cause any such Subsidiary to
engage in the business of conducting branches or divisions of the
business now conducted by the Borrower or holding any of the
property of the Borrower.  The Borrower will, at the direction of
the Lender, cause such Subsidiary to 

<PAGE>

become a party to this Agreement and to such of the other Loan Documents as 
the Lender shall require.

    5.16  Leverage.  The Borrower will not permit the ratio of
          --------
(i) Total Liabilities to (ii) Tangible Net Worth as at any fiscal
quarter-end during any period specified below to be more than the
ratio identified below as applicable to such period:

 
                                       Maximum
             Period                     Ratio
             ------                     -----
   
 Date hereof to March 31, 1998       2.25 to 1.0
   
 April 1, 1998 to
 March 31, 1999                      1.75 to 1.0
   
 April 1, 1999 to 
 March 31, 2000                       1.25 to 1.0
   
 April 1, 2000 and
 thereafter                           1.0 to 1.0


    5.17  Profitability.  The Borrower will not permit its Net
          -------------
Income during any four consecutive fiscal quarters (as determined
at the end of each fiscal quarter for the four quarters then
ending) to be less than $3,000,000.


    SECTION 6.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION.
                -------------------------------

    6.1  The following shall constitute events of default
(individually, an "Event of Default"):

    (i) default in the payment, when due or payable, of any
Obligation for the payment of money; or

    (ii) default in the performance or observance of or compliance
with (i) any of the provisions of Sections 2 (other than the
payment of principal and interest), 5.1, 5.5 through 5.9,
inclusive, 5.11 through 5.17, inclusive, of this Agreement, or (ii)
any term or condition of the Note (other than the payment of
principal and interest on the Note), or (iii) any other covenant or
condition of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other
Obligation not listed previously in this Section, and such default
continues for more than 15 days; or

    (iii) any representation or warranty at any time made by or on
behalf of the Borrower in any Loan Document or otherwise shall
prove to have been false in any material respect upon the date when
made or deemed to have been made; or 


<PAGE>

    (iv) the occurrence of any default under any agreement, note
or other instrument evidencing or relating to any obligation of the
Borrower to any other person or entity for the payment of $100,000
or more; or

    (v) issuance of an injunction which might have a material
adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise),
properties, business or results of operations of the Borrower, or
attachment which in the aggregate exceeds $100,000 in value,
against the Borrower, any property of the Borrower or any endorser,
guarantor or surety for any Obligation which is not dismissed or
bonded, to the satisfaction of the Lender, within 30 days after its
issuance; 

    (vi) calling of a meeting of creditors, formation or
appointment of a committee of creditors or liquidating agents or
offering of a composition or extension to creditors by, for or with
the consent or acquiescence of any of the Borrower or any endorser,
guarantor or surety for any Obligation; 

    (vii) Insolvency of the Borrower or any endorser, guarantor or
surety for any Obligation; 

    (viii) any money judgment or judgments aggregating in excess
of $100,000 are entered against the Borrower or any endorser,
guarantor or surety for any Obligation (except to the extent fully
covered by insurance and the insurance carrier has not reserved the
right to disallow such claim), and shall continue unsatisfied and
in effect for a period of 30 days, provided that the total cost of
any bond applied in order to procure a stay of execution in any
such litigation shall not exceed $10,000; or

    (ix) any Loan Document, or any covenant, agreement or
obligation contained therein or evidenced thereby, shall cease in
any material respect to be legal, valid, binding or enforceable in
accordance with its terms, or shall be cancelled, terminated,
revoked or rescinded; or

    (x) any action at law, suit in equity or other legal
proceeding to cancel, revoke or rescind any Loan Document shall be
commenced by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other person bound
thereby, or by any court or any other governmental or regulatory
authority or agency of competent jurisdiction; or any court or any
other governmental or regulatory authority or agency of competent
jurisdiction shall make a determination that, or shall issue a
judgment, order, decree or ruling to the effect that, any one or
more of the Loan Documents, or any one or more of the obligations
of the Borrower or any other person under any one or more of the
Loan Documents, are illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any
material respect in accordance with the terms thereof; or

    (xi) any default or event of default shall occur and be
continuing under the Redemption Agreement.


<PAGE>

    6.2  If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the
Lender may, at its option, (i) declare any or all of the
Obligations of the Borrower to the Lender to be immediately due and
payable without further notice or demand, whereupon the same shall
become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand,
protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived
by the Borrower, (ii) limit, suspend or terminate the Borrower's
right to borrow hereunder, and (iii) exercise any rights and
remedies under this Agreement and law; provided that in the event
of any Event of Default specified in Sections 6.1(vi) or 6.1(vii),
all Obligations shall become immediately due and payable
automatically and without any requirement of notice from the Lender
or action by the Lender.


    SECTION 7.  SET OFF; PARTICIPATIONS.
                -----------------------

    Any deposits or other sums at any time credited by or due from
the Lender to the Borrower may, without notice (any such notice
being expressly waived hereby) and to the fullest extent permitted
by law and without regard to any source of payment whatsoever, at
any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, be applied
to or set off against  Obligations on which the Borrower is
primarily liable and may at or after the maturity thereof be
applied to or set off against Obligations on which the Borrower is
secondarily liable.

    The Borrower invites any financing institution which may
consider investing or participating in the Loans (each such
financing institution being referred to in this Section as a
"Participant") to rely upon all of the representations, warranties,
covenants and other provisions of this Agreement, the Note and the
other agreements, instruments and documents referred to herein or
contemplated hereby in making such investment or participation and
agrees that its becoming a Participant in the Loans shall
constitute an acceptance of such offer and shall make the
Participant a creditor of the Borrower.  Any Participant may
exercise the rights of set-off given to the Lender in this Section
7 with respect to any outstanding indebtedness of the Borrower to
such Participant hereunder.


    SECTION 8.  GENERAL.
                -------

    8.1  Written Notices.  Any notices, expressly required by this
         ---------------
Agreement to be in writing, to any party hereto shall be deemed to
have been given when delivered by hand, when sent by telecopier,
when delivered to any overnight delivery service freight pre-paid
or 3 days after deposit in the mails, postage prepaid, and
addressed to such party at its address given at the beginning of
this Agreement or at any other address specified in writing. 
Written notices to the Borrower shall be sent to the attention of
Fred E. Faulkner, Jr., President, with a copy to Joseph D. S.
Hinkley, Esq., Peabody & Arnold, 50 Rowes Wharf, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110, and written notices to the Lender shall be
sent to the attention of Bruce S. Daniels, Vice President, with a
copy to Philip A. Herman, Esq., Goulston & Storrs, P.C., 400
Atlantic Avenue, Boston, 


<PAGE>

Massachusetts 02110-3333.  Any notice, unless otherwise specified, may be 
given orally or in writing.

    8.2  No Waivers.  No failure or delay by the Lender in
         ----------
exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as
a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of
any other right, power or privilege.  The rights and remedies
herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or
remedies otherwise provided by law.

    8.3  Further Assurances.  The Borrower shall do, make, execute
         ------------------
and deliver all such additional and further acts, things,
assurances, and instruments as the Lender may reasonably require
more completely to vest in and assure to the Lender its rights
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and to carry into
effect the provisions and intent of this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents.

    8.4  Governing Law.  This Agreement and the other Loan
         -------------
Documents shall be deemed to be contracts made under seal and shall
be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (without regard to conflicts of laws
rules).  Any legal  action or proceeding arising out of or relating
to this Agreement or any Obligation may be instituted in the courts
of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts or of the United States of
America for the District of Massachusetts, and the Borrower hereby
irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of each such court in any
such action or proceeding; provided, however, that the foregoing
shall not limit the Lender's rights to bring any legal action or
proceeding in any other appropriate jurisdiction.

    8.5  Expenses, Taxes and Indemnification.
         -----------------------------------

    (a)  The Borrower will pay and indemnify and hold the Lender
harmless against all taxes (other than taxes on the income of the
Lender), charges and expenses of every kind or description,
including without limitation attorneys' fees and expenses and the
costs and expenses of field audits and commercial finance exams,
reasonably incurred or expended by the Lender in connection with or
in any way related to the Lender's relationship with the Borrower,
whether hereunder or otherwise, except that the Lender shall be
responsible for its attorneys' fees incurred or expended in
connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this
Agreement.

    (b)  The Borrower shall absolutely and unconditionally
indemnify and hold the Lender harmless against any and all claims,
demands, suits, actions, causes of action, damages, losses,
settlement payments, obligations, costs, expenses and all other
liabilities whatsoever which shall at any time or times be incurred
or sustained by the Lender or by any of its shareholders,
directors, officers, employees, subsidiaries, affiliates or agents
(except any of the foregoing incurred or sustained as a result of
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Lender) on
account of, or in relation to, or in any way in connection with,
associated with or ancillary to this Agreement, the other Loan
Documents and the other documents executed or delivered in
connection 

<PAGE>

herewith, and the arrangements or transactions contemplated therein, whether 
or not all or any of the transactions contemplated by, associated with or 
ancillary to this Agreement or any of such documents are ultimately 
consummated.

    8.6  Amendments, Waivers, Etc.  This Agreement, the Note and
         ------------------------
the other Loan Documents and any provision hereof or thereof may be
waived, discharged or terminated only by an instrument in writing
signed by the Lender and may be amended only by an instrument in
writing signed by the Borrower and the Lender.

    8.7  Binding Effect of Agreement.  This Agreement shall be
         ---------------------------
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower and the
Lender and their respective successors and assigns.  The Lender may
sell, assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its right,
title and interest in, and its obligations under, this Agreement,
the Loans made and to be made hereunder, or grant participations in
its right, title and  interest herein and therein.  The Borrower
may not assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder.

    8.8  Computation of Interest and Fees, Etc.  Interest, fees
         -------------------------------------
and charges shall be computed daily on the basis of a year of 360
days and paid for the actual number of days for which due.  If the
due date for any payment of principal is extended by operation of
law, interest shall be payable for such extended time.  If any
payment required by this Agreement becomes due on a day on which
banks in Boston, Massachusetts are required or permitted by law or
an appropriate authority to remain closed, such payment may be made
on the next succeeding day on which such banks are open, and such
extension shall be included in computing interest in connection
with such payment.  All payments required of the Borrower hereunder
or under the Note shall be made in lawful money of the United
States of America in federal or other funds immediately available
to the recipient thereof at the prescribed place of payment.

    8.9  Entire Agreement; Miscellaneous.  This Agreement,
         -------------------------------
including the exhibits hereto, sets forth the entire agreement and
understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject
matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior agreements,
promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations,
warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee or
representative of any party hereto.  The captions for the sections
of this Agreement are for ease of reference only and are not an
integral part of this Agreement.  This Agreement may be signed in
any number of counterparts with the same effect as if the
signatures hereto and thereto were upon the same instrument.  The
provisions of this Agreement are severable, and if any of these
provisions shall be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to
be unenforceable, such holdings shall not affect or impair any
other provision hereof.

    8.10  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
          --------------------
WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JURISDICTION AND IN ANY COURT WITH
RESPECT TO, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT,
THE OBLIGATIONS, OR ANY INSTRUMENT 


<PAGE>

OR DOCUMENT DELIVERED PURSUANT HERETO OR THERETO, OR ANY CLAIM OR DISPUTE 
HOWSOEVER ARISING, BETWEEN THE BORROWER AND THE LENDER.  THIS WAIVER SHALL BE 
EFFECTIVE FOR EACH DOCUMENT EXECUTED BY THE BORROWER OR THE LENDER AND 
DELIVERED TO THE LENDER OR THE BORROWER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, WHETHER OR NOT 
SUCH DOCUMENT SHALL CONTAIN A WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE BORROWER FURTHER 
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ALL DOCUMENTS DELIVERED BY THE LENDER OR THE BORROWER ARE 
SUBJECT TO THIS WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL AS TO ANY ACTION THAT MAY BE BROUGHT AS 
TO ANY OF SUCH DOCUMENTS, AND CONFIRMS THAT THE FOREGOING WAIVERS ARE 
INFORMED AND FREELY MADE.

    WITNESS the execution hereof under seal on the day and year
first above written.

                                  BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.



                                  By:  /s/Fred E. Faulkner, Jr.
                                       ------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:


                                  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST 
                                  COMPANY



                                  By:  /s/Bruce S. Daniels
                                       -------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:



<PAGE>


                                                                      EXHIBIT A
                                                                      ---------


                              REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
                              ---------------------


$25,000,000.00                                              Date: June 13, 1997


    FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (hereinafter, together
with its successors in title and assigns, called the "Borrower"),
by this promissory note (hereinafter, together with the Schedule
annexed hereto, called "this Note"), absolutely and unconditionally
promises to pay to the order of State Street Bank and Trust Company
(hereinafter, together with its successors in title and assigns,
called the "Bank"), the principal sum of Twenty-Five Million and
00/100 Dollars ($25,000,000.00), or so much thereof as shall have
been advanced by the Bank to the Borrower by way of Revolving Loans
under the Loan Agreement (as hereinafter defined) and shall remain
outstanding, such payment to be made as hereinafter provided, and
to pay interest on the principal sum outstanding hereunder from
time to time from the date hereof until the said principal sum or
the unpaid portion thereof shall have become due and payable as
hereinafter provided.

    Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have
the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

    The unpaid principal (not at the time overdue) under this Note
shall bear interest at the rate or rates from time to time in
effect under the Loan Agreement.  Accrued interest on the unpaid
principal under this Note shall be payable on the dates specified
in the Loan Agreement.

    On July 1, 2002, the date of the final maturity of this Note,
there shall become absolutely due and payable by the Borrower
hereunder, and the Borrower hereby promises to pay to the Bank, the
balance (if any) of the principal hereof then remaining unpaid, all
of the unpaid interest accrued hereon and all (if any) other
amounts payable on or in respect of this Note or the indebtedness
evidenced hereby.

    Each overdue amount (whether of principal, interest or
otherwise) payable on or in respect of this Note or the
indebtedness evidenced hereby shall (to the extent permitted by
applicable law) bear interest at the rates and on the terms
provided by the Loan Agreement.  The unpaid interest accrued on
each overdue amount in accordance with the foregoing terms of this
paragraph shall become and be absolutely due and payable by the
Borrower to the Bank on demand by the Bank.  Interest on each
overdue amount will continue to accrue as provided by the foregoing
terms of this paragraph, and will (to the extent permitted by
applicable law) be compounded daily until the obligations of the
Borrower in respect of the payment of such overdue amount shall be
discharged (whether before or after judgment).

<PAGE>

    Each payment of principal, interest or other sum payable on or
in respect of this Note or the indebtedness evidenced hereby shall
be made by the Borrower directly to the Bank in dollars, at the
address of the Bank set forth in the Loan Agreement, on the due
date of such payment, and in immediately available and freely
transferable funds.  All payments on or in respect of this Note or
the indebtedness evidenced hereby shall be made without set-off or
counterclaim and free and clear of and without any deductions,
withholdings, restrictions or conditions of any nature.

    This Note is made and delivered by the Borrower to the Bank
pursuant to the Loan Agreement, dated as of June 13, 1997, by and
between the Borrower and the Bank (hereinafter, as originally
executed, and as now or hereafter varied or supplemented or amended
and restated, called the "Loan Agreement").  This Note evidences
the obligation of the Borrower (a) to repay the principal amount of
the Revolving Loans made by the Bank to the Borrower pursuant to
the Loan Agreement; (b) to pay interest, as herein and therein
provided, on the principal amount hereof remaining unpaid from time
to time; and (c) to pay other amounts which may become due and
payable hereunder or thereunder as herein and therein provided. 

    The Borrower will have the right to prepay the unpaid
principal of this Note in full or in part upon the terms contained
in the Loan Agreement.  The Borrower will have an obligation to
prepay principal of this Note from time to time if and to the
extent required under, and upon the terms contained in, the Loan
Agreement.  Any partial payment of the indebtedness evidenced by
this Note shall be applied in accordance with the terms of the Loan
Agreement.

    Pursuant to and upon the terms contained in Section 6 of the
Loan Agreement, the entire unpaid principal of this Note, all of
the interest accrued on the unpaid principal of this Note and all
(if any) other amounts payable on or in respect of this Note or the
indebtedness evidenced hereby may be declared to be immediately due
and payable, whereupon the entire unpaid principal of this Note,
all of the interest accrued on the unpaid principal of this Note
and all (if any) other amounts payable on or in respect of this
Note or the indebtedness evidenced hereby shall (if not already due
and payable) forthwith become and be due and payable to the Bank
without presentment, demand, protest or any other formalities of
any kind, all of which are hereby expressly and irrevocably waived
by the Borrower, excepting only for notice expressly provided for
in the Loan Agreement.

    All computations of interest payable as provided in this Note
shall be computed by the Bank daily on the basis of a 360 day year
and paid for the actual number of days for which due.  The interest
rate in effect from time to time shall be determined in accordance
with the terms of the Loan Agreement.

    Should all or any part of the indebtedness represented by this
Note be collected by action at law, or in bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other court proceedings, or should this Note be
placed in the hands of attorneys for collection after default, the
Borrower hereby promises to pay to the holder of this Note, upon
demand by the holder 


<PAGE>

hereof at any time, in addition to principal, interest and all (if any) other 
amounts payable on or in respect of this Note or the indebtedness evidenced 
hereby, all court costs and attorneys' fees and all other collection charges 
and expenses reasonably incurred or sustained by the holder of this Note.

    The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives notice of acceptance,
presentment, notice of nonpayment, protest, notice of protest, suit
and all other conditions precedent in connection with the delivery,
acceptance, collection and/or enforcement of this Note or any
collateral or security therefor, except for notices expressly
provided for in the Loan Agreement.  The Borrower hereby absolutely
and irrevocably consents and submits to the jurisdiction of the
courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and of any federal
court located in Suffolk County in the said Commonwealth in
connection with any actions or proceedings brought against the
Borrower by the holder hereof arising out of or relating to this
Note.

    This Note is intended to take effect as a sealed instrument. 
This Note and the obligations of the Borrower hereunder shall be
governed by and interpreted and determined in accordance with the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard to its law
relating to choice of law.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE has been duly
executed by the undersigned on the day and in the year first above
written in Boston, Massachusetts.

WITNESS:                     BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.


___________________________  By:__________________________________
                                Name:  
                                Title:
 


<PAGE>

           SCHEDULE TO REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
                                     


            AMOUNT    INTEREST   AMOUNT     NOTATION
    DATE   OF LOAN      RATE      PAID      MADE BY 
    ----   -------    --------   ------     --------




<PAGE>
                                Exhibit B
                                ---------


                              LOAN AGREEMENT

                        dated as of June 13, 1997

                                 between

                          BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.
                                   and
                   STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

Using the paragraph numbers of the above Loan Agreement, and the
definitions of terms provided therein, the Borrower provides the
following information:

3.1 [jurisdictions where the nature of Borrower's properties or
its business (present or proposed) requires qualification] - None

3.5 [material Indebtedness or other liabilities, whether accrued,
absolute, contingent or otherwise, and whether due or to become
due, that are not set forth on the Initial Financial Statement] - None

3.5 [material adverse changes, individually or in the aggregate,
in the assets, liabilities, financial condition or business of the
Borrower] - None

3.8 [litigation, proceeding, governmental investigation
(administrative or judicial) or labor dispute, pending or, to the
best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against the Borrower,
which, if decided adversely to the Borrower, could have a
materially adverse effect on the business, properties or condition
(whether financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or on the ability
of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or
any other agreement or document contemplated hereby] - None

3.10     [agreements, instruments or contracts (whether written or
oral) with any Affiliate with respect to Indebtedness for borrowed
money or as would materially and adversely affect the condition
(financial or otherwise), properties, business or results of
operations of the Borrower] - None


<PAGE> 

3.12     [Subsidiaries]

<TABLE>

<CAPTION>

                                         Jurisdiction of 
Name of Subsidiary                        Incorporation                    Ownership
- ------------------                       ---------------         ------------------------------

<S>                                     <C>                      <C>

BA Acquisition Corp.                     Mass.                   100% by Boston Acoustics, Inc.

Boston Acoustics Securities Corp.        Mass.                   100% by Boston Acoustics, Inc.

Boston Acoustics Foreign Sales Corp.     St. Thomas              100% by Boston Acoustics, Inc.

Boston Acoustics Italia, SRL             Italian                 98% by Boston Acoustics, Inc.
                                                                 2% by BA Acquisition Corp.

</TABLE>


5.5 [Indebtedness for borrowed money existing on the date of this Agreement] - 
    None

5.6 [Encumbrances existing on the date of this Agreement] - None

5.8 [Investments] - See attached Exhibit B-1




<PAGE>
                                                                Exhibit 10.2
                                REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE


$25,000,000.00                                           Date: June 13, 1997


    FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (hereinafter, together with its 
successors in title and assigns, called the "Borrower"), by this promissory 
note (hereinafter, together with the Schedule annexed hereto, called "this 
Note"), absolutely and unconditionally promises to pay to the order of State 
Street Bank and Trust Company (hereinafter, together with its successors in 
title and assigns, called the "Bank"), the principal sum of Twenty-Five 
Million and 00/100 Dollars ($25,000,000.00), or so much thereof as shall have 
been advanced by the Bank to the Borrower by way of Revolving Loans under the 
Loan Agreement (as hereinafter defined) and shall remain outstanding, such 
payment to be made as hereinafter provided, and to pay interest on the 
principal sum outstanding hereunder from time to time from the date hereof 
until the said principal sum or the unpaid portion thereof shall have become 
due and payable as hereinafter provided.

    Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meaning set
forth in the Loan Agreement.

    The unpaid principal (not at the time overdue) under this Note shall bear
interest at the rate or rates from time to time in effect under the Loan
Agreement.  Accrued interest on the unpaid principal under this Note shall be
payable on the dates specified in the Loan Agreement.

    On July 1, 2002, the date of the final maturity of this Note, there shall 
become absolutely due and payable by the Borrower hereunder, and the Borrower 
hereby promises to pay to the Bank, the balance (if any) of the principal 
hereof then remaining unpaid, all of the unpaid interest accrued hereon and 
all (if any) other amounts payable on or in respect of this Note or the 
indebtedness evidenced hereby.

    Each overdue amount (whether of principal, interest or otherwise) payable 
on or in respect of this Note or the indebtedness evidenced hereby shall (to 
the extent permitted by applicable law) bear interest at the rates and on the 
terms provided by the Loan Agreement.  The unpaid interest accrued on each 
overdue amount in accordance with the foregoing terms of this paragraph shall 
become and be absolutely due and payable by the Borrower to the Bank on 
demand by the Bank. Interest on each overdue amount will continue to accrue 
as provided by the foregoing terms of this paragraph, and will (to the extent 
permitted by applicable law) be compounded daily until the obligations of the 
Borrower in respect of the payment of such overdue amount shall be discharged 
(whether before or after judgment).

    Each payment of principal, interest or other sum payable on or in respect
of this Note or the indebtedness evidenced hereby shall be made by the Borrower
directly to the Bank in dollars, at the address of the Bank set forth in the
Loan Agreement, on the due date of such payment, and in immediately available
and freely transferable funds.  All payments on or in 


<PAGE>

respect of this Note or the indebtedness evidenced hereby shall be made 
without set-off or counterclaim and free and clear of and without any 
deductions, withholdings, restrictions or conditions of any nature.

    This Note is made and delivered by the Borrower to the Bank pursuant to 
the Loan Agreement, dated as of June 13, 1997, by and between the Borrower 
and the Bank (hereinafter, as originally executed, and as now or hereafter 
varied or supplemented or amended and restated, called the "Loan Agreement"). 
 This Note evidences the obligation of the Borrower (a) to repay the 
principal amount of the Revolving Loans made by the Bank to the Borrower 
pursuant to the Loan Agreement; (b) to pay interest, as herein and therein 
provided, on the principal amount hereof remaining unpaid from time to time; 
and (c) to pay other amounts which may become due and payable hereunder or 
thereunder as herein and therein provided. 

    The Borrower will have the right to prepay the unpaid principal of this 
Note in full or in part upon the terms contained in the Loan Agreement.  The 
Borrower will have an obligation to prepay principal of this Note from time 
to time if and to the extent required under, and upon the terms contained in, 
the Loan Agreement.  Any partial payment of the indebtedness evidenced by 
this Note shall be applied in accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement.

    Pursuant to and upon the terms contained in Section 6 of the Loan 
Agreement, the entire unpaid principal of this Note, all of the interest 
accrued on the unpaid principal of this Note and all (if any) other amounts 
payable on or in respect of this Note or the indebtedness evidenced hereby 
may be declared to be immediately due and payable, whereupon the entire 
unpaid principal of this Note, all of the interest accrued on the unpaid 
principal of this Note and all (if any) other amounts payable on or in 
respect of this Note or the indebtedness evidenced hereby shall (if not 
already due and payable) forthwith become and be due and payable to the Bank 
without presentment, demand, protest or any other formalities of any kind, 
all of which are hereby expressly and irrevocably waived by the Borrower, 
excepting only for notice expressly provided for in the Loan Agreement.

    All computations of interest payable as provided in this Note shall be 
computed by the Bank daily on the basis of a 360 day year and paid for the 
actual number of days for which due.  The interest rate in effect from time 
to time shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the Loan 
Agreement.

    Should all or any part of the indebtedness represented by this Note be 
collected by action at law, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or 
other court proceedings, or should this Note be placed in the hands of 
attorneys for collection after default, the Borrower hereby promises to pay 
to the holder of this Note, upon demand by the holder hereof at any time, in 
addition to principal, interest and all (if any) other amounts payable on or 
in respect of this Note or the indebtedness evidenced hereby, all court costs 
and attorneys' fees and all other collection charges and expenses reasonably 
incurred or sustained by the holder of this Note.


<PAGE>

    The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives notice of acceptance, presentment, 
notice of nonpayment, protest, notice of protest, suit and all other 
conditions precedent in connection with the delivery, acceptance, collection 
and/or enforcement of this Note or any collateral or security therefor, 
except for notices expressly provided for in the Loan Agreement.  The 
Borrower hereby absolutely and irrevocably consents and submits to the 
jurisdiction of the courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and of any 
federal court located in Suffolk County in the said Commonwealth in 
connection with any actions or proceedings brought against the Borrower by 
the holder hereof arising out of or relating to this Note.

    This Note is intended to take effect as a sealed instrument.  This Note 
and the obligations of the Borrower hereunder shall be governed by and 
interpreted and determined in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts without regard to its law relating to choice of law.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE has been duly executed by 
the undersigned on the day and in the year first above written in Boston, 
Massachusetts.

WITNESS:                         BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.


___________________________      By:     /s/Fred E. Faulkner, Jr.     
                                    --------------------------------
                                     Name:  
                                     Title:
 
<PAGE>

                          SCHEDULE TO REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
                                           


             DATE       AMOUNT       INTEREST     AMOUNT     NOTATION
                        OF LOAN        RATE        PAID       MADE BY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>
                                                              Exhibit 10.3



                              STOCK REDEMPTION AGREEMENT

    Stock Redemption Agreement duly made this 13th day of June, 1997 by and
among Boston Acoustics, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation with a principal place
of business in Peabody, Massachusetts (the "Company"), Valerie R. Cohen, Lisa M.
Mooney and Paul F. Reed as Executors of the Estate of Francis L. Reed (the
"Francis Reed Estate") and the Estate of Dorothea T. Reed (the "Dorothea Reed
Estate") (collectively the "Sellers").  

    WHEREAS the Company has agreed to redeem an aggregate of 898,201 shares of
common stock of the Company (the "Shares") currently held by the Sellers and the
Sellers have agreed to sell such Shares on the terms and conditions set forth
herein;

    NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises set
forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, the parties
agree as follows:

    1.   Purchase and Sale of Shares.  The Sellers hereby agree to sell and the
Company agrees to redeem the Shares as set forth in this Section 1 below,
subject to the terms and conditions hereof:

         (a)  Francis Reed Estate..  The Sellers are delivering herewith for
redemption by the Company 645,625 shares of common stock of the Company,
beneficially owned by the Francis Reed Estate, together with stock powers
transferring such Shares.

         (b)  Dorothea Reed Estate.  The Sellers are delivering herewith for
redemption by the Company 252,576 shares of common stock of the Company
beneficially owned by the Dorothea Reed Estate, together with stock powers
transferring such Shares.  

    2.   Purchase Price.  The purchase price for the Shares is $26.625 per
share payable by the Company herewith to the Sellers as follows:

         (a)  Francis Reed Estate.  The purchase price for the Shares being
redeemed from the Francis Reed Estate is $17,189,765.63, payable by certified
check or wire transfer of immediately available funds by the Company to the
Estate of Francis L. Reed.

         (b)  Dorothea Reed Estate.  The purchase price for the Shares being
redeemed from the Dorothea Reed Estate is $6,724,836.00, payable by certified
check or wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Estate of Dorothea
T. Reed.

    3.   Representations and Warranties of the Sellers.  The Sellers represent
and warrant as follows:

         (a)  The Sellers are the lawful owners of the Shares and the Sellers
have full power and authority to sell such Shares, free and clear of any liens
or encumbrances whatsoever.  To the knowledge of the Sellers, no person has any
present or future right (conditional, preemptive or otherwise) to acquire any of
the Shares.

                                        1

<PAGE>

         (b)  The sale of the Shares contemplated by this Agreement does not
conflict with, or result in a breach of, or a default under, or give rise to a
right of acceleration under, any agreement or instrument to which the Sellers
are a party.

         (c)  No broker or finder has acted for the Sellers in connection with
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and no broker or finder
is entitled to any brokerage or finder's fee or other commissions in respect of
such transactions based upon agreements, arrangements or understandings made by
or on behalf of the Sellers.

         (d)  Sellers acknowledge that they have had the opportunity to be
advised by legal counsel of their own choosing with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

    4.   Representations and Warranties of the Company.  The Company represents
and warrants to the Sellers as follows:

         (a)  The Company has the full right, power and authority to enter into
and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

         (b)  This Agreement and the obligations of the Company hereunder have
been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company, any other
necessary corporate action on the part of the Company has been taken and the
officer executing this Agreement has been authorized so to do by the Board of
Directors of the Company.

         (c)  The Company is not, and the performance of this Agreement by the
Company will not render the Company, insolvent within the meaning of Section 61
of the Massachusetts Business Corporation Law or bankrupt under applicable
bankruptcy laws.

         (d)  The Company is not a party to, subject to or bound by any
agreement or any judgment, order, writ, prohibition, injunction or decree of any
court or other governmental body or any law or regulation which would prevent
the execution or performance of this Agreement by the Company.

         (e)  No broker or finder has acted for the Company in connection with
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and no broker or finder
is entitled to any brokerage or finder's fee or other commissions in respect of
such transactions based upon agreements, arrangements or understandings made by
or on behalf of the Company.  

         (f)  The redemption of the Shares contemplated by this Agreement does
not conflict with, or result in a breach of, or a default under, or give rise to
a right of acceleration under, any agreement or instrument to which the Company
is a party.

         (g)  Neither this Agreement nor any certificate issued pursuant hereto
contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to state a material
fact necessary to 

                                        2

<PAGE>

make the statements herein or therein not misleading, relating to the 
business or affairs of the Company.  Neither the Company nor any officer, 
director or other agent of the Company has made an untrue statement of a 
material fact or omitted to state a material fact to the Sellers or their 
agents, necessary to make the statements made not  misleading, relating to 
the business or affairs of the Company.  There is no fact which could 
materially and positively affect the business, condition (financial or 
otherwise) or prospects of the Company, which is known to the Company and 
which has not been disclosed to the Sellers.  For purposes hereof, any 
information disclosed to any of the individual executors of Sellers shall be 
deemed to be known by all of the individual executors of Sellers.

    5.   Closing Deliveries.   

         5.01 Deliveries by Seller.  On or prior to the closing, the Sellers
shall have delivered to the Company 

         (a)  Stock certificates representing the Shares endorsed for transfer
or accompanied by duly executed stock powers endorsed in blank;     
   
         (b)  Certificate of Appointment evidencing the appointment of the
Executors of the Estate of Francis L. Reed.

         (c)  Certificate of Appointment evidencing the appointment of the
Executors of the Estate of Dorothea T. Reed

         (d)  Such other documents, instruments or certificates as the Company
may reasonably request.

          5.02     Deliveries by Company.  The Company shall have delivered on
or prior to the closing the following:

         (a)  Certified checks or immediately available funds equal in amount
to the purchase price for the Shares as provided in Section 2 hereof.

         (b)  Such other documents, instruments or certificates as the Sellers
may reasonably request.

    6.   Successors and Assigns.   This Agreement shall be binding upon and
shall inure to the benefit of the undersigned parties and their respective
heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns.  

    7.   Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

                                      3

<PAGE>

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the
day of the year first above written.

                                  BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.


                                  By:      /s/Fred E. Faulkner, Jr.           
                                     ---------------------------------------



                                  ESTATE OF FRANCIS L. REED

                                  By:     /s/Valerie R. Cohen                  
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                       Valerie R. Cohen, Executor
      
                                  By:     /s/Lisa M. Mooney                   
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                       Lisa M. Mooney, Executor
      
                                  By:     /s/Paul F. Reed                      
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                       Paul F. Reed, Executor



                                  ESTATE OF DOROTHEA T. REED

                                  By:     /s/Valerie R.. Cohen                 
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Valerie R.Cohen, Executor
      
                                  By:     /s/Lisa M. Mooney                    
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Lisa M. Mooney, Executor
      
                                  By:     /s/Paul F. Reed                      
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Paul F. Reed, Executor

                                         4



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's Financial Statements in its quarterly report on Form 10Q for the
quarterly period ended June 28, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000805268
<NAME> BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-28-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-28-1997
<CASH>                                         2856796
<SECURITIES>                                   2587186
<RECEIVABLES>                                  9351778
<ALLOWANCES>                                    409000
<INVENTORY>                                   11260974
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              27205038
<PP&E>                                        17889502
<DEPRECIATION>                                 7121335
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                40792906
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          6946264
<BONDS>                                       18000000
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         46063
<OTHER-SE>                                    44147696
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  40792906
<SALES>                                       12415276
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              12415276
<CGS>                                          6974138
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  3697974
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               66844
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                1773234
<INCOME-TAX>                                    639000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            1134234
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   1134234
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .28
        

</TABLE>


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